Kitchen Basics

Purchase Information

My dad recently sold his house. I ended up with lots and lots of stuff, including an electric mixer, which became the centerpiece and inspiration for this still life. It is most complicated composition to date.

Scallions

Purchase Information

I think it was important that I indicated the table in the upper right corner of this painting. Otherwise, the plate and scallions would have appeared to be floating. I loved painting all the different greens in the stems and found getting the glossy sheen on the ends of the scallions, equally absorbing.

Plated Fish

Purchase Information

So, the fish made it through a night in my freezer and was ready for another full day of modeling. It is amazing to me that the same fish, the same plate, the same artist could create two such different paintings only a day apart. Compared with the painting I posted yesterday, this painting is cooler in temperature and more raw in nature. I intended none of it. That's what makes painting so exciting for me; this element of mystery. It is always bigger and stronger than my plans... and that's a good thing.

Fish and Lemons

Purchase Information

I love painting fish! It is a treat right from the start; heading to the market and making my selection based on the color and shimmer of the scales. Then there's the still life setup; plating the little guy and surrounding him with colorful condiments. Of course, the actually painting process is the ultimate; trying to capture the glistening, soft belly and rendering the eye without making it look like the fish is giving you the "stink eye!" Finally, I think I always form a special little bond with my fish.  This one was gently placed in the freezer when the painting was complete. I am trying to get two days out of him. More of this fish tale in tomorrow's post!

Orchids and Bottles

Purchase Information

I told you I felt an "orchid series"coming on! This is a new size panel for me, and I love it.  It's lots of fun to set up a still life when you've got a bit of elbow room.

Orange Slices

Purchase Information
I had so much fun with this one. It amazed me to observe how those oranges literally changed color in response to the colors I put around them in the reflections, the background and the foreground. It only underscores the importance of setting the color, saturation and temperature of the painting's focal point first and then moving on to painting other aspects of the piece in support of those initial choices.  Otherwise, you can just chase your tail!

Large Ceramic Pot with Sunflowers

I have been attempting to create two paintings from the same still life setup. I usually start with a smaller panel, 6"x6" and then go a bit bigger for the second painting, 8"x8". Here is the second, larger painting from the kitchen setup I did yesterday. You would think that because I worked out the colors and light and values in the smaller version, this one would almost paint itself. Not so much!  ;)

 Purchase Information

Apples and Ceramic Pot

SOLD

I was back in the kitchen... whipping up something delicious.... and gala, and macintosh!

Pears in Red and Yellow

SOLD
My exploration of lost and found edges, atmosphere and value continues in this painting. The study is made so much more enjoyable with the inclusion of the last few blooms from my yellow rose bush and with the pear, a wonderful fruit that comes in an endless variety of shapes and colors!

A Balanced Diet

                                                 SOLD

     I was cleaning my food pantry - checking for outdated cans. I noticed that many of the labels were colorful and beautifully designed. It was at that moment, I recalled this week's online painting challenge... to create a still-life by balancing objects on top of each other. So, the outdated cans that should have been heading to the garbage headed up to my studio instead!