Amber Vase and Two Oranges

It's fun to do a series. I've done four paintings of this amber vase. This is the current painting and is all about the reflection of the front orange in the glass. Surprisingly, each one is slightly different in color.  Below are my previous three.

Amber Vase on White Plate

A second painting of the amber vase and lemon from a different angle and with a different set-up. The most challenging part of this painting was to simplify the vase's shadow and deciding on its color/value. This took me several days of musing.

Below is the drawing I did prior to the painting. I do lots of drawings of different setups. This is a way for me to choose my still life and help me really look closely at my objects.

Earthly Possessions

I've been invited to participate in The Smithy Gallery show "Earthly Possessions"
this month in Cooperstown, NY.
                         Show dates June 25 - July 27. Reception June 25th 5-7PM.
My work is in the lower left hand corner. These are the shoes I wore to my son's wedding this past December in Taiwan. I painted them in honor of his wedding and to celebrate the occasion. How appropriate that this and other object-related paintings of mine were selected for the show.

Amber Vase and Lemons

Lately, it's about directing the viewer's eye to the center of interest. It's the lemons and inside the vase! The tools used were de-emphasizing the cast shadow of the vase and increasing the value contrast of the lemons. I think it was successful.

600th Blog Post

A friend gave me the book "The Elements of Color" by Johannes Itten.
I'd like to thank her and share two passages whose meaning I find true.

“ Only those who love color are admitted to its beauty and immanent presence.

It affords utility to all, but unveils its deeper mysteries only to its devotees.”

“Learning from books and teachers is like traveling by carriage, so we are told in the Veda. The thought goes on, “But the carriage will serve only while one is on the highroad. He who reaches the end of the highroad will leave the carriage and walk afoot.”

For me, painting is like walking up a mountainside.
The path is beautiful and full of wonders.