DSFDF Portrait

Unknown Hottie

8" x 8"

Oil

What a great DSFDF challenge! I've only done 2 portraits before (self-portraits -had to for art class) so this was a stretch for me. I had fun though! This was my second try. Painting from a photo and never seeing the person you are painting is the challenging part. Hope I did her justice and she likes it.

Everyone, have a very Merry Christmas! Love to all.

Apples & Jars II

Apples & Jars II

Oil

6" x 6"

Here's the companion painting. They fit side to side. I am pleased with both of these. I painted them on canvas, unframed so I can send them to a DC gallery for a show, "On the Line", a clothes line exhibit. The gallery will hang the artworks from a clothes line. Clever idea!

I'm working on a portrait for the DSFDF challenge. Since I haven't done many portraits it is very challenging. Today I will try another go at it. Depending on my focus you might see it soon or you might not.

apples and jars

Apples & Jars

6" x 6"

Oil

Apples are fun to paint. I always seem to have a few in the frig so it's easy to set up a still life. Painting glass is a bit tricky though. I have to approach it abstractly instead of thinking what's in front and behind and through! I keep asking is it darker or lighter than what I just painted. It seems to help. I like this one! I'm working on another so you'll see that soon.

Follow Me!

Follow Me!

10" x 10"

Oil

Do you remember apple bobbing at Halloween parties? I never wanted to get my face wet but some kids would put their whole head in the water just to win. I guess I wasn't very competitive. My best Halloween was when I won a prize for best costume. I had a red clown's nose that was connected to a current so it lit up when I pressed a switch held in my palm. Dressed in a man's suit with hat. My prize was a Hershey's candy bar! Oh, for the simple days!

Happy Halloween!!!!

DSFDF challenge

Rooftops

8" x 10" oil

Another challenge from Different Strokes for Different Folks, the blog by Karin Jurick. www.differentstrokesfromdifferentfolks.blogspot.com It is so interesting to see how many different and similiar paintings can come from one photo. I decided to do an abstract. Looking at it now I think I need to go back in and change some of the shapes. There's not enough overlapping in some areas. I like the soft quality though.

Miss B

Miss B

10" x 10" Oil

commission

Isn't this the cutest dog? Well, her parents think so and love her so much they had to have a portrait of their darling. I'm glad they did. She was alot of fun to paint.

It's been awhile since I posted. I've been taking a color theory class. Relearning and enforcing a few things. I found it's always helpful to me to revisit what you think you know because you can always pick up something new.

DSFDF Challenge

yummy

5" x 5"

Oh, this was fun to paint! The new dsfdf challenge is paying homage to Wayne Thiebaud. He had a NY exhibit in the early 60's that showcased his paintings of pies and cakes. He painted very thick. It looks like icing. You can tell he definitely had fun painting.

Zinnia

Zinnia

5" x 5"
Oil

My annuals looked so wonderful two weeks ago. Then the hot August weather came. I have alot of deadheading to do. But it is so humid out there. These little zinnias seem to like the heat though. I have 5 different glass vases. They are about 3" high and just perfect for one or two blooms. That would make a great series. It is fun to paint small canvases. Not too much pressure just enjoying the process of putting paint on the surface.

Scallions

Scallions

5" x 14"

Oil

$100

These were intimidating to paint. Lots of shadows and delicate color. Not sure I'm done with tweaking this but I did sign it. So we'll see. Let me know what you think. Should I change anything?

The Line Up

The Line Up

5" x 7"

Oil

$75

This was a good painting day! I love the way these cherries turned out. I even signed this one!!! I'm not sure the picture image is that great though.

Watermelon Slice

Watermelon Slice

5" x 7"

Oil

You know summer is here when the fruit and vegies are ripe! And I can't help but paint them also. The weather has been hot and humid lately. I forgot to water my plants for 2 days and now they are suffering. We were getting spoiled with those 80 degree days. Stay tuned for cherries, scallions and who knows what else....

Vine Tomatoes

Vine Ripe

5" x 7"

Oil

I love summer because of ripe tomatoes. I want to eat them like an apple! They are so good with mozarella and balsamic vinegar... or salsa... or tomato pie! Yum Yum. I'm happy with the way this turned out. It was a good day of painting!

