"LIME TANGO"

6x6, oil on raymar, $75.00

Another still life.

"IT'S A BALANCING ACT"

8x8, oil on 3/8 panel, $100.00

I enjoyed painting this colorful still life.  Still life set up is lots of fun for me.  I often think about my life and how these objects relate to me or inspire my painting.  Sometimes it is not the object, but more , a thought and I use the items selected to create a visual for me.  I am so much better when I think with a picture in my head to back up the thought.  So this is about keeping it together...finding balance.  Balance is so important in my life.  Without it I tend to fall over.   It really is a balancing act and I need juggling lessons. 

"CHEERIE OH"

8x8, oil on 3/8 panel, sold

Painting from different perspectives is a good way to change things up, especially with still life.  I mean how many fruits and bowls can one paint?  The answer is, LOTS.  It seems there is always something that can change to create a different view.  One of those is perspective.  So why not a plan view.  

I have been following Carol Marine for a few years.  She is an artist that unlocked the playfulness of still life for me.  She makes it fun.  If you are not familiar with her work click on the thumbnail in my blog roll on the right.

I can't go without saying thanks to artist friends Dana Cooper and Judy Taylor for a fun painting day yesterday.  Love the energy!

"COASTING ALONG"

6x8, oil on raymar, sold

Looking north along the coast from Dana Point.  

"A VISIT WITH MARY"

12x6, oil on panel, $125.00

Continuing along on our vacation in Chicago we spent some time in the Art Institute of Chicago.  Never enough time to really get how magnificent the collections are, that are housed in this beautiful building.  If I could, I would pick one painting a day and sit, admire, study it and maybe draw from it, to get in the head of the artist;  now that would be an experience.  

Mary Cassatt's work is glorious to behold.  Her attention to relationship not only in composition, but the timeless relationship of mother and child brings tears to my eyes.  The beauty of the flesh as I observed standing and looking is so wonderfully lifelike and pulls away from the canvas as if to be touched.  Oh I am breathless.  I don't begin to copy, but merely suggest her intimate painting, "The Bath", 1891-92.  My husband was quite taken with this painting and I could not resist the chance to record the impression it made.

"SIGHT SEEING"

10x10, oil on panel, $140.00

Chicago is just a wonderland for art.  "Eye" by Tony Tasset at Pritzker Park in the loop  is a sight to behold.  Emerging from the subway at Jackson and State we found ourselves in view of this monumental work.  What a fun exhibit to see in the middle of the city, surrounded by buildings, overhead trains, restaurants and so much more.

"WHERE TO NEXT?"

8x8, oil on panel, $100.00

Traveling and sight seeing is a day of decision making.  I caught sight of this couple sitting on the steps of the Art Institute of Chicago planning there next stop.  If I was to show the full view before cropping the scene to paint you would see my husband taking a snooze on the step to the right of them.  We had just spent the morning in the Art Institute and even I was exhausted.  What a fabulous place.  Never enough time for me there.  I was resting with my camera ready.  The city was bustling with activity and I had lots of time to take people photos for study and reference. 

So grateful for such a wonderful vacation with my husband and my boys.  

"AN UNLIKELY PEAR"

6x6, oil on gesso panel, $75.00

Every once and a while it is good for me to revisit a thought process.  Economics is an important part of painting.  Time labored in completing a painting can have more than one effect.  I have found that economy of brush stroke and time is only effective when the proper time is put into the original idea or concept.  I must do the work, lay down a plan and follow it for the most efficient result.  And in the end the painting seems to have painted itself.  I have painted many a painting that the labor felt overwhelming and time put in far out weighted the surface value of the finished painting.  The lessons learned in the process have almost always been priceless.  Having a plan, knowing materials and tools and visualizing a goal for me have lead to a more economic way to paint.  

"LIFE ON A LEASH"

6x12, oil on panel, $120.00

While exploring all the sites in Chicago we came across this dog park.  It was set in the middle of the cities beautiful architecture.  It was a beautiful place for owners and their pets to walk and play with other visiting canines.  I got a kick out of this guy walking 3 small dogs, talking on his phone. He was oblivious to the large German Shepard coming up behind him.   I thought maybe he was a professional "dog walker" and was on the phone lining up his next group of dogs on a leash.

"CHICAGO AND STATE"

6x6, oil on raymar panel, $75.00

Just got back from a family vacation in Chicago. Getting around a city like this is just fun.  Travel on the subway made life so easy.  With 3 grown boys running around with friends and going to "Lalapalooza" (music festival) for the weekend, getting around would have been difficult in a city where rapid transit is not a priority.  So Chicago was a perfect vacation for everyone.

Okay, this just might have been way too much to get on a 6x6.  I enjoyed trying this painting and I think I might do it again and work on simplifying.

"A TASTY COMBO"

6x6, oil on raymar canvas panel, $75.00

This guy gets around.  I can't resist putting this little tomato into every painting.  I think it is time to cook him up with a little onion or a caprese salad for one.

"SNUGGLING UP"

8x8, oil on 3/8 panel, $100.00

tomatoes are starting to come in and they are tasty.  I love the red skins of home grown.  

"AN ANNIVERSARY"

 

sold

This was the idea of my brother in law as a gift for my sister.  They will be celebrating 39 years of marriage this month, with a lovely family of 3 children and 5 grandchildren.  This painting was a challenge and a great learning experience.  

Hppy Anniversary!

"SO LOVELY"

4x4, oil on 3/8 panel, $50.00

Just a little rose in my yard that I can't remember the name, except that it was lovely.  It was cut and painted and just drooped when it's portrait was complete.  I really love painting these little ones.  

"UNCONDITIONAL TO THE LAST PETAL"

4x4, oil on 3/8 panel, $50.00

Another little sweetie.  I love my roses till the end.  I often trim them down as they begin to weep hoping to get a little more life out of them.  I have many little vases to hold them dear till the end.