Forelle Pears (in progress)

Happy Thanksgiving!!
Here is a picture of a pair of forelle pears, with a few cranberries on the side. I don't remember ever seeing these kinds of pears before, but when I saw them in the store, I thought they would be nice to paint. They are small, and are pretty shades of green and red. I've only started this painting, and didn't continue it further because I started painting it on a bare gessobord. I usually put something on the gessoed surface before I start painting. Usually I smear a thin mixture of turp and paint over it and let it dry before I paint on it. I'm always doing something a bit different to the surface to try and see what works out best. I've done it for so long, that I forgot what it was like to just start painting on the original surface. So, that's what I did, tried the original surface, and it didn't take long for me to remember why I don't like to do that. It's like painting on a dry raw plaster wall... yeck! the gesso sucks the moisture out of the paint, and it is very unpleasant. So, maybe once this layer of paint dries, I'll paint on that to finish.
I have gotten out of the habit of painting lately, which I want to try and correct! I've been more often wanting to spend my spare time looking at artwork on line rather than making my own. I love looking at the paintings of others. It's so exciting to see what new thing everyone else has painted. I also get sidetracked with another of my favorite pastimes this time of year, knitting. Once I get that out of my system, it'll be easier to get back and paint more regularly.

I'm also considering moving my "studio" into another room of the house. Since my oldest son recently moved out into a home of his own, I was thinking I'd take over his empty bedroom for my art studio. I could also have my computer in there as well, and have everything in one room! Which I've never had before. So, that would be nice. Not as nice as having him here in his bedroom, but, things change , and ... I might as well make the best of it :)
( hi Rick, miss ya)

"Grapefruit Half"

Oil on 6x6 Ampersand gessobord


This is a grapefruit half I painted quite a few days ago, I haven't had a chance to take pictures of it till today. It has been snowing here for the last few days, and will be snowing for the next few days! It's a little early for that much snow here, but, it happens. Something to do with the lake, and it's effect... it's only snowing pretty much near the lake. Anyhow, I can't go outside to take pictures of my paintings anymore, but I've found that since it's snowing, there is a very bright light coming in the windows now, and it's very good to take pictures in. So, there's one reason I shouldn't mind the snow.

Where does the time go?!!

I've been a bit busier than usual, and I haven't had time to paint lately. I'm getting a little bit anxious to get back to it. I hope once things settle down over the next few days, I'll be able to get some painting done.

Grapefruit study 6x6 o/b

This grapefruit half has been sitting in the refrigerator for at least 2 weeks, waiting for me to paint it's picture. I kept putting it off because for some reason I thought it seemed too complicated to paint, and I'd probably just mess it up. So, today, I thought I would use the back of an unwanted painting to try a practice painting of it. Just to try it, no big deal... and before I knew it, I noticed that I was much more relaxed than usual, not afraid to make mistakes, and just scrape them off and try again. And after a while, I was surprised to find that I didn't do such a bad job, and I learned a few things. I even like how the shadows zig zag across the picture and create different shapes. I'll have to paint this one again sometime, and use a good peice of board, and hopefully try and get in that same frame of mind again!

Single Orange

Oil on 6x6 Ampersand Gessobord


The more I looked at this orange, the more colors I saw. It wasn't a very orange orange, but it was such a pretty color I really wanted to try to paint it just the way I saw it. The picture has a bit of glare shining on the upper left where the value is darker than it appears here, but for the most part it is an accurate image.

Fruit and Flowers

Oil on 8"x10" Canvas Panel

"Green Grapes and Flower"

Oil on 5"x7" Ampersand Gessobord

Here is a picture of the grapes painting I had started the other day. I'll post it on ebay later this evening.

2 Paintings....

images may be clicked to enlarge

I have 2 things to post today. The first is a picture of a painting in progress that I started last night. It is of a bunch of grapes, and a single bachelor's button flower. I had started with just the grapes by themselves, and noticed those little flowers I had in a vase nearby, so I added one. I really like the combination of green and purple together.

The second is a painting I finished the other day, of a lemon on a cloth. I thought I would try painting from a different perspective, so I stood at my easel (instead of sitting in a chair like I normally do) so I could look down at the lemon. I liked how it came out, so I think I'll try a painting from this view point again sometime. They are both oil on 5x7 gessobord.