It's been awhile since I did one of these. When I first started doing daily paintings, I painted a lot of common objects. It was fun and rather challenging. But I've always found working small to be difficult and sort of cramping. With things being as slow as they are on eBay and everyone holding onto their change (me included), small seems to be the order of the day. These jars and jugs sit on the floor in my studio waiting for their next role in a still life or floral. Today I chose to just let them stay where they are and I worked them into one of these small exercises. I enjoyed it and it was a nice change from the usual. With things in our beloved country so much in upheaval, I've been giving a lot of thought to the natural rhythm of things. It would seem to me that this is perhaps an opportunity (unwanted albeit) to change my pace and stretch a bit. I'll continue to post many of fl orals I enjoy and will also be trying some new things. But I won't be putting them up for auction for the next month or two with, perhaps, a few exceptions. They'll be for sale here on my blog and there will be links for e-mailing me. One of my customers took advantage of this yesterday and purchased the "Two Little Nudes" off the blog. PayPal is still the preferred method of payment, but I take checks as well.
I just felt like dabbling today so I took out a couple of sketches I did some time ago and repainted them on watercolor paper in pen and ink with a watercolor wash. They're in small, playing card sizes and backed on a bit of black foam core. Whimsical and fun to do. Just not a serious day. I think there's enough serious stuff going down right now - don't you? E-mail me if you're interested.
I usually work in charcoal for my figure sketches but decided to use a bit of conte for this one. I played with the background a bit to get a feel for different compositions. This is available for just $20 (includes shipping) to anyone who e-mails me. It's on newsprint paper and so I won't be listing it for sale on eBay.
Yellow roses are my favorites (I think) - no really. It changes from time to time. But I do love them and they always seems to lift my spirits a little. I don't know about you, but right now, in these times, I need all the help I can get. Chocolate helps too. I fussed with these a bit. Roses are always a challenge. See the detail shot below.
This piece has been sitting on my easel demanding to be finished while other obligations got in the way. Despite my earlier struggles with this piece, I'm content with the way in which it was resolved. I think the roses came out just great and the greenery which posed such a problem at first, was handled well. I've been finding out that my skills can get rusty if I'm away from the easel for only a few days. What am I going to do when I go to Europe in two weeks?! All I'll have is a sketch book. Maybe I can bring some watercolors.
Today was one of our first "fall" like days with rainy weather and cool winds. Although I prefer the warmer weather (I'm a California girl in mourning), I do like the fall. In a way it's a good excuse to rest and slow down from the summer pace that keeps me in a dizzy race to accomplish things that can't be done in the cooler wet weather. It seems that I've been off my pace a bit this year, though, and can't seem to find my rythym. It's not that I haven't been painting - I have. It's just that I'm not happy with what's been coming off my brush. I'm in a curve where I'm learning new things but having trouble integrating them into my work. I'm working on a painting of roses now but couldn't seem to get it done today and that's just as well. Perhaps it will be better for the slower pace. Here's one from a yesteryear. Gavillan Springs is a seasonal pond that only comes to life in the winter in California. I used to go there with a dear friend to paint and this was one that came out of such an excursion. It's made me think of doing some landscapes again. I've been remiss to start new projects because my studio is under construction (we're expanding) and things are such a mess. I walk into that studio and can't seem to get started or organized. I'm hoping to get back to some landscapes in the winter once everything is done. I'm going on a trip to the Mediterranean in a couple of weeks for a month. Hopefully I'll come back with some good material and the studio will be nearly finished.
I actually painted this piece earlier last month but wasn't happy with it. I've kept it around the studio and finally figured out what it lacked. The blooms are more abundant now and the canvas looks integrated. I adjusted the light on the vase and the plums shadows were deepened. More loose blooms adorn the table top and the light has more of a glow. I first put a separator coat of varnish on and then painted the second layers in glazes. It really made a spectacular difference in the painting. My husband was walking past the studio and just glanced in. He did a double take and said -"Wow...is that new?" Guess I succeeded! There is, of course, generous paint on the flowers. The varnish really makes the colors brighter and things just glow! Think I'll be doing more of that. It's really hard to see the effect in a photo. You'll just have to have some faith. See the detail below. Enjoy.
Today was the first cloudy day we've had in two weeks. Sigh. I miss the sun already. But the light coming in my studio window was cool and called for light flowers. This was good because I had already started this painting last evening. Two of my close friends are leaving town to return to their winter home in Mexico. My husband and I will spend an evening with them tonight and I won't see them again until the spring. I'm feeling melancholy and winter feels like it's here already. The time we have on this earth is so short and the time we can spend with good friends is very precious. I'm posting this early so I can get myself over to spend more time with my friends. Enjoy your evening.
This is another painting from my show collection. For a long time my specialty was reflective objects and glass. Brass and copper are still favorites and often show up in my more recent work. I love the warm glow and the way objects both reflect the color and are reflected by the metal. In this one, the roses pick up the warmth of the brass and at the same time they add a much needed balance of coolness. The nectarines bring top the piece with yellows and reds. While I have other pieces in the show, they are awaiting some professional photography before I can show them off. I'm working on a small one for eBay for tomorrow, so stay tuned.
This painting is the corner stone of my ongoing show this month. It's definitely my favorite and it shows. I especially love the light in this one. Sure wish I could turn one out like this in just a few hours, but it did take about three long sittings. It's partially glazed with some lovely brush work in the fruit and flowers. I've been pretty busy with show stuff, construction and just enjoying the last breath of summer here on the peninsula. I have about a month before I leave for a 21 day cruise of the Mediterranean and a transatlantic crossing. It's been difficult to focus in my studio because my eyes keep wandering to the gorgeous sunshine and then they glaze over with visions of Italy. With the ongoing construction of the new studio, I've let things get a bit awry in the old one and it's getting more crowded by the day. I think it's a reflection of where my head is these days. Oh well. I'm cutting myself some slack because once the long winter sets in here, I'll have more studio time than ever and lots more room to create in. Hope you're all enjoying the last days of summer and the beginning of fall.
