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!

Hurricane Harvey Fundraiser

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Daily Paintworks is hosting a Hurricane Harvey Fundraiser.  All proceeds from the sale of the paintings will be donated to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey.  If you would be interested in helping with this wonderful cause, please stop by and see all of the beautiful paintings that are available. Many thanks to Carol and David Marine. 

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!

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!

The Itch

8x8 Inches

Oil on Linen Panel

Click here to purchase via PayPal.

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

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

Study in Gray

It is a cool and cloudy day here, so this painting is very low key. It is a still life of mostly found things. After a recent thunderstorm, I found this little nest blown from our pine tree. Fortunately, all of its occupants were grown and gone. I've had the dove's feather for a while. I stumbled across it on one of my morning walks, and Mark found the old glass bottle for me. It was filled with dirt, but it washed up nicely. The little egg is the only non-found item. I used a reference photo taken of a nest in our holly tree a few years ago. I'm attaching it for you. If you would like, please feel free to paint it or use it as a reference.

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

Peach with Vintage Crate

These peaches have been so fun to paint. I'm already looking forward to next summer's crop.

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

Temple Bottle with Grapes and Fig

Usually, I spend my Sunday cooking and puttering around the house, but this week, I finished with all of my chores on Saturday. So, today has been spent blissfully painting in my pajamas. I'm thankful for an understanding husband that doesn't mind my craziness. Life is pretty sweet.

My favorite part of this painting is the pureness of the morning light. It is a bit bigger than normal and measures 9x12 inches.

I hope you're weekend is relaxing and full of your favorite adventures. Happy painting!

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!

Still Life with Cherries

Private Collection

In life, these cherries are so plump and pretty (and quite tasty.) Ah, summer...the living is easy!

I hope you're having a great weekend! Stay cool!

Silver Cup with Pear

Private Collection

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and a great Father's Day! Happy painting!