Charlie

This sweet little Corgi was a commission and the image was sent to me by email. She was fun to paint and I loved her happy expression.

Here's the painting on a small plate easel. I think it nicely complements the painting.

Variation on a Theme

I painted with a friend yesterday. She had a remarkable collection of soft pastels which she graciously let me try. This painting was mostly painted with Rembrandt Soft Pastels.  I've been on a quest to learn how to use soft pastels in preparation for Susan Ogilvie's workshop this September. I started with hard Nupastels and am now comfortable with the softer Rembrandt's. I might have to use even softer pastels for the workshop and of those I like Unison. 

Pears on Red Checkered Cloth

We received a lovely gift basket from Harry and David for our wedding anniversary and before all the pears were eaten I painted some. They were wonderfully delicious and made a nice painting.

Saturday with Dipper

Here is an image of the final painting. Sometimes I'm so happy painting that I imagine my painting reflects my mood. The next day I look at it and say to myself, "What was I thinking?" So my new policy is never to post on the same day I finish a painting.

Little Dipper may be a star in his father's eye but he's my muse. I recently took lots of pictures of him when he spent the afternoon with us. I'm not sure what he thought of all this attention but he seemed happy as usual. Here is one of him on a walk with my husband.

Apricots and Blue Mug

I've been working progressively larger and today I painted on a 12 x 12 in. canvas board.  The only thing challenging or so I had assumed was how to fill the space. I painted the objects life-sized and allowed a 1/4" border for framing and that solved the problem.
Happy Father's Day.

Oakroom Artists

 

The Oakroom Artists Gallery

painting . sculpture . fiber art . printmaking
54 Years: 1956-2010

The Oakroom Artists Gallery is the only membership-by-invitation art association in the Albany area. Membership is limited to 24 artists in order to allow each artist the opportunity of a solo exhibit every two years. Solo exhibits are held at our Home Gallery at the First Unitarian Society of Schenectady. Group shows are also organized at area colleges and museums.

I'm pleased to announce my nomination and election to the Oakroom Artists.

A Well Balanced Lunch

It took some doing but this sandwich was actually a balancing act of all the ingredients, not to mention a healthy lunch. My previous post was of a similar study done in pastels from a photo and now I did this in oils from life. Although the compositions are different, can you tell the difference in the amount of information given in these two paintings? I prefer the direct observation way of painting from life. I think it's the light and details that help me decide what it is I want to paint.

Lunch

I've been hoping to practice my plein air painting with pastels once a week but this week was rainy so I worked on this still life instead.  I used an old photo that at the time just didn't work out. Today I bought all the items again and am planning to paint from life with oils.

Blue Pitcher and Lemons

This is a several day painting as opposed to a daily painting. I'm pleased with the way it turned out and am enjoying using these larger 8 x 8 inch panels.

Below is a panel holder I constructed using an older one I purchased from Carol Marine. Other materials include a paint mixing stick, 12" piece of 3/4" molding and two binder clips.  I used the back side of the panel holder and glued then tacked the molding to the bottom of the panel.  I cut the paint mixing stick to 12" and held it in place with the binder clips. This holder works like a charm for 8" and 10" flat panels and they are held tightly by adjusting the stick downward.

Lemons

This painting was inspired by the works of Richard Diebenkorn. I thought it would be interesting to place lemons in a non-representational space.

White Mug and Orange Slices

 

Here is something that I almost never do, rework a painting. I never do it because it usually doesn't work out. But today before I started a new painting I decided to fool around with this one. And it happened I loved the way the oranges were turning out so I kept going. In its previous incarnation, the orange slices were in a bowl.