Thursday, April 30, 2009

Purple Shell III

12" x 12"
Oil on canvas
I started painting something else yesterday and just couldn't get it to work, so I wiped it and started on this. 
Sometimes when I am having trouble with a painting, I will experience a lot of doubt & frustration. Instead of going round and round and banging my head with a piece that's not working, it's best to paint something I know. I've painted this shell a lot in the past, so I know it well. 
Confidence is restored and then I'm looking forward to the next painting. 
A lot of artists will do the same painting a few times before they start on the final big piece - which, I am now thinking is a really good idea. 

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Shell on Paper

 
7.5" x 5.5"
Oil on paper

I made it to FL - it's so peaceful here. the temp is perfect, breezy and birds singing. Today, I set up my computer and painting studio. 
(see pic)

This painting was done on watercolor paper because I don't have any boards primed - the paper is very absorbent and dries somewhat quickly, which I liked. If I used the paint heavier in places - I could still blend it out and not have to wait for it to dry a little. Although, the ease of just cutting a sheet of watercolor paper and taping it to a hard surface is nice, I think I like the wood surface the best - can't really tell you why, it just feels better.

My temporary studio by the lake

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Slice of Life

5.5" x 5.5"x .75"
Oil on wood block
I did this painting in 30 mins. - now, it's time to pack for my trip to FL!

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Three Plums


18" x 6" x .75"
Oil on wood

Friday, April 24, 2009

Red Robe Progress


17" x 24"
Oil on canvas

I still need to do a lot of work on this and am going to put it on hold until I get to FL. 

Still deciding if the hands are too big, nose placement, head height, etc. Need more time to think about it. 

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Good Plum

5.5" x 5.5"x .75"
Oil on wood block

Remember the movie "Close Encounters"? In it a woman keeps painting the Devils Tower and she doesn't know why, but the aliens know why.... Anyway, I guess plums are my Devils Tower.
 
These plum paintings make me feel good and are really fun to paint - one of my favorite painters, Barbara Kacicek painted 31 paintings of three plums: http://meditationsonthreeplums.blogspot.com/

She's really great, take some time and look at her work, also her drawings are pretty amazing: http://barbarakacicekdrawings.blogspot.com/
 
Anyway, trying to work on the Red Robe portrait today.

Side pic of the painting. 

Photo of my studio


Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Undone Plum


5.5" x 5.5"x .75"
Oil on wood block

Still working on this. I had it done yesterday, but tried to add some color to the top and the paint pulled away because it wasn't completely dry and the surface I used. I'll have to wait till it's completely dry to fix the top.

Next time, If I'm working with this surface I will finish it in one sitting.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Red Robe Progress


17" x 24"
Oil on canvas

Here is a video of the progress:


This is a commission for the gallery director at the Woods Gallery. The painting is of her daughter.

So far, I've got all the important stuff in and now I'm working on making it look like her and all the other details.

Portraits are very scary for me and extremely labor intensive. The slightest detail, like too thin of a nose, shadow under the eye, etc. can throw everything off. The daily paintings have helped greatly in see these slight details.

It still can be frustrating, but it is something I need to explore, my goal is painting without fear and I feel I am slowly getting there.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Flea


10" x 8"
Oil on board

Well, plans have changed. I'm going to Florida next Monday. One more week of painting in my studio - Got lots to do!

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Can I go too??


8" x 10"
Oil on board

Every time I'm getting ready to go somewhere Chumley can tell and he sits by the door and waits, wide-eyed and shaking like the world is coming to an end. I really can't stand to see him like this and end up taking him to the bank, grocery, where ever. He's perfectly fine to sit in the car and wait, sleeping most of the time. When it gets too hot, I guess I'll just have to endure this heartbreaking scene every time I go somewhere or maybe just stay home. I'm thinking about getting one of those big purses to hide him in, but I'm not sure he would cooperate with that idea.

I'm going to Florida tomorrow (with Chumley) for a few weeks to be with a friend who is having a baby, so my paintings may not be so "daily". I'll try to get one in everyday, even if it's just a watercolor. I probably won't be able to post everyday so I will multi-post when I get internet access with everything I've done.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Big Plum


5.5" x 5.5"x .75"
Oil on wood block
Click to bid

Plums are very therapeutic!

Friday, April 17, 2009

Plum on White


5.5" x 5.5"x .75"
Oil on wood block

Bid on this

I ran out of masonite, canvas boards, & gesso and the only thing I had left was gessoed wood cut from strips into squares from an old project. I really like this medium and will do more like this.


Tomorrow I go to AC Moore to take advantage of their 50% off coupon to get a gallon of gesso.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Marbles


4" x 9"
Oil on canvas board
Bid on this

I needed to do something simple - love the marbles!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Red Feathers


11" x 14"
Oil on canvas board
Bid on this

Got a little funky on this one - not sure if I'll keep the background colors.
I had a painting under this that had a texture of a circle in the left bottom and I thought I could hide it with the background pattern.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Clothes Pin



4" x 8"
Oil on canvas board
Bid on this

Boy, the farmer's market wore me out!! But, I got to meet a lot of really great people and had a lot of fun. The next market day for me will be May 23rd because I'll be going to Florida April 19th to be with my friend who is having a baby. I'll be gone for a few weeks and I hope that I can paint during that time... we'll see.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Tea Ball


7" x 8"
Oil on canvas board

I'll be at the Wilmington Farmer's Market this Saturday from 8am to 12pm - Hope to see you there!

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Green Dreams


10" x 8"
Oil on canvas board
Donation to the Bryan Farabegoli Benefit

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

I had some dreams


8" x 7 "
Oil on board

Someone on facebook requested something warm since it's been so cold and I ended up with this. My mind must have been wandering.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Red Turban


8" x 10"
Oil on canvas board
Sold

I started this yesterday, but it was not a quick painting. I really struggled with this and I think I still am.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Cat Nap



8" x 5.5"
Oil on board

This painting was surprisingly easy - it took maybe an hour and a half. Most of them take 2 - 4 hours.

I usually start the first part of the painting in the morning, laying down the color and shapes and then finish it up in the evening adding detail and changing any colors.

I find this schedule works for me because it gives me something to look forward to all day.

#%@



"#%@"
8" x 10"
Oil on canvas board
Sold

I had most of this done yesterday, but the paint was too wet to finish.

These rolls have so much personality to me - they all run out differently. Some just fall off the roll and some tear off in streamers - those are the best.

Friday, April 3, 2009

Stovepipe Top Hat


8" x 10"
Oil on canvas board


I smiled the whole time I worked on this!

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Spring


7" x 5"

Oil on board

Don't you just love spring time?!

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Clouds


7" x 5"

Oil on board

I kept wanting to put something in the clouds - kind of like a René Magritte, but I resisted. Maybe next time.