Spring Shadows -a plein air painting from my backyard

 

Spring Shadows   oil 12x9

Purchase info here.  

In April I had a glorious glob of blooms in my backyard: rannunculus, irises, and various poppies.  They really were this dense.  The shadows cast over the edge of the concrete caught my eye too.  I eyed them for several days thinking about what time window would be best.  I set up in early afternoon knowing the shadows would get longer, but I'd need to stick to my original draw in.  I worked fast to keep it loose. It was a good challenge.   

Orange Beauties

oil on canvas panel 4x6 inches Okay, this really is the last rannunculas painting in the series. I found this little one hiding in my studio. It might be my personal favorite...it's small but has a powerful punch of color.

This painting is available at Vander Molen Fine Art, Arcadia, CA

Pitcher Of Orange

oil on canvas panel 8x8 inches

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I just realized everything's coming up orange for me lately! This is the last in my little series of ranunculus paintings. I've been painting oranges, went to an Orange Festival, and I'm eating the oranges that are all over my kitchen counter. The ranunculus have faded by now, but there still may be more orange paintings ahead. It's a happy color for sure.

Ranunculus

oil on canvas panel 8x8 inches

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Flowers are beautiful and difficult subjects. If I didn't love them so much, I wouldn't bother!!! I wiped and repainted the main flower three times, but finally I got the look I wanted. Several of the stems were coming out from shadow into the light. I hope you can see that. The background is a bit bluer than the photo here.

Orange Party -sold

oil on canvas panel 12x9 inches

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Every once in a while an analogous color scheme appeals to me: orange, yellow orange, yellow and yellow green are all next to each other on the color wheel. Trader Joe's had these ranunculus on sale, and a good assortment of interesting orange, peach and red-orange little buds with their characteristic squirrelly stems. Even the yellow-ochre background is a cool version orange.

Ranunculus-sold

oil on canvas panel 8x6 inches
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I love ranunculus...lots of petals in a compact little flower. This one I cut from my front yard. I could paint flowers every day!