White Peonies and Vase

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First came the lilacs, and then, the peonies! You have to paint peonies swiftly because their blossoms are quick to open and even quicker to drop off.  In fact, I worked on the flowers first and the next day,  when I got back to finishing up the tea cup and silver creamer, all that remained of the peonies was a little heap of soft white petals.

Little Bit of Lilacs

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I have begun a series of 8"x8" studies of all that spring has to offer. My aim is to capture each bloom as I see them and feel them. So I will be painting not so much from a botanical perspective, as from the absolute pleasure I feel when I touch, smell and drown my sensibilities in each flower. I do so wish that blogspot had a "scratch and sniff" widget!!

Early Spring Morning, Sag Harbor

This is a recently completed commission of Main Street, Sag Harbor. The challenge here was to get painting before the street filled up with parked cars. That meant getting set up by 6 am. A long run of rainy weather, however, curtailed my plein aire efforts and forced me back into the studio. I finished the painting and delivered it just in time for Father's Day... a favorite town for a favorite dad. 

Saratoga Spring

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My new gallery, Spa Fine Art  in Saratoga Springs NY, has asked me to feature their local bottled water in some of my still life paintings. Of course, it was its natural mineral springs, once thought to cure all sorts of ailments that first put Saratoga on the map. This wonderful little town still has a few spas which include treatments with the local water, but it is best known today for its horse racing and in summer, as home to New York City Ballet. Most importantly, it is where my wonderful daughter, Edwina, has spent the last four years as a Studio Art Major at Skidmore College. She graduates in just a few weeks and then, watch out art world!!!

Daffodils with Bottles

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I have a lovely crop of daffodils this year growing outside my front door. I swear that every time I walk by them I can hear them screaming, "paint me, paint me!" They certainly do make very cooperative subjects - heads held high, draped in bedazzling color and compliments to my blue bottles. The only downside to these yellow marvels is their short life span, just about two weeks. I am painting as fast as I can!

Opening Up

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I am making little studies of the blooms on my Easter lily plant. The are a beautiful irony:  delicate, even vulnerable, yet tall and strong. While painting them, their heavenly scent just hangs heavy in the air.  I plan to paint out-of-doors in a few weeks, and hope to paint lots of flowers. My Easter lily is getting me in "shape" for this upcoming plein aire, alla prima challenge.

Demitasse in Blue

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I have certainly worked this still life set-up to death, but I don't care, I have thoroughly enjoyed it. Honestly, when I find an arrangement of objects that "works," I think it is a good idea to get as many variations from it as possible. It helps me get a better handle on painting, in this case, the apples, the bottle, the orchids and cup. Overall, I am very satisfied with my "orchid series."