Poppies

I painted these poppies a while ago while at an art fair.  The fair was a bust, but it was the first time I had ever painted with people watching me.  What a learning experience!  I never had a large group watching, maybe three or four people at most at a time.  They would stay and watch for several minutes.  I mostly had my back turned (I'm sure that's a big no-no, but I wanted people to see the painting, not me), but I could hear people talking.  I heard things like "look what she's doing there," and "how is she going to do that part" and "I wonder why she keeps skipping around to different parts."  If nothing else, it was nice to let people into the world of art, even for a minute.  Most importantly, I didn't get the luxury of taking my time and second guessing myself.  I had to keep painting and just let it happen!

oil on deep canvas
16 x 20
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Fall Leaves

I painted this back in September for the "Paint the Fall" challenge on Daily Paintworks.  Between a very busy schedule and an unexpected painting hiatus, I forgot to post it.  Better late than never, right? I will have a new painting to post tomorrow as well, I'm on a roll!

oil on panel
6 x 6
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Three Jalapenos

After so many larger paintings, I wanted to mix it up and do a 6 x 6 again.  I found these little jalapenos at the farmer's market.  The lady who was selling them was very nice, but couldn't figure out why I kept sorting through her pile and picking out certain ones.  I told her I was going to paint them, and she became even more concerned, asking exactly what I planned to paint ON them.  I tried to explain that I was going to paint a picture of them, but them I'm pretty sure she just wrote me off as crazy because she just nodded her head and said "oh okay" a lot.  I really like the way this one turned out though!

oil on panel
6 x 6
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Lily Pads

Lately I've been spending more time working on our house than I have painting.  Part of this comes from a complete lack of finding a subject I want to paint, and the other part is the joy I get from finishing something around the house.  I need to remember the joy I get from finishing a painting too!  This picture was taken at a botanical garden from my trip to California, and I've been playing around with it in my head for a while.  I finally decided to just give it a go.  

oil on deep canvas
24 x 30
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Lemons, Limes and a Blue Pitcher

Yet another painting that I brought home from Eden to photograph. :)  I've been too busy unpacking and trying to get life back to normal to paint.  I'm hoping soon I will get back into my routine.  Even though this painting is from several months ago, I love that I was able to hint at shapes and figures without overworking them.  That's something I've been working hard to accomplish lately.

oil on deep canvas
10 x 10
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Two Lemons

This painting is another that I painted several months ago that has been hanging out in Eden.  It's a 10 x 10, but I remember at the time thinking it was such a large painting!  I had been working so long in the 6 x 6 format trying to get comfortable with still life painting.  I'm still not 100 percent comfortable switching back and forth between small and large, but it is getting easier.

In other news, we just got back from a week long vacation in Mexico.  We all had a blast, even if we did get more sun than we should have.  I brought my fancy schmancy camera with all intention of capturing colorful Mexican architecture, luscious palm trees and tranquil beach scenes to paint.  Mostly, however, I captured pictures of the kids with varying amounts of sand coverage.  I did manage to snap a few of the beautiful and colorful clouds over the ocean, so maybe one of those will turn into something!

oil on deep canvas
10 x 10
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Pear Lineup

Pears are always so interesting to paint.  They have quirky little bulges and points, giving each one its own personality.  Pears seem to have more "human" qualities.  I think that's why the pears I paint always seem to be socializing to me.  I also love the way their chartreuse looks against blue!

oil on deep canvas
12 x 24
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Sliced Grapefruit Wedges

I love working with the bright pink colors found in grapefruits.  They work so well with the orange rinds and turquoise/teal paper underneath.  This painting was actually painted several months ago for the cafe displaying my work, but I only just got around to bringing it home to photograph and list for sale.  I finally gave them enough other large paintings to keep the spot!

oil on deep canvas
16 x 20
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Kansas Clouds

This landscape was painted from a picture I took over the weekend.  I went back to California for a friend's wedding, camera in hand.  I thought I would get tons of inspirational photos of palm trees and mission style architecture, but what really spoke to me were all the open spaces I drove past on my 2 1/2 hour drive home from the airport.  I guess that means the Midwest really is home now!

oil on deep canvas
16 x 20
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Pink Peonies

I struggle with flowers.  I don't know why they baffle me so much, but I just can't seem to figure out a strategy.  I never see shapes and values.  Instead I see every petal, every color change and I forget what I know and paint accordingly.  Usually I wipe the whole thing and go paint some fruit instead.  This time I think I progressed.  I figured something out, or just ignored what I thought I was looking at, and stayed looser.  Whatever happened, I'm hoping it will be only steps forward, and not back into my old habits.

oil on panel
9 x 12
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Patron Bottle

I couldn't figure out what to paint today, and none of my setups were working for me.  So I pulled out this bottle of Patron tequila, and just had fun.  I should keep this in mind whenever I have painter's block, as I think I succeeded in keeping this one fairly loose.  Perhaps a change in subject helped freshen me up!

oil on panel
8 x 8
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Blackberries and Creamer

It might take me a while to stop painting blackberries.  There is so much to do with their shapes and reflections.  It's almost as if they have 100 mirrors facing in all different directions.  I also love this creamer.  Every side picks up a different color and has its own value. 

oil on deep canvas
8 x 8
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Back Lit Lime and Blackberries

I was playing around with the back lighting a little more with this one.  The shadows and the glow it creates are so fun.  I tried to stay a little looser with the blackberries on this one, trying to only hint at their shape.

oil on panel
6 x 6
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Sunflowers and Blackberries

