SOMETHING TO BRIGHTEN ANY DAY

12x12, oil, $180.00

Color color color...so much fun.  This painting just brightens my fireplace mantle.  that is where all my painting sit to be looked at and looked at some more.  This one makes me happy.

A BIT OF CITRUS

8x8, oil, $100.00

Yesterday was a fun painting day.  I love setting up still lifes.  So on most Fridays I have the opportunity to set up a few still lifes for a wonderful group of painters and then I get to paint.  The hardest thing is deciding which one to do.  On a very good day I have done three of varying degrees of my abilities.  This meaning that I hope to have one that feels complete.  That does not always happen, but I learn lots about my focus.  It is so important to ask myself questions and to stay on task.  Art is a discipline.  As an artist I study all the time.   I read and look at lots of work.  Each painting I do reflects something I am working toward.  This one reflects brushwork, color, form and shape.   Now there are things in this painting that disturb me, but for the most part I am happy enough to post it here for all to see.  And for the disturbing things, I know what I need to work on. 

"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.