Apple and Pear Study

Apple & Pear
Oil 16x20

 
This piece is the most difficult piece I have ever done.  It took 8 hours and lots of grumbling!
The post ahead of this was the start of Jim's instruction on how to paint using oils, which was the value study for this painting.
What did I learn?  So much that my head hurts.. bad..    Lets see..
1) You don't need more than three colors; Alz.Crimson, Ult. Blue, and Indian Yellow.
2)  Shadows made with a transparent colors are deeper and richer.
3) Value shifts are key and must be represented properly. Everywhere!
4) Reflections from other objects and ambient light sources are what gives the best depiction when  painting a subject it gives it the proper descriptive form.
5)  That I have a long way to go to have my paintings sing a sweeter song.. 

Monochrome study

Oil 12x16 canvas pad

Monochrome value study from the WC Southwest Forum.  Jim started an instructional thread, its going to be a good one. I'm grateful he is taking the time to help others become better artists.

This is the first lesson. Monochrome painting to help us find the correct value relationships. The oil paints colors are ult. blue, alz. crimson, and indian yellow.  All are transparent colors that make a nice dark value. We were not to use white.. that was the hard part!  I forgot the paints we are using are dyes.  The dyes stained the canvas paper.  I am used to putting the paint on and subtracting it off of the canvas so the paper worked against me. So the value around the napkin is way to dark..Now I wished I used a panel! Live and learn!

Donkey Treats

Donkey Treats
11x14 Oil on Hardboard

  I was bumping about the house looking for stuff to paint for a still life.   I came across Eeyore and a few other stuffed critters.  Since he is my favorite I had to give him the honor.   Joe ate the apple though.. and the grapes never made it to the party.  Gotta love grapes.  ;)

Needless to say I'm thrilled how he turned out.  I've been doing more still life because the colors and values in shadow are much more defined.  It really helps because there are more choices on which way to go with hues, etc.  Much faster too!  

There are more paintings of my still lifes on my blog. I have not been posting them to Facebook as of late.  Life has been busy.   But if your interested in a look see.  Follow this link to the Home Page and scroll down.

Clucking Christmas Sewing Caddy

Oil 5x7 on hardboard

Little diddly of a little sowing caddy which has been tucked away for years in a shadowbox.  Had a phone call so when I came back to it I forgot where I was and had to re-group a bit.
   Goal here was metallic sheen.  Scissors and satin cloth.  One of these days painting is going to be like driving.  Meaning I get the hang of it with fewer mistakes.

My Lil' Homely Tea Pot

Diddle Tea Pot 5x4 oil

  These little 15 or 20 minute diddles are my start to the day, then on to serious stuff.  Not that they don't have merit I guess.  To me they are exercises and not quite works of art.  As a visitor was picking through a few and chided me that I must post these also.  I promised to post a few as I ramble down this road.
    In reality, this tea pot has to be one of the worlds homeliest  teapots ever.  I found it at a yard sale for a dime.  It is out of kilter everywhere!  The lid nubbin is off center, and it doesn't quite fit on the rim.  The handle is not center to the body either.  It's sides are not square and the pattern is not square to the sides, really adding to the out of plumb look.   Guess that is what drew me to it. Joe, of course, said "Get out! Your taking that home!"   "Yup." and I did.  
     Bit of a side note.  It has to be one of the most uncomfortable pieces I have done to date.  I thought it would be easy to do, but no!   To put down true lines that were not square goes against the grain of what my brain/hand feels is correct.  The principle that I follow when I do these diddles is.. Draw/paint what you see, not what you think you see.  Was really hard to adhere to!

Colorful Fowl

Colorful Fowl
5x7 oil hardboard

This is just a little daily diddle I did yesterday morning.  I guess I'm stuck being a realist painter.  At least the background is impressionistic.
Eyes always throw me off so I tend to put them in last.  This one the eye was put in first, as the professionals suggest doing, I had to work around the awkward feeling I get in doing this part of the painting first.  The painting almost takes on a life of its own and looks back at you, it just gives me the willies.  Jim from the SW forum said that feeling goes away with practice.  So practice I will.  ;)

Western Waterfall

Western Waterfall
5x7 oil on Hardboard

Just a little diddle to get back in to the saddle a bit for the western forum.  We are having an exchange of art work there and was busy painting a piece to swap (can't show it till the 20th though.) Working on three larger pieces at the moment.  Big is way outside my comfort zone.

