Pick Your Peony Cup

 

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

I took a break from painting people scenes to take advantage of my blooming peonies. I missed some of them, but better late than never.

A while back I did a little color chart to help me understand my pink and red options. I used only the colors I have, and played around with different mixes. Camera's don't pick up the subtle differences between the reds, so they all look the same in the picture. Unfortunately it's the same for reds in my reference photos. That is why I paint from life whenever I can, so that I understand what is missing in the photos.

Dive Into Peonies

 

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

We had some really lovely peonies this year. Not only do I have a few plants myself, there is a wonderful place in town that has a lovely display every year. I got photos of the ones in town (like this one), and did a few from life of my own (you'll see those soon). They are some of the few flowers you can grow here that the deer don't devour.

Picket Fence Roses

 

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

When I was teaching my workshop recently in Apex, NC, I wandered some around the neighborhood of the airbnb where I was staying and took a few photos. My goal is always to keep my eyes peeled for anything and everything that appeals to me. It's like a treasure hunt that way. If instead I have my mind set on - old cars - for example, I'll miss other stuff. And I'll be disappointed if I don't find any old cars. This time I found these luscious roses in the morning sun with a white picket fence backdrop. Happy happy.

Sea of Green

 

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

One more balsamroot painting, even though they are completely done now IRL. We had a very wet spring and all the grass and other plants are extra lush and tall. I love the abundance! Makes for some lovely walks.

Petals Waving

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

One thing that I think is really cool about these Balsamroot flowers (wild here in Montana) - every plant has a unique theme. The petals are big and fat on some, and skinny on others. The middle part is a little bald in the middle (like these), but then full on others. Sometimes there are notches in the ends of the petals, and sometimes not.

Another thing I've always liked, about flowers in general, is the odd petal that sticks out in an unusual direction. Like they're waving hello. These two have one each. Hello.

Delicate Buds

 

Click Here to Bid - 5x7in. - oil on panel

Here are a few more thimbleberry flowers, just peeking out from the foliage. I adore the light on this one. Very minimal. As soon as these start blooming next month, you can bet I'll be out taking more photos!

I'll be heading off soon to teach a workshop in North Carolina. Unfortunately this means I won't be able to ship paintings or prints until after I get home - June 4th. If you need something fast, please let me know and I'll get my husband to ship it. Otherwise, I apologize for the inconvenience!

Backlit Yellow

 

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

Here's another Balsamroot, a wildflower that is just finishing up around here (Missoula).

I've been inspired lately by Christina Weaver's floral paintings. I think she mostly sets up outside and paints them from life, which is braver than me. But I really admire her style. She's got some great drawings too. Check her out on Instagram.

EBB Tulips

These were the tulips that did me in. Ok, not really, but painting them I think kicked off the dreaded EBB. Or at least, this is what I was painting when it started. I said to my husband, "Should I wipe these?" He said, "No, I like them." I couldn't see it. And that's part of the EBB for me - nothing looks pretty. So here they are for you to decide.

Click Here to Bid - 6x6in. - oil on panel - "Five Tulips"

Click Here to Bid - 6x6in. - oil on panel - "Four Tulips"

Click Here to Bid - 6x6in. - oil on panel - "Two Tulips"

Red Resonance

 

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

Technically there's pink in some of these, but it's still the red family. In fact it's the variations within the colors that excite me - including adjacent colors. Maybe that's why red has been so challenging for me - I don't have a lot of variety in my red things, in color or value. I think I'll try green next.

Special Tomatoes

 

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

These tomatoes were so special they required a fancy tablecloth. They would not sit for me otherwise.

Dainty Daisies

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

NEW ARTBYTE (online tutorial) ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

I've been asked a bunch of times over the years to make a tutorial about painting glass. I started working on it about a year ago and it is finally done! Unfortunately the nerve damage in my neck still makes it difficult to sit for any length of time, so editing the videos is what took so long.

In the ArtByte I talk a lot about the particular challenges of painting glass, and all the tips I've acquired that make it easier. There are 2 demo videos - one of this painting above, and another composition with colored glass. This one >

The cost is $15, and you can find it here: Painting Glass ArtByte.

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.

Water Lily Buds

 

Click Here to Bid - 8x8in. - oil on panel

Remembering summer with this one, and the trips I took with my kayaking buddy. Already looking forward to next year!

Busy Bee

Click Here to Purchase - $300 - 6x12in. - oil on panel

Missoula has a tiny public rose garden. Nothing compared to the great ones I had access to in Eugene and Portland, but at least it's something. Something, anyway, to this very busy bee.

Old Friends

 

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

Here are two peonies from my garden this year. I cut them when they were first blooming (they were a pretty dark pink) and took a million photos. Then one day I came into my studio and found them looking like this. The colors had changed quite a bit, and they were wide open. It was a whole new look, and I loved it!

A Sunny Disposition

 

Click Here to Purchase -$700 - 22x12in - oil on panel

WORKSHOP PRE-ANNOUNCEMENT: Hey all, for those interested in taking a still life workshop from me, I will be doing one more this year, in Nashville, October 20-24 (5 days). We will open it up for registration on June 2nd @ 8am, CST (the time zone is important!). At that time you can use this link to register (before then the link won't work). See you there!

A Sweet Gesture

 

Click Here to Purchase - $800 - 20x16in. - oil on panel

Recently I hosted a dinner party for my ladies night group. I had plenty of food so I told them - just bring yourselves! But they're all really nice people, so they brought me a plethora of flowers (awww). They were so beautiful that I spent the next 3 days photographing them in various situations with the idea that I would paint at least some of them. So here's the first one, with a big thank you to my lovely friends!!

Catchin' Some Rays

 

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

We've had some beautiful weather here lately in Missoula. I'm really enjoying the sunshine. These sunflowers mirror that feeling. They're just basking!

Standing Proud

 

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

I took a break from sewing to paint a few little sunflowers. My favorite part of this one is the stems in the water. I just love how it turned out.