Colorful Cezanne

Because I paint everyday, finding something to paint is always a challenge.  Last fall, I took a corner from a painting by Cezanne and tried to copy it.  I like the way it turned out.  So, I thought I would set up my own still-life using another portion of his work, using oranges, my own scarf and china.  When finished, it really lacked anything exciting.  When I took it to the Guild on Friday, Julie suggested I try something different by outlining it in navy lines and popping warm and cool colors.  It was a fun exercise which I may try again.

Colorful Cezanne

8 x 10 "

Oil on Canvas

$200  

Go to DPW for purchasing information

I Only Have Eyes for You

A week ago, I tried to finish a painting for DPW challenge; to paint a pair that stays together for life.  I found this reference on Morguefiles.com which allows you to use photos for reproduction.  I don't know if these two mate for life, but I like to think they do.  I missed the deadline anyway.  I used the limited palette  of Cad Yellow Lt, Cad orange, Alizarin Crimson, Ultramarine blue, black, white, and of course, turquoise.

I Only Have Eyes for You

12 x 9"

Oil on Canvas Board

$225

Go to DPW link to right to purchase

Golden Fruit

What a week of procrastination!

I have a studio of unfinished paintings, put aside for something more interesting.  So, I have decided not to start anything  new until I finish the pile of nearly done paintings.  I always work on several paintings at a time.  When I hit a problem, I stop, put the painting aside and let it "marinate".  I walk by it, make notes on what I like and don't like and then put it back on the easel.  I usually can finish it in one session.  But not lately.  This is going to change as I now tackle my pile. As a result, I'm posting an older painting.  This was one that never worked.  It was a much larger painting where I cut it down to what I liked,  three pears.  Hope I soon get out of this slump!

Golden Fruit

9 x 12"

Oil on Canvas Board

$225

Go to DPW to purchase

White Cranes

This is the second painting using a limited palette of:

Cad Yellow light

Cad orange

Alizarin Crimson Perm

Thalo Blue

Black

Turquoise

The white cranes were really the problem to solve.  Remembering white is a middle value in shadow helped.  I didn't get the vibrant colors to show in the photo. This is the centerpiece in my dining room.

White Cranes

8" x 6" 

Oil on Canvas Board

$40 Auction

Blue Prickly Pear

For the past two months, the Guild has used a limited palette.  This one is influenced by Ned Jacobs.  As a colorist, I had to add an accent color, turquoise.  The limited palette is as follows: 

Cad Yellow Light

Orange

Permanent Pink

Thalo Blue

Black

Titanium White 

Turquoise

It's been a challenge limiting the "convenience" colors.  It is amazing what one can mix when limited to 6 colors.

Blue Prickly Pear

9" x 12"

Oil on Canvas Board

$250

A Slice of Apple

My husband came into my studio and saw this painting.  "How do you paint like that", he asked.  I tried to explain fracturing to him, but he was lost.  If I was thinking, I would have had him watch "the expert" explain it on her video.  To understand fracturing, you can buy a wonderful video that explains it so well.  On Daily Paint Works, find the artist, Julie Ford Oliver.  On her page you will see the video she produced on fracturing.  Its the best $15 you will spend on an art technique.

A Slice of Apple

8 x 6"

Oil on Canvas 

$40 Auction

Go to Daily Paint Works to bid

Fractured Pomegranate

Here is a study of a pomegranate I did in a workshop on fracturing.  Fracturing is a wonderful technique developed by Julie Ford Oliver where you paint a painting and then "destroy" it by "fracturing" it with lines you then repaint.  It is not at all easy, but sometimes I can actually produce something I like.  As you can see, it is not like the other two I posted  before in style.  I had a conversation with a dear friend and wonderful artist yesterday and we both are really struggling on what style we like and want to adopt as our own.  I guess if it was easy, it wouldn't be challenging.

Fractured Pomegranate

6 x 8 "

Oil on Paper

Study NFS

Abundant Harvest

Since I started showing a painting of a  pomegranates on my last post, I thought I would continue with them.  I'm sure you can see how I am struggling to find "my" style.  (just wait until you see the next post).  By comparing the two paintings, you wouldn't know they were painted by the same artist.

