No. 858 Toolbox Meets Pumpkins

Toolbox Meets Pumpkins

Oil on Canvas Panel

5" x 7"

The next benefit from painting outdoors in January is freedom from cabin fever. I had never really noticed how trapped I was feeling until I no longer felt that way. Good clothing really goes along way in this department. Actually I was inspired to do this whole painting outdoors thing by a Norwegian saying, "There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes". You may want to argue about this but I felt there had to be something to it. 

So in December, when all the good sales were on, I invested in a NorthFace coat from the garage sale department of REI. I'm telling you right now, it made all the difference!

This mid calf length down coat was secret to my winter outdoor painting success. Sure I looked like a small round abominable snow person but I was warm!

No 856 Taking a Break

Taking a Break

Oil on Gessobord

5" x 7"

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This one is part of my January painting challenge. I was really happy to complete the challenge painting outside every day during the month of January. I made lots of great discoveries and will share those with you in the following days. 

Almost immediately after the challenge I was given the opportunity to teach a small workshop in southern California. How cool is that? I'll share more about that very soon too!

Most recently I've been having a blast watching the Olympics with my family. I thought this painting of a pair of ice skates was timely. :)

No. 842 Ornament Reclining on a Ribbon

Ornament Reclining on a Ribbon

Oil on Canvas

I have a difficult time convincing my students and, lets face it sometimes myself, the extreme value of doing a value study as a first stage to developing a painting. Values are so important to creating a strong design and sense realism. Doing a value study helps you focus on this important aspect before adding the complexity of color. 

Created as a demo in class, I'm sure this value study had everything to do with the success if the painting above.

Speaking of class, there are openings in the Wednesday morning and evening class for anyone who is interested. The focus in class this month is skies, big glorious skies!

Oh yes, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Wishing you all the very best this year!

No. 832 Variation on a Theme

Variation on a Theme

Oil on Canvas

6" x 6"

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A different book and slightly different arrangement. I'm pretty happy with this one.

- Susan

No. 821 It's Cool That It's Old but More Important - It's Red!

It's Cool That It's Old but More Important - It's Red!

Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

7" x 5"

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I'm sad the photo doesn't do this justice because I REALLY like the way this painting turned out. Found this little red beauty in an antique shop in Cashmere.

No 760 Ruby Red Poinsettia

Ruby Red Poinsettia

Oil on Canvas Panel

6" x 6"

Another palette knife painting. Considering how very awkward a palette knife in my hands can be I'm surprised how well this came out. One thing I've noticed is how it encourages me to see more abstractly in shapes instead of lines. If you can get yourself in an abstract, shape making state of mind it usually ends up in a better painting even if the goal is realism.

No. 720 Carol's Geraniums

Carol's Geraniums

Oil on Gessobord

6" x 6"

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I find my students very inspiring. This is a case in point. One beautiful spring morning we held class in my backyard. Carol chose to put geraniums in this pot on a red piece of fabric. After everyone went home I couldn't resist giving it a try myself. Thank you, Carol!

The class in action:

No. 690 Roses with Small White Vase

 

 

Roses with Small White Vase

Oil on Gessobord

6" x 6"

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A pre-Christmas painting of roses. You wouldn't believe how many post-Christmas paintings of roses I have! They'll be coming soon!

For anyone who receives email updates of my blog - I noticed the Youtube video I created didn't come through. Here is a link if you would like to check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgvuTtaSsww



No. 688 Ornament #2

 

 

Ornament #2

Oil on Linen Panel

7" x 5"

 

Whew! Look at all that red. I certainly got my red fix this Christmas. It was also fun painting the shiny white ribbon and the interesting shadows it cast.

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No. 687 Ornament on a Ribbon #1

 

 

Ornament on a Ribbon #1

Oil on Linen Panel

7" x 5"

 

This is a demo from my last oil painting class before Christmas. I painted ornaments and poinsettias hanging from a ribbon last year and liked the idea so well I thought my students might enjoy it too. I was sure I had photos of the class in action painting these ornaments but for the life of me I can't find them. My photo organizing skills definitely need some improvement.

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No. 673 Pomegranate with Silver

 

Pomegranate with Silver

Oil on Linen Panel

5" x 7"

 

Had a wonderful Thanksgiving today with family and lots of yummy food. I hope you did too.

Tomorrow we exercise! 

