Tomatoes Go with Fish

 

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

Whenever I go out, I always keep my eyes peeled for objects that might go well in a still life. But when I find something, I never know if they are destined be a rock star or not. This green fish has turned out to be a favorite. I have other things in my collection that I've never painted, even though I try them out in scenes. They just don't work. Although of course they might later. It takes a while for me to give up hope. And then of course there are a handful of things I keep right next to me - this simple plate and gorgeous fork are among those. They are my quiet rock stars.

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?

The Green Square

Click Here to Bid - 6x6in. - oil - starts at $100

We're back! And we had such a lovely trip. Utah is a gorgeous place and so fun to explore, especially in October when it isn't super hot. We're so lucky that we are self employed and can do this.

Below is probably my best photo of a site. Not that it was "official" - we mostly boondocked or dispersed camped on public land. This was early in the trip, on top of Cedar Mountain. We were camped next to a gorgeous ravine, and as the sun was setting a storm blew right by us. We just sat in our chairs and enjoyed the show. My phone captured all the colors except for the pinks and purples.

Someone will ask if I painted on this trip. The answer is - I brought all my gear just in case I was inspired. And while we saw many beautiful, I mean GORGEOUS things, I never felt the urge to get out my gear. Mostly this trip was meant to get away and refill the well. That happened. So I'm satisfied.

My Single Tomato Friend

 

Click Here to Bid - 6x6in. - oil - starts at $100

And now for another simple one. Not simple to paint, mind you - just a simple composition. And this tomato is single (see title), as in looking for a companion - not like I have just a single (as in one) tomato friend. That would be silly.

Five Servings

 

Click Here to Bid - 6x6in. - oil - starts at $100

I've been trying to get myself to paint a few different things lately. And it's made me realize why I don't normally choose them. Because they're HARD!

Tall Shot, Small Shot

 

Click Here to Bid (6x8in. - oil - starts at $100)

Here's a silly one, but I couldn't resist. It's got a bell bottom butt crack. : )

Pepper Sacrifice

 

Click Here to Bid (6x6in. - oil - starts at $100)

Tomatoes and bell peppers are a particular challenge because they are fairly translucent. And so the shadow sides are not as dark as more solid objects, and the shadows they cast are often tinted the color of the objects. But only subtly so. It's easy to overdo it. I find myself squinting more with these guys.

Cup Curious

 

Click Here to Bid (6x6in. - oil - starts at $100)

I love the variety of shadow color that happens when you get a bit of reflected yellow bell pepper nearby. So fun.

Missing Tex-Mex

Click Here to Buy ($250 - 8x8in. - OIL)

An ode to Tex-Mex. Oh how I miss thee. Let me count the flavors.

Serious About Veggies

Click Here to bid (6x6in. - OIL - starts at $100)

Every time I go to the grocery store I take a walk around the produce section listening for my name. This time broccoli called. It's been a while. Here's a broccoli painting I did back in 2008.

Eye on the Prize

Click Here to Bid (6x6in. - starts at $100)

I got a LOT of responses to my last post (thank you!). I loved reading them. Here's one I particularly enjoyed:

"Artists like to do art, and who cares how we do it -  just so we enjoy the process: paint by numbers, Bob Ross, copying the masters, learning from you and countless others. I have been going to an art coffee group discussion for the last few years and what I have come to  believe is there are no rules - you just get to enjoy the creative process however you want to and that is all there is to it."

There seems to be a general consensus that every artist finds their own balance with things - learning, finding inspiration, and solitary work. We make our own rules. And we might as well have fun doing it, right!?!

To Love or to Eat?

Click Here to Bid (6x6in. - starts at $100)

This pig has a dilemna. Should he love and adore the tomato, or should he eat it? He's very perplexed. Thank goodness my husband loves and adores me, as he's taking me camping for a few days, and I'm pretty sure he's not planning on having me for dinner. Back soon, fingers crossed.

Foiled Plans

Click Here to Bid (6x6in.)

