FIVE HYDRANGEAS No. THREE

6x6 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

I believe this will be the last hydrangea painting ..... at least for now.

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"CRITIQUE ME" CHALLENGE

Before

After

I submitted this painting to "Critique Me Challenge'' at the Daily Paintworks Challenge site. I received some good suggestions and did what I could to put those suggestions in my painting. The overall critique revolved around values so I darkened the shadow and lightened the light. I also elongated her right shoulder. Values continue to be a challenge for me, so this was a good experience for me. Carol Marine always comes up with great learning tools ...... so again, thank you, Carol! And thank you to all those who took the time to critique!

FIVE HYDRANGEAS No. TWO

8x8 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

A few days ago the morning light shone beautifully on our outdoor fireplace. I took the hydrangeas I bought at Central Market outside and set them down in the light. I think it made a nice painting.


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WALK ON THE BEACH

16x12 Oil on Ampersand Panel

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BLOODY MARY

12x16 Oil on Ampersand Panel

This is my submission to this week's Daily Paintworks Challenge.  The celery at Central Market looked crisp, green and just beautiful and I had to buy it to paint ....... and to enjoy in a Bloody Mary.


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SELF PORTRAIT No. 1

8x10 Oil on Raymar Canvas Panel

Self Portrait No. 1

NFS

The above self portrait was painted for this week's DPW challenge.  And, believe me, it was a challenge!   In some ways it is nice that I don't have a double chin, but I have to say that it doesn't look exactly like me.  Oh well .... it's good practice and clearly I need to do more self portraits.  There are some really good portraits posted on the DPW site so I hope you will take a look.  Thanks, Carol for another fantastic challenge!


My self portrait to the right was done just because .......  Why the crown?  Long story short, my grandchildren address me as "Your Majesty."  I am the Queen of Everything and I have the t-shirt to prove it!  I don't require that they bow when they see me.  After all they are family!  :-)

FOUR HYDRANGEAS

8x6 on Cradled Panel

Learning to paint is learning to see. More contrast. More contrast. To create you must think: cool, warm, related color, reflected color, dark, light, thick, thin, dissimilar spaces, opposite contrasting movements,---like music, slow, fast,; but all must relate to create symphony both on canvas or in the music hall. Every painting needs active and quiet areas and feeling of poetry and drama. If painting gray day, make it gray. Use gray and silver. If painting sunny day, use oranges, red, yellows, greens—make it happy. Every element of painting must tie together, must have unity, must express mood." -Sergei Bongart

This is such a fantastic quote and one that hits home for me! I've been reading a little about other artists and viewing their work. Dan McCaw is one artist that I've liked as soon as I discovered him. I'm trying to simplify and look at shapes and design more than the object I am painting. I am discovering new ways to look at everyday objects and it is exciting! I want to use less detail and push the boundaries (whatever those self imposed boundaries are). It is a bit scary in some ways to leave the familiar to explore and experiment. But, growing in art is why I began this blog.

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FIVE HYDRANGEAS

Click HERE to go to the Texas Moleskin Round Up

Well, I am really late on this one! I finished this still life yesterday for Ann Rogers and when dry I will mail Ann's moleskin to Kay Wyne. This last week has been busy and also I've had a million wipe-outs! Yes, a million ..... well, it felt like a million. It's been frustrating, but also good. I've been reading a few art books (since painting was a no go) and concentrating on light. I think I am seeing a little different and I am trying to capture light with paint and continuing to concentrate on loosening up.

This vase of flowers was in a tea shop in Asheville, NC. I took a photgraph and re-discovered it while going through photos for the DPW challenge. I used this photo for another painting I did yesterday and will post that one later on my blog.

And, thanks to Jean Townsend this was much easier to paint! I used her suggestion to put medium on the gessoed paper and that helped in a million ways. YES a million!! Thanks, Jean!