Day's End

I am late in posting today, so you may receive two blog posts in your daily email.  I apologize for the delay.  I waited until late this afternoon to paint, because I wanted to work outdoors.  The hills are actually more gray than green now, but sometimes, my paintbrushes have a mind of their own.  It was chilly but fun.  :)

Marshfield Garden II

Pears in Blue

All You Need Is Love

Today's painting is from an original photograph by a wonderful photographer and friend...the lovely Shari Frost.  My painting doesn't do her beautiful photograph justice, but I couldn't resist trying.  Thanks, Shari!  :)

 

Patchwork Pears

A little canvas toned with black and a big brush...oh, the fun!   :)

Singleton

The past few days, I've been doing a quick underpainting, and all three were painted on a red-toned canvas.  I like the sketchy quality of today's apple, but the shadow seems too flat.  Planning to re-work it this afternoon, but I thought it would be a good idea to post first.  ;)

Happy Friday, everyone!  Have a great weekend!  :)   

Apple Pair

Hole in One

I'm playing with white again today.  The canvas was toned with red, and I did an underpainting in burnt umber.  Usually, I don't take the time to do an underpainting, but I really like the edges of this one peeking through the paint.  It's my favorite part of this little painting and a pleasant surprise.  I love surprises.  :)

Escapees

The little cherries look like they have just escaped from the bowl, eh?  And a few more are contemplating the leap?  Run cherries run!  ;)

I'm working with white again this week.  What bugs me the most is that -- in watercolor -- it is my favorite color to interpret.  But with acrylics, I find myself shying away from anything white.  And I'm stumped as to why the mediums feel so differently to me.  

Back Against the Wall

The title of this painting describes my life recently.  I won't go into details, but let's just say...its wonderful to be painting again.  :)

Plums & Grapes

I painted another photograph from the Wet Canvas web site today.  This one appealed to me for two reasons...the metallic bowl and the white tablecloth.  I need practice with both.  The gray background and shadows were an added bonus.  I love the way the colors work with the medium gray values.

That's the One

I found today's photo reference at the wonderful Wet Canvas web site.  After working with the color orange earlier this week, I was looking for more practice.  I'm resisting the urge to slap on the Band-Aid highlights and to place more detail on the pumpkins.  Calling it quits for today.  :)

I'm getting ready for a weekend away visiting family.  Weather permitting, of course.  Yesterday, it was 70 degrees, and now, they are predicting chances of snow for tomorrow.  Gotta love Texas weather!

Single File

I need a workshop in highlights.  No matter how hard I try, they continue to have a Band-Aid feel. 

Not much time to paint today.  Its 70 degrees and sunny.  I'm off to mow my yard -- I hope -- for the last time this year.  Have I said this before?  Yes, I think so.  ;)

Reflecting Orange

Oranges are hard to paint!  Well, for me anyway...;)

However, I loved playing with the reflections in the silver bowl.  I am so happy to be painting again this week.  :)

When Life Gives You Lemons

The past week was a very busy one for me.  With the holidays coming up, I worry that it is a sign of things to come, but I'm hoping this week will be a little better.  And it is off to a nice beginning.  I loved being able to stay home this afternoon and paint.  :)

Cadmium Yellow Light is the only yellow on my palette these days.  Today's goal was to experiment with its values.  I think they may be a tad off, but as to not overwork this simple painting, I called it quits.  Now, I'm off to paint a little more.  Luxury, pure luxury!  ;)  

Marshfield Barn

I'm shy about posting this one, because I struggled with it.  My reference was a photograph taken with my iPhone at Marshfield.  I really love the old barn in the photograph, so I will have to revisit it again.  Hopefully, the second time will be a charm.  :) 

Red Oak

Warm and a little bit windy today, but it was still a beautiful day to paint outdoors.  And I broke out my palette knife.  So much fun...I will have to do this again...soon!  :)

