Striped Clementines

I painted the last seven little clementines today.  They are so fun and playful, I don't know why I didn't try them sooner!

oil on panel
6 x 6
sold

Clementines and the Blue Vase

I picked up a nice big back of these little plump clementines at the store yesterday.  I chose a larger panel than usual, but once I got working I hardly noticed.  I had a lot of fun working with them, so you will definitely be seeing more of them.  However, my kids are going through them so quickly I might have to buy another bag before I can paint them again!

oil on panel
8 x 8
sold

The Rose

After taking the weekend off from painting to watch LOTS of Olympic coverage, I was itching to get back in the studio today.  The Daily Paintworks challenge for this week is "The Rose Challenge."  There was a beautiful sample picture to use, but I was afraid I wouldn't be able to do it as much justice as some other entries, so I found my own.  Flowers are still befuddling to me, but I think this may be the best attempt I've had.  I tried so hard not to overwork it, but I think I got fussy in a few spots trying to add depth. 

oil on panel
6 x 6
click here to purchase

Blueberries on the Bush

I've had this picture in my to-do list for a while, and I finally decided to tackle it.  I wasn't sure how it would turn out or if it would work at all, but I'm actually quite pleased with it.  I'm hoping I can apply some of what I learned from it to my still life paintings.

oil on panel
6 x 6
click here to purchase

Open Seating

I've been getting rather frustrated with my still life paintings recently, so I thought I would break away and try something different.  Then I saw this lovely scene at my local coffee shop, and had to give it a go.  The huge light-filled window and the shadows it was casting on the floor were too fun to pass up!

oil on panel
6 x 6
click here to purchase

Artichoke in the Library

Artichokes are like a more studious pineapple.  Perhaps that's why this one found its way into the library.  I tried to stay looser and more deliberate with my brushstrokes on this one.  Now if I could just get these darker paintings to photograph better!

oil on panel
6 x 6
click here to purchase

Two Artichokes

This one was a challenge.  All the dimension and "petals" of the artichoke were hard to capture.  I think I attacked it with at least three different strategies before finding one I was pleased with.  I don't think that artichokes will be the new cherry for me, but I think I will play around with them a bit more.

oil on panel
6 x 6
click here to purchase

Teatime

It's been several weeks since I have attempted a challenge on Daily Paintworks.  This week is the "Paint it Primary Challenge" where we must paint a composition using the three primary colors.  It was fun painting the angles on the creamer, and I especially love the glow of the tea in the mug!

oil on panel
6 x 6
click here to purchase

The Soloist

I had so much fun with the leaves on yesterday's lily, that I thought I would try a composition that showed them off more.  They may be my favorite part!

oil on panel
6 x 6
click here to purchase

The Sidekick

I'm back from South Dakota, and while I have a few photos of the beautiful landscapes, I'm not quite sure how I want to attack them just yet.  Instead, I wanted to work on loosening up my strokes and experimenting some more with flowers.  The colors in this were so fun to pay around with!

oil on panel
6 x 6
click here to purchase

Yellow Daisies

This painting is a commission for a lovely customer.  It is also my last painting for a few days since we are going to South Dakota tomorrow.  We are staying in Custer Sate Park, so I'm hoping to get lots of beautiful inspiration photos!

oil on panel
6 x 6
nfs

Cherries and Bottles

I bought this table runner for Easter when we had my husband's family in town.  I love the colors and pattern so much, I really didn't need an excuse.  It was my husband who mentioned that I should use it in some paintings, and I was surprised I hadn't thought of it sooner!

oil on panel
6 x 6
click here to purchase 

Bowl of Cherries

I thought I was done with cherries, but then I bought another bag at the store.  So I suppose maybe another few cherry paintings are on their way, especially since I now have this beautiful silver bowl to put them in!

oil on panel
6 x 6
sold

Just Cherries

After painting cherries with so many different bright accessories, I thought I'd give them a go all by themselves.  I loved the pop they got against the blues I was using, so I wanted to try a different color scheme to see if I could be successful with something different.  I think it might be time to move on from cherries, as my big bag has been polished off.

oil on panel
5 x 7
sold

Cherries for Breakfast

I saw these bright colored plates and bowls and had to get one of each.  The lady at the store looked at me funny for buying rainbow table settings, but didn't ask any questions.  For this one I challenged myself to use a different angle than I'm used to.  It was definitely more challenging, but I think the angle adds more interest.

oil on panel
6 x 6
click here to purchase

Cherries and the Lime Teapot

I'm still having fun with these cherries, but the are vanishing quickly!  I ordered this lime teapot about a month ago(and one in blue, red, orange, yellow and purple), and it finally arrived today.  Of course the first thing I had to do was paint it.

oil on panel
6 x 6
click here to purchase

Cherries and a White Mug

I am having so much fun painting these cherries!  Their surface is so different from limes and lemons, but it's interesting to see they way they handle light and reflection.  The two in front seem to be whispering about whatever tiff the back two got into.

oil on panel
5 x 5
click here to purchase

Vintage Bottles 4

I have been meaning to paint more of these bottles for my "series," but have had a bit of a block with compositions.  A trip to the flea market store and a few more bottles was all I needed.  The big bottle says "medical co" on the side, and I always wonder what kind of medicine comes in such a large bottle!

oil on panel
6 x 6
sold

Cherries and the Silver Cup

I love painting silver because it's less silver and more of a fun mirror.  These plump little cherries were admiring themselves from all angles!

oil on panel
6 x 6
click here to purchase

Mischievous Limes

These limes look like they are up to no good.  Perhaps the two in back are sneaking up on the front one, or maybe the two on the right are being chased by the big bully in back.  Either way, they seem to have an agenda.

oil on panel
6 x 6
sold

Paisley Lemons

I have been wanting to use this paisley pattern for a while.  It's so cheerful, I thought it should be paired with some lemons.  It was tedious, but it was fun!

oil on canvas
8 x 10
sold

Three Strawberries

I gave myself one hour to complete this painting.  Mostly because I wanted to focus on keeping it loose and not overworking.  Sometimes I find myself overworking a painting, and then I have to go back and rework it how I should have done it in the first place.  I was able to finish in time, and without re-doing any part of it!

oil on panel
5 x 7
click here to purchase

Four Strawberries

We received these blue-banded plates for our wedding, and I love to use them in paintings.  The blue band adds interest, but doesn't overpower what is on (or next to) the plate.  It was definitely not planned, but these red strawberries with the blue and white plate have sort of a patriotic thing going on.  So happy 4th! 

oil on panel
6 x 6
sold

Lemons and Stripes

Whenever I paint lemons, the smell starts to fill my studio.  Perhaps that is why I love painting lemons in such bright, cheery settings.  This striped box might be my favorite of all the backgrounds I have tried.  I think it's playful, but orderly enough not to distract too much from the lemons.

oil on panel
6 x 6
sold

The Gift

I lost all good sun before I was able to photograph the painting I did today, so I thought I would post the painting I did for my husband.  He requested a painting for our anniversary, however, this is not the subject he requested.  In fact, he wanted me to paint an airplane, in the air, WWII style.  Since I wanted him to actually like the painting, and since my last painting present for him is dreadful and needs to be lost in our next move, I tried something else I thought he might like.  He does like it, and I can stand to look at this one, so I think we both win.  

oil on cradled panel
9 x 12
nfs

Lemons and Limes

I spent the last few days working on a larger painting for my wonderful husband.  I'll post that later, but for now, here is what I conjured up today.  I think I was craving something bright and cherry after the man cave-ish one.  I think this one has plenty of cheer!

oil on panel
6 x 6
sold