Peonies

Wow, almost 3 months since my last post; the new posting schedule is now hit and miss.
A neighbor was kind enough to give me some peonies this summer.  This was the first of a couple of paintings.  The peonies lasted a long time in the fridge.  They definitely made the inside of my fridge prettier.

To and Fro

Hi All,  it has been awhile since the last post.  Family matters took precedent.  Glad to be back painting!

Fall Colors

This fall has been so lovely that I thought I would use the fall colors for painting inspiration.  When I initially finished this painting, it seemed a little safe and boring so I went to town on the background leaving an aura of darker color around the flowers.  Perhaps went too far but it was fun.

Sunflowers in Square Vase

We are having a glorious fall here in Connecticut; so beautiful that it is difficult to stay inside to paint.    

Lemon with Little Plate

A new little plate is joining the cast of characters in my still life paintings.

This weekend is City Wide Open Studios at Erector Square, 315 Peck St., New Haven.  Come visit and say hello.  I will be in Building 5 on the second floor, October 24 and 25, noon to 6.  There will be hundreds of artists exhibiting in the buildings of the former Erector Set factory.  To preview some of the artists go to cwos.org

White Hydrangeas, Part Deux

The last white hydrangea painting went well, i.e. good value and color choices at first pass without need for reworking.   I thought I would try for a repeat.  In the last blog post, I mistakenly called the painting a paining which is what the above turned out to be.  Everything needed reworking; the greenish hydrangea blossoms changed color intensity/values multiple times.  You build on what you learn but progress can be slow!

Art and Nature

Here is the art part.  A simple painting with a bit of nature.

Below is more nature-- the view right outside my kitchen window this morning.

Did not expect to see a black bear feasting away.  Look at the poor confused bird (tufted titmouse) sitting on the bent over pole.

Have a fun and safe July 4th weekend everyone!

Slightly Off Center

Wow, this painting is large for me-- a whopping 9 x 12 inches.

And speaking of wow-- last weekend, I visited the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts ( www.clarkart.edu ).  The current blockbuster exhibit is Van Gogh and Nature and it is over the top wonderful.  There are more than 40 paintings on loan from American and European museums, most of which I had never seen before and am unlikely to ever see again.  It is so worth the drive if you live anywhere in the northeast.  The newly renovated Clark is also stunning with beautiful outdoor spaces in addition to the renovated gallery spaces.  Go see for yourself-- the exhibit runs through September 13, 2015.

Sunflowers

Happy sunflowers to celebrate a beautiful spring day.

Red Gerbera with Pear

Back to painting after hiking in Zion and Bryce last week.  Really spectacular vistas -- can't imagine trying to capture them in a painting.

Yellow and Pink Bouquet

Happy Spring Everyone!

If you would like a chance to own the above painting and contribute to a good cause at the same time, then I have the event for you.  This painting will be raffled at the Hamden Art League's 60th Annual Goldenbells reception, April 14,  7 - 9 p.m., at the Miller Memorial Library Senior Center, 2901 Dixwell Avenue, Hamden, Ct.  Proceeds go to the scholarship fund.  There will be lots of great art at the exhibit.  You do not have to be a member to come and enjoy the exhibit and reception.  Hope to see you there!

Fallen Petals

This is the first painting I have done with white daisies that I am actually pleased with-- trying to make them colorful and still read as white has been a real challenge for me.

Snowing yet again tonight here in Connecticut.  Can't complain-- have been reading about the challenges Boston is facing with their record snows.

Red Gerbera

Gerbera daisies seem to be my latest obsession.

Silver Cup with Lemon and Egg Cup

It has been a while since I tried a painting with a really dark background.  Silver cup is a rather pretentious name for what is really an inexpensive plastic vase but silver cup sounds so much better.

First real snow of the season-- 6 inches of very wet, heavy snow.  Shoveling was my strength training for the day.

Button Flowers with Lemon

Happy Thanksgiving weekend everyone! Cold and gray here in Connecticut.  Just a few days ago, I was basking in the sun of Sedona.  Where is our sunshine?
As usual, I don't know the proper name of the little yellow-orange flowers but they look like buttons to me.

White Rose

This might look like a peanut butter jar but it is not.  It is a much larger jar of unknown origin that has a beat up green lid with great patina.  The lid however did not make it into the painting.

Yellow Bouquet

My favorite vase is a recycled peanut butter jar.  Peanut butter is a major food group at my house.

Red Carnation with Purple Flower

Purple flower, it sounds vague and undistinguished but I liked it and it was a nice challenge to paint. It came in one of those grocery store mixed bouquets.  If I had the time, I would try to give it a proper name.

If you are in the New Haven area, come by and visit at City Wide Open Studios this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 25-26,  Erector Square, noon to 6.  I will be in Building 5 on the second floor.

Lemon and Eggshell with Bottle

There are always two things in the house-- lemons and eggs!  Hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful fall so far.

Save the date-- I will again be participating in City Wide Open Studios, October 25-26, noon to 6 pm. You can find me at Erector Square, 315 Peck Street, New Haven, Building 5, 2nd floor.  There are so many artists at Erector Square-- lots of interesting art and people.

For more information about Open Studios or to join a curated tour (I am one of the curated artists) see the following links:  City Wide Open Studios and CWOS- Curated Tours .

Daisies with Red Carnation

Back to still lifes.  Liked the way the daises were intertwined.