Then there is the studio issue.  Studio is now at a standstill as the lumber yard dropped the ball with ordering the bead board.  Waiting a month and we still don't have it.  Joe and I went to another place and got a close facsimile for the rec room. But it still leaves my room undone.   Guess it is well worth the wait though.  Oh.  I did pick up cabinets at a good price so there is that.. ;-) 

Throwing Pots..

I threw pots and played a bit with clay in high school.  So long ago and such a surprise that my hands didn't forget how to.  Was like embracing an old friend.
These are my first practice pieces with no real character to them, but its still been fun trying to manipulate the clay to obedience.  Playing in the mud legal like was a bonus too.  Several of the last pots were actually pretty nice.   A VERY welcome distraction while my studio is getting finished up.   Almost there. 

Pelican, Florida

Pelican Florida
5x7 Oil on Hardboard

  Holidays are winding down and though my studio is still in flux I'm trying to paint.  Its not the best place to paint right now, to much funky reflective light bouncing about.  So I have just been doing little paintings for now.

Pelican is an example of how the ambient lighting effects the palette.  He turned out ok but he is much orangery than I was expecting.  I'm not good enough yet to compensate when mixing.  Though compensation may not even be possible but, since I didn't read that book either, I think I'm going to give it a go.
Been in a bit of a "I hate everything I paint slump"  Even my drawing has been affected.  The painting 'Dancing In Light' is causing most of my discomfort.  What I learned from the handling of light and shadow really took me to a higher level in my painting.  Now I'm struggling to master what I learned.  Makes for lots of wasted paint and a grumpy little painter.

Have a HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!    

Re-do.. Till its done..

Shiprock
18X24 Oil on hardboard

Well its time to move on.. Getting tired of painting far away rocks.. ;-)  But the study, though a bit tedious, has been worth it.  I tried to show the immensity and distance.  Which meant that I was dealing with values that are very close.  Also that shapes are not well defined due to atmosphere.  So learned a lot from this one. Its signed and on the wall drying.
Studio is starting to shape up and I hope to be able to paint in there soon.

Dancing In Light

Dancing In Light
5x7 Oil on Hardboard

This one started out as a quick oil wash sketch.  I do these little ones as warm ups but usually never paint them.  This one was different.  He stared and whinnied at me all day demanding to be finished!  Well maybe that is a bit of an overstatement but its sure what it seemed like.  Since I had some left over paint on the palette I put a brush to him.  I'm a little excited that he turned out so well.  :-)

Oil Sketch- Horse

Oil Sketch
5x7

Been staring at this guy's reference photo for the last month and have him pegged for a large format painting.  Problem is I am a bit apprehensive on starting it.  Perhaps doing some smaller studies will help get me in gear.

Chapel Duet

Chapel Duet
5x7 Oil on Hardboard

Joe stayed up till 2am Thursday night to put up the walls so I could paint.  Didn't pick up a brush for the last three days.  Was busy getting ready for the Mid West Art Auction, so it didn't bother me until I got back from the show.  He had it up and heated for me today.  What a guy. :-)   

Oh... The show didn't go all that great with people not showing up due to the weather.  Worked out ok though as I still sold quite a few and got to really sit and talk to those who bought my paintings.  I hope they enjoy them as much as I did in the painting of them.

My contribution to this months Southwest Challenge.  Thanks for hosting Kay and excellent choices for the month. :-)  .  Hope to have time to do more.

Studio Re-do

Been itch'n to paint.. But the studio is in a bit of a flux mode right now, as you can see!  Started painting downstairs since I was going to work on bigger pieces.  Didn't realize that the basement would get so cold.  So hubby to the rescue.  He is finishing the downstairs and putting heat in.  Never really noticed the cold while I was painting, but when I took a break, DANG I was cold!  With getting ready for the Mid-West auction and show this week the itch was not to bad.  Think I'm going to have to take some watercolors up stairs.  Now if I can only find them!

