Simple Gifts

Thankful for simple pleasures.

Springtime Blooms

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Tulips bring a promise of spring on this cold, dark day.

Bosc Pear

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This is another values study. I'm following artist Paul Foxton's instructions for mixing color. This method employs the use of the New Munsell Student Color Set book as an aid to selecting the appropriate color, value, and chroma. I love this way of painting. It has caused me to slow down and give thought to each brushstroke. Lots of fun!

Two Lemons

TWO LEMONS

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After a long hiatus from painting that lasted from spring through the end of 2016,  I am finally back to painting. In addition to a busy summer that included painting walls and remodeling the kitchen, I also hit a painter's block that knocked me back on my heels. I wanted very much to paint, but felt fearful about picking up a paintbrush and actually applying paint to canvas. I wouldn't even check out the blogs and websites of my favorite painters; something that I normally enjoy. What that was all about, I don't know. It made me feel sad and angry and guilty, and was entirely self-imposed. My husband was supportive and encouraging. His suggestion was to just paint without judgement and without attempting to produce anything. That became my New Year's resolution and I'm happy to say it was enough to get me back on the horse. 

For the next little while I'm going to focus on values as I paint. I've recently been following a first rate blog,  Learning to See, written by artist, Paul Foxton. The blog contains a treasure trove of information on color and value and is well worth a look. 

It feels so nice to be painting again. I wonder what took me so long!

New Shoes

Last Christmas we gave our granddaughter, Nora, a dress from Paris. We included a sweater, beret, and red patent leather shoes to complete the outfit. She liked the new clothes, but she loved the "gorgeous" red shoes - a girl after my own heart!

Here Comes The Sun

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One little tulip leans toward the light and greets the sunshine.

Pink Azaleas

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Azaleas are in full bloom.

Small Treasures

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Small treasures fill the heart and lift the spirit.

Planting Season

Another scene from our trip to Pleasant Hill. The surrounding fields are newly planted and spring green is beginning to replace the gold/brown colors of winter.

View From Wheeler Road

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Patti McNutt, Victoria Biedron (fellow DPW painters), and I drove down to the Pleasant Hill area this morning to do a little plein air painting. Patti had previously spotted this hillside with the rocky outcropping, and suggested that it would be a good spot to paint - and it was sublime! The day was perfect - good weather, good scenery, good company. Isn't that what it's all about?

Morning Coffee

Morning coffee on a beautiful spring day.

Room Enough For Five

This is the same tulip set up that I used for a previous painting. This time I painted the background in low key rather than high key. It's interesting to see how the mood of the painting changes when the values change.

Hangin' Out

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So many tulips, so little time.

Dancing Tulips

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These tulips seem to dance to a springtime melody only they can hear. While you can't see the dance in motion, if you glance away and then look again, you'll find they've moved ever so slightly to a new pose.

Good Morning

I'm so glad to be able to turn to painting during this election season. I'm able to tune out all the noise and nonsense and enjoy the beauty that is all around.  I think it helps me keep my head on straight!

Cup of Violas

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These violas were just begging to be painted. How could I resist? Mother's Day is coming up - this little oil painting might make a very nice Mother's Day gift for someone's special mom.

Cheers

More roses! They still elude me, but I'm having a lot of fun painting them. I do like to paint flowers. They just seem so cheerful - even on these dark and rainy afternoons. This is a 12x12 inch panel, larger than I'm accustomed to. The larger size makes it a little easier to paint in a loose fashion.

Simple Pleasures

 

This painting is 14x11 inches, larger than what I'm used to doing. I like working on larger canvases, but feel pretty nervous and intimidated while painting.  Perspective and composition are both weak areas for me and I think painting larger reveals that - at least I'm more aware of it.

The answer is to forge ahead and keep painting larger. I'm also going to spend more time practicing these skills. I've decided my homework is to set aside some time each day to work with pencil and paper. There is a wonderful blog, http://www.learning-to-see.co.uk/ that gives valuable information on how to improve. I often glance through it, but haven't taken the time to really dig in and do the work that Paul recommends.

So much to learn, so little time!

Narcissus with Grape Hyacinth

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This morning I ran outside between rain showers to gather these flowers.  Bulb flowers are my favorites.

Swinging Single

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This little gal is hanging out all by herself in the water glass, but she seems pretty jolly. I think she enjoys her own company.