At the Giant

Happy first day of summer!  Life has been hectic and I haven't been in the studio lately.  I did challenge myself to a short plein air painting session-- and this oil sketch is the result.  (The giant refers to the Sleeping Giant State Park-- this stream is at its western border.)

Blue Heron

Some friends just purchased a beach house called (guess here);  answer: The Blue Heron Beach House! It got me thinking about something other than still lifes.  I am going to ask if there is room for this in their new digs. (And does anyone use the expression digs anymore?)

Orange Block with Lemon

These vintage building blocks were also picked up at Brimfield last month.  They are too cute and for some reason, fun to hold.  When I set this up, I loved the way the round edge of the lemon was echoed by the concave shape in the orange building block.

Thanks everyone who attended the opening and/or visited the show which has just concluded.  It was great fun.

Long Spoon with Lemon

The Brimfield Antique and Collectible Show in Massachusetts bills itself as the largest antiques event in the US and I will admit the amount of stuff there is overwhelming (more than 80 acres worth).  It occurs 3 separate weeks each summer.  I went a few days ago to wander about and see if something struck my fancy to include in a painting.  I picked up a few pieces of battered silverware including this long spoon-- there was something about the shape of this spoon that I loved.

Roses with Hydrangea

If you happen to be in the New Haven, Connecticut area this Friday come say hello.  My solo show opening reception is Friday, May 9th, 6 - 8 pm at DaSilva Gallery, 899 Whalley Ave, New Haven.  It is ArtWalk Gallery night so other galleries and shops will be open -- come celebrate spring!

Dahlias

At least I think these spiky flowers are dahlias.

I just returned from Santa Fe; toured the Georgia O'Keefe museum and visited Ghost Ranch and Abiquiu where she painted.  Her interpretations of the landscape were brilliant!  I love the desert.

Feather Canopy

Hadn't done an 8 x 16 in a while.  When I set this up, I liked the concept of the lemon being protected by a feather canopy.

And a quick save the date notice.  I will be having a show at DaSilva Gallery in New Haven, CT, May 9 - 31.  The artist's reception is May 9, 6 - 8 pm.  Come visit!

Three Roses

Back to the dark side.  I am still enjoying playing with paintings with black backgrounds.  Roses this time which I always find challenging!

Redo

I hardly ever rework a prior painting.  I am either satisfied or it goes in the reject pile to be either trashed or painted over. Although initially ok with this painting that was posted in January, the original color of the tulips bothered me- they were dull and looked as if I couldn't decide what color they should be.  Much happier with this version.  Tulips are whiter and brighter.  Changed the shape of the jar for no particular reason.

Three Cherries and Jar

Wow, it has been a while since I posted.  Too busy complaining about the polar vortex.  Perhaps to counter the cold, I leaned to the warm colors in this painting.

Daisy

Another snow day here in Connecticut; nothing to do but stay home and paint (plus a little bit of shoveling.)  Have finished the black painting series for now.  Here is one of the last of that series.

Big Jar with Two Lemons

Threw in one more lemon; wanted to repeat something similar just to make sure the first one wasn't a fluke.  The second lemon provided the opportunity for more warmth in the reflections.

I was in Florida this past week; now back in Connecticut with a space heater at my feet-- it is not the same experience.

Nice and warm inside but oh so cold outside (and snowing).  Love this big jar and this is the first of a series with it on a dark background.  The only problem is photographing these dark paintings-- always get some glare.

White Tulips with Gerbera Daisy

These were the flowers off to the side waiting their turn to be artfully arranged.

A new year -- 2014-- I like the sound of it.

White Tulips with Carnation

Yippee-- the local grocery store had tulips again.  This year end post gives me another opportunity to wish everyone a  Happy New Year!

Balanced Feather

Here is the last of the feather series.  Thought I would attempt the downy feather one more time.  These are essentially the same elements as the last post just rearranged.  (note to self-- buy some fresh flowers and/or fruit.)  :-}

Hope everyone's holiday season is going well.  And if I don't talk to you before January 1, best wishes for a healthy and happy new year.

Feather with Eggshells

A continuation of the turkey feather theme….this time to see if I could capture the fuzzy quality of the downy portion of this feather.

Feather with White Cup

I am always finding turkey feathers in the yard; almost daily a flock wanders across the back.  In the spring, a tom turkey struts his stuff for hours on the lawn.  It seemed an appropriate time to pair a turkey feather and a single cranberry.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Red Apples

I seem to be into "red" recently.  Perhaps it is the subliminal effect of the approaching holidays.

Red Can Opener

Another one of those darn cute can openers.