Navajo Monument
11x14 Oil on hardboard

Another painting from Don's hosting of the WC Southwest Nov. challenge.  Thanks for the wonderful ref. photos Don.. It was fun!

Navajo Monument is far more successful a piece than that of Shiprock below.  Mainly due to the feedback from other artists, and my never ending desire to do better work as an artist. 

Shiprock Revisited
22x24 Oil  on hardboard

 Its a challenge to be an artist that is never satisfied with their work.  The  drive to do better creates such a strong internal tension that I just can't leave it alone.  The painting of Shiprock below is no exception I could not leave it as it was.   The immensity of the area called out for a proper representation of the scale and depth.  So my goal was to learn how to represent these elements.  Thanks to a few suggestions from the Southwest artists I was able to incorporate what I learned into the painting.  A few elements  are not to my liking and I'm still not pleases with.   Joe, says "Sign it." and is  not wanting me to dab anymore paint on it.  My thoughts on that are.. He has to go to sleep sometime.  ;-)

Shiprock Arizona

Shiprock
Oil  20x24 Linen Hardboard

  The reference for this painting came from Don's hosting of the November Southwest Challenge at Wet Canvas.   Thanks for hosting Don!

This is a bit of a redo to be honest.  I did the challenge.. Liked it one day.. Then the next day didn't like it that much at all ::sigh::.  So had to repaint it and for now this is the finish.

Mule'n Around

Here is the finish. I learned quite a bit from doing this on.   The kind folks in the Southwest forum at WC really helped me move this piece along. Still a few things I see need a bit  of attention, but it is time to move on.  I hope to be doing many more  southwest themes as I do enjoy it so.

Bill Baggs Lighthouse- Florida

Bill Baggs Lighthouse
11x14 acrylic

I'm really going to miss Florida...  Bringing a piece of it home.  Joe requested this one and for a quickie I think it turned out ok.  Sometimes I wonder just what everyone sees when they look at my paintings.  

Flowers For Ruthie

Flowers For Ruthie
Watercolor 7x7

These flowers were painted for a special friend here in Naples.    The painting doesn't come close to the beauty of the flowers she has given me.  Thanks so much Ruthie!

Acrylic on linen
5x7

Acrylic on linen
5x7

Love vacation time!  I get to paint what ever I want.  Sometimes you need that..  A lot less like work when your painting for yourself not for others.  Not that I mind commission work and while I do enjoy painting what others like.. I find I'm more connected to the subject.
Here are two that I have been wanting to do for a few weeks. Its raining here.. but that is ok. .More time to paint!
 

Olgelbayfest

  A little note to for those who sent emails wondering if I had stopped painting. Nope.. I have been busy painting and getting ready getting ready for this show.  Hope be posting pieces in a few days or so.  Thanks for asking.. :-) 

Also.. I wanted to thank everyone who attended the Olgelbayfest and of course the Olgelbay Stifel staff as well.  It was a great time and I sold quite a few of my small works and all of my roosters but one!  Got a handful of commissions so all in all it was a good show.

The Texas Longhorn II

Acrylic, 11x14 Linen Hardboard

You might recognize this guy.  He was painted back in July.  I entered him in the Canfield Fair and there was a wee bit of a mix up by the fair people, the painting was sold twice.  Compromise was that another was to be painted, and here he is.  I was surprised to see how different the two paintings are.
(Thanks Jill.. I hope your bf likes him.)

Been busy learning watercolors and I have not gotten them to obey me yet.  I was told they never will and to go with the flow. Very hard thing to do.  But several are finished and hope to get pictures up.

Cosmos

Cosmos
Oil 5x7 Linen Hardboard

Little 5x7 oil.  Will I tried.  
WDE painting for this week.  Thanks for the ref. pics Mike!
Will have to get a better picture up on this one.  Bad camera.. or perhaps bad photographer!

