Orange Star

Orange Star     16x20  oil on linen

Native to South Africa, this flower really is an "orange star".  It is such a wonderful spark of color in the long enduring winter.  

I worked a combination of brushwork and palette knife for this painting.  I'm having fun pushing the textures ever further.  I love the feeling of dimension you get when you build up the paint.

I'm learning more all the time about creating dimension also with shadows.  Probably the single most valuable lesson I took from the workshop with Laura Robb.  She told me to always be looking for those areas where you can push the value of shadows to give the sense of one thing in front of or on top of another to create that depth.

Red Mums and Strawberries

Red Mums and Strawberries    14x22  oil on linen

As I was working on this painting the strawberries were giving off a delicious aroma!  The first thing I did as a took a break was to wash up a handful and eat them, (not the ones from my set-up!).

In this painting I worked on making certain that there was variety in the reds and in the greens.  The two predominate colors in this set up.  It makes such a difference in a painting to take the time to provide that variety.  In life no two flowers are exactly the same color and the way the light hits the leaves it provides many shades of green as well.  It can take your still life to that next level of professionalism.  

Well, I've got some more strawberries to eat! ttl!

Simpatico

Simpatico  16x20"  oil on linen

I find the balance of Nature is so reassuring.  I guess, the sense that everything has purpose and coexists in such wonderful harmony.  The elements of nature in this painting illustrate how beautiful that "wonderful harmony" can be....

Softly Spectacular

Softly Spectacular   12x24  oil on linen

The days have been gray here in Michigan.  The snow was pretty but then it all melted.  It snowed again but, not so much, not so pretty.  Painting flowers helps me through the gray.

Two days to Thanksgiving.....wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving, full of family, friends and good reason to be thankful....I know I am blessed and so very fortunate.

Go ahead..eat too much and give a little love to everyone you see.

Cedar Waxwings

Cedar Waxwings  18x24  oil on linen

These are such beautiful birds.  They are so smooth and sleek it is hard to see that they have feathers.  I found it very challenging to get them right.  Their colors are difficult and while I wanted them to have that smoothness that makes them so special I also needed to represent the feathers or they wouldn't look like birds!  It was fun...I still need some practice with bird painting but I'm not unhappy with the way this one turned out.

Thank you for viewing my art!

Irises and Nectarines

Irises and Nectarines  18x24  oil on linen

These huge magenta purple irises deserve to be expressed with drama and impact!  They are stars...no quiet little wallflowers here.  The orangish/peach shade of the nectarines juxtaposed next to the magenta sings with impact.  This whole painting is bold from the color palette, to the strong brushwork, to the activated composition.  But, then sitting quietly just a bit back of the flowers is that surprising little creamer...delicate and subdued.  

I feel that it is a dynamic painting but then I love the irises and I love the color purple.  I guess I might be a little biased.   :)

Hope you enjoy it!

Birch Tree Trail

Birch Tree Trail

Birch Tree Trail   oil on linen  16x25

This lovely little trail is just north of Traverse City, Michigan.  It was such a lovely day and we hiked for several miles with our dogs.  Birch Trees are so great to paint.  They have such nice contrasts with the dark canopy of the surrounding woods.

I hope you enjoy!  Thank you for viewing my art.

White Pitcher with Yellow Roses   20x16  oil

As Christmas rushes towards us I find more than ever the time I can escape and get lost in painting is a wonderful rejuvenator!  I've not been very "on top" of the Christmas traditions this year...It will be the first year without my boys home for Christmas morning in almost 30 years!  They are busy and Adam is out of state for the Holidays.  It's ok but somehow the traditions seem less significant to me.  Still I don't want to lessen the importance of the season, the true reason for Christmas and the wonderful time of connecting with those dear to us.  I have simply stepped back from the bustle and decided to make it a quieter celebration!  I think I might paint!  

A similar color scheme as the painting I did last tuesday.  I lightened the overall values in the piece.  I used different kinds of flowers, but so many of the fall flowers are yellows and golds.  I had a few Zinnias left from the garden and they added some real vibrancy to the focal point.  The copper tea kettle was fun!

Zinnias and Marigolds           20x24  o/c