Still Life with Cardinal

Trying to combine my two loves...still life and cardinals.

I hope you're doing well and staying warm. Spring is on it's way!

Still Life with Old-Fashioned Roses

These roses are from my Mother's garden. I don't often work from photographs, but these seemed perfect for Valentine's Day. Their soft fragrance and velvety petals take me back to my childhood and the wonderful memories.

I hope you had a sweet day! Happy painting!

Spring Calf

This is one of the larger paintings that I've been working on lately. It is 10x20 inches. I would love to paint a life-sized version of this little calf.

Have a great weekend!

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!

Recent Still Lifes

It has been a busy summer! I've gotten lax about posting, but I have been painting as often as possible. Here are three of my latest pieces for you.

I hope you are enjoying a wonderful (and not too hot) July.  Happy painting!

Still Life with Peonies

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A little 6x6 miniature painted from the peonies in my Dad's garden.

I hope you're having a wonderful weekend!

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.

Sliced

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This painting is for the Daily Paintwork's Sliced Challenge. Please stop by and see all of the fun paintings.

I hope you're having a great week. Happy painting!

Silver Bowl with Blackberries

I am fascinated by reflections, and this little silver bowl did not disappoint! It turned into a self-portrait of sorts, and that is always fun.

I hope you're having a great week! Happy painting!

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!

Still Life with Egg

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This little egg was so fun to paint. It was the perfect still life subject for a windy February day. 

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

Cherry Preserves

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Celebrating my brother's heavenly birthday today. He was the creative one in our family. He could play music by ear, and his artistic abilities knew no bounds. And he was wickedly funny. We will forever miss his sweet spirit. Happy birthday, Paul! You are so loved!

The Itch

8x8 Inches

Oil on Linen Panel

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I've painted this little calf before and will likely paint him again. It's funny how a photo can take you back to a certain moment in time, and this one does that for me.  

This is another painting from last week. Our windy, gray weather proves challenging for properly photographing wet paintings, so I've gotten behind. I do, however, try to post quick snapshots on Instagram. If you're interested, please feel free to follow me there. My ID is d_mcdowell.

Have a great day! Happy painting!

Tea and Clementine

Hot tea and clementines help take the chill off of a winter day, don't they? And it is always fun to settle in a warm studio and just paint.

I am a little behind in posting. This painting was from several days ago. Thank you for your patience.

I hope you're having a great week! Happy painting!

Little Black Baldy

Newborn calves are about the sweetest things ever, and little black baldy calves are my favorite. Working from life always feels more natural to me, but I couldn't resist painting this photograph. This was one of our babies from last spring.

I hope you're staying warm in this chilly weather. Happy painting!

Red Currants

The year of 2016 was a wonderful one for our family.  We celebrated the 80th birthday of my Dad, our nephew's graduation from medical school, the beautiful wedding of our niece, and the birth of a precious baby boy. A lot of other birthdays, graduations, and anniversaries were celebrated, too. Such a happy year! We feel so thankful.

Wishing you and yours a very blessed new year! Here's to 2017! Happy painting!

Vintage Oil Can

Sterling Cream Pitcher with Thomcord Grapes

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.