Lunaria annua 2

Turned the branch of this dried Money plant upside down, and tried again, this one 5x5. Happy Halloween!

Lunaria annua 1

I know this as the money plant, but in the US it is know more commonly as Silver Dollars. I love the silvery dried seed pods and had to paint them, mixing the colors as accurately as I could. Some distortion happens on the computer... which is too bad. This is post 200, very exciting to me.

Red Grapes

Another study done with the palette knife. I'm going to hang them horizontally and you will see the table top and unity between the last 3 paintings. What's next? Planning a big studio painting of the harbour scene.

2 Red Pears

Used the knife again with a pear duo.I am enjoying the physical properties of painting with a knife. On another note, for some reason I haven't been able to respond to some of you. It doesn't let me identify myself,so then it's anonymous, then it doesn't go through. I just want to let you know that I appreciate your comments, they really lift me up, please continue!!!

Red Pear

Painted this pear entirely with a palette knife, which is a departure for me. When I took Catherine Kehoe's class this summer, she urged us to mix paint with the knife and not the brush for cleaner,truer color. I have been policing myself to do this (lapsing back to mixing on the palette as I was taught at The Lyme Academy ). One way is not more "right" than the other, for me it is about finding my own path, discovering what works,what excites, what facilitates my expression at a particular moment in time. And this morning, with the pear on a sunny southfacing windowsill, the knife was the way to go!

Sunday Morning

The initial attempt of this painting plein air was a scrape off! It looked like night, where was the light?How can this happen on such a sunny morning? I finished it in the studio using the palette knife only, trying to really push myself and concentrate on temperature. It is quite different from my usual, and I tell myself that change is good, that experimentation will help me to grow. That said, it feels a little uncomfortable nevertheless.

Forecast

Started this plein air on a scale I don't usually do outside (20x20). I was initially intimidated to even attempt such a size, but my painting partner Judy Chaves urged me to get outside my comfort zone. Not one to run from a challenge, I took her (it!) on. After 4 hours the light was entirely different, and I had to call it a day. Finished in the studio as the weather never returned when I had the time to go out. I was forced to use my visual memory in a way as to keep the painting from being overworked. I am grateful that it worked out!

Gallery Sitting

Donated this painting I did while gallery sitting to the 1st fundraiser for The Portsmouth Arts Guild which was held last Tuesday night. A well attended event, with proceeds exceeding our goals! Now that's what we were hoping for.