Tea By Candlelight

 

Tea By Candlelight  oil 9x12 inches

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One of the great benefits of art posted on social media is the way one artist can inspire other artists.  In November an artist I follow had painted a glowing candle.   Here's mine.  I especially enjoyed capturing the light glowing through the wax at the top of the candle.  That teacup is part of my wedding registry dishes from 47 years ago!  The floribunda roses are wide open, becoming a jumble of petals.   

Tootsies -SOLD

 

Tootsies   oil 6x6 inches

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Leftover Halloween candy gladly posed for a portrait.  I dropped a big handful onto the table surface and with some minor adjustments, proceeded slowly.  In a complicated scene like this the trick is to slow way down and enjoy yourself.  The only ones I really love to eat are the fruity ones.  But as soon as I pop one in my mouth a little voice in my head says "bettter be careful, you could lose a crown."  Must be my dentist.  I painted more of them than I ate.  

Tea & Hydrangeas

 

Tea & Hydrangeas  oil 8x8 in.  

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This little 8x8 has a springy feel, though it was painted in November.  We have an atrium near our front door where hydrangeas thrive.  They grow as tall as 6 feet and produce pink blossoms.  A few years ago I learned that in the Pacific Northwest, where soil is more acidic, the same hydrangea will produce blue blossoms.  Interesting.  Tbis is my first attempt at painting their delicate blooms.  It turned out to be less difficult than I thought.  I like the the softness and the lost edge in the upper left.  

Eat Your Broccoli

 

Eat Your Broccoli   oil 10x10 inches

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The is the last of my Eat Your Veggies series.  I painted these last October, so basically I paint faster than I post on my blog!  If you would like to see what I'm currently painting on a regular basis, please follow me on Instagram.  Last week I spent the week planting a veggie garden.  We had wonderful warm sunshine, so I did some digging and tilling, and sowing of seeds and seedlings: tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, pole beans, zuccini, carrots, and cucumbers.  This week we have cold rain and even a bit of tiny hail yesterday.  Good for the garden!  In a rainstorm I thank God for being able to paint still life in my cozy studio.  What do you enjoy doing during a rainstorm?

IN OTHER NEWS:  I have opened two in person Paint The Lively Still Life workshops.  Dates: April 24-25 and May 22-23.  Beginner/Intermediate  6 MAX.  Location: Upland, CA.  Email me for more info/to register.  

Eat Your Corn

 

Eat Your Corn     oil 10x10 inches

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The second in my Eat Your Veggies series.  This one was so much fun!  My favorite part of this painting is the onion.  I buy the large sweet onions.  They have such pretty color and mild flavor. I enjoy the challenge of painting something intricate such as the kernels of corn in a way that suggests, rather than each kernel tightly perfect. Design-wise, this painting has a variety of sizes and shapes.  Many vegetables and fruits are round, so for good design I always try to include line: the edges of the white cloth, the green onion, and the corn cob.  This painting is ready to hang.  

Eat Your Carrots

Eat Your Carrots   oil 10x10 inches

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This painting is part of my short series titled "Eat Your Veggies."  One sold in the exhibit I painted them for.  There are three available for purchase.  The paintings are on cradled wood panel and framed.  I very much enjoyed the smooth surface.  My favorite part of this piece is the purple rubber band.  Does this make you want to eat some veggies, or make some vegetable soup? 

 

Lovely Radishes

 

Lovely Radishes  oil 6x6 

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I've painted radishes a few times, but I think this one is my all time favorite.  The green leaves wilt SO quickly that I painted them first, as fast and simply as I could.  Reflected light from the white cloth up onto the radishes gave them a soft, almost frosty look.  To me, there is a delicacy here that I don't often capture.  I hope someone will love it as much as I do.