Bauble Bauble Toil and...

Another holiday painting to end the year out. I found this green glass plate at an antiques shop and felt happy to add it to my collection of colored glassware. The Christmas ball is gold but with all the reflections it took on the surrounding colors. If I don't post again before tomorrow, Happy New Year!

Lemon Slice

I'm happy to be painting objects that are familiar to me like a lemon wedge. The colors are clean and the painting isn't fussy. Although I've nicked the front corner of the lemon when painting the background and when taking the image I see my colors are off but what the heck. It's Christmas Eve and my hope is that art makes a difference and the world will be a better place.

Pale Rose

Roses have always been a thorn in my side. It could be I don't have a clear vision so I fuss and fuss.  Should I recite my mantra of "Simplify, Simplify, Simplify" as I paint or should I accept that they are complicated and move on?  On a brighter side, I had a goal of 100 paintings in 2012 and today I've reached it :)

Purple Topped Turnips on Plate

There is a mindfulness needed to paint. A way of quieting my mind so I can concentrate without emotions and stray thoughts. It is like meditation. I can't always go there but when I do I'm usually happy with my painting outcomes. These turnips were really hard to paint. The past couple of days have been very upsetting. I feel terrible for all those involved in the shooting in Newtown. My sister lives in  Connecticut and knows a young music teacher whose jazz concerts she's attended and whose child was shot and killed.  We can try and put a stop to this if we stand together. If you are interested in helping, here are a couple of links for petitions for gun control.

http://signon.org/sign/gun-control-now-1.fb23?source=s.fb&r_by=2375416

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/immediately-address-issue-gun-control-through-introduction-legislation-congress/2tgcXzQC

Here's a New York Times article worth reading

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/16/opinion/sunday/kristof-do-we-have-the-courage-to-stop-this.html?_r=1&

Bok Choy on Red Napkin

This bok choy still life may be the closest painting I do this season to a holiday card. Well it does have the right colors. Seriously, I just purchased lovely cards from my friend Chick who creates pastel and mixed media images of the mother goddess. I love her gentle soul.

Pink Rose

A rose by any other name is still a rose. 

I'm not sure how I want my roses to look since this is only the second rose I've painted.  I'd like them to be simplified, with less brushstrokes and more variation in colors. But, overall I'm pleased with this painting.

Orange Slice

I'm happiest when the paint just goes on without too much fuss. I can say that about the plate and shadow. The orange was more challenging because of the color. It turned out my Navel orange wasn't that deep orange color I was hoping for. But, it's easy to wipe paint off of gessoboard and start again.

The Usual Suspects

I've been working on this arrangement of stuffed toys for a while.  I've painted them individually just to get to know their personalities; now as a group I hope to build something fun, something people can enjoy. This painting is based on the film "Happy - A Documentary" here's the trailer http://vimeo.com/11335940. Somewhere inside this film is a shot of three little stuffed animals in a Scandinavian home and that was my inspiration. I'll post my process as I go along.

Reckless Radishes

I got carried away with painting on my gessoboard and before I knew it, it was too late to take an image of my work outside. So here is yesterday's painting.  There is something to be said about being mindful when painting. I'm reminded of what Richard Schmid wrote about measuring in drawing "Imagine that you are a mountain climber making your way up the face of a sheer cliff, and you must think and measure before each step -or else. Does being careful like that make climbing less exciting?" Sometimes it's just fun to be carefree and reckless.

Grapefruit Slice

I enjoyed painting on gessoboard today. It's so smooth my paint just glided across the board.  I bought four packs of four of them and I feel I just may get hooked.

The Color of Blue Challenge

This arrangement was painted for Daily Paint Work's The Color of Blue Challenge. My blue pitcher may not be the center of focus, but it's the largest object with both high key (light value) and deep blue contrast. I tried to make the blue color look clean and interesting. It's also reflected in all the objects around it.

Deviled Eggs

Happy Thanksgiving

Birthday Cake

This past Wednesday I traveled into New York City to see the Wayne Thiebaud Retrospective at the Acquavella Gallery on 18 E. 79th St. The show is only through November 30th. and well worth the trip.  The Acquavella Gallery is a private gallery but open to the public. There are around 50 paintings, some from his private collection and others for sale (that's the goal of the gallery). I couldn't afford a painting but I did purchase the retrospective catalog and it is beautiful.
http://www.acquavellagalleries.com/
I was so inspired by the show I decided to do this cake in pastel.

Traditional Bear

This is my second attempt at painting this little bear. I had to find some aspect of him that was interesting. I haven't connected with every toy and this bear and I didn't see eye to eye until I added the ribbon bow tie.  I like stuffed toys with personality and this one is simply cute.

Baby's Bear

I almost have enough stuffed toys to compose a larger painting. That's when the fun begins because it's then that these toys develop a relationship with each other. Right now I feel I'm getting to know them as painting studies. This bear isn't as he seems. He's big and blank. Just a big soft cuddly toy.

