No. 591 Tulip Mini Plein Air

 

The Poet's Tulip Painting - Mini Plein Air

Oil on Linen Panel

5" x 3"

 

At 9:30 this morning I sat on my couch thinking, "Do I or don't I? Do I or don't I try to paint tulips today?" The website said the tulips were ready (they are very early this year) but the weather looked iffy. As you can see I decided to go. The weather was definitely "iffy" but the tulips were gorgeous.

 

I finished two small plein air paintings and sold both right of the easel. One to a poet who recited one of his lovely poems as a thank you. The other painting was sold to one of the most adorable young families I've ever come across. I would say an excellent days work.

 

 

 

The Young Family's Tulip Painting - Mini Plein Air

Oil on Gessobord

4" x 4"

 

 

If you decide to visit the tulip fields be sure to bring your boots! Tulips and mud are constant companions.

 

 

 

No. 590 Tulips with Silver Vase at Night

 

 

 

Oil on Linen Panel

7" x 5"

 

Okay, I'm seeing a series here. It just occurred to me that I could do this on a regular basis. I could take a particular still life subject and paint it in natural daylight one day and  then in dramatic lighting the next. Not only would the contrast be fun but it would save me from designing a new still life everyday. Hmmmmmmmm. I'm really liking that thought!

 

 Below is the daylight version of today's dramatic still life.

 



No. 589 It's Hard to Be Subtle

 

 

White Roses with Watering Can

Oil on Gessobord

7" x 5"

 

My first shot at a regular daily painting after the workshop. I tried to be subtle, honestly.

 

 

On a separate note, there is once again a large installation of my daily paintings at Quail Park. This years crop is what I like to call it. I didn't count how many but I would guess over a hundred little paintings are on display.

 

 

My favorite wall.

 

Hanging with my paintings.

 

The "cool" side of the room.

 

The "warm" side of the room.

They will be on display until the middle of April. If you are interested in visiting them the address is Quail Park of Lynnwood, 4015 164th St SW, Lynnwood, WA 98087



No. 588 Ruffled Tulip

 

 

Ruffled Tulip

Oil on Linen Panel

5" x 7"

 

An up close study of a lovely ruffled tulip.

No. 587 Post Zimin Workshop Study

 

 

 

Spring Still Life

Oil on Stretched Canvas

11" x 14"

 

Okay, this one was completely designed and painted by me using ideas I gleaned from the workshop. Hopefully it looks like I learned something. :)

No. 586 Zimin Workshop Study #5

 

 

Zimin Workshop Study #5

Oil on Stretched Canvas

11" x 14"

 

Last day of the workshop, last study. We discovered, after trying to add a red apple to this still life for some color and Mr. Zimin calmly removing it again, that this still life is supposed to be light and airy. The apple, he told us, would have just weighed it down. He often commented that we are trying to paint the air around the objects not just the objects themselves. Something to ponder.

 

 

 

On the right is Alexander Zimin. On the left is our translator Olga. In the middle is the woman that made this workshop possible and a fine painter herself, Jan Jewell. A huge thank you to all three for a wonderful workshop.



No. 585 Zimin Workshop Study #4

 

 

Zimin Workshop Study #4

Oil on Stretched Canvas

12" x 16"

 

I struggled long and hard with this one. I had this lovely textured background which was what I thought it was all about. Then, Mr. Zimin came by and scraped it all off to make the roses stand out more. Okay, maybe thick beautiful texture isn't always what it's about. Sigh. Back to the drawing board.

 

 

 

Zimin Workshop Study #4b

Oil on Gessobord

7" x 5"

 

After making all kinds of mistakes on the first study, I did this small version pretty quickly.

 

 

Okay, here is the master painting his version. It was exquisite.

 

Mr. Zimin doesn't speak fluent English and so had a translator. This made the workshop interesting and a bit challenging. The translator was a lovely lady, eager to help you understand. I couldn't help but feel, though, that I may have missed out on some great information. I will say the language barrier would not keep me from taking the workshop again if I had the chance.