Original Oil Painting Rocky Stream

Rushing Stream

Sold

9" x 12"
Painted on gessobord.

I used a reference photo from Cindy Deadrick Crooks. She posts her photos on Photos For Artists a Facebook page. These are free references for artist. Thanks Cindy again for an awesome photo to paint from. I posted the photo below.

Original Oil Painting Pelican

Pelican

8" x 10"

Painted on gessobord.

This big bird is for my sister, Deb. Happy Birthday Sis!

Original Oil Painting Rambling River

Rambling River

12" x 12"

Painted on gessobord.

I used a reference photo from PaintMyPhoto to paint from. The photo is posted below and belongs to Lynn Quinn. Thanks Lynn for an awesome photo to paint from. I love how Lynn captured the details in the water so clearly. My goal was to capture that splashing water coming towards the viewer and Lynn's photo really helped.

Original Oil Painting Hollyhock Hummingbird

Hollyhock Hummingbird

Sold

12" x 12"

Painted on gessobord.

Original Oil Painting Morning Glory Butterfly

Morning Glory Butterfly

Sold

10" x 10"

Painted on gessobord.

There is only one thought that comes to mind: This was a tough one! It took a lot longer to paint than I thought at first. I thought of chucking it out the windows many times. Instead I would just took a break and come make to it. I was painting from a photo of a butterfly which was terrific except the flowers were hard to make out. In fact I ended up changing the flowers completely from little pink flowers to large purple morning glories. The purple is a compliment to yellow and would help contrast the butterfly. The large flowers and leaves really helped balance the whole painting out. The photo I used is posted below and I hope that helps you understand my problem with it. 

Thanks Robin Brad for an awesome butterfly photo. I hope you do not mind the changes. 

Original Oil Painting Relax Honey Dew

Relax Honey Dew

Sold

12" x 12" 

Painted on gessobord.

I painted this from a still life in the studio. I like the blue green honey dew with the red strawberries such a nice compliment. I kept the rest more neutral in color to show off the compliments more. It has a calmness to it that I don't fully understand why but I like it. I thought about adding some seeds and leaves to the table but my gut said no. I would loose the stillness and calmness that I liked about the still life.   

Original Oil Painting Peppermint Lily

Peppermint Lily

Sold

12" x 12"

Painted on gessobord.

Here is one of my last lilies that will bloom this summer. It is an oriental lily with a less potent fragrance than my other oriental lilies so I can bring it into the house. I put the final touches on it today: brighten areas, added more color to the lower petal and open the background with lighter areas. During the final stages of my paintings I look mostly at the painting not so much at the reference subject. I am looking at the flow of the painting, the balance of light and dark and any where my eye gets stuck or avoids. If my mind's eye gets stuck it is usually on an area that is structurally wrong: repetitive or the wrong value, etc.. If I avoid a spot it is usually boring, not enough to hold my interest. Thanks for viewing my Peppermint Lily!