Tulip Trio

I am posting late today!  This afternoon, I started out painting a decorative gourd, but it was very unsuccessful.  Instead of giving up for the day, I took Rodeo for a walk.  A lovely walk.  It is amazing how fresh air (and sunshine) can totally improve your mood, and I am a little happier with my second attempt.  I definitely prefer flowers to gourds.  :)

Gray October Day

Although the skies have been rather gray today, it was warm and pleasant out.  And after Sunday's enjoyable plein air experience, I wanted to paint outdoors this afternoon.  This is the first of -- what I hope to be -- many ranch landscapes.  :)

Apple Green

Making every stroke of the brush count...that was my goal for today.  And I am working on softening my shadows.  Tomorrow, I will work on making the little apple slice the proper size.  ;)

Nasty day out.  We are having wind gusts of 40 - 50 mph today.  This morning's walk almost turned into a scene from "The Wizard of Oz."  I just needed a blue gingham dress, because I'm pretty sure that Rodeo was airborne once or twice.  All afternoon walks have been cancelled.

Sunday's Daisies

Today has been so pretty! So, I decided that it was the perfect day to paint -- what will likely be -- the last of my daisies. I love their sunny "faces" and easy care. They were very fun to paint, and it was a pleasant day to spend outdoors.  I will be looking forward to their return this coming spring. :)

Lastly, I ran across this quotation recently, and it struck a chord with me.  "Embrace Frayed Edges, Worn Pages and Laugh Lines.  True Beauty Lies in Imperfection."  So much truth in those little words, eh? 

Have a great Sunday!  :)

Seeing Yellow

Its Apple-Picking Time

Today's painting serves as an illustration in things *not* to do.  If I had used a ruler, I couldn't have centered the background line more.  And even more worrisome, I didn't notice it until I was in the process of scanning it.  Now, I can't see anything else.  Ah, well.

Yesterday's storms brought 3 inches of much needed rain.  And today, I really felt a sense of the coming change of seasons.  The yellow and orange leaves of the trees looked stunning against the gray sky.  Nature's palette is the prettiest of all.  :)

 

Separation Anxiety

Recently, Mark picked these pears for me, and I've been having so much fun painting them.  Despite our often dry weather, the century-old trees continue to thrive.  Their fruit isn't as pretty as grocery store produce, but I'm enjoying their organic shapes, blemishes, etc.  Each one is so different and unique.  And oh, so tasty.  ;)

We are having thunderstorms today.  And although I love the rumble of thunder, Rodeo is not a happy camper.  He is so afraid of this kind of weather.  So, I'm off to just sit, relax and snuggle with him.  I hope you all have a great evening!  :)   

Plate & Pear

I cannot even begin tell you how I have struggled with this little painting.  Some days are just that way for me.  I hate to even post it; it annoys me so.  But in the spirit of honesty, I feel that I should.  If you don't try, you can't succeed, right?  So, I'll just keep trying.  Or at least, that's what I'm telling myself this afternoon.  ;)

Freshly Picked

 

Garden Path - Marshfield

Just as I returned from walking my dog this morning, the skies grew dark and the rain began to fall.  Against the gray sky, the lovely autumnal color of the trees looked so pretty.  So much so, that it made me to want to paint with a gray palette today, and these beautiful stone steps from a Marshfield photograph caught my eye.        

Bosc Pear III

This is the last installment of my pear studies.  The highlights feel more like band-aids today, but I'm resisting the urge to mess with them.  It is very liberating to only spend 30 minutes or so on these small paintings, and I can always try again tomorrow.  :)

I've been working on a larger piece, and I'm anxious to get started on it now.  It feels like such a luxury to have all afternoon to paint.  Life is good.  :)

Have a great weekend!  :)

Bosc Pears II

Bosc Pears

After a wonderful fall break, I'm ready to paint!  These golden pears were a fun study.  They have such drab coloring, but with lighting, they have a pretty glow.  And I love their organic shapes.  

