Blue Glass and Fruit 6" x 8" oil

Outside My Window 6" x 8" oil

I keep trying this daily painting concept. Sometimes I just don't know what to paint. I really do want to paint. I make the process of what to paint so exhausting, that I don't paint anything. Before I know it days, even weeks are gone. So I looked out my window and saw the shadow of my little ranucula laying across my walkway. It was interesting enough with no set up.
This was more difficult for me than I thought and I had a difficult time recognizing color. The sidewalk looked purple, it looked yellow and I know it is warm grey. The dirt looked violet to orange brown with blue. It was good I spent the time. I am sure it will look different next time.

Jana 12" x 9" oil

Oh, now this was a fun day. Another day with a model to paint is always good in some way. I got to play around with my palette. I added colors that I don't usually use, like cyan and a pale rose color I saw and tried from a neighbor's palette. Always fun to try new things. I guess that is the fun of painting with a group. Especially when they are so nurturing and giving... thank you! I am happy to be included.
I felt very free with my brush work and the thin and thick of it all. Can't wait till the next time.

Across the Road 5" x 7" oil

This was the second plein air painting today. I should have put the other one first ...oh well. This was quick. All my paint was out and I just did it. I played with the paint and really did not think to much about what I was doing. I like the abstract feeling.

Foothill Ranch 6" x 8" oil

I was very happy to get out and do some plein air painting today. It was chilly out on the side of the road. It is always challenging to paint outside. There is a lot to reduce to a small canvas. I felt very clumsy with my brush work and unsure of quiet a few key elements. Thank goodness for Tom Brown who always seems to know the next brush stroke and how it will look. We were together as a group after a long break with the holidays. I enjoy painting with others as we all have very different ways of seeing color and light and shadow and so on. I always learn something from those around me.

Girl With a Red Sash 12" x 9" oil

Today I got to paint a model. A small group of artist friends that like to paint from a model get together as often as we can and find someone to paint. I mean really. It is uninstructed, so we just do what we can do. It is always a nice day with lovely people painting along side me. We have lunch and chat. So weather it is a good art day does not really matter. Actually any day doing art is a good day.

View Two Pear and Water Glass 4" x 6" oil

Did this with a slightly over head view which meant I had to deal with the curve of the glass. Not my best thing to do. I have so much trouble with the perspective.

Pear and Water Glass 4" x 6" oil

My husband and I went to San Diego with friends this weekend and I brought my paints along. I find it is possible to get a little painting in when the size is small. My hope is to just whip one out, but it never is quiet so simple. So with the pear my husband brought up to the room, a glass of water and a little time here and there I managed to paint 2 small paintings of the same subject. I will post the next one tomorrow.

Roses Dying in a Vase 6" x 6" oil

Roses in a Vase, in a Blue Box 6" x 6" oil

Roses in a Vase in a Box 6"x 6" oil

Roses #3 6" x 6" oil

Roses in a Vase 6" x 6" oil

This is the second rose painting. I really like working small. Sometimes I will start a project and get lost in the middle of it. I find with the smaller ones it is easier to see where I am going and not get overwhelmed or unsure. There just isn't enough time to go through my nature process of doubt. It has made me realize what a crutch that kind of talk can be. The truth is, I just like to paint and get great pleasure from the process. Learning and the great "Ah Ha" that often comes in the process for me, is just fun.

Last Roses of the Season 6" x 6" oil

Picked these roses and brought them in the house to enjoy. After a few days I thought to paint them. I was getting quiet antsy not having painted for some time. Roses overwhelm me with layer upon layer of petals. So I painted them and continued to paint them until they started losing petals. I will post the rose series this week. I have never really painted a subject over and over before. I found it to be a good exercise. The basic idea is to improve with each one. I am not sure if that is noticeable, but I did start to understand some basic structural thing about roses. I feel I have it in my head, but not necessarily on canvas. Hopefully it will come across in time.

On the Road Again 9" x 22" pastel

This was a part of a road series I was doing. I was riding in the back seat shooting photos out the windows of the car with my digital camera on a trip to Arizona. I worked from one of the photos and never felt quiet right about the color and overall value changes. The photo I was working from did not give enough info and I did not record any sketches or color notes. Lesson learned.... but it was a great trip and I love being a back seat driver, much to the delight of my husband and son.