Plein Aire Class 9

Canal Lock #17



8" x 10"


Oil


$100



This is one of the canal locks at Great Falls Park. This is a very popular path for walking and biking. My class is finished so this is the last of the plein aire series. I am now taking one of my studies and making a large studio painting. Hopefully you will see that next week.

Plein Aire Class 8

Along the Canal



10" x 8"



Oil



$100



This little resting spot is along the canal at Great Falls, Potomac, MD. A wonderful park to go walking or biking on the path . also there is a boat that travels thru a few locks pulled by mules that visitors can ride. There is a walking bridge to the Potomac River. What a sight! Rocks and waterfalls.

Plein Aire Class 7

House by the Lake


9" x 16"

Oil

$100


I love to paint houses! This one was nestled back in the trees and the early morning sun was peaking through and just hitting in a few spots.

Plein Aire Class 6

The Other Side

19" x 9"

Oil

$100

Yesterday was so beautiful that I stayed and painted the other side of the house. So you see how the sun is hitting the roof at 1:00 in the afternoon. A brighter green. A good day to be painting but everyday is a good day to paint.

Plein Aire Class 5

Poole's House, 16" x 9", Oil, $100

We have been so lucky with the weather. Lots of sunshine. I fell in love with the way the early morning sun was hitting this house especially the green tin roof.

Plein Aire Class 4

Butler's Market Sign

8" x 10"

Oil

$100

Butler's, our local pick-your-own orchard, has old wagon and machinery scattered on their acreage. Quaint signs tell you where to pick your blueberries and where to check out. I couldn't resist paintings these wagon wheels. I used a palette knife for the background grasses.

Plein Aire Class 3

Front Yard

9" x 16"

Oil

So this one is a little better. You can feel the shape of the trees and sense the depth. It was a beautiful day to be outside.

Plein Aire Class 2

Agricultural

Farm

8 x 10

Oil

This is my first palette knife painting. Not the greatest but it was fun and fast. The purpose of this exercise is to teach you to mass in the general colors and establish the large planes of light and shadow. I'm struggling with seeing the tree color structure; the lights, darks, shadows and the transitional color. Practice, practice, practice.

Plein Aire Class

Butler's Field

8 x 10

Oil

Haven't posted any paintings since I started taking a plein aire class a few weeks ago. Painting outside is a new experience for me as well as painting landscapes. The class is fun and I'm learning quite a bit. But as you can tell I have a long way to go before I can call my trees beautiful. This field is a local orchard where you can pick your own fruit; blueberries, strawberries, and pumpkins in the fall. The early morning sun was low in the sky hence the long shadows. It was a beautiful sight. Not to mention the sounds of birds and kids laughing as they picked blueberries. I didn't realize plein aire was also communing with nature. It gives you a whole new perspective on life. I will post more of my sketches this week. After a few days of just painting scenery I decided to add a building or machinery to make it more of a still life. I decided I much prefer to do that so stay tuned.

Meet Tiger!

Tiger

Oil

10" x 10"

Isn't this puppy the cutest? It is so much fun painting dog portraits.

Single Pear

Ready, Aim, ...!

5 " x 7"

Oil

$60

"No, not me." Yes, little guy. Pretty little specimen and very delicious. Complimentary colors make this pleasing to the eye.

DSFDF Challenge

Farmer's Market

12" x 9"

$100

Another challenge from Different Strokes from Different Folks - Farmer's Market Vegetables. I loved doing this one. Yes, it was a challenge getting the shadows on the vegies just right. Looking at it in this picture I think I might need to go back and adjust a few things. Tomatoes are my favorite summer vegie... gazpacho, tomato tart, brushetta, caprese. Oh, i can't forget New Jersey corn either!

Basking in the Sun

Radish
5" x 5"
Oil
$75
I usually buy radishes in bags but the store had these lovelies with the greens attached. Radishes are so great in salads and I love to dip them in Ranch dressing. Yummy!