Atwood Lake

11x14 Acrylic
Canvas hardboard

     I did a few quick sketches on canvas when we went fishing at Atwood Lake.  It was such a pretty area I had to bring my paints, but I forgot my white.. Oops.. One color not to forget so sketches it was.
     I have been using a very limited palette lately.  Tit. Wht, Lemon Yellow, Cad. Yel. Med., Alizarn Crimson, Ult. blue, and since I have not been able to find the tube of Chrome Oxide Green.. well I guess its even more limited.  ;-)
   

Highlandtown Lake- 3

Highlandtown Lake-3
5x7 Oil on Linen Hardboard

  Again, a little painting from a plein air sketch out at Highlandtown Lake, Oh.
  The camera didn't pick up the subtle blues and lovely pinks that are in this painting.  Why? Cameras are limited about 4000 colors rather than the roughly 6 to 10 million the human eye sees. A viewer's eye loves to play inside a good painting or drawing, being attracted to the colors, shifts in values, sense of line, and emphatic undertones that is found there.  Whereas a viewer will only scan a photo long enough for the brain to pick up what is needed to identify the subject. The "Ah.. I get it." moment.  There are exceptions to this though. Photos that create an emphatic feeling for the viewer also give the viewer pause and the brain allows the eye to linger and play.  When I paint I always ask myself if I am having fun on the playground, and do my paintings sing to the eye?

The Old Ohio-- East Liverpool

5x7 Oil Linen Hardboard

Hope to be back to a painting or so a day.  There are so many paintings I would love to get started on, and I plan to.

This was from a plein air sketch.  The Ohio River on a lazy afternoon.  Fish were lazy too!  Not one nibble but lots of scribbles.  :-)

Garden's Doorway

5x7 Oil on Linen Hardboard

Guess everyone can tell I'm more of a landscape artist, huh?  .. ;-)

To many interruptions the last few days to paint proper and there is a deadline looming in October.  It is also an honor as well. Olglebay Institute of Art chose me to receive one of the two Up-And-Coming Professional Artist Scholarships that they offer to artists.  I was floored as well as pleased!  My booth fees and any charges will be waved for the Olglebayfest Oct. 7-9th. 

Now I really do have to paint faster!

Mountain Trails

Mountain Trails
18x24 Acrylic Gallery Wrap Canvas

Lately I've had an interest in reflected light from more of a physics standpoint than through an artist's eye.  I want to understand how light works beyond what ones mind allows the viewer to see at specific moments in time.  When one views a breathtaking scene the eye picks up the little nuances or sparkles and shows the brain, the brain never really shows these on an intellectual level.  Instead the viewer gets an emphatic rendering of the scene rather than all of the information that is really there.  The viewer enjoys the scene but can't pick out specific reasons why.  If you don't think this is true ask yourself why the human language contains so many phases along the lines of, "To beautiful for words?"  See how many more you can come up with. 
As an artist I want to invoke those feelings that the brain imparts to the viewer, I think this is what makes art far more appealing than viewing a photo. 

Sailing

Sailing
11x14 Acrylic on Linen Hardboard

  The mast, rope lines, and reflections were a daunting addition that I was reluctant to add in.  So, after having it on the easel for 6 weeks I decided that if it didn't turn out I would just paint another.  I have a real fear of adding finishing touches on paintings.  The addition of just one color next to another, color relativity, can change the whole painting.  Been there done that.  ;-)  Thankfully those mistakes are becoming fewer and farther apart.

Highlandtown Lake II Plein Air

Highlandtown Lake II
5x7 Acrylic

   Painting has always given me respite from physical pain. Now I find the focus it requires gives solace from other kinds of hurt.  So quietly painting the last few days.  The last week has been very trying and sad. I  pray that the worst fear I have doesn't come to pass.  Lord willing dad will be with us a little while longer with a measure of health. In this I pray.
    Funny how one marks things in life's cycle.  One year and full circle today as I put a few paintings in the Columbiana County fair.  Last year it was the first place I started out. Fearful and anxious that my paintings would be looked at by others.  Now this year I'm expectant of perhaps doing well.   Ha!  If that is not a 180 deg. change in tune!

Rooster-Do

Red Rooster
5x7 Watercolor

Roosters are such fun to do and this little game rooster was no exception.  Just a quicky as I was trying out watercolors for the first time.  I have only used watercolor pencils and it was much different to start with a brush.

