Survivors

Five Cherries 6x6 Oil on Linen panel

It was hard to get started on this one. At first I had about 10 cherries in a silver bowl. When I was done with the painting, I wiped it off and ate a cherry. Then another. Got rid of the bowl. Ate a few more. Finally, I saw the composition I should have done from the start.
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Southerly Gust

Southerly Gust 5x7 Oil on linen panel SOLD

I went into a frenzy of spring cleaning yesterday, having realized that it is now officially summer, AND it provided a procrastination opportunity as I thought about the subject for the day's painting. The white dresser cloths and a few curtains on the line provided the answer. It's been a number of years since I'd painted this view and I thought to dig up the old renditions to show you. Believe me when I say, this is livelier, looser and improved. I can't wait for the next sunny day to do the bedroom curtains!
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Afternoon

Dona M 5x7 Oil on Linen panel

A painter friend and I got together for an afternoon of painting and posing. 15 minutes and then switch. My goal with this was to place the features accurately (50% successful - haha) and to apply each brushstroke with no blending (85% successful). Out the window went attention to temperature, color and logic. I think if I'd reversed the colors of her cheeks, it would have made more sense. And the shoulder on the left could use shade. I had to finish it at home because it started raining and I almost wiped it but what the heck. Here it is.

Strawberry Quintet

Strawberry Quintet 6x6 Oil on Linen Panel

I was smarter this year and picked my berries just before they ripened, much to the birds' dismay. However, 2 or 3 berries every day are just not enough! So we went picking at a local farm and were swimming in them for 3 days. Yum.

Tulips

Temple Favorite 5x7 oil on linen


Back in April, while in Oregon, my parents and sister and I visited Wooden Shoe tulip farm. There were also some monks visiting and the sight was unbelievable. Visitors were in a frenzy taking photos of the monks in the tulips, it was such a feast for the eyes. I'm kind of thinking we should all wear orange robes. Especially when the weather has been overcast for a few days in a row. I am definitely ordering some of these bulbs for my garden. Temple Favorite is the name. Perfect.

My Shadow!

My Shadow 5x7 oil on Linen panel

The Foosball was no match when this young boy caught sight of his shadow. How lucky I was to have my camera pointed. I thought I was going to get a shot of him as he picked up the toy. I was delighted to catch this moment of wonder.

The Broken Egg

The Broken Egg 6x6 Oil on Linen Panel

Another from Carol's workshop. Although I fussed with it when I got home because I was having medium issues last week. Too oily, the shadow wasn't sticking to the linen. And you know how annoying it is to have shadows lying about your feet.

Grapes

Never Blue with Purple 6x6 Oil on linen panel

In the movie, the Door in the Floor, Kim Basinger warns her young tenant(? sorry, I don't want to get into the plot, here) about color compatibility. I think it was "Never pink with lilac". And recently a neighbor mentioned learning never to put blue and purple together. There are so many rules floating around that probably began as paragraphs with perfectly sound logic. But every time the rule is repeated, something gets left off and we end up with a pronouncement that makes us wonder. Huh?
Maybe two hundred years ago a farmer was mixing a salve for his horse's wounded leg and told his daughter, "Never mix gentian blue with purple loosestrife."
What do you think?

Keep it Simple

Ovo Trio 5x7 Oil on Double Primed Linen mounted on panel.

In Carol Marine's Workshop, we had just completed some timed exercises in which each brushstroke is carefully laid down where it belongs, all happy in its correct value and saturation and LEFT ALONE.
So what do I choose as a layout to further practice these concepts? Eggs. Not the best idea. I ended up blending a little just so I could call it quits and clean up for the day.

Radishes Return

Radish Bunch 5x7 Oil on Linen Panel

When I was visiting my sister and brother-in-law in Portland, they served radishes as an hors d' oeuvre. Sliced, with butter, sea salt and pepper. Yummy.
While I was painting these, Carol warned me that I would have only about 20 minutes before the leaves wilted away to nothing. I wonder why that happens so much faster than with other root vegetables?

Two in a row

Apricot Quartet Study 6x6

More value and brush exercises. These were fun. Timed, fast, no fussing allowed. The lower right actually has a bit of Carol's help on the top of the fruit.

Guess where I've been

Radishing 6x6 Oil on panel

Carol Marine really is an exceptionally good teacher. I was hoping for an energizing workshop providing an opportunity to focus on values and it exceeded my hopes. What a nice week.

I've added feedburner to my blog. I feel as if this may be laughably outdated. Should I be tweeting each post?