Some Cheering Up

November needs some cheering up.   Thanksgiving and Halloween have come and gone and the leaves are down.  But taking out my watercolors brightens things up considerably.  These are the new

projects I have this year.  Maybe it was growing up in the sixties when illustration was in it's heyday,

but I have just reconnected with my love for illustration and paper projects.

Jessie II

On my easel today.  I've been busy with collage and sketches but felt uneasy about not having

painted lately.  So today I fixed that.  Jessie needs the final touches still especially the eyes.  I start

by painting the eyes as a point of reference for the rest of the painting but the final touches are

saved for last.  

The Busy Season

The same sketches that I had printed to fabric are being used on a new card line that I've been

working on.  I've been painting with paper these days!

Just a little water-colour...

I've been working on a series of watercolors for a greeting card line and this is one of them.

Just having fun with the watercolors for now until the next phase, using them to integrate into a

line of bespoke greeting cards.

Teacup with Lemon

I knew once September rolled around that it would become incredibly busy.  Usually in a good way.
It's time to set up more still life groupings to carry me through the winter.  So hopefully my next
paintings will reflect the coming season (my favourite).

This is, once again a small format oil on wood cradled panel measuring 6" x 6" x 1.5" deep.

Back to old favourites

6" x 6" Oil on wood cradled panel

When I started these small format paintings, I meant for them to be simpler with the emphasis on brushwork but I keep going back to trickier subject matter....ellipses for example.  I do like teacups so they do end up in my paintings quite often.  I'll post the painting when I'm sure I'm happy with the end result.

The Sky on His Back

8" x 10" Collage

The quote is from Henry David Thoreau - "The Bluebird carries the sky on his back"  Do you think I could borrow this quote for my bluejay?  Different kinds of birds but still with the beautiful blue.

I am enjoying the series of birds but my next one might be a different subject.  I'm acquiring papers

and techniques that I'd like to apply to other images.  As with the others, I used hand painted papers and magazine clippings.

Time now to go back and take a look at my approach since the first one (the chickadee).  There are

elements about the simpler way I started them that I like but at the same time some subject matter simply needs to be handled with more intensity.  This bluejay with the black stripes for example.

Please email me with inquiries.  I will eventually place on Etsy but would be happy to answer any

questions you may have.  Not entirely sure whether I will mount this to a wood panel and still have

it frameable or use a mat and put it under glass.

JAX

...and here is my painting Jax from the last post.  Painted slightly larger than most of my recent work at 8" square.  I may continue this size format for awhile.  This painting is a little more loose from my previous painting and the size increase helped.  One more painting of a dog before I go back to my usual subject matter.  Now this next one may be more of a challenge as it is of a dalmatian who is no
longer around and either the spottiness will make it easier to paint or harder - I'll  find out soon.

Next on my easel....

Jax is his name .... I'm painting this one a little larger than the usual 6" x 6" and he is on canvas.
Want to get this one finished before I return to the collage series of birds.

A Doxie named Rocky

6 x 6 x 1.5 inches

oil on wood cradled panel

My niece's beloved doxie, Rocky.  I couldn't help but want to paint him as I've had four doxies of my own.  Unfortunately he succumbed to the dreaded doxie back problem at the age of four.  

Robin Collage

Robin

8" x 10" 

collage on 3/4" wood panel

I am thoroughly enjoying this series and picking up techniques along the way.  Next up will be a 

Bluejay simply because I have some beautiful blue papers to use.

Cardinal Collage

I enjoy making textured and painted papers but don't seem to use them enough.  Having started this

bird series is the first time I am really using them in a way that justifies making more.  So all is good.

These are done on a card stock weight of paper but I'm thinking I may use the wood panels that I use

for the small daily paintings because the grain of the wood might be nice to use too.  I can see myself

adapting this newfound interest to the use of fabrics.  Something I've admired in art quilters but didn't think I'd get around to trying.  

Computer monitors vary quite a bit but for some reason the background green is more saturated than

my scan.  It's only when I bring it into this blog that is becomes a little too strong for my liking otherwise the original and the prints I'm making from it are a much nicer earthier green.

The original measures 8" x 10"

Jessie

6" x 6" x 1.5"

Oil on wood panel

It feels good to be painting again.  Jessie was a sweetheart of a wire haired doxie (dachshund) that I
had the pleasure to do a painting of.

A companion

Having fun with these.  This now completes a series of three chickadees but definitely not a completion of this media.  My next one might be a cardinal.

Explore a Different Path

I think I'm getting the hang of this....

