Let's Talk

Click Here to Bid - 6x6in. - oi on panel

Here's another one using two lights (one stronger and warmer than the other). The cooler light did some really "cool" things to the otherwise warm shadows. Haha, I'm a riot - you know it.

Wandering Away

 

Click Here to Bid - 6x6in. - oil on panel

I used two lights again for this one - one stronger than the other. You can see that it sort of fragments the shadows. I have to move the lights around for a while before I think the fragmenting is happening in a pleasing way. But I'm just finding it much more interesting than solid shadows at the moment.

Hey That's Not Coffee!

 

Click Here to Bid - 6x6in. - oil on panel

Today I forgot how to paint. It was a disaster. Luckily I'm ahead with my paintings, so I still had something to post.

Lately I've actually been way ahead with my paintings, and I'm finding a pretty huge benefit to this (in addition them being dry and ready to ship): by the time I post a painting, I am far less emotionally involved. If I decide - well, this one really just isn't up to par, it doesn't slay me like it would if I made the same judgement call right after I painted it. And you end up seeing only the work I am most proud of.

Just Tomatoes Please

 

Click Here to Bid - 6x6in. - oil on panel

Here's another little still life with tomatoes. I usually shop at the Albertsons at the bottom of our hill for produce, but I found another store, a little further away, that has prettier produce. It's worth looking around.

The Red and Green Team

 

Click Here to Bid - 6x6in. - oil on panel

I've been asking AI for title suggestions, but haven't used any yet. Not that my titles are so great or anything, but I guess that's one area where I'd rather be myself.

My son is 20 and in college and has a lot of thoughts about AI. Mine are still evolving, as is AI I guess. If they ever make a robot that can paint natural media, I'm done for. Or will there always be a demand for human-made art?

Egg Order

Click Here to Bid - 6x6in. - oil on panel

Here's something a bit different for me. ; )

I Really Mean It

 

Click Here to Bid - 6x6in. - oil on panel

Here's a second version of the elephant and cup, from a different angle. I got the elephant from ebay, which I think is a great place to get stuff like this. I've had my eye out at thrift and antique stores for years, but everything I found was way too intricate or cheesy for what I wanted to paint. I like very simple things like this.

Where's the Water?

Click Here to Bid - 6x6in. - oil on panel

I got this cute little wooden elephant recently. At around the same time I got a black bunny the same general size and have tried now 4 times to paint it, with nothing to show. Some things are just hard. My husband had to finally say - let it go. For now anyway.

Brightens Up the Room

Click Here to Bid - 10x10in. - oil on panel

Ok, this is the last rose painting for now. Also featuring a new metal pitcher I got on ebay. Very simple but I think it adds a lot.

Gathering

Click Here to Bid - 6x6in. - oil on panel

This is my example for this month's Daily Paintworks challenge: The Gathering Challenge. You know, since it's the time of year where we get together. The prompt is pretty simple. Please submit your work! You don't have to be a member. : )

Sweet Nothings

 

Click Here to Bid - 6x6in. - oil on panel

When I bought these roses I was most attracted to the fact that some were pinkish, and some leaned more peachy. I find those kind of analogous colors incredibly yummy.

Finding Each Other

 

Click Here to Bid - 8x10in. - oil on panel

One of my students from last week sent me a photo of her temporary solution to a panel holder. The idea is that it holds the panel in place, and allows you to paint off of every edge with nothing blocking the strokes. She basically taped paint-stirring sticks (the same thickness as her panels) to a board with very sticky tape, which then holds the panel with friction. It works! Here's the photo ->

Shine On Crazy Apple

Click Here to Bid - 6x6in. - oil on panel

I've got a workshop coming up, so I've been thinking a lot about teaching, always trying to improve my game. One thing I tell my students, because it's important for me too, is setting expectations. We tend to put a lot of pressure on ourselves for the next painting to be "good." But it often leads to disappointment. So my thing is to always expect "eh." That way I am pleasantly surprised if it works out. 

Also it can help to do a bunch of paintings without judgement, and then instead of asking yourself if any one is good, rather, ask which are your favorites, and what you learned that you can apply to the next batch. That way you're always moving forward. If you get too focused on one painting that wasn't your best, it can easily lead to fear and discouragement. And then you're not painting anymore, and then you're definitely not improving.

Tranquil Blue

 

Click Here to Bid - 6x8in. - oil on panel

I switched to fixed prices a while back, but have decided to try auctions again. I'm also going to try shorter auctions, after bidding on some things myself (on Ebay - stuff to paint) and losing interest after a few days, haha!

This 3-day auction starts at $125.

Reflecting on Reflections

 

Click Here to Purchase - $500 - 12x12in. - oil on panel

I painted this same composition as a 6x6 some years ago and always really liked it. This is my redo, as a 12x12. I set the composition up again, although I didn't have a tiny pear like this, so I had to wing that part. I tried to get the light the same, although looking back and forth now I can see it's somewhat different. I studied both - the real setup and the previous painting, and then tried to keep the things I liked and not the things I didn't. Haha, what a goal, huh? Anyway, I learned a lot.

Stacking Apples

 

Click Here to Purchase - $200 - 6x6in. - oil on panel

This little pig I have is very critical. He said, "Why are you stacking those apples in that jar? No one would ever do that. Who is going to want a painting of it?" So I stuck him in the painting and he shut up.

Apples on Hand

Click Here to Purchase - $250 - 8x8in. - oil on panel

Here's another study of apples in a glass bowl that I did in preparation for a larger one. And when I say large, the final version is 32x32in! Which is like larger than a mural for me. But I'm really happy with it, and so glad I did studies.

A Different Perspective

Click Here to Purchase - $200 - 6x6in. - oil on panel

Here's another reworked composition, inspired by a previous 6x6 (this one). After seeing them again now I think maybe I used a different light the first time. I changed a few other things, including the foreground paper. I may have to do a few more versions.

Hide the Apples

 

Click Here to Purchase - $200 - 6x6in. - oil on panel

I bought this fabric a while back thinking I'd turn it into a scarf. I realized today that I can still do that, but just borrow it once in a while for a still life. Duh.

Draped in Purple

Click Here to Purchase - $650 - 10x20in. - oil on panel (click image to enlarge)

Full disclosure: this one is actually just under 10 inches tall. By about 1/8 inch. But it's one of my favorites of late. I've really enjoyed having it in my studio.