Copy of Carlton's Painting

Edith and I just used this painting by Carlton as a practice in being free.

Apple Blossoms and Glass Bird

This study had so much contrast...

Purple Dress

Speaking of artistic license. This one was truly a moving target. I learned so much about posing and set up. I just allowed myself to be very free with this painting and hope to conquer the concepts in my head, in time...

Alyssa on Red Couch

I really love taking classes from other artists. The actual couch that Alyssa posed on was white. Her skin is so beautifully alabaster that I was not loving the combination. Richard Kirk, an excellent artist that I took a class from in portraiture suggested the red couch and I love it with the purple dress.

Blue and White In Autumn

This was a challenge to get a warm feeling with cool objects. So, I enhanced...you know, used some creative license to make what I wanted to happen. I guess that's what being an artist is all about.

Mandevilla

This painting was a labor of love. I really spent time on the mood and really appreciate Chris' beautiful flowers.

Copper and White

Simply a study in copper with atmosphere. I'm always looking for atmosphere.

The Old Country

This was very complicated. It was one of the paintings I put aside for the better part of a year and then resurrected it. It's better to wait until the creative spirit moves you!

Stone Vase With Cherries

This painting was completed in Dee Macy's class and I'm pretty happy with the outcome.

Still Life With Apple Blossoms

I set up this still life with "options" in mind. Every student in the class chose to do a portion of this set up. I was the only one who did the whole thing. Sissy Blakslee won an award when she entered her version of this painting in the Small Works Show at The Bonita Art League this month. Yay Sis!

Poppies

We had so much fun painting these poppies! And they do "pop", don't they?!

Reds and Lemons

This study was set up in my Monday morning painting class by Chris Hodapp and Barb Worden. The conversation was all about the striped fabric in the back.

Spray Rosebuds & Pomegrantes

This oil was a study while painting with a student. I wanted to focus on the traveling light.

Village Walk Bridge

This painting was done last year and it makes me want to paint outdoors more! Village Walk is beautiful!

Bouquet of Sunshine

This still life set up was designed by Sissy Blakeslee, Chris Hodapp and Cheryl Sigmond and jumped in to paint it when I was visiting earlier this summer. Then I finished it with a reference photo when I got back two months later. I really like the vase. It's Royal Copely and Sissy has a wonderful collection of that type of china.

Chinese Lanterns & Grape Leaves

Another painting started at Winslow's Art Studio in Cambridge, Vermont and finished while I was in Florida with the photo for a reference. This painting was started with very little drawing and the focus was on the "temperature" and "pitch" as Karen says, but I think I will have to work on these areas forever!

Karen's Nasturtium's

This painting was started in Karen Winslow's class early this Fall. I finished it with photos as a reference. I'm pleased with its' vividness and the flowers were real and gorgeous!

Peony

Here's the second Peony painting, photographed by Upcountry Photography.

Donna's Tree Peonies

These two peonies paintings are now properly photographed by Martin Lavallee from Upcountry Photography here in Essex Junction, Vermont. He does an excellent job with color quality!

Spoonbills in Paradise

I loved painting this subject. I caught these birds while at the Disney Zoo. My concern is the highest contrast and most interesting part is the vegetation and does that interfere with the birds. What do you think?

Hibiscus

"Hibiscus" was painted last summer from a photograph I took in Florida. Believe it or not, it took about 10-15 glazes to get a velvety feel. I used a red/green palette. I gave it as a wedding gift to my neice.

Copper Plate

"Copper Plate" was painted in Dee Macy's class last summer in Stowe, Vermont. Dee has a gorgeous studio and a heart full of motivation and love of painting. I thoroughly enjoyed the color scheme and the tiles contrasted with the strawberries! This painting looks very nice with a big old world style chunky frame.

Orchids With Purple

This painting was done with the Village Walk Oil Painters Group. Our non orthodox approach is for me to paint with everyone. I did that in the past with a private and the young girl was so happy to leave with a painting that she liked and she painted all by herself. We discuss each level of problems and work them out. I've been told that these "discussions while doing" help immensely and I must admit, the girls in this group are coming out with consistently beautiful work. KUDOS!

Side point: This painting is a 12 x 16, which is a very difficult size to frame with all ready made frames, so I'm staying away from this size in the future.

Happy Painting!

"Sunflowers"

This painting was done last summer in Dee Macy's class in Stowe, Vermont. So, she gets some credit! I love Dee! She has a lovely way about her and I really appreciate her fine work. You should google her and take a look at her stuff.

"Blue Vase With Cantaloupe"

So this is the first time I actually scanned a little 8 x 10" painting on our scanner. I'm pretty pleased with the result. This still life was set up in a little black box and I used a complementary palette. I'm really liking the effects with using complements. They keep the painting unified and luminous. Of course, toned canvases help as well.

"Butterfly"

This is the first entry on this blog. Hopefully, "we" (our little art enthusiasts group) can encourage each other and share our present work, thoughts and ideas to the end of accomplishing great art!

Let me warn you now, I won't be a "daily" blogger. Life gets in the way you know!