Explore a Different Path

Creating an image in collage is a different than when painting for obvious reasons.  Having completed this second one, I am starting to accumulate a few notes on a working approach.  Really looking forward to starting the next one with a new and improved work flow.

Something I've been meaning to do....

For various reasons I've been making painted papers over the years and for some reason, I haven't had a reason to use them.   Some papers I like so much as is that I hesitate to tear them apart.  But this time I felt motivated enough to make this little collage of a chickadee.  Funny enough, most of my papers were of very saturated high key colours (which were fun to make) but for this collage I need mostly neutrals.  It doesn't take much but it's nice to have a ready assortment to pick and choose from.  So having done this one, I'm going to make a few more.  But not before I make another assortment of beautiful neutrals.  Once I've completed a few more, I'll put these up as prints and notecards in my Etsy shop which I've sadly neglected in recent months.

A bit of organization

I was inspired by this pin I found on Pinterest (bottom image) and it was brilliant!  I had an old dough board (I've had it for 25 years) in my attic.  At least I think it's a dough board.  I hesitated using it but thought it would finally be appreciated rather than tucked away unseen.  Love how it turned out.

Everything changes.......

My last post was in early March….the winter was showing no sign of letting up and I was looking forward to following the progression of Spring as each flower would come into bloom and I would take my camera and record the changing of the seasons.   My sentence began….”This is the month when everything changes…..”   What I didn’t know then is that by the end of the month my world would change forever.  On the 21st my husband passed away after a short illness. I’ve retreated into a quiet place while my heart attempts to heal.  I make attempts to paint because that is where my comfort zone is and having this place to record my artistic progress helps to bring me back to that familiar comforting place.  So gradually I will return….

A little of this and a little of that...

This is is, the month where everything changes.  I expect to see these by the end of this month.

I think I'm entering into a water-colour phase with this little piece.  Will be working on some lilacs next for a fabric I want to design.  

The sketch below is less about my accomplishing this than it is about the photographer (my daughter) and the sitter who models for her quite often.  Both lovely young women.  I just love the pensive mood.

Sketching Again

It's a grey day and I'm doing a little bit of everything trying to get a feel for ...something?  I thought if
I did some sketching I'd feel like I'd accomplished something worthwhile today.  Now I have the
desire to do more....which was the point.

Emilie at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts

Here is the final version just waiting to be varnished.  

Started this the week before Christmas and didn't get back to it until now.  My husband's favourite painting by Winslow Homer and my daughter.  Will post a proper photo as soon as I tweak the little things I'm seeing that will bug me if I don't!

Here's the link to the start of this painting.

Single Pear From Above

Single Pear From Above

6" X 6" x 1.5"

Oil on Wood Panel

The last of the four pear paintings from last week.   I've enjoyed this colour palette.  I may shoot some more set ups with this tablecloth and perhaps some blue bottles.  I will be putting them up on
Etsy tomorrow.
P.S.  I've just noticed that my page is loading a little crowded looking.  I'll look into that tomorrow.
I had been trying different page templates and in returning to my original, I may have disturbed a few
elements.

Pears and Pallettes

Blue and yellow is such a pleasant colour combination.  Perhaps that's why I felt compelled to do four of these in a row.  I was thoroughly enjoying painting the yellow pears.  I so often put my palette aside when I finish painting but sometimes I notice how wonderful the paint looks just as it is.

Three Pears on Linen

6" x 6" x 1.5"

Oil on wood panel

$80.00

This is one of those paintings that is deceptive.  It's the third one I've done of this pear series so I felt confident going into it.  But...the lighting was subdued and therefore it surprised me how dark the "white" of the linen had to be painted.  I knew if I kept going, it would work out and it did.  I knew the pears would really come forward against the sombre background and it did.  I can still see a tiny bit of tweaking to do but otherwise I'm happy with it.

I also generally avoid wiping out portions of a painting but I did this time.  I had to wipe out two of the three pears because I used a brush that was too small for the area.  I had forgotten one of my
intentions was to simplify and work more loosely and that means working with a larger brush and
choosing my strokes carefully rather than fussing.  So that necessitated wiping out.  And I'm glad I did.  The switch to the larger brush kept the pears more interesting than they started out.   I will
remind myself to not hesitate wiping out and re-working.

As always, comments, critiques and constructive criticism is always welcome.

The best place to be....

To the left of my table and easel is our old trusty Vermont Castings wood stove.  It kept us going in the great ice storm of '96.  And with nasty weather in the forecast today (just the usual winter weather stuff) Laycie and Louie know where to be.

