I'll Tell You a Secret

 

Click Here to Purchase - $200 - 6x6in. - oil on panel

I specifically like turquoise and orange together, even though they don't fit any established color scheme. But I honestly don't think schemes are the end all - be all. Just suggestions.

Funky Cups

 

Click Here to Purchase - $200 - 6x6in. - oil on panel

Here are some colors I've been playing with lately. I was going through my Pinterest boards and noticed that these colors together were a common theme. So I challenged myself to make some compositions with them.

Plate Obscured by Peaches

 

Click Here to Purchase - $200 - 6x6in. - oil on panel

I painted this one twice before I was happy with it. It looks deceptively simple.

Patient Peaches

 

Click Here to Purchase - $200 - 6x6in. - oil on panel

When I went to the store to buy peaches, I found they were much bigger than I remembered! Are all fruit getting bigger? Bigger and sweeter. It's very interesting.

Dive into Pink

 

Click Here to Purchase - $200 - 6x6in. - oil on panel

This summer I went kayaking with a buddy on a little lake in the area. To my delight it was half covered in water lily's, and they were all blooming! At first I was trying to be polite and just enjoy the kayaking with my friend. But eventually I asked if she minded if I took a few pictures with my phone. She said "sure!" and joined me. We found quickly that the trick was to propel yourself into the lily pads, which quickly made it very difficult to paddle, but get yourself right near a flower, without overshooting. It was quite a challenge! But we enjoyed it, and I came away with a few good pictures to paint from. Here's the first one.

Reflecting on Reflections

 

Click Here to Purchase - $500 - 12x12in. - oil on panel

I painted this same composition as a 6x6 some years ago and always really liked it. This is my redo, as a 12x12. I set the composition up again, although I didn't have a tiny pear like this, so I had to wing that part. I tried to get the light the same, although looking back and forth now I can see it's somewhat different. I studied both - the real setup and the previous painting, and then tried to keep the things I liked and not the things I didn't. Haha, what a goal, huh? Anyway, I learned a lot.

Not on the Same Page

 

Click Here to Purchase - $200 - 6x6in. - oil on panel

Workshop Announcement!

In ONE WEEK we will be opening registration for a workshop I'm teaching next spring in Apex, North Carolina. On Thursday, August 21st, at noon, EST, go HERE if you are interested. You can also follow the same link for more information about the workshop. I hope you can join me!

Theatre Apples

 

Click Here to Purchase - $200 - 6x6in. - oil on panel

You can always tell the theatre apples from the normies because they tend to stand in the spotlight. And they revel in how the others talk about their dramatic scenes.

Rehearsal

 

Click Here to Purchase - $250 - 7x9.75in - oil on panel

Painting little pieces of paper like this leaning on things is quite challenging. After almost 30 years of painting I find myself leaning more and more towards whatever is challenging/fun to paint, rather than whatever I think might sell. Haha. I never claimed to be very smart.

Grappling with Grapes

 

Click Here to Purchase - $500 - 12x12in. - oil on panel

This is another grape study for a larger painting. I ended up doing a 30x30in version pretty similar to this. I like how it's a little darker than I usually go. Gives it some drama.

Stacking Apples

 

Click Here to Purchase - $200 - 6x6in. - oil on panel

This little pig I have is very critical. He said, "Why are you stacking those apples in that jar? No one would ever do that. Who is going to want a painting of it?" So I stuck him in the painting and he shut up.

When Pigs Fly with Apples

 

Click Here to Purchase - $200 - 6x6in. - oil on panel

A recent student of mine had a very cool elephant coin bank that she brought to paint, which inspired me to look on ebay for more interesting things. I found this cool pig that is so different from my others. He got along great with my apples.

Ever Watchful

 

Click Here to Purchase - $200 - 5x7in. - oil on panel

This month's challenge on Daily Paintworks is The Feather Challenge, so I thought I'd do something different and paint a bird. It was a lovely experience painting this serene guy. Gal?

Apples on Hand

Click Here to Purchase - $250 - 8x8in. - oil on panel

Here's another study of apples in a glass bowl that I did in preparation for a larger one. And when I say large, the final version is 32x32in! Which is like larger than a mural for me. But I'm really happy with it, and so glad I did studies.

Take Your Positions

 

Click Here to Purchase - $200 - 6x6in. - oil on panel

Apples love to show off. It's one reason why I paint them over and over. They are not shy, and they never, ever complain.

Keeping the Doctor Away

 

Click Here to Purchase - $250 - 8x8in. - oil on panel

I love the theme of fruit in a glass bowl. You might have noticed me paint it before. I wanted to do a large painting of it, but decided to work out the lighting and composition first with a few studies. Here's the first one.

Grapes Illuminated

 

Click Here to Purchase - $350 - 8x10in. - oil on panel

Here's another idea I've had for a while for a larger painting. I decided to try a few out on smaller panels, and here's my first one. Call it a proof of concept.

A Different Perspective

Click Here to Purchase - $200 - 6x6in. - oil on panel

Here's another reworked composition, inspired by a previous 6x6 (this one). After seeing them again now I think maybe I used a different light the first time. I changed a few other things, including the foreground paper. I may have to do a few more versions.

Busy Bee

Click Here to Purchase - $300 - 6x12in. - oil on panel

Missoula has a tiny public rose garden. Nothing compared to the great ones I had access to in Eugene and Portland, but at least it's something. Something, anyway, to this very busy bee.