Texas Longhorn

Longhorn
11x14 Acrylic on Linen Hardboard

The reference for this piece came from the Wet Canvas Southwest Monthly Event. Probably going to adjust his horns and hair-do a bit.. But he is done.. Thanks for hosting Kay.. may have time for another one! 

Plein Air #5 Highlandtown Lake

Highlandtown Lake
Oil 11x14 on Linen Hardboard

Plein Air in oils on linen hardboard.  We went fishing.. Nice relaxing evening.  One thing about the oils though they are messy to bring home.  Joe is still chiseling a bit of paint here and there from the car.. ;-)

Redwood Forest

Redwoods
11x14 Acrylic on linen panel

The older redwood forests have a powerful dynamic thrust which tends to obliterate long patterns of light and shadow.  This is a young forest and while the trees are still large by any standards the branches are more open and allow such a wonderful stream of light to cascade in.  I tried to capture that.
 Thanks Jack for the many pictures..  Keep taken those wonderful vacations! 

YSU Arts Festival

Setup for the YSU Show.

    I had a wonderful 1st Festival, The YSU Festival of The Arts, in Youngstown, Ohio.
   To all that stopped in to view, comment, and take a painting home, "Thank you!"
    There are no words to express my appreciation and thanks to all the artists, who helped with little gems of wisdom, and also to the staff and volunteers who excelled at making this show a wonderful event for both the public and the artists. A heartfelt thank you to all.


   Last month I imagined art as a melody and song, and I hoped my melodies would sing well to others  This weekend I found that they do sing and resonate.  I am honored by all those who heard my song..  Thank you.

 

Mountain Ruts

Mountain Ruts
18x24 Canvas Acrylics

In the high mountains early sunrise.. The colors are spectacular.  In trying to capture this concept of color, rather than the realistic view, I got a little lost.  This has been on the easel for a month.  Today was the day to finish it.  

Quiet Seas

Quiet Seas
12x16 mixed media

Started this painting at a workshop.  I had never gone to one before and was very very sadly disappointed.  But.. Lets not go there.
  I sketched in the main points.. and sponged in the values and shapes with acrylics.  Took all of about 25 mins.  I quit as I was a bit disillusioned and decided to take this home and finish it in oils. So that it would not be a wasted day I studied the painting and made mental notes as to how to complete it.  I have been trying to do the mental painting more often.  To help my brain really see what is there in front of me and not what I think I see.
  This is the final result.

 

Rock and Flower

Rock & Flower
16x12
Mixed Media / Oil & acrylic

Finally got to go out and play outside. Been a bit under the weather lately so it was a nice little outing,  Did a acrylic under painting plein air of one of my backyard flower beds. Then finished it in-studio with oils.
    I'm finding it a real challenge to paint outside without an audience.  But, when unexpected company shows up, well I just wanted to hide.  So when very sweet young man of  12 or so showed up suddenly to see what was going on. I panicked..but since dashing away would have really look silly, I stood my ground. I must have had the deer in the headlight look as my Joe was watching from the pier with his 'amused country boy grin' on.
  Braced for the worst.. as the visitor unabashedly sauntered up with his fishing pole.  I watched in slow motion, it seemed. As he checked out my painting...  "Lady... That is a really nice painting!"   I could barely sputter out.. "Thanks."
   Then Joe let out a deep rumble of heartfelt laughter. "Now are you going to believe me Honey?!"  I smirked and grinned.  Sure did make me feel a whole lot better about painting in front of strangers.
  If I attend the YSU Festival Of The Arts, July 9t & 10th,  I signed up to do painting at my booth.  The intent being to help me get over painting with people watching.  I think they have  pysc program there.. ;-)  I may need counseling afterwards... ;-)

Mountain Trail

9x12 Acrylic

18x24 Acrylic

Had some fun today with a photo from the Southwest Monthly Challenge.   I did this one to help me get warmed up to finish the large one. ::Sigh::











I started this one earlier in the month in a bigger format as well as in a different style.  Here is sits...  I'm stuck..  Should have finished it immediately.  Now I'm afraid of it.. LOL..

