Three Tomatoes

Oil on canvas. 8"x8"

I'm trying something new, based on the challenge put out this week by Daily Paintworks. The challenge is to change colors with every brushstroke. It felt like a breakthrough for me! I had to slow down and consider every stroke. This painting is still overworked, and occasionally I fell back to my old habit of dabbing, but overall, I think it's an improvement over what I've been doing. I can hardly wait to start the next painting.

A Different Drummer

Oil on canvas. 8"x10"

I took advantage of the snow day to paint some colorful oranges. Hurry up spring - I'm starved for color!

Radishes

Oil on linen board. 5"x7"

Well, after a few days of computer hassles, we're back up and running. Here's another veggie painting. I'm going to donate the tomatoes, onion and garlic, and this one to the Garden Variety Art Show, to benefit the School Gardens Project. What a great idea to put vegetable gardens in the schools!

Tea Kettle

Oil on canvas. 8"x8"

This painting was an exercise in using a limited palette. I used only three colors - yellow ochre, ultramarine blue, and white. It was difficult, but a good learning session.

I darkened the background on the garlic and onion painting and like it better. Scroll down and see what you think...

Hang On Little Tomatoes

Oil on linen board. 5"x7"

The sun has left and forgotten me
It's dark, I cannot see
Why does this rain pour down?
I'm gonna drown
In a sea...of deep confusion.

Somebody told me, I don't know who
Whenever you are sad and blue
And you're feeling all alone and left behind
Just take a look inside and you will find

You gotta hold on, hold on through the night
Hang on, things will be all right
Even when it's dark
and not a bit of sparkling
Sing-song sunshine from above
Spreading rays of sunny love - just

Hang on, hang on to the vine
Stay on, soon you'll be divine
If you start to cry, look up to the sky
Something's coming up ahead
To turn your tears to dew instead

And so I hold on to this advice
When change is hard and not so nice
If you listen to your heart the whole night through
Your sunny someday will come one day soon to you

Garlic and Onion

Oil on linen board. 5"x7"

It felt like this painting went pretty well. I'm slowly learning to use fewer brushstrokes. Still having trouble with background color, though.

Rose

Oil on canvas. 6"x10"

Well, tonight's painting didn't go so well. I got off to a good start, but then got lost once I started on the background. I'm trying to mix a good grey background color, but can't seem to get it. My greys are too blue, too brown, or too, um...grey. I'm going to do some research to see if I can find the elusive color I'm looking for.

Tuesday's Tulips and Iris

Oil on canvas. 16"x20"

This was so much fun. I got lost in the painting and only now realize that it will be midnight before I'm able to get to bed.

Tulips and Iris on Monday Evening

Oil on canvas. 8"x10"

These flowers are still fresh and beautiful. Painting them several days in a row has been a wonderful exercise. I hope they'll last a few more days. I'd like to try painting them again.

Tulips and Iris

Oil on canvas board. 8"x10"

Yellow Tulips with Purple Iris

Oil on canvas. 8"x10"

I received this early Valentine's bouquet this morning so that I could paint it today. It's so beautiful...the flowers were tight buds when I started the painting, but blossomed as I was working. It was pretty neat to watch the transformation.

Pinot Gris With Single Red Rose

Oil on canvas board. 8"x10"

A few of my favorite things...

It wasn't intended, but I think it's funny that the rose looks like it's levitating...

Oranges

Oil on linen board. 5"x7"

10 Minute Challenge

Oil on linen board. Two 5"x7" boards.

Just for fun, the painting website, "Daily Paintworks", often holds painting challenges. This challenge was to paint the same subject about eight times - each time taking no more than ten minutes. It was very hard, and I wouldn't say it was fun, but was a great exercise. I feel like I learned a lot this evening. Here's the link for Daily Paintworks:
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/Challenge/1A9D96CC-C3F6-4EA1-AC8D-F0634F8C2369

Fuji Apple

Oil on linen board. 5"x7".

This little apple was the perfect subject to paint after dinner. I was looking for something simple in color and form, and this little guy filled the bill. He'll be great for lunch tomorrow, too!

Teapot

Oil on canvas. 8"x10"

French Press

Oil on canvas. 8"x10"

Some painting days seem to go better than others. I'm pretty happy with the way this painting turned out. It needs more work, but I'm going to leave it alone for now.

Round table

Oil on linen board. 5"x7"

Friday Afternoon

Oil on linen board. 5"x7"

This is the first time I've painted on linen. It's wonderful, but way too expensive. Linen board costs a lot less if you make it yourself and is supposed to be fairly easy to do. It's worth a try.

Miranda

This was done in my figure drawing class at Maude Kerns.