Orange Roses in Turquoise

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I have a love-hate relationship with painting in natural light. I hate that painting in natural light means painting in ever changing light which of course, is frustrating and confusing and turns up the pressure. However, painting in natural light also means I don't have enough time to get fussy or to over work and over paint the subject. Ultimately, if all goes well, and I get the piece done in natural light, I am left with a painting that reflects decisive value choices, deliberate brush strokes and an overall loose, painterly feeling. In other words, I end up with the kind of painting I want to make. Moral of the story, get out of the shadow box and into the light.

Happy Easter

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I bought myself a big beautiful lily plant, with hopes to paint it. After many attempts, I just couldn't create a still life arrangement that "spoke" to me. It seemed the plant was just a little too tall to work. So, I clipped off one of the blooms, popped it into one of my favorite glass pitchers and threw in a couple of eggs. White lilies and eggs can only mean one thing ... Happy Easter.

Delicate Orchid

                                           SOLD

When I was arranging this still life in my shadow box, I noticed how cautiously I set the pitcher and placed the orchid in the water. The reason for my steady movement was the absolute delicacy of both the fine glass and the dangling blossom. When I started painting, the awareness of their fragility stayed with me. I found that more than capturing shape and color, I was concerned with capturing that quiet essence.

Saved Orchid

                                               

Okay, so somebody broke my orchid. The plant was sitting on the desk in the den. Someone must have banged into it - inadvertently, I am assuming - because there it was with the bloom almost snapped off, just dangling. At first, I was really angry because it meant the death of something so beautiful. Then, I had an idea - the new turquoise glass pitcher I had been waiting to paint. So now, the orchid has a new lease on life for a bit longer in the pitcher.... and a whole lot longer in this little painting. I love happy endings.