It's not quite sunflower season here, but that's why I love Trader Joe's.  You can't beat a bunch of sunflowers for $3!  I wasn't sure how I was going to capture the idea of the window behind, but it was much more simplistic than I thought.

oil on cradled panel
8 x 10
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Blackberries on Plate

I saw these beautiful blackberries and thought it would be fun to play with their shapes and reflections.  I also wanted to try the striped cloth again, and thought this simpler setup would work well.

oil on deep canvas
12 x 12
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Morning Coffee

When I set up this composition, I kept taking out the coffee bag and putting it back.  I couldn't make it work at first, but I'm glad I left it.  I think I was nervous that I wouldn't be able to capture the folds and reflective surface.  In the end, it just might be my favorite part.  What I love most about this painting is that I didn't overwork it.  Maybe I am finally figuring it out!

oil on deep canvas
11 x 14
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Lemons and the White Creamer

I wanted to keep this one less whimsical while still adding some color.  I picked up this vintage creamer at a local antique shop, and I've been searching for a set up to paint it in.

oil on canvas
16 x 20
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Daisies on Polka Dots

I'm having so much fun with these larger paintings.  This one is bigger than my previous paintings, and I am pretty happy with the outcome.  I set up these flowers without the polka dots first, but thought they needed some more color.

oil on deep canvas
20 x 24
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Magnolia

I painted this magnolia flower in a white vase for Daily Paintworks "paint it white" challenge.  It seems more like I did a paint it grey challenge, but in all fairness, every object is actually white.  Maybe I'll try it again and have white be the dominant shade instead of the least.  

oil on panel
6 x 6
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Blueberries and Spoon

I've been having fun working with these larger canvases.  It gives me a lot of room (literally) to play around and try new things.  This one was really fun to spread all the bright colors around and work them into the reflections on the spoon and even on the berries.  While I'm not usually one to toot my own horn, this photo does not do the painting justice.  Maybe I'll update with a better picture if I can get one.

oil on deep canvas
10 x 20
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Colorful Grapes

I had so much fun with the grapes, I thought I'd have another go at the same bunch.  I plopped them down in the same position on an ombre napkin, and had a blast!  

oil on deep canvas
12 x 12
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Red Grapes

This bunch of grapes was so fun to paint!  Perhaps I've gotten my groove back, or perhaps it was blind luck, but this painting was so enjoyable from beginning to end.  I need to stop assuming everything new will be difficult, and instead figure out what similarities it has to things I have painted before.  What did I learn from this painting?  Grapes are just oval cherries, or maybe smaller eggplants.

oil on panel
 6 x 6
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Pink Flowers in Vase

This vase may just be my new favorite thing to paint!  I've had it in my props bookshelf for a couple weeks, but I've been too intimidated to try painting it's many bumps and grooves.  I'm so glad I did, and I can't wait to find more compositions to paint it in!

oil on panel
11 x 14
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Clementine Oranges and Mug

I reworked this one a couple times, which is new for me.  Usually I will just wipe it if I'm not instantly happy with how it's looking.  I don't think I wanted to give up on the shadows and orange glow on the mug. 

oil on deep canvas
12 x 12
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Clementine Oranges on Turquoise

I have had some of my artwork displayed at a local cafe named Eden for a couple months.  For now I am the only artist they have, so I have been trying to work on some larger paintings to bring them.  They serve organic and locally grown food, and they wanted bright paintings of fruits and vegetables.  Pretty much a perfect fit!  I found some clementines with stems and leaves when I went to Trader Joe's recently, and I thought they would be a great subject!

oil on canvas
12 x 12
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Square Bowl and Clementines

I've been wanting to paint this fun square bowl, and was finally brave enough to give it a go.  I found some clementines with stems and leaves at the store the other day, and figured they would have fun reflections.

oil on panel
8 x 10
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Dawn Bottle

This little dawn bottle is a commission I received last week.  It is going to be a birthday present for the client's friend.  Isn't it fun when you know someone well enough to be able to think up something so quirky, and know that it suits them?  I hope the recipient loves the painting!

oil on cradled panel
6 x 6
sold

Sliced Red Apple

For some reason, this painting reminds me of Snow White.  The red apple obviously, but I think it's because I set it against the stark grey and white.  I was able to loosen up a bit painting this, and I think it has some wonderful moments.  I still can't seem to find a location in our new house that gives great pictures.  I'll have to keep working on that!

oil on panel
8 x 8
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Clementines and a Knife

I sat down to paint yesterday, but after two hours I had to scrap what I was working on and start over.  I read a few artists' perspective on "blocks" several days ago on Daily Paintworks (worth reading even if you aren't in the middle of a block, you will be one day!).  While I would consider myself to be more just rusty than blocked right now, it was very helpful.  Someone said to go back to an old standby, something you are familiar with and love to paint, so I did.  I swapped the vase for something silver and reflective, and all of a sudden I was feeling it!  Even though the clementines were in almost the exact same position, I found a hint of my old groove again.  This picture reads a bit more blue in the background than the actual peice, but this was as close as I could get with the camera.  

oil on panel
8 x 8
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Polka Dot Lemons

We've moved!  Ok, we moved in November, but it has taken me 3 1/2 months to get everything unpacked and put away.  Not to mention all the house painting and "characterizing" (adding molding  woodwork, paneling, details...).  Anyway, I finally have my studio in functioning order, and can finally balance painting the house with painting pictures.  I can't wait to get back in the swing of things.  Here is my first painting after my time off!

oil on panel
6 x 6
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