I am officially PRE-ANNOUNCING my remaining 3, 2017 WORKSHOPS! I pre-announce so that everyone knows exactly when registration will begin, and has a fair chance of getting in.

This time I've posted all the details of the workshops ahead of time, so you can decide if one works for you, and which one(s). They tend to fill quickly (some within an hour), so sign up right away when the time comes. I tried to pick a time when most people (in the U.S.) would be awake and home. Here's when it will happen:

Sunday, January 22nd, at 9pm CST (that means, 7pm on the West coast, and 10pm on the East coast).

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The painting above is one I did for this week's DPW Challenge, on painting foil. You don't have to be a member to submit! Join us!

Little Red

sold. (6x6in.)

I used just my soft, white light for this one. At some point I'd like to do an experiment where I paint the same composition over and over, each with a different light.

Cups for Company

sold. (6x6in.)

For this one I used two lights: a warm halogen, and a cooler florescent, hence the double shadows. I also like how shiny it made the cups look!

Speaking of lights, after a post of mine a week or two ago, a gal (Linda) wrote in about some lights she bought that she thought some of you might be interested in. They come as a pair (she shared one with a friend) and you can get them on Amazon. She uses them to light her painting and her setup (though she paints from a photo of her setup at night). Happy to share.

Talk, or Else!

Click Here to Bid (6x6in.)

Tomorrow I am headed off to Hood River for a few days of plein air painting with friends. If the heat wave doesn't kill me, the rattlesnakes and cougars might. Wish me luck for survival. I'll post when/if I can!

Tomato Overlord

Click Here to Bid (6x6in.)

I have a 10-yr-old son. He chose the title for this one. Need I say more?

I am California bound tomorrow and won't be home until May 7th or so. Unfortunately this means I won't be able to ship any paintings or books until I return. My apologies for the inconvenience! But hopefully I'll have a few landscapes to post from the trip. : )

Observing Chaos

Click Here to Bid (6x6in.)

Often when I'm teaching a workshop, setting up for a still life demo, my students will say, "Tell us what you're thinking!" But at this point (and always when I'm setting up a composition) I'm simply playing with my subjects, moving them around, looking (through my viewfinder) for fun things to happen with the light and the arrangement. When I see something good, I then look around for problems - there are usually several. I try to solve the problems (usually just awkward moments) without losing the cool thing. If I can't, I go back to playing. I never stick with any collection of items for very long - I'll swap things out or switch to a different set altogether every few minutes. When I can find a cool thing AND fix all the problems, I paint it. Sometimes this takes 5 minutes (oh heavenly day!) but mostly it takes longer - anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour for these little 6x6 compositions. On a tough day it can be longer.

In Cahoots

sold

I apologize for any confusion when I mentioned  a "baby shower" and "taking a year off" all in the same post! I am not having a baby (my kid is perfect, why would I want to chance another?)! I did birth a book recently, as I may have mentioned. : ) And my friend Patti, who has a wacky sense a humor, (one of the two lovely gals - bottom right - picking her nose) offered to throw me a "baby shower" for the book. It was really sweet. She made me a crown and everything. I only took pictures of the dessert, but there was a whole spread, wine, and even a speech. Thank you, Patti!

I Dream of Copper

sold

I have so much to catch you up on that I will have to split it up into two posts. First of all, I taught my last workshop of the year (and next, since I won't be teaching in 2015) recently in San Antonio. A word about the organizers - these two AMAZING women (bottom right in the next collage), who I am proud to call my friends, transformed an old corner store into a beautiful workshop venue called Whistlestop Corner, and then threw a party of a workshop!

During the days we got down to business and painted like crazy people. My kids were actually really well behaved (for some strange reason), and ended up painting some lovely things! At night we either went out to eat on the Riverwalk or stayed in and watched movies. We laughed, we cried, we danced, we ate too much really good food, and generally had a good time. Here's my whole group, plus me and the organizers, looking the most serious I think we ever did all week. I'll miss you guys!

Next I'll report about being queen for the day at my book release/baby shower party last night! : )