Happy Go Lucky

I have to admit these toy dogs are irresistible. I found three dog toys on my last outing. It's like adopting rescue toys. Of course, subconsciously they may fill a need. In understanding this, I called my neighbors to tell them I'm available to dog sit. This toy seems so happy even after his bath!

Cup and Saucer

A simple composition of a pink cup and yellow saucer. It should have been quick but those ellipses can be tricky to draw.

A Close Brush with...

This painting is all about perspective, one point perspective. I never would have attempted a composition like this a year ago but today I'm glad I did.  Also I've been painting on boards for so long it was challenging to paint on stretched canvas, not as crisp, and it has a grainy texture on this image.

Oranges in Bowl

I'm happy to end the month with a post of a painting that came easily and that I enjoyed doing.  Sometimes I think it's obvious when it works out that way.  I plod along until it comes back to me. The "it" being a fluidity and right color choices. Sounds very cryptic.
I was able to take an image of this painting just before the rain started to come down hard. It's the start of Hurricane Sandy and I hope all those affected stay safe and dry.

The Sky's the Challenge

 This week's DPW Challenge theme is "The Sky's the Challenge".  I periodically paint landscapes but not enough. I have to put on my painting to-do list to take more workshops. There are some wonderful plein air artists and teachers in my area. This is a view of the Mohawk River.

Know One's Onions

As the title of this painting implies, to "know one's onions" is to be knowledgeable about something. I don't claim to be knowledgeable about painting or onions but I do feel like I understand perseverance. I'm happy with my painting, so at last it's time to find different things to paint.

Onion Slices

Yellow onions are quite a challenge to paint. I really had to push the color, temperature and values a lot and still I could have done more.  It's the kind of thing that you have to work at. I know I'll paint onions again but I won't slice them and have them sit under hot lights. You can guess why.

Bowl of Honeycrisp Apples

I try to draw a little every day but more often than not I don't. Some days I work out my compositions on paper but then feel I've spent more time than I wanted to with my daily paintings. But today I realized why not combine the two. I can practice drawing and get to know my subject better. I think it's a win-win situation.

Monkey Fun

Ok I think I know what you're thinking. Not another toy. I promise this is my last one.  I have no more to paint. In a strange way they challenged my idea of whether they show or elicit emotion? I decided this monkey does and so I've submitted it to the DPW "Emotion" Challenge. Monkey Fun is an homage to childhood.

Sad Dog Toy

Here's another painting for the DPW "Emotion" Challenge. It's my Sad Dog Toy painting.  Toys are a strange thing to paint, on the one hand you want to have fun and on the other you want to make a good painting. This little toy makes me want to squeeze his belly.

Little Lion and Ball

Last week when I was away I went looking for toys to paint. I found this lion, a monkey and a sad looking dog. I plan to paint all three individually and once I've collected more I'd like to do a grouping. They're all so cute and make me feel happy. Silly isn't it for a grown woman.

Little Red Pearl Onions

Here I am again in the fray. It's been 9 days since I last painted and I'm a little rusty. I'll have to paint until I feel like I've regained some kind of control. Does anyone know what I'm talking about? Anyway, I found this lovely little green fluted dish and with these little red onions I decided to just jump in.

Blue Cup and Plums

I chose these three colors before I organized this painting. I'm happy with my choices. I'm taking next week off from painting but I plan on drawing. I can always use the practice. Happy week.

Avocado Gondolas

I thought this sliced avocado looked like three little boats going down a blue river. One had a pit for a passenger. I know that sounds silly but I wasn't feeling silly when I painted it. It might look green and creamy in this painting but it had turned very brown by the time I finished. Oh, how I was hoping to eat it.

Grappling with Grapes

Today I grappled with big red grapes and a pink cup. I wanted an interesting composition but with colors I'm not familiar with, to challenge myself, so I chose red grapes and a pink cup. I kept it loose and other than that front grape, it came together quickly. I'm going to eat that front grape first!

Three Peppers

I'm happy to be painting again after a week or so. I don't think this is my very best work but I know I'll do better. Thanks to everyone for being there. It's funny how a little dog could leave such a big empty place in my heart. 

In Memory Of

ALEX

April 28, 1995 - September 14, 2012

Loving and Beloved
You will never be forgotten

Summer Squash Stew

This past Saturday was the Stockade Village's Art Show www.stockadeartshow.com
which is one of my favorite outdoor shows and one I look forward to every year. I'm pleased to announce I received Honorable Mention for Haute Couture and also the Oakroom Artists Gilliland Weinheimer Award which is given to one artist exhibiting at the show. Here are some images of the show http://giacalonephotos.wordpress.com/
Now to getting back to painting again. So I asked my husband to buy three bananas when food shopping and he came home with three summer squash. I think he's trying to challenge me.

