Lemons & Blue Cup

Lemons seem to be a symbol for refreshing taste as well as a refreshing color. Thought I would post this after all the turkey, potatoes and desserts we have seen on Facebook. The holiday season is in full force so balance your time and energy and, maybe relax and have a cup of tea with lemon.

Yellow Roses

Not sure where you are right now but here in Lake Forest Park, WA it's rainy, cold and very windy. I had made a promise to try painting flowers in bright colors to off set the day. Now that we are going into a serious winter mode I plan on also using the time for study.

Most of my paintings are landscape, seascape and still life subject matter. My plan is to work on paintings that don't come quite so easy. This includes portraits, figures and buildings. I do believe we get a mind set of what we can and cannot do instead of just practicing what takes more time, thought and energy. I'll keep you posted on how this works out. So, what are you going to do besides cuddling up to the fireplace with a box of bonbons? Of course I want to know...so write!

Holy Barracuda!

Can it really be I've not posted since July? Sincere apologies to those who have checked this blog to find...nothing new. How rude!
I have painted, taken a couple of workshops. sketched and played with Gouache paint. A little heavier than watercolor but not as messy as oil clean-up. Actually, depending on how it's used you can have the effect of oil or watercolor. Neat eh?

Time now to line up a few paintings for posting, lord knows I have some you haven't seen. Thanks for coming back, I do appreciate you taking time to view my work.

Two Pairs

Trying new ways to do Still Life paintings. Sometimes you have to just let go and let a new technique take over. Not sure if I went over  board on this or not but it kept me busy for quite a while today. I'll see where stronger colors take me.

Happy 4th of July

I hope your day is as peaceful as I tried conveying in this painting. A few years ago I had a friend living on a farm in Sultan, WA. What an ideal place to paint and just get back to nature. Unfortunately, after one of the big floods, the owners gave up the property. I'm glad I had a chance to visit, paint, take photo's and sketch before this all happened. So, if you see something you think you might want to paint, do it now, the opportunity could pass you by. That was a good lesson for me not that I always follow my own advise. So, what are your words of wisdom for today? One more thing, this painting won the Kenmore Camera award in the PNW Summer Show at Tsuga Gallery in Bothell WA this past Saturday. Yep, I was surprised!

PathTo The River

I love paths, roads, walkways that lead you to interesting places, they have such character. They are also difficult for me to paint into something you might want to see on one of your journey's. Guess this is another challenge to pursue this year. Ok, I'm going back to the drawing board to see what else I can come up with. Before I go, what are you working on?

Warm Colors

I love mixing colors and painting still life set ups. There is something satisfying about putting a few items together for a pleasant look and then, try to pull it off. Sometimes it doesn't work out so well and other times, it's ok.

Bonnie Marie 1997-2017

I think I'm writing this for me. This is Bonnie Marie, Miss Bonnie as he called me or sometimes I was referred to as "you special thing" don't know where that came from. We didn't find out Bonnie was a boy until he had been with us for about three years so the name stuck. He arrived at our house at 10 weeks and was quite a little character. One of his favorite pastimes was pulling clothes partially through the holes in the clothes basket, it took quite a while before I figured out he was also chewing little holes in those items. Another was muttering, "I'm just sure" as he watched the birds outside. There are so many little stories I had better keep them as memories rather than bore you and loose my audience. So, thanks for being here and listening.

He was special and has created a big hole in my heart. I will miss my little guy.

Yep, it's another Birthday!

These things are rolling around way too fast. That said, I have a cup for you, coffee or tea and, a vanilla or chocolate cupcake, please take your choice. Love sharing this day with my friends.
Enjoy.

Fan, check.

Practicing for warm weather that's suppose to becoming. Got the fan out but using it as a mini umbrella. Guess I should have called this blog "Hope", dry hot days have to be out there somewhere right?

Decorative Bowl

I have these wonderful oranges and find I enjoy painting this color. In the past, orange was always mixed with another color and for some reason, I decided to see how the almost pure color would work out. It's sorta bright but I'll go with this one. What do you think? Yes, please comment.

So much better

Sorry, meant to post this earlier but sorta forgot. Here is the apple sitting on, the table vs. floating above it. One ok maybe two or three brushstrokes helped. This should have also been cropped better. Next time, I promise to do it all correctly in one shot.

What have I learned from this post? Simplicity is the key, maybe to everything, not just art.

Help Is Coming

Poor little apple, just noticed it's levitating, not quite settled and needs to relax and sit on the table. I sorta feel that way sometimes. It will be easier to just fix the apple then address me being in a calmer state. What am I going to do? Darken the underside of the apple and then for me, try less Facebook and more positive atmosphere in music, reading and of course my sketching and painting. Your thoughts?

Lemons

I'm finding I enjoy painting the shape of lemons. So, my goal is to not make them look like a paint in the lines type thing. Trying to be a little looser and relaxed in my effort. Words to live by I say. What are your thoughts? Of course I expect you to respond...I'm waiting.

Brushstrokes

Hi there, thanks for stopping by. I'm working on brushstrokes without over working the painting. Less is more. Paying more attention to my art is keeping me off the internet and in a positive frame of mind. Escaping into art and music is a wonderful thing to do. Try it!

Sorry about the glare, one day I'll learn how to photograph wet paint.

Flowers

Looking at the newspaper this morning, I think I need to paint lots of flowers and sunshine over the next few years. That's just my take on our current affairs.
Ok, new subject, spring is right around the corner and I'm excited about getting outside and painting

Sunday Morning

I was quite disappointed Saturday when the Seahawks lost in the playoffs. So, I'm fortunate to have my backup Pittsburgh Steelers playing Sunday afternoon. Seahawks next year.

Looks like I've posted more in January than all of last year almost, striving to do better in the future. Meanwhile, you have a great day find something fun to do and report back. I'll be waiting.

See a theme here?

For some unknown reason, I got hung up on yellow roses. The color has been difficult for me but I've enjoyed the process of using different shades and learning to be looser with the rendition. Maybe I should look for another subject for a while. Don't want to bore you to death.

Yellow Roses

I'm seeing a theme here or maybe just the fun of doing several paintings of roses. The idea of being chosen for 7 paintings in 7 days certainly opens your eyes to your own work. Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to seeing you all in future blogs.

Blue period or...just a pear.

Try as I did, the color just isn't coming out as rich as the painting. It has been put on with a palette knife and sorta thick but still...frustrating. Since being chosen to post 7 paintings in 7 days, I thought I would also post them here on my blog also. This is certainly getting me back into showing paintings at the beginning of the year. Your thoughts?

Clouds

I love painting outdoors (en plein air) especially the landscape. One day you have these beautiful areas and next time you return to the area...condos and houses. Makes me sad so get out and look at the beauty in your town.

Happy New Year Everyone

Emphasis on more healthy food in 2017.

I hope you all had a safe and enjoyable celebration so, here's to a better job of me posting this year.