Role Models

A small painting from September...even after all these years, the back-to-school vibe runs strong.

I hope you are well and happy and looking forward to the holidays. Happy painting!

Ode to Edvard

For some reason -- perhaps too much exposure to OMS -- this little painting reminds me of comedy/tragedy masks. It is more of a tragedy/tragedy, though. It sort of feels like "The Scream" of my still life world. Ha!

Well, I'm off to get a nice dose of fresh air. Take care, friends!

Fresh Peach with Vintage Crate

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In the Texas panhandle, we seem to move from winter to summer. It's bitterly cold one day and hot the next. This year, however, we are having a true spring. I'm glossing over some of the horribly windy days, but for the most part, our weather has been gorgeous. Since that is so unusual for us, it's all right to brag about it, right? Good.

Along with the beautiful weather, the market is filling up with fun things to paint. Tulips, peonies, peaches, oh my! Life is pretty sweet. I hope you're having a great week!

Happy Easter to you and yours.

Still Life with Peeled Clementine

After a week of feeling under the weather, it was fun to be back at my easel! 

The color orange has always been tricky for me to paint. I'm slowly learning that saturation is the key for the darker value areas. Or at least, it seems to be the key with citrus. Do you have a color that is an issue for you, too?

I hope you are staying WELL and enjoying these last few weeks of winter. Winter is my favorite season, so I am trying to savor each day.

Happy painting!

Remembrance of a Summer Walk

A few things collected from my morning walks: heart-shaped rocks and a bird's feather combined with a handmade amber bottle from Jury Smith's Bottle and Bowl collection.

Blueberries and Pussywillow

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Love this sweet little poem by Aileen Fisher:

Pussy Willows

Close your eyes

And do not peek

And I'll rub Spring

Across your cheek...

The Subtleties of Green

I loved painting this little pear and all of its imperfections. It served to remind me of the Wabi-Sabi aesthetic. Finding beauty in imperfection and accepting life's impermanence is such a beautiful concept. Nothing lasts. Nothing is finished. Nothing is perfect.

Happy painting!

Bountiful Blessings

Silver Cup with Peach

One more of Dad's peaches.  I've sure enjoyed staying in under the air conditioning and painting these peaches. It's been a great way to beat the heat. Stay cool!

Balance

On Sunday, Dad picked a bushel of the most beautiful peaches for me. With all of the wonderful rain, this has been an incredible summer. The fruit trees are loaded with abundant produce. I don't remember a summer quite like it. After so many drought years, it feels like such a blessing. Balance, in life and in nature, is a good thing.

I hope your week is off to a great beginning!

Peanut Butter with Oklahoma Sand Plum Jelly

Private Collection

This is one of my Dad's favorite sandwiches. We share so many things in common, but this isn't one of them. I do love to paint PB&J, though!

It's been a rainy weekend here. I had to break out my clamp lights this afternoon. I always prefer natural sunlight, but it seemed to work out okay.

I hope you're having a great weekend!

Still Life with Cup and White Grapes

This handmade cup is one of the treasures that I found at Tlaquepaque in Sedona. I really enjoyed seeing and painting the highlights. With all of our recent rain, the landscape is so beautiful and green. I loved seeing it reflected in the highlight. It is a most welcomed end to our long drought.

I hope your week is off to a great beginning. Happy painting!

Still Life with Shallots

I painted these shallots on Tuesday, but I am late posting them. If you've seen my painting set-up, you know that I only paint with one No. 6 round brush. I think it is time to add a smaller brush for painting the roots of shallots. Oh, well, there is always next time, right? 

And just a note to thank you for your sweet comments. You keep me feeling inspired. My precious nieces were so fun to paint, and I appreciate your encouraging words. 

Happy painting!

Still Life with Amber Mallet Bottle and Baby Eggplant

In life, this little baby eggplant is just about the cutest thing ever. 

In other news, we enjoyed a wonderful Easter holiday. Lots of egg-hunting and family fun. I hope yours was wonderful, too.

Have a great evening!