Original Oil Painting Strong Blue Iris

Strong Blue Iris

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9' X 12"

Painted on gessobord.

It has been quite a challenge to paint as of late. My ninety three old father has been in and out of rehab, hospital and nursing home for the past couple of months. Dad is staying strong even thou his body is failing and the whole family is helping as best as we can. This painting of a blue Iris expresses my father's strength against the unbeatable hot background that threatens him. The green spiky leaves are all the people trying to help. There is a real battle of color in this painting as there is in my father's life now.  

Original Oil Painting White Roses and Daisies

White Roses and Daisies

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10" x 10"

Painted on gessobord.

My goal was to capture the strong sunlight hitting the bouquet. When the sunsets it casts such a strong light into the house, making my little bouquet so dramatic. I loved the look and knew it was not going to last long enough for me to paint it. This is a case where painting from photos helps but I did note the shadow colors, my impressions and what caught my eye in the first place. I use photos as a tool but my real life observations are my best tools.

Original Oil Painting Just a Couple

Just a Couple

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10" x 10"

Painted on gessobord.

Strawberries were on sale at Festival Foods and I could not resist grabbing them to paint. So after a couple of hours I came up with this still life. It was a nice refresher course on how to paint strawberries. It is so easy to get carried away with all the details. To avoid this I paint them with all the details and then the next day soften the ones in the shadows and brighten the parts in the light. I posted a picture of the still life I was working from below.

Original Oil Painting Late Summer Golden Daisies

Late Summer Golden Daisies 

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12" x 12"

Painted on gessobord. 

These are some golden daisies that came up with my petunias this year. I did not intentionally plant them. They must of been tagging along with the petunia plants I bought. What a nice surprise and that is what painting should have. I am always looking for happy little surprises with the brush strokes. Finding hits of color here and there in my still life and playing with them. Thanks for viewing my painting and I hope you find surprises in your day, too!

Original Oil Painting Still Life by Window

Still life by Window

12" x 12"

Painted on gessobord. 

My biggest challenge in this painting was to create a strong light source coming through the lace curtain. The cherries on the branch needed to be back lit  and cast shadows on leaves behind them. To create interest, I also made the leaves let some of the light show through. Once I did the branch in front of the window everything seem to pop. The painting came alive! 

Thanks for viewing! Please feel free to leave comments. 

Original Oil Painting Cosmos Wild Flowers

Cosmos Wild Flowers

9" x 12"

Painted on ampersand gessobord.

  I really like how the cherries have circle around to see the wild flowers. This is a very playful painting with dramatic lighting. The sparkle in the glass also has a very playful quality. Thanks for viewing my painting. 

 

Which parts do you like? Comments are always appreciated.

Original Oil Painting Pink African Violet

Blue Bird of Happiness

12" x 12"

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With all the warm weather this week I thought a new plant was in order. So I went to Stein's and bought this wonderful pink African violet. I added the glass blue bird of happiness because (you guessed it) I am so happy to get a break from the winter cold. There is such a contrast between the blue bird and everything else but I like the tension. 

Yes, I did change the title a month later to Blue Bird of Happiness instead of Pink African Violets. I have no idea why other than I kept thinking of it as the painting with the blue glass bird in it.

Here are some process pics.

 I first start lightly sketching things in.

 I usually start with the background when mapping colors in.

This is what it looks like with colors mapped in. 

 After I mapped in the subjects I noticed the foreground need some details. I used a Q-tip and marked a place for a leaf and fallen flower. Then I started painting the details in the flowers.

I continue with leaves and glass bird next. After looking at it I decided the table color was wrong. Next morning I tried something lighter which gives the composition more contrast. Since the right side looked unbalance I added another flower in the background. This time I added a long stem and bud.

Original Oil Painting Tin Pansies

Tin Pansies

12" x 12"

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 I finally got a descent photo to post on DPW. I had to take a dozen pictures in different light to match what I see in the painting. Yeah!!

Original Oil Painting White Daisies with Fruit

White Daisies with Fruit

16" x 20"

Painted on stretch canvas.

Finally had time to deal with the tapestry. I brighten the table top in front of the focal point and tamed down the tapestry in the shadows. I also brighten the flowers more by restating the highlights and changed the shadow color on the center white daisy. Now the center flower sings. Please note: if you saw this post before I have updated the photo. The first photo was wash out or over expose photo? So I put a light coat of medium over it and took another try photographing it.

Original Oil Painting Colleen's Tea Pot

Colleen's Tea Pot

12" x 12"
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