I love painting on a black canvas and this was the start of this one.  I don't think the colors were as vibrant as the last post, but I think the palette is harmonious.  I am amazed how cerebral painting is when you try to incorporate and all the principles into a painting.  Today, I actually forgot to think about warm and cool  (I'll post that one later, hopefully corrected).

Abundant Harvest

9 x 12"

Oil on Canvas

$275

Blue Bowl with Pomegranates

I love pomegranates and love painting them.  The painting of them changed dramatically when I changed from an instructor to a real teacher of art.  My previous instructor did not let us use Alizarin Crimson on our palette.   My reds really lacked in richness.  Once Julie Ford Oliver encouraged me to make my reds with Alizarin, my paintings changed dramatically.  This is a painting I did a few years ago.  Julie encouraged me to "repaint" it and I am enjoying the dramatic difference.

Blue Bowl with Pomegranates

11" x 14"

Oil on Canvas

$350

Go to My Daily Paint Works to Purchase

Black and White

I did it!  Well almost.  It is January 30th and even though I painted every day, I didn't complete two days as I didn't like what I painted.  The last week was the most difficult.  I wanted to go onto different subjects, try a new limited palette and not be under so much pressure.  All in all, it was a great exercise in that I have never tried to finish so many paintings in one day.  Not too sure I will join the next 30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge in September.  

This chicken is such a beauty.  It's a White Crested Black Polish.   What a beautiful breed!  Hope you continue to follow the blog after this challenge.

Black and White

8 " x 6"

Oil on Canvas

$40 Auction

Forging for Lunch

When I bought my 5 day old chicks, I thought all were female as I requested.  What a surprise when I found one of the black silkies was a rooster.  My grandson, Ayden, had named him Ferrari.  He was beautiful as his black feather were luminescent with a gorgeous green.  As El Paso only allows you to have hens, we had to find a home for him.

Forging for Lunch

8" x 6"

oil on canvas

$40 Auction

As I Was Saying..

What a day!  I left the house at 9 this morning to help with the garden club luncheon.  I really like going to these events to see friends and learn about what I've neglected to do in my garden this month.  I returned home at 2pm and panicked knowing I only had a few hours to paint.  As I was taking the painting into my photo room, I noticed how little contrast there was.  Thirty minutes later, I improved it but may go back and "retouch" it.

I have really enjoyed trying to finish a painting every day, but will appreciate painting away from a deadline.

As I Was Saying...
6" x 6"
oil on canvas
$40 Auction

Safe and Sound

Yesterday I had one of those days where nothing would come together.  I spent about 4 hours in the studio and stopped painting before anything was finished.  I scrapped one of the paintings to start over.

Today was better but not great.  What is it that puts up blocks to completing something you like?  Hope I get back on track soon.

This little painting struck me as sweet.  Here is a mom protecting her chicks knowing too soon they would "fly the coop", just like our kids do.  I guess I was missing my kids and their families.

Safe and Sound

8 " x 6 "

Oil on Canvas

$40 Auction

High Lights

This was a difficult painting for me.  At the Guild we were asked to use a limited palette, similar to Ned Jacobs.  As a colorist, I wasn't sure I could get the vibrant colors I like.  The palette was chrome yellow medium, Windsor Orange, Alizarin Crimson, Cobalt, Ultramarine Blue and black/white.  I had to add turquoise! 

I couldn't find the original reference for this painting, but I loved the colors in the headpiece. I can only guess it is a Polish.

High Lights

8 x 6 inches

Oil On Canvas

SOLD

On Guard

I love Fridays!  It's the day I drive to Las Cruces to meet with the Artists Guild of Southern New Mexico.  Today Lindy, Carol, Anne, Sue and I met with our cherished mentor, Julie Ford Oliver.  How lucky can we get!!!  She had suggested we work with Ned Jacob's limited palette.  It was a real challenge for me as I wasn't sure I could get the colors I am used to painting with.  (she said I could use turquoise) I do love the color harmony one can achieve. I will try to paint tomorrows chick using it.

On Guard

8 x 6 inches

Oil on Canvas

$40 Auction

Click on the photos under DPW to bid