Pussy Willow Study1

A large branch brought into the studio,tacked to the wall, then lit. I really enjoyed painting these, finding out how much lighter the shadow was, how much greyer the catkins were. Did you know those furry little buds before the leaf breaks through are called catkins?

Pastel Figure

Almost didn't post this, it's been so long since I've done anything from a model, but ...here we are. The pose was daunting with such exaggerated foreshortening, but I plowed onward. When I couldn't achieve the delicacy or strength, or really anything I liked, I thought, aha...color. So I went with it as far as I could, knowing I'll have another chance next Monday. Thank God for a sense of humor (about myself!)

Progress on Yellow Bike

Spent some time working on this 30x30 painting yesterday at the studio. A little overwhelming as I had been away from it for a while, doing the small paintings. I think I"m almost there.I desperately DON'T want to overwork it and render out every last detail.

Old Chevy Truck Study

Did a double take when I saw this truck amid all the greys of a March morning that threatened snow and more cold winds. The truck made me smile; I took a picture and  did this 6x6 oil from the cropped photo. I want to paint it again and integrate the truck more into the surroundings. How will I do that????

White Bowl Reflections 3

I explored this subject today for the third time, the white bowl on top of an abstract painting of mine. Natural afternoon light from the window makes me glad the days are getting longer. Just need it a bit warmer and I can start painting outside! I really like how the whole painting appears abstract, the cropping contributes to that compression of the picture plane. What will be next?

                                                          
                                      

Daffodills

This is my entry for this weeks challenge for The Daily Paintworks Help Japan Challenge. It's an auction and all proceeds are going to Japan. I've chosen The Japanese Red Cross Society. Please visit the website, bid on my painting, and give hope and help to people in need. Thank you!

Reflections White Bowl 2

I shifted the bowl on the surface, one of my abstract paintings, and painted this with natural mid morning light coming from the window. I like the idea of exploring the same subject more than once, and see what differences come up. I wouldn't have known to predict that the ground stripes would change direction!Susan Abbott inspired me with her challenge of painting white objects on a patterned surface for last weeks Daily Paintworks Challenge. Thank you for giving me a path to travel, new lessons to be learned.

White Bowl Reflections 1

This is my piece  for The Color of White Challenge by Susan Abbott at The Daily Paintworks. Placing one or two items on top of a patterned surface, painting the reflections you see. I chose an abstract painting of mine, which I posted yesterday,  for the surface and that made it quite interesting for me. As usual, using an economy of brushstroke,and looking closely at value shifts, this came together in an unexpected, and pleasing way!

Transform

I've been down with seasonal allergies which turned into asthma, then bronchitis.  I'm on antibiotics now and finally got in the studio for the first time in days  Starting to feel like myself again! I've been thinking about the challenge from the Daily Paintworks, and decided to use this abstract oil painting as the patterned surface. Check back tomorrow and see how it came out!

Abe Works

Here's my submission to The Daily Paintworks Challenge. This came from Raymond Logan and was meant to be done using A) ultramarine,burnt umber,and titanium, B) full color, C) do both and post together,or  D)Do your own thing. I kept it simple and chose A but then got utterly and sadly, bogged down. Ready to start scraping at it today, I said what the heck and submitted as is. I will use the challenge to paint some more portraits and see where it goes, rather than labor painfully over fixing this one. Always a lesson to learn from honest Abe! Thanks Raymond and DPW.

Avocado

Continued with the one brushstroke, each stroke mixed individually. More thoughtful process requiring very close observation. This is definitely a challenge for me, to slow down. Surface is a lovely little blue stool, which I will paint one day! I love how one painting leads to another.

Roma

I'm catching up from being on vacation, so am just posting today the One Color per Stroke Challenge from The Daily Paintworks. There are already almost 200 entries, which really shows how this type of exercise appeals to so many people. I, too, want to focus on paint application! I remember being told not to be so stingy with paint by my instructors,yet I think I can still hold back. This exercise forces you to mix it up,pick it up, and put in on!