Painting Greece

Oil on Canvas

70 x 50

Last month my dreamlets brought flowers to their grandmother. She placed the flowers in a vase she made herself (she is a wonderful ceramist) and placed them on her kitchen window sill. I had bought l these lotus fruits figuring that if I didn’t like them I can always paint them… or both! Well, honestly, I didn’t like the taste, but I loved the colors… and I loved how they played off my mother’s vase and the chrysanthemums. It was a joy to paint.

Be well….

this is another test post… having trouble getting the images to upload. Still working on this one.

Oil on canvas paper

I feel good about this one. There is much to be improved upon but I did accomplish what I set out to do and that was a complete alla prima painting in one sitting. The work I have been doing these past few weeks on value have really paid off. I come to my painting now with altered eye and this is the reason I was able to do this little painting.

If anybody wants to learn anything I highly suggest that you periodically go back to the basics, especially if you think you already know them inside out. Thing is, every time you move forward your vision expands. Even though you know the basics already, you can’t help but see them from a new angle and so you understand them on a deeper level.

And feel free to use this metaphor in all areas of your life. Relationships, for instance…. how many of you go back to basics after years of being with someone? Certainly not me, but I’m willing to bet that if I did… or when I do I will see things again in a new, refreshing light…

Be well…..

Oil on MDF

40 x 50cm

NOT FOR SALE

I started this one out as a practice piece. I wanted to work on loosening up a bit and at the same time create a strong focal point. It worked out so nicely that I think this is one of my best paintings to date. I very much enjoyed the freedom of thicker brush strokes and, well, painting in the fire where I let go of that ever-so-present inner editor. This seems to be a continual theme with me. I think it is one of the reasons I enjoy painting so much…. it challenges my weaknesses and propels me forward (and if not forward, at least it propels me out of the same place I was in yesterday).

Besides, it’s fun.

Be well, friends….

Oil on gessoed MDF

60 x 90cm, 24 x 35″ approx

I’m about half-way finished with this one. It started out as a more realistic painting, but then I was taken with that creative force and literally got my fingers into it. I haven’t fingerpainted in years! Liberating and fun and just a wonderful experience.

In the next stages i will pick up the brushes. I still want to give the pears a certain taste of realism.

Thanks for being here with me….

Be well…..