Calm, Cool, and Collected - SOLD

6x6 oil on Raymar panel

The cool colors of this painting make it seem so calm. The limes seem to be just relaxing in the light. I like the way they reflect into the mug.

I have been out of town for the last couple weeks - am home now and will be posting more regularly. I did just 3 plein air paintings while away - it's hard when there's so many other things planned throughout the days. I will begin listing some paintings for sale on ebay this next week - a random selection from older and newer posts.

As always, your comments are appreciated!

Violinist

11x14 oil on Raymar panel

This young girl was beautiful, and her satin dress so blue! I put the most time into the face, and less time into the violin and hand, which I do plan to rework. The pose itself is only about 3 hours - so working fast is paramount. As in other figures and portraits, I've been using only black, yellow, red, and white. However, in this one, I had to use thalo and ultramarine to get the lovely blue.

Basking in the Light

11x14 oil on Raymar panel

This model was great - I liked the pose and how relaxed and serene she was - almost like she was in deep thought. The cool light really dictacted the soft colors, and all that was used here was black, yellow ochre, cad red light, and white.

Double Vision

6x6 oil on canvas panel

The egg seems to take away the limelight from the larger, more colorful bell pepper. Orange bell peppers are one of my favorite subjects. The egg shape is always a challenge, but adds good contrast with its white values. The reflection was especially fun to paint.

Threesome - SOLD

6x8 oil on Raymar panel

The cherries, although separated by the jar, are still together as a little friendly group. They set up a perfect little triangle, and get along so great. I like the way the reflections worked from the cherries onto the glass. Again, one of my favorite props - the jar.

Only Room For One

6x6 oil on canvas panel

The cherry tomato in the bowl feels safe and secure, while his friend on the table wants in. This small bowl is really a votive holder, but I love to use it for other things as I paint it. I like the thick glass and all the blues it creates, depending on the light.

I'll Scoop You Up! -SOLD

6x6 oil on canvas panel

With cherries in season, it's hard not to paint them. They're just so cute! This silver spoon appears to be trying to scoop up the oranges, which are escaping, while the cherries just pretend they're not next. The composition of the large vertical shape stabilizes the smaller, scattered, dynamic shapes.

Happy Birthday to Me!

6x8 oil on Raymar panel

On my birthday, I knew I would get a little time to do anything I wanted - so of course I chose to paint. Someone gave me a bouquet with this flower in it. So it only seemed right to put it in my painting. For me, the jar was way more fun to paint than the flower!

Geranium

6x8 oil on Raymar panel

The dark green glass bowl was borrowed from a friend. I chose the pink geranium for its complementary relationship with the bowl. I like the subtle contrast between the warm and cool greens.

Happy Couple - SOLD

6x6 oil on Raymar panel

This pair of pears seem to be a couple - the woman on the left, admiring her man, while the man is straight and strong. It's amazing how personal relationships are formed among things that aren't human! The simplicity of this painting makes us focus on the pair even more.

Fresh Egg

6x6 oil on Raymar panel

A friend told me that you can tell an egg is fresh by how round and 3D the yolk is. Well - that's how this painting got its' name. The sky blue background, combined with the sunny yellow, seem to make this painting just so smiley and happy!

A Pear of Reflections

6x6 oil on Raymar panel

I enjoy painting reflective surfaces, and this steel bowl is a popular prop with me. Pears are a favorite fruit to paint, and although they are closer to us, I wanted to keep the interest on the bowl and the reflections in it.

Holly and Oranges - SOLD

6x6 oil on Raymar panel

I did this painting while vacationing in Big Bear with a couple of friends. I was wanting to put something green into the jar, and holly was about the only thing available. I like the combo of colors here, and the way the blue peeks through the background.

Direct Gaze

11x14 oil on Raymar panel

This model was a last minute replacement for one that couldn't get to our session. She was great - very still. I love the way she looks at the viewer. The white fluffy thing she's wearing was especially fun to paint.

Vintage Egg - SOLD

6x6 oil on Raymar panel

I found this little blue bowl at an antique store. I love the delicate shape and the subtle color on the edges. It's probably Depression glass, so very old. Again, so much fun painting the egg!