 

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No. 607 Primary Tulips - the Extended Version

 

 

Primary Tulips with Fruit and Melon

Oil on Canvas Panel

11" x 14"

 

Alright, it's the enlarged version of Primary Tulips complete with honeydew melon. This was a kick to paint and I'm pleased with the way it turned out. I spent a couple of days working on it and  really appreciated having the opportunity to tackle it on a new day with a fresh eye.

 

More information on my new oil painting classes:

I really hope that people who attend my classes not only learn something but have an opportunity to meet other people of like mind and discover friendships they will treasure for years. So, as in my favorite classes of the past, there will be a definite social aspect as well as learning.

 The morning class will be open for beginning to intermediate oil painters. I plan to start the class with a lesson on a fundamental art concept and a short exercise. The last two hours of this three hour class will be for painting whatever my students are interested in with assistance from me. They can choose between photos or still life set ups.

 

 



No. 604 Primary Tulips

 

Primary Tulips

Oil on Linen Panel

7" x 5"

 

Wow! We had some truly spectacular weather this weekend. Saturday, I spent the morning and afternoon painting with friends from PAWA in the Washington Park Arboretum. What a gorgeous place it is this time of year with azaleas, rhodies and fruit trees bursting with color. I will try to get pics of the place and the paintings by the end of the week. :)

 



No. 596 Daffodils with Red Vase

 

 

Daffodils with Red Vase

Oil on Gessobord

6" x 6"

 

Poor daffodils were forgotten in the tulip rush. I think tulips are the "bad boys" of the spring bulb world. They're bold, temperamental, here one day and gone the next. Whereas daffodils are the "nice guys". They're cheerful, dependable, return year after year and are often taken for granted. That's it. I'm planting more daffodils next fall. :)

 



 

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No. 594 Tulips with Red Scarf

 

 

Tulips with Red Scarf

Oil on Canvas Panel

7" x 5"

 

At this point I have way more paintings than words so this will be a short and sweet post. I believe I've mentioned that I love red, right? :)

 

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No. 515 Pansies with Apples and Lots of Red

 

 

Pansies with Apples and Lots of Red

Oil on Gessobord

6" x 6"


Pansies continue to challenge and fascinate. Such a modest, charming little flower and so devilishly difficult to paint. By the way, have I ever mentioned how much I love red?



No. 476 Another try...

 

 

Lisa Gloria Styled Rose 2

Oil on Linen Panel

7" x 5"

 

Still working with the things I learned in Lisa Gloria's workshop. This is another rose from the Antique Rose Farm.

 

Just about ready for the next art festival. My daughter Anika and I will be putting our shingle out at the Fresh Paint Festival on the waterfront in downtown Everett. This is a terrific little art festival where the artists will be out demonstrating their craft. I currently have plans to paint a still life of pears. Everyone loves pears, right?

 

If you would like more info on this festival click here. My recommendation is to come a few minutes before it opens. There should still be plenty of parking right next to the festival. After perusing the booths and admiring the sailboats have lunch at one of several great restaurants right there. Sunday there will also be a farmers market at one end of the festival. So much to do! :)

 

 

 

 

No. 423 More Golden Tulips

 

 

 

 

More Golden Tulips

Oil on Linen Panel

7" x 5"

 

In this painting I get the feeling the tulips are just on the verge of exploding into a cloud of petals...


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No. 421 Tulips in Plein Air

 

 

 

Tulips in Plein Air

Oil on Linen Panel

7" x 5"

 

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One a glorious spring day I decided to paint my still life outdoors. It was an excellent idea if I do say so myself. The sun lit these tulips on fire, cherry blossom petals were floating by on a soft breeze and Madeleine Peyroux played in my ear phones. Heaven!

 

 

 

 

Tulips in Pein Air ACEO

Oil on Canvas

2.5" x 3.5"

 

Click here to view Ebay Auction

 

 

With the encouragement of my friend Pam, I'm trying out the wonderful world of ACEOs or ATCs or artist trading cards. I will be auctioning these tiny pieces of art on Ebay. While doing some of these I've discovered that I love to paint small, I mean really small.




No. 420 Golden Tulips

 

 

 

 

Golden Tulips

Oil on Linen Panel

7" x 5"

 

 

I love a feeling of abundance. So here we have an abundance of rich color and an abundance of tulips contrasted by a cool white cup. One always needs a bit of relief, even from abundance.