Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Garden 'Bud'dies"

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     Here's another plein aire piece that I painted using only three colors - red, yellow and blue. I painted this on an overcast day, and while that made it more comfortable for me physically, it made it a little more difficult for me as an artist. The very definite darks and lights that a sunny day naturally creates with highlights and shadow were missing. So the variations in the greens were subtle and especially challenging. The silver lining of this cloudy day was that it made drawing attention to the focus of the painting, the little zinnia buddies - easier than usual.  This painting outside stuff is teaching me lots. I am going to keep at it with a very new respect for plein aire painters!

Monday, July 25, 2011

Almost Ready



I went way, way, way out of my comfort zone for this one! I painted OUTDOORS for starters. I only used THREE colors:  cadmium yellow light, cadmium red and ultramarine blue, and I used THREE brushes: large, medium and small. In addition, I finished the painting in ONE HOUR.  Why such strict parameters, you ask? Well, it was another Daily Paintworks Challenge! I must admit, I felt like a beginner today... especially when it took me about an hour just to remember how to unfold my plein aire easel. Tough as this one was, these challenges are great. I have new found respect for plein aire painters and it was nice to teach this old dog a new trick.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Zinnia with Wings

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     Zinnias are abundant in my garden and I am taking full advantage! Each one has its own little charm. I picked this one because of its yellow crown and widespread leaves. It is plopped in a little bottle I picked up at a yard sale last weekend for a dollar. While I was spending time with this flower, painting each tiny petal, it started to look to me like it was about to take off... like it could flit right up out of the bottle. So it was named. Enjoy.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Sag Harbor Music Festival


     My artwork is being used to promote the very first Sag Harbor American Music Festival! It should be a wonderful weekend celebrating the talented musicians on the East End of Long Island in one of the sweetest towns I know. I am so happy and honored to be a part of it! Here's a preview of the image. If you are in the neighborhood, why not come join the festivities? It is set for Friday, September 30th and Saturday, October 1st. Learn more about the festival by Clicking Here

Monday, July 18, 2011

Orange Zinnias

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     I am in love with zinnias. They are a great flower to paint!  They don't wilt under the hot lights and can last overnight if I don't finish in one painting session. I also love the fact that I grew these colorful babies from seed.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Olive Reflections on Jarlsburg

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This week's entry to the DPW Challenge - paint reflections. Must say, it was a challenge...keeping my dogs, (aka my studio helpers,) from jumping up and eating the cheese as it baked under the hot lights of the set-up. Thanks again to Daily Paintworks for pushing me out of my comfort zone.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Stand-art Oil

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The challenge this week - to paint what you paint with. Here is my entry, and I must admit I am very satisfied.  I especially like the movement of the brushstrokes and color variation. I really paid attention to temperature and I'm sure that added to the overall success. Thanks for looking. You can see other artists' entries by clicking on the "Daily Paintworks Challenge," icon on this blog.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Grandkids

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This is a little painting I made for my sister and brother-in-law's 60th birthday present. It is of their 4 grandchildren. The 60th birthday party was two years ago, and I am delivering the painting today! Everyone is two years older... but I still live by the motto - better late than never!

Friday, July 1, 2011

Soaking Siblings

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When I was commissioned to paint these children, I was amazed at how "at home" they were in the water. On this particular day, the ocean was incredibly rough (end of August,) and was rushing way up onto the beach, creating tidal pools and rivers of water. It was like a water amusement park for these two and they just could not get enough!