Three Pears in a Teal bowl

I noticed my paintings had become a little fussy again.  Not that it was wrong but my intention has been to simplify and make brushstrokes more interesting.  So I think this is more like it.  Comments and critiques are always welcome.

Next Up...

I had a few good photos of this particular session and decided to make a little series of them.  This one on the easel still needs some tweaking but I'm almost there.

First Painting of 2014

and it feels good to be painting again.  I've already almost finished the second one and it will be a somewhat snowy Saturday afternoon so I will complete a third this weekend.  I will post better photos when I take photos in the light of day.

Slow Start to a New Year

...but that's okay.  I'm absorbing thoughts and ideas.  I am trying to be more selective about what to spend my time on.  Unofficially (because I don't make New Year's resolutions) I made a mental note to do more portrait and figurative work this year.  So quick sketches such as the one posted here is something I will try to make more time for.  I may even work on my journals and sketchbooks more this year....

A New Year

A slow start to a new year but I'm just re-charging.  January for me (as it is with most people I would think) is a time to re-assess and prioritize.  I never make resolutions but I do make lists of what I'd like to accomplish.  I like having that list to confirm where my energy was spent in the previous year.

I know that this year, I'd like to do more figurative work, some portraits, learn the ins and outs of collagraphs and work larger.  Having said that I love the small formats too and will not be ignoring that.  But after playing around in photoshop to drop my small format paintings into this blank wall photo, it does get me fired up to do something large again just for the drama.

Here is wishing everyone who visits a happy, safe New Year.

Painting Local Scenery

A few years ago I thought I'd try my hand at painting in water-colour some buildings in and around

my hometown.  This building housed a wonderful clothing shop for many years.  Before that it was a hardware/antique store.  And now there is a boutique of handcrafted items that helps to fund a charitable organization that builds homes, wells and provides educational material for villages in Peru as well as providing an outlet for local artisans.  On the second floor is a furniture and antique boutique and a caterer/café on the main floor.  I love this village that I live in!

A Funny Thing Happened....

This is the beginning of a  9" x 12" oil painting of our daughter Emilie looking at a painting of
Winslow Homer's "The Fog Warning" at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. We lingered in front of that one because it resonated with my husband (retired airline captain) as it represented the many times he had to calculate safe approaches into unfamiliar airports with heavy weather approaching.  We left the museum with our purchase of that poster.  It was left in various corners and closets waiting to be framed until I decided this would be a good Christmas present.  Then I remembered the photo I took of Emilie and thus began the theme for this year's gifts.  Now retired my husband had mentioned on more than one occasion the desire to try fly fishing.  The fishing rod became his main gift supported by the framed poster and my rendition of that day at the museum.  It's always fun when that happens.  So this week, I will continue and hopefully finish the year with this painting. (I had to wrap it in this half finished state!)

Season's Greetings, Happy Holidays and especially Merry Christmas!

Happy Holidays or better yet...

Merry Christmas!

However you want to say it, that is what I wish for you!

Deck the Halls....

Well I thought I'd challenge myself to painting something other than silver that was highly reflective.

Not as challenging as I thought.  It was the colour red that proved to be the challenge, especially since it takes longer to dry.  And this was supposed to be a "daily small format" that actually needed 3 days to complete.   Since the pigments tend to be somewhat transparent, it can be difficult to get the range of values figured out.  But sometimes overthinking it is the real problem.  

This year's ornaments are out and I will set up some more subject matter like this.

A Little Christmas Show

An exhibition of paintings this weekend!  I love seeing them all together.  

I can't believe it's December 1st tomorrow!  But after the buildup towards Christmas is the

cocooning of winter which means time for books and more painting which is a good thing to

look forward to.

Silver & Gold Part II

18" x 24"

Oil and Acrylic

Collage on wood panel

Another one in the series of traditional subject on a fragmented field.  My previous post showed another format of this (8" x 24") and I think I like the outcome enough to pick it up again and

expand on it.  The painting from that post (Silver & Gold will be in the Small Format show at

Galerie Viva Vida for the month of December).... : > )

Revisiting

Here is a series from a year or so ago that I would like to continue with.  I had it in mind to pair up

abstract and traditional.  Definitely something I want to experiment with a bit more.  This panel measures 8" x 24" on deep wood cradled panel.

Next up.....

Charlie

6" x 6" Oil on Wood Cradled Panel

Charlie looks like a sweetheart and he is fun to paint too.  Taking a break from it today and tomorrow I'll balance out the colours here and there and add the finishing touches.

I'm looking forward to trying out the Christmas ornament with all it's bling and shine.  If I could manage silver objects I should be able to handle this......we'll see.