  To me the center is done.  The left and right corners have been the areas pitching me fits.  Mentor Bill says to get bigger brushes and knives.
Feel free to comment if you have a suggestion.

Plein Air Chalange #2

10x12  acrylic
Sold

Always wanted to paint outside.. hard to do on ones own.  So a few of the Wet Canvas people are doing it virtually.. Pretty cool.  We are painting 100 plein air to get a good understanding of subject and composition,values, hue, and chroma.  This is #2.  Three hours..  its harder than it looks.. ;-)

Pelican In Flight

Oils 9x12

I enjoy painting birds and this one was no exception!  The ref. photo was for this weeks Wet Canvas Weekend Drawing Event.  This was going to be a warm up for me to get a rhythm going.  I have three pieces on the easel that need attention.. But this one was to much fun to stop.. ;-)
  Beth (SignChick) is hosting this weeks event, and she put up quite a few ref that I really like.  Might just see another painting from me from her WDE. Thanks Beth!

Sunset II

Sunset II
Oils 11x6 on hardboard

 Taken, again, from Eye Paint's wde-  Challenge was to use knives didn't even use fingers.  ;-)  Learned a lot about softening edges with the knife, long ways to go on that front.  Looks better on the easel cause I give up photographing heavy impasto.
  A side note here..  We got our fishing licenses and since some of us on WC are doing a new project "Paint 100 Plein Air Pieces"  I hope to have many landscapes with lakes and old farm ponds soon! (Catch and release cause Momma hates to cook fish in the house!)

Blue Heron

Oils 5x7 Hardboard
Sold

Just a little 5x7 taken from the Wet Canvas Wee3kend Drawing Event.  Finally got one done early!  Eye Paint is the host this week and again.. lots of wonderful ref. photos.  I even did the challenge, which was to use knives.  What country gal doesn't like to play with knives.  ;-)
I hope to get a few more little ones done today.

Yellow Rapeseed

5x7 Acrylic Linen Hardboard

I love old trees with character.. Not that I can paint them well.. But I do try.. This was a WDE hosted by Scatty.

Little Chestnut Mare

5x7 Acrylic on linen Hardwood

Took a day just to paint. Garden is planted and to wet to put in the rest of the flower beds.. so why not?

Scatty was the host for the Wet Canvas WDE, she had quite a few referances that I would like to do so picked two..
First was this little mare.. I didn't do her justice.. but sure did enjoy painting her.

Summer Jetty

Summer Jetty
Oils 11x14
Canvas Hardboard

Water has such an intimate draw to humans. When I watch people who stand on the coastline, I see their eyes constantly scan the expanse before them. Occasionally their fascination with the undulating rhythm is interrupted by a seagull or other creature. But soon their gaze returns to the sea. Then off come the shoes and they reach in to pat and play as the water swirls about their ankles. I am no different than those on the beach and the years have not diminished the my yearning and study of the colors and shapes are within the waves. They say paint what you know.. I say paint what drives you! Whatever the connection that we humans have to the ocean, it is a marvel to behold.    One of God's wonders laid out in all its splendor which I am driven to put to canvas.  But a shallow copy of the splendor He lays before us.  An artist can but try....

Blue Alaska

Blue Alaska
Oil 11x14 Gallery Wrap Canvas

Alaska revisited.. A year of study changes how one perceives the world. Value, and color is not just what is put down on the canvas.  The creative mind adds harmony and the brush becomes an instrument that sings to the viewer.  I hope my paintings sing well.

Water Lily

Water Lily
Oils
11x14 Linen Hardboard

       Its been two years since the accident.  Lots of  mixed feelings and lack of interest in things, painting being one of them.  As much as I prayed for a perfect healing, I know I will never have my health back.  I thank God that the neck surgery has given me a measure of relief and the pain is now bearable. What a joy it is that I can plant flowers, and take a walk about with my Joe.
    So yesterday I decided to quit being so melancholy and paint! Went to the Week End Drawing Event at Wet Canvas.. Picked out a reference, sat down and painted!  This past week Robert (Skappy) graciously hosted.