Peony II

Well, this is my second try in posting today.  Hopefully, this one will work.  :)

Today's peony was painted on a mauve-toned canvas, and it has a completely different feel from the one yesterday.  The first was painted on a brightly toned pink canvas, and I much prefer its sunny quality.  Brush size was the only other variable.  The palette was the same.  It is interesting to see how a simple underpainting can have such an impact.

Its a beautiful day, and I'm looking forward to spending it in my garden.  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!  :)

Peony

Poised for Pie

I love the apple's reddish hues against the mixing bowl's golden yellow, but I think my sweet husband will prefer it in a pie. ;)

Lemonscape

The past few days, I have been working with a larger brush, and I think it is helping to loosen my painting style. At least, that is my hope. And I'm resisting the urge to mess the paint after application. Old habits are hard to break, so keep your fingers crossed for me. :)

Pumpkin Patch

This is a baby pumpkin.  So cute!  I love fall.  :)

Change of Season

An early morning thunderstorm, gray skies, cool temps and the NFL.  Ah, today has given us the first taste of autumn.  Lately, I've been taking Sundays off.  Its nice to rest and just hang with my family.  BUT after finding this little, red oak leaf on my morning walk, I couldn't resist.  :)

Jadeite Grapes, Part Deux

It has been a lovely autumn day.  I adore this time of year, and I wish that I could have spent today outside.  But I woke up with hives.  All over my body.  Good times!  Thankfully, I could immerse myself in painting and forget all about it.  :)

Hope you're all having a great, hive-free weekend!  ;)

Jadeite Grapes

Yesterday, I spent a little time on Amarillo's 6th Street.  In recent years, the area has enjoyed a wonderful revitalization and is now home to many antique shops and vintage stores.  Located along historic Route 66, it is a charming street and a fun place to visit.

I picked up this little Jadeite bowl for a couple of dollars.  Other than a vintage tea towel, it was my only purchase, but it was a lovely afternoon.  The highlight of my day was seeing the street lined with beautifully restored Model-T Fords.  It felt like stepping back in time.  I asked one of the shopkeepers what was going on that day, and she said that they were having their version of a "T-Party."  Gotta love it.  ;)

Where's the Beef?

I painted yesterday, but I ran out of time to post. So, I'm posting yesterday's painting for today. It was painted from a photograph by my front gate. Hopefully some day, I will paint fast enough to do these en plein air. Wouldn't that be fun?

I'm off to mail letters, pick up prescriptions and buy art supplies.  I'm thinking of trying oils.  I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday!  :)

Red Grapes

Still Life with Orange

Vase with Plums

Yellow Bowl with Plums

Plum Perseverance

Puzzle Pieces

With these two pieces, I'm enjoying exploring the shadows. I want them to become less defined, and as I can see from the photographs, less dark. I love their inherent subtleties, and I want them to be so much more interesting. Now, to get my hand to paint what my mind envisions...ah, challenges. :)

I'm off to mow my yard this afternoon.  And I'm taking my camera with me.  Last week, the cattle -- that I've had such difficulty photographing -- came up to graze outside the fencing and watch me like, well, television.  Apparently, the riding mower has the ability to mesmerize bovine(s).  Who knew?  ;)

Old Friends

Many years ago, my friend, Kim, made these beautiful vessels for me.  A vase and a tea bowl.  Like her friendship, they are among my dearest treasures.

Bell Peppers

When you see me painting bell peppers, you'll know that my cupboards are completely bare.  I love to cook with them, but to paint with them?  Well, not so much.  ;)



Pear Duo

More reflections today...just not much time...wishing to spend all day painting.  Perhaps tomorrow!  :)

Morning Reflections

I've been wanting to experiment with reflective surfaces, but thus far, I haven't been able to achieve satisfactory results with my still lifes.  So, this AM, I went to the wonderful Wet Canvas web site and found this photograph.  Its a great source for reference material. 

Naptime

I am late in posting today.  My apologies.  Thunderstorms have brought welcome rain, but not-so-welcome disruption of Internet service, lol.  I worked on a little larger scale today.  This piece is 8x10, acrylic on canvas.