Three Lemons

I'm actually having fun painting lemons. The shape is a little wonky, not round or exactly oval so you really have to look at them. Who knew, you learn a lot of things when you stop and really study sometime in your everyday life. This is probable the reason I love painting so much, it is a world of discovery.

Have a wonderful and safe New Year and I promise to come back to by blogging more often in 2015.

Lemons

Here it is, a few days before Christmas and I am posting a painting of Lemons! I really don't have a sour outlook on the season, I have been painting lemons because I like the odd shape and it is a challenge for me. When I finish these, I intend to do my flowers in glass containers. I started a few but wasn't too happy with them so, I will try again.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all. Wishing you good health and happiness in 2015.

One of my goals for the New Year? More posting so, what are yours?

Out On The Farm

Well for goodness sakes, you probably thought that is where I was. Can't believe it has been three months since my last post. Way too much fun taking classes painting and doing a myriad of other things. If I'm quiet enough maybe you won't know I've been gone so long and we just pick up where we left off. Think I'll go with that. This little painting was done in La Conner and underwent some color changes after getting home. So, bring me up to date on your activities, what say you?

Moving on

No matter how I try to adjust the color on this little painting, it was just not happening for me. I decided to just post it, explain the purpose was, stronger brush strokes and higher chroma. Have you found yourself fiddling with something you know won't work, but keep at it because it keeps you from something else? Jennifer, Christine, has this ever happened to you? That was the color adjustment on this painting, so I finally decided to just move on! Done, I am now off on a new painting project which I hope to share sooner than later. Stay tuned.

Say what?

Actually, I do paint more than just landscapes although I must admit they are a favorite. Several weeks ago, I came across some photo's I took at rendezvous where period costumes of mountain men were worn. A most impressive lot to say the least however, when I asked if I could take pictures to paint I got huge smiles which I didn't need. Catching them off guard became a new art form. It was a fun day and many pic's to jog my memory. I will post more in the future. So, what have you done this week?

Working towards...

The darks at the bottom came out way too dark on the photo however the goal was cleaner color and  to depict atmosphere. Getting a painting done is one thing but getting distance and interest back there is another. This is my newest quest and must say having fun with  the process and color. Where is your newest interest taking you? Of course I want to know. Drop me a line, I promise to keep it just between the two of us.

Timing

I was visiting a friend who has many lovely plants both indoor and outside. This one was in the corner of her sun room. I happened to have my 5x7 pochade box in the car and did a quick color sketch. Guess there is something to the motto, "always be prepared." At this point as far as the little pochade box goes, another saying comes to mind. "Don't leave home without it." Alright, I''ll quit while I'm ahead in the sayings. So, what's in your wallet? I mean car, what's in your car?

Just a little makeup!

I've been painting but not posting, does this make me a poor multi-tasker? Maybe. The top painting was fun to do but my goal as always is to give the poor thing more life. This means richer color, lots more paint and get out of stiff mode. Reminds me of getting all gussied up and forgetting your makeup. Cosmetic's have been added and I do hope you see the improvement. OK, back to painting!

New Face

My view, when I open my eyes in the morning. Sometimes, I do quick little studies and let them set for a while. Reason being, they look fine. After a few days, the color seems too dark or the sky is the wrong shade so these paintings get a little face lift. Most often  there is an improvement but there are times when nothing helps but a scrub out. Lesson from this? Take your time, don't rush off without really looking at the beautiful colors of the world.

Quietly slipping back in

I'm slipping back into my blog, hoping no one noticed I was missing. It is a long story but all is well including a cranky computer I refused to get help fixing and finally corrected myself. Yes, I'm proud even though I couldn't tell you what the heck I finally did but both iMac and iPad are speaking to each other...and to me.

This painting is from a photo taken last year at our local Farmers market. So happy it is now open for the season and into fall. It seems to grow each year and the flowers become more beautiful if that's possible.

Yes, it's good to be back, thank you for asking. So, what have you been doing?

In the Beginning

This painting reminds me of a room you've cleaned out and now ready to redesign. I like the light and now to add. Many of my plein air pieces are painted in the same area around LaConner so you must be careful not to have look a like. This is really backing into a painting if I've ever seen one. Just couldn't make a decision on what was to be in there so kept working a canvas of nothing. Anyone else ever do this or do most artist just have the common sense to STOP! OK, I've learned this approach doesn't work but all is not lost. This will be viewed as a beginning, good under painting or possible candidate for the rubbish. Time will tell. I'll keep you posted. I"m off to arm myself with brushes and a couple of palette knifes. Bye for now.

