Two more cats

The black and white one's name was Whitney.  One half of a pair called

Pratt & Whitney.  I do enjoy painting anything white, fur included.  The sunlight he was sitting in cast his fur in a warm light. (Don't they always find the sunlight?)  I don't know the name of the black one and although the photographic image didn't provide me with a lot of reference material, I did

really like the silhouette of the black cat and the gray/yellow color palette.

I'm working my way forward so this one needs work on the sofa pillows.

                          6" x 6" Oil on canvas

6" x 8" oil on canvas board

Cats I Have Known

Last year I had painted my own cats.  Cats that were loved and gone from us.

This year I am painting cats that belonged to friends.  Painting tabby cats is a bit daunting because of their markings especially considering the 6x6 format.

The black and white cat just needs a bit of tweaking and it will be off the easel.

Tabby

6" x 6" Oil on wood panel

May Calendar

Well creating these calendars proved to be a lot of fun and I have a new one for you.  Just click on the image to expand and download to your desktop to open as your desktop image.

I'm just finishing three more cat paintings and may even be able to post them here later today.

Daffodils on my Easel

Daffodils 6" x 6"

Oil on wood panel

$80.00

Last season I noticed my painting became tighter when what I really wanted was to loosen up.   So now I am trying not to linger too long over these small format paintings.  I'd like to say all I want to do with this one is to strengthen values here and there which is why I'm taking a break to let me isolate what absolutely needs to be done and not sit there with brush in hand and putter away.

Wish me luck!

I've also started the May calendar which lets me indulge in digital projects.  Last month was the first one and the response was so fun, I'd like to continue.

I'll post that one sometime next week (lillies of the valley will be part of the May theme).

Apple with Grapes

                      Apple with Grapes

                6 x 6 x 2 Oil on wood panel

                                $80

We're well into Spring now and I've re-introduced the small format paintings again.  I indulged in learning many new skills over the winter but I have missed 

these small paintings.  So here is a new one - still wet and I haven't decided yet on where to sign it.  I am surprised by how much I've enjoyed painting grapes.  My next painting (on the easel as we speak) will be daffodils.

April Calendar

                      

I'm trying something new....all this playing with digital media so I thought I'd put it to good use and design a calendar.  A little late I know....but it's a start.

Please let me know if you encounter any issues.  I'd love to know if the format works.  Just click on the image and download the expanded version to use as your desktop image.....with my compliments!

P.S. I'm excited by the ability to use traditional art media like watercolours and sketching and collaging them digitally.  It's opened up a new world of possibilities.  

My Easter Greeting to You All......

...TOOK A LITTLE TIME TO GET INTO THE "SPRING" MOOD THIS MORNING BEFORE I START THE EASTER BAKING....

April Daffodils

Daffodil in Blue and White Pitcher

6" x 6" x 2" cradled wood panel

Oil

$80

A challenge to paint because of the illusive nature of the color of yellow, daffodils are still a pleasure to paint.

Spring Cleaning

It's funny how you can  turn a blind eye to what should be obvious.  I am more of an oil painter than a watercolorist so when I reach for my tubes of watercolor I resign myself to re-hydrating the dried tubes as I need them.   Dropping a bit of water into the neck of the tube and working from that.  Enough!!  So last evening I decided to slice open at least a dozen tubes and scrape what remained into these little plastic cups and label them.  So much better.... So now instead of using the watercolor palette that had the same basic colors I can now easily reach for the beautiful colors I had accumulated for years.  I still have another few evenings of doing the same to the remaining colors but now I see how worthwhile it's been.

Sketching

Something I don't do enough of but there are some self imposed projects that has renewed my interest in sketching.  For inspiration check the links at left...

one for urban sketching and the other for nature.
As an added note, I did this sketch in pencil and scanned it in to apply a blue filter to it for a project I'm working on.

I haven't used Etsy in awhile so I decided to put these three up this week and was pleased to see one of them sold within a day.  DPW (Daily Painters Website) featured the peaches in the blue bowl on black floral on Facebook so I was doubly pleased!
Speaking of which I really haven't been painting "daily" but.... creating nonetheless.  If not oils, then watercolors and digital collages.  The arrival of Spring
has renewed my desire to set up more still life subject matter to photograph and a return to the oil painting.  It must be knowing that the flowers that I love to paint will soon be available.
I'm happy to say the pears on blue gingham and the pears and daisies have sold!