PA landscape - DSDF challenge

Here is the Different Strokes for Different Folks challenge. It was a black and white photo of a PA farm and we were to add our own color. It was fun to do. I am originally from Pennslyvania and the landscape seemed so familiar. PA is a beautiful state. Maybe I need to go visit and take my outdoor painting supplies.

Artomatic begins!!!

Artomatic opened on Friday, May 29th. Lots of people, great shows, delicious food. So if you are in DC stop by and have fun. Don't forget to stop by my display on the 5th floor, area 3.

Three Apples #2

Three Apples #2

10" x 10"

Oil

This size is great... not too large and not too small. Can finish in a day. I'm learning alot from using the complimentary colors together. The highlights are a mix of this turquoise and alizarin. Fun, Fun, Fun!!

Three Apples # 1

Three Apples #1

10" x 10"

Oil

This turquoise bowl is Mallo-Ware. Growing up we had a set of these dishes. It brings back great memories from my childhood. I just love complimentary colors, the contrast of the green and red. It was fun putting the light reflections on these apples. Stay tuned... I'm sure I will paint more of these.

Red Pears 1

This 10" x 10" oil painting is one of my artworks for Artomatic. I painted 4 pieces that can be grouped together in a square or hung individually. I love the complimentary colors and the way the pears fill the canvas. It's vibrant and exciting. The loose brushstrokes add to that also. Lately my compositions have been looking down on my subjects. Since I'm tall this perspective is nothing new to me.

Set up Artomatic

Yesterday my daughter and I went to the Artomatic 2009 venue on M St, SE Washington, DC to set up my space. We had to paint and put up lights. As you can see i'm ready to install the artwork. That will be next week since I'm still painting . If you are not familiar with Artomatic, you need to get there this year! Before the building is rented Artomatic comes in and lets over 1000 artists and performers show their stuff! Displays are set up for 2-D artists and there are two stages for performing groups, plus food and drinks. May 29 - July 5, Wednesday thru Sunday, open late on weekends. There are 9 floors this year! (I'm on the 5th floor) Take the Metro to Navy Yard. Free. http://www.artomatic.org/

Pig timer

This is a 4" x 4" oil painting of another timer I have. Don't you just love his expression? I would love to do a series of them but I only have two. Oh, I have to go shopping!!

Chef Timer

I have this timer sitting in my kitchen staring at me when I'm cooking. He is so cute! I had to paint him. It is 4" x 4". He has this quizical look that's asking "Are you sure you want to serve that?" And I say "Yes!" I'm a pretty good cook. Only a few disasters. Like the time I forgot I was cooking meatloaf and didn't remember till the next morning!!!! I was extremely busy. We were moving the next day and I thought leftover meatloaf would make great sandwiches. Went to get hubby at train station, stopped for dinner, walking upstairs to apartment and smelled this wonderful smell. Said I guess our neighbor is cooking. Woke up next morning still smelling this wonderful smell and FINALLY I realized it was my meatloaf. It was shriveled, looked like a piece of coal. We were very lucky there wasn't a fire. Well that's my dumb blond story and I wasn't even a blond then!!!

My tools

Metal cans are wonderful to paint. All the reflections show up. I was weaing a blue shirt when I painted this. I love the abstract designs. There's another idea for a large canvas-just paint the reflections. Pringle cans are great for long brushes too. But that can also lead to an unscheduled trip to the kitchen. You can tell I'm a collector, my small studio (a spare bedroom) is jam packed with props, containers, and of course my finished works. I'm always saving something just in case I want to paint it. I get ideas just as I'm going to sleep so it's nice to have things stashed away.

just relaxin'

Today is the day for a new beginning. I have been thinking of doing this blog for a few months. No more procrastinating and no more relaxin'. I'll post my small and sometime large oil paintings, give a few comments and see who comes to visit. I love to paint everyday objects. Painting small doesn't take much time but getting into the studio is challenging. Making it a habit, like going to the gym, is the key. But I would much rather be painting than working out!!!

This 5" x 7" gem is a ceramic mug given to me by a friend who moved to Arizona. (Thanks Suzie!) So I'm off to paint another little gem.

See you tomorrow!