Get Focused!

I've wanted to do something with a photo I took of Lily, the sweet house kitty I met this summer while I was at the Castine Plein Air Festival. In my studio the other day, between projects and feeling very unfocused, I got out the photo, my brushes and gouache. I wanted to have a big pop of color so I amped up the yellow of the chair. This photo hasn't been cropped so you can also see where I placed the white painters tape. 

Here is the painting cropped. I think I will pull the tape, then use a white mat with a tiny bit of white paper showing, framed in a white frame for a contemporary look. 

I love how even a short time in the studio can get me focused, even if I have no idea what will happen. 

White Rose

I painted this rose from direct observation as a demo during our last Gallery Night here in Newport, RI at Spring Bull Gallery. I wanted to talk about and show how "white is not always white". I had toned my panel with acrylic Payne's Grey which is more dark blue than grey. You can see where bits of it come through. Many subtle shifts of color, from warm to cool, along with value shifts are needed to make this rose come alive. Keeping the shapes is always a priority and is part of my painting style! Would it be fun to paint this BIG? I think it would.