"Juicy Fruit"

These strawberries were BIG, but not this big.....Sitting too close to the set-up? Getting carried away? Maybe I should have wiped this one off, or not posted.....Is that cheating? So, strawberries with stems....maybe a garnish for your New Year's champagne????? My last post for 2009. Happy New Year!

"A New Perspective"

Something a bit different today! I would really like to keep more movement in the background. Looser with more value change and strokes visible, but somehow, I always end up blending it all.......Hummmmmm, better luck next time?

"Holly-day Berries"

I saw these Winter Berry branches at the market and really wanted to use them in a painting....when I googled them, I found out that they are, indeed, from a (deciduous) holly tree,

I love the line that branches create in a painting.....I can only imagine how beautiful these colorful berries must look in a snowy landscape! Sorry for the delayed posting....by the time I get the painting finished and ready to post, I can not get on line....See you again, soon!

"Giant Jingle"

This is my second try on this set-up....The first one I painted yesterday and wiped off! I am happier with this one. A shiny jingle bell! What was I thinking...I guess I am just caught up in the holiday spirit! I had a few issues with uploading this photo....I finally took another picture, cropped it, etc. and it finally worked! I have NO idea what the problem was....but I am happy it worked this time!

"Sweet-tart"

A friend's kumquat tree is loaded with fruit! She let me pick a branch or two to use. (We ate some, too!) The sweet part is the skin...the fruit is the tart part! So.....you eat the whole thing! I actually started this last week, and got distracted. The leaves died, and the fruit shriveled up before I started painting. Thankfully I had taken a picture of the set up....I am glad I took time to paint at this busy time of year....it is frightening how quickly I can get rusty! Merry Christmas everyone! Til tomorrow?????

"Rose Trio"

I decided to try a different technique on the background here.....I think it could have possibilities. I may try it again with a different combination of colors.....

"Mini V"

I love these small vases! They are fun to paint and have such interesting shapes! This one has metallic gold handles. It is interesting to notice the way surrounding objects reflect in the gold. This time I learned that my table better be pretty tidy, or the mess will show up in the reflections!

"Orange and Blue"

Here is a painting for my family and friends who are SO happy with orange and blue! You know who you are! Congratulations on a great season! I realize that the blue flowers are all in a row! Bummer.... I wish I had seen THAT before I started painting.....One more thing to work on.

"An Apple a Day"

Fall seems like the time for apples! Taking pictures of my paintings and posting them, always a lesson learned. How come I seem to notice how to make an improvement, AFTER I have the picture cropped and ready to post? Hopefully, I will start to "see" better long before I have posted 365 paintings!!!!!

"Snick-snack"

At the Oil Painters of America, Eastern Regional Exhibit.....I attended a question and answer session with Neil Patterson, President of the organization....His recommendation for improvement was: 1. set your timer for 15 minutes. 2. paint until your timer goes off.

3. number your canvas. 4. do this everyday for 365 days. 5. At the end of that time, line up all your canvases and notice your growth! There was also something about doing this for 4 years......

It sounded a little like this "daily painting" adventure! Obviously, there is no substitute for practice and lots of it!!!

Good Morning

I decided to paint this rooster again using a different ground and background. I am not too happy with the background, but I think the rooster is a cutie pie!

"Wake Up Call"

I used this little ceramic rooster in a larger 11" x 14" painting and I thought he was so cute I decided to try him again, smaller! (and looser!). He turned out a little on the pink side....due to the alizarin ground, no doubt. Lesson learned!

"Lean on Me"

After one week of Carol's workshop, watching demos, doing exercises and painting, painting, painting....I got home and tried a painting on my own......Here it is. 6" x 6" oil on linen panel.

Ready to Blog?

Thought I would give blogging a try after attending a great workshop given by daily painter, Carol Marine...Thanks Carol! Here is my first try, Day 1. (With lots of help from Carol!)