Red Pear with Grapes and Lemon

This is a do-over of a painting that I did a couple of weeks ago. I wasn't happy with the original, so decided to experiment with it. I got rid of the plate and added a white cloth, muted the lemon a bit, and tried to bump up the contrast. I'm learning more about notan in composition, and intend to do some practicing with light/dark.

Tomorrow is the first day of the Carol Marine workshop. I have all my gear packed and am ready to go. I can hardly wait!

Red and Yellow Peppers

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This is a quick sketch of peppers in a glass pitcher. I'm still working on my fracturing technique. Sometimes I feel confident that I get it, but many times uncertainly creeps in and I feel that I'm floundering. That's just my learning style - more of a learning spiral rather than a learning curve. I suspect that it's how many folks learn. There are some folks who easily grasp new concepts - not me. I need to keep poking and prodding and examining an idea from all angles before I'm confident that I understand - thus the need for constant practice.

The Carol Marine workshop is week after next, then one last week of work and I'll be free to practice to my heart's content.

Red Pear with Lemon and Grapes

I'm really excited...the countdown to retirement is almost over. I have been a project manager for a health insurance company for 20 years. As you can imagine, I'm SO done with it and now I'm ready to spend my days painting. Although my last day of work is January 31st,  I only have 15 actual working days left. I have the great, good fortune to have a spot reserved in Carol Marine's workshop January 20-24, just the week before I retire. Carol also lives in Eugene, and will be giving her workshop in Eugene's twin city, Springfield. So much to look forward to this month!

This painting is another attempt at fracturing. I love the technique and will keep practicing.