50's Nifty

I turned 50 during a record breaking blizzard which created one of my best birthdays. Dear friends send birthday greetings, dropped off flowers, wine, and Cds. Since the storm steadily increase to mammoth proportions I stayed tucked in my studio painting the bouquets (with varying success) and listening to Bach. Life is sweet

Delft and Milk Glass

I've committed myself to focus on portraits and florals during these cold winter months. No more plein air painting for me until the temperatures hit the upper 20s.
So with this painting instead of my favorite dark backgrounds I played with white on white with the additional challenge of trying to use natural light to create a dark, a light, a bright, a dull.

Peonys in Buds

"Peonys in Buds"
14"x11"
oil on linen

Over the weekend I was finishing several different still lifes and also repairing this painting which I liked but not quite, know what I mean? I really wanted the peonys to pop and didn't feel they were as strong in the original painting as they could be. So what I decided to do was compress the value in the background as well as go a bit darker and cooler. Also I was more decisive with the lighting on the surface which the vase sits. Now I'm happy with it. Which version do you prefer?

"Last Rays of Summer"

I've been reading Karen Phipps' blog regarding her week studying with Camille Przewodek. Camille's creating process is very different from mine but what I respond to is how she stressed finding the big simple shapes and using what's important to you as a vehicle to express light.
Today went from sunny to gloomy but I clung to the feeling of an Indian summer day. From where I stood I could have painting several different pieces along this same theme. I wanted to saturate my painting with autumn sun/glow. I played my colors and values off the front flowers. I've attached a photo of the scene which I took just before leaving this site to paint another piece a few yards away. Originally I intended to paint the background trees and shrubs but now I think I'll just leave it as is.
10"x8"
Oil On Linen
($190.)

"Off the Shelf" (sold)

6"x12"
Oil on Linen

City Colors - "Brilliant Dawn" (sold)

a quick study of early morning light

6"x8"
Oil on Linen

City Colors - "Fresh Blooms"

I'm not good in the heat and humidity so this bit of color in the shade really grabbed my attention.

http://www.hong-sammons.com/

11"x14" Oil on Linen

($99. + s/h)

"City Colors" (sold)

I've been away for almost two weeks and will try to post some of those east coast paintings but this morning I was attracted to this calm spot despite being in the thick of heavy tourist traffic.

Oil on Linen
8"x6"
website: www.hong-sammons.com

"Orange" (sold)

Really worked to make this orange feel 3-dimensional and get the colors just right.

8"x8" Oil Painting

"Off the Vine" (sold)

one more inspired by the "Huntington Hottie"

8"x8" Oil

"Fruit of the Vine" (sold)

Inspired by the "Huntington Hottie."
We spent the past few days renewing friendships in beautiful Minnesota. My friends homes inspired many new painting ideas. This oil painting was created with a pallete knife and larger than I normally would do for the "daily" piece series, 20"x16" Oil Sketch

"Red Dee-lish" (sold)

8"x8"
Oil on Linen
gallery-wrap ready to hang

"Reflections"

These flowers looked so beautiful that I had to try and paint them. Someone artfully left them to float in a birdbath creating a calming atmosphere that separated their garden from the chaos of city dwelling.

11"x14"

oil sketch

($199.+$6. s/h)

"Peony" (sold)

This morning I put three peony buds into a vase. This evening they opened up magnificently. For me, they signal the start of summer.

20"x10"

oil sketch

"Red Tulip"

Red Tulips are probably my favorite flowers. This time of year they are getting difficult to find. This piece was created with a palette knife.

20"x10"
oil sketch
($99. + $6. s/h)

"hot house"

Yes, more tomatoes but this time done with a ton of thick paint applied and whipped about with a palette knife. I really want the viewer to feel the lushy-ness of the viberant warm and cool colors.

11"x14" Oil Sketch

($245. + $6. s/h)

"Red Bud"

I love the color on these flowering trees. This year I only found time to paint one. These late spring colors are a huge relief against our gray skies.

Oil

8"x10"

sold

"just ripe" (sold)

I got into painting small veggies & fruit larger than life-size, during the winter. Their burst of viberant color brighten up the gray winter days and still gray spring. I think these bitty bites add a dash of color and life.

12"x12"

oil sketch

"Purple Passion"

I'm not sure which is more challenging for me, painting a flower or a portrait.

10"x8" Oil Sketch ($99.)

A Taste of Provence

This woman is a vendor at one of my favorite farmers markets here in Chicago. Her flair for color and confident stance compelled me to create several small oil paintings.
It was a fun challenge to describe her through her body language.

Oil Sketch

8"x6"
$99.