Earl Gray has left the building.

Earl Gray has found a new home, so thought I'd post his picture one last time. I love tea and everything associated with it. Cups, teapots, (yes, I have a collection of teapots) and all else you can think of. I really should do a series and get it over with. This has been on my mind for quite a while so guess I will get started.

Have you ever had a project that just kept playing in your head and when you finally started it you wonder what took you so long. Can't decide if this is human nature or a artist procrastination. What are your thoughts on this subject? Yes, I do want to know.

Head Scratcher

There I was, in my own little world working on a painting. Bonnie can see the easel and quietly watches with an occasional comment. I managed to catch him with his favorite stick that has a star on each end using it to scratch his head. Can't decide it it was in awe of the brushstrokes or wondering what the heck I was working on. I may never know. Too cute not to share with you. More painting will follow.

Survivor

A few years ago, I went on a fly fishing trip on the Yakima River. I was among the cancer survivor's granted this trip for a fun filled day with a group of wonderful women. Two women to a boat along with a guide who volunteered. Quite a few boats and many stories. This man was a hero who volunteered and survived women who knew nothing  of his beloved sport. Seeing this painting I did brought back memories of patience, strength (getting our boat over a log) and most important, his calm after almost having his sunglasses hooked, almost loosing his cap and finally his quiet while getting me untangled. That would be one foot, leg and finger while a very strong fish was on the line pulling very hard and me yelling. Painting can remind us of many things and this one for me was our guide, the survivor !

Red Truck

Well, the first week of February…gone!

Geez, I hate to get started whining about time flying but I guess that means pay more attention to my art work and be productive. This little painting 9x12 sat here looking very sad and plain. Sometimes, as the saying goes, a little dab will do ya. No, I really don't know where the saying comes from but for me, it meant add something somewhere so, here's a little red truck. The painting looks more alive and happy. So, think we should change a little something in our lives to spark it up. Your choice. Try it and see what happens and again, I ask, send me a note and let me know what happens. It doesn't take much. By the way, I am still coming down from the high of our SEAHAWKS last Sunday. What a week for Seattle!

A little nip and tuck!

On the top right, you can see I started corrections and almost forgot to take the "before photo." Well that certainly took a different turn from the start didn't it? This is one of those cases where you are out painting and think, hot dang, this isn't bad. You get home and take a second look and wonder who stole your original work.

Sometimes life is like this little painting. You're walking with your head held high, enjoying the day and fall into a pothole. You just pick up and move on. Lesson learned here is to really look at that sky and composition before diving into those beautiful colors. I'm off to my next painting…what are you going to do? Elsa, Jennifer, Annegirl, Christine, Katy? Additional names to follow.

Visitor

I was about to crop this photo but it looked like one of the "models" was watching from the sideline so it was included. This was a fun little painting 5x7 in oil. Sometimes when just practicing I work out things like color combinations, thickness of paint and design using a still life set up. Sometimes the results are pleasing, sometimes they are a scrub off. This one seemed to come together so I'm off to collect a few more things to try. Stay tuned. Oh, before I go, what are your passions this week and are you painting them? Of course I want to know, so please drop a comment or two.

Oops! Off with MY, head.

I really got enthused about correcting a painting and giving it a new life. Problem was I forgot to take the photo of the old one until I was almost finished. Let me tell you what I did so you have an idea where this poor puppy was. Added the blue gray trees at the top, I had a road up there, dumb idea, then I brighten the trees middle ground and put additional color and made the foreground have visible brushstrokes. Originally, it looked like a cemetery plot for sale. Honestly! Next goal is photo's before new life. So, what are you doing with your time this week?

Clouds from my window

When we are not in the middle of gray and rain here in Seattle, we have the most beautiful cloud structures. I open my eyes in the morning and the first thing I see is sky, water and trees. Nice huh? My thoughts are always, that would make a very nice little painting. Well, while I haven't exactly made New Year resolutions, one of my goals is to do more paintings with clouds. Stay tuned! Meanwhile, what are you going to do? Drop me a line and fill me in.

Evening

If you really want to learn about values, try painting in the late evening. What a challenge. Every thing is dark yet, you want to show some color and light direction. I will not post many evening paintings, why? Don't like to stay up too late. I'm a happy morning person. Speaking of happy, I hope the New Year brings you much happiness and good health.