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.