Minumental

 

Peonies

2"by2"

This little painting was done for the NHIA "Minumentals" show with very small brushes!

 

It is painting #14.200, I painted 200 paintings in 2014! My goal was to complete 100.

Looking back, I learned a lot and my work did improve and I was pleased to realize that I like more than I thought I would, sold a few and won a few awards.

 

The mediocre ones still get me down so I packed them up in a box and put them out of sight.

 

My plan for 2015 is of course to continue painting. I want to improve my oil landscapes so I hope to focus on them.  I plan to apply for associate membership in the PSA, membership in NH Art Association and join Newburyport Art Association.  I will have a focus exhibit in December at Sullivan Framing so a lot of my work will be towards that end. Friends and Family have reminded me not to be so quick to wipe out or toss away so I am saving even my failures to help record my progress. 

 

 

Still Life with Pears and Hydrangeas

Still Life with Pears and Hydrangeas

10x10 oil on panel

Bittersweet

10x10 oil on panel

To the Beach

To the Beach

9x12 pastel on U-art 400 $200

I can find any number of excuses to avoid starting a new pastel.  My remedy for this was to try a small one every day. This scene is Salisbury Beach in MA. I like the way the sand path leads to the beach.  I might try it again lightening the tree and darkening the foreground.

 

Every year I celebrate the New Year with a trip to the coast and a walk on the beach. Even though it requires a double parker, Gore-Tex pants, wool sock and very heavy boots it is my way of welcoming in the new year and looking forward to Spring and brighter days.

 

Maybe this time I will photograph this scene and paint its winter view.

The Steeple

The Steeple

5x7 pastel on Mi Teintes Touch $150

 

I took the reference photo for this on a day trip from Casco Bay to Bath Maine. It was fun to paint this and remember the summer, my favorite season.

Clementine

Clementine

5x7 oil on panel $150

 

I was so lucky to find these Clementines (or maybe they are tangerines) at Fresh Market complete with stems and leaves.  I can pretend I live in a warmer climate and picked these fresh off my trees! 

 

These have become my favorite snack food.

Peony 3

Peony 3

 8x8 oil on panel $175

 

This is the third in my peony series.  I thought it would be the easiest but it felt like wrestling.  I promised myself I would work through these tough ones and not be so quick to wipe them out.  I'm just glad its done.

 

Which do you like the best?

Peony 2

Peony 2

8x8 oil on panel $175



I painted the peonies again this morning, (almost all day actually).  They are still so beautiful and sweet smelling.  I am hoping the last two buds will open. I would also like to do a painting with them arranged like Manet's laying on a table. Below are the process shots.

I am pretty happy with this and I think it is finished.  I may adjust the shape of the flower in the top left corner.

 

This is the charcoal sketch.  I did it on the panel that I wiped out yesterday.  It took me quite a while to arrange the flowers but I like the composition and could not wait to get started.

 

Initial block-in.  I used a bristle brush to scrub in the basic shapes. At this point I am pretty happy with it.

Adding mid-tones and building up paint layers.  At this point I am pretty sure I can't save it!

Adding lights

 



Peonies in December

 

Peonies in December

6x6 oil on panel $150

 

I could not believe my luck.  I found these Peonies at Fresh Market in Bedford NH. Peonies in December!

 

I started this by toning the panel with rose, yellow and cerulean and I liked the way the flowers looked on such a delicate background. But... I thought they would be more dramatic on a darker background, when that didn't work I wiped the background and created a cool mid-tone gray.

 

I'm still not sure so I will do two more, light background and also dark background so I can compare. I hope the peonies last long enough.  Fresh Market is over an hour away!

Sunlight on my Shoulder

 

Sunlight on my Shoulder

6x6 oil on panel

Quince

Quince

6x6 oil on panel

 

I was happy to find these in the grocery store and I loved painting all their lumps and bumps. I can't imagine how they taste. I think I have to cook them.  I am still looking for fresh figs.

Sunny Days

Sunny Days

6x6 oil on panel