The Lightbulb Challenge

This was painted for Daily Paint Works Lightbulb Challenge. I had to push the values and colors in this painting for the lightbulb to have a sense of volume. In this age of sustainability we have more CFL bulbs then clear ones and they're more interesting to paint.

Grapes

I haven't painted grapes in a while and they were both fun and challenging. I had to wipe down my canvas several times before I figured out the right shapes and colors. This painting turned out more impressionistic than I had planned. It could be I was inspired by a very dramatic Van Gogh movie last night called Vincent & Theo on Netflix.

A Finnish Pickle Sandwich

This was painted for September's Upstate Artists Monthly Painting Challenge theme which is Kitchen. I had a lot of fun painting my husband's sandwich but don't ask me to eat it. Too many flavors.

The Broken Egg Challenge

 

This was painted for DPW's Broken Egg Challenge. I'm happy with the way it turned out. Yesterday's attempt couldn't be salvaged and ended up in the trash; it's better to be rid of them (weak paintings) and move on.

Daily Paint Works Challenges

This was painted for Daily Paint Works "Complementary" Challenge. It's over a week late but you know what they say. 

 

This was painted for the "Old Truck" Challenge. My husband really likes this one. 

Haute Couture

Originally named Hat Rows and inspired by a Wayne Thiebaud painting, I've changed the name to Haute Couture. For the last few years I've submitted paintings of shoes and woman's handbags to the Stockade Village's Art Show http://stockadeartshow.com/. This year's submission is a lighthearted view of high fashion hats, but also a statement of how we feel about ourselves, sassy, elegant, bold and individual.

Granny Smith on Blue Plate

I always liked painting apples, although I haven't painted a green one in a while. I painted this apple almost life-sized and it's great to use a big brush again. I'm going to have to remember to paint larger which is a good idea for small canvases. Anyway, this image is not quite accurate. The light blue spot on the bottom left of the apple isn't as light or bright in my painting. All the images I took turned out like this so I decided to just accept it and post it as is.

Summer Breakfast

Here's a simple summer meal. A slice of cantaloupe for breakfast and some pretty daisies in a striped glass. I like the sunny simple feel of this painting.

Blue Pitcher, Glass and Lemon

I've decided to go back to my previous way of painting which is to use my palette knife to mix colors.  I like the look of broken color and those individual transition colors. That makes me happy. Of course, using this blue pitcher always brings out the happiness in me also. I love the way the design in the pitcher breaks up the light. I also found four tall blue plastic glasses that are the exact color of the pitcher. I've used one in this painting and I like the way the light passes through its fluted sides.

Two Mugs and Orange Slice

I've been trying a few new things lately and in doing so have learned what I like and what to keep. My last four paintings were more gray and I think a little too muddy. I typically use a palette knife to pick up and mix my colors but lately I've been using my brush. I don't think I've gotten the hang of it. When I mix my colors with a palette knife each color is more distinct and clean and I like that. What I also found helpful is to mix my colors right next to each other on my palette. In this way I see color relationships before I put anything on the canvas. 

Apple in Bowl

I have to admit that what I'm going to write is almost identical to my previous post with the exception of changing names of items. I painted this apple and bowl with loose brushstrokes and worked to "gray down" my colors.  I paid attention to the perspective in foreshortening the knife.  I think it works. I'm overall pleased with this painting even though I think the paint is a little too thick in places.

Nectarines

I tried to paint these nectarines with loose brushstrokes and worked to "gray down" my colors.  I also paid attention to the perspective of the green paper they're sitting on and I think it makes sense. I'm overall pleased with this painting even though it's a little rough around the edges.

White Cup Blue Saucer

I painted this white cup and pale blue saucer thinking it was a simple composition.  Well, I guess I didn't really think it through. There's a whole lot of values, gradations, reflections, highlights, drawing and proportions/perspective, to name a few. Even though life gets busy, it is important for me to take my time.

Black-eyed Susans in Amber Jar

I am really excited about all the interesting ArtBytes on DPW.  Today I'm trying out a slightly new way of taking an image of my painting. I usually set up my camera and painting in open shade but today I placed a piece of cardboard behind my work and "voila" my image appeared brighter and with less glare.  I don't know if this is a fluke or not but it's something to try again.

Cherries on Blue Petal Plate

My paintings seem to be arranged around the fruits and vegetables I have in my house and those in season. Since I haven't had cherries in a while I had to relearn how to paint them.  I did a few studies before I started this painting.  And it was a good thing I did.  Anyway, they're here with my favorite little blue petal plate.  

Rose of Sharon

My Rose of Sharon bush just bloomed and as I have done the last four years, I painted one of its first beautiful blue flowers.  Every year I hope to do a better job and this year I am pleased that it happened more quickly and is closer to my vision of how I'd like to paint it.