Number 43 - Olive Oil

Olive Oil, 10x8, Oil on Gessoboard

After painting the galvanized steel water can and the sunflowers, I decided to tackle glass. I really liked this little exercise for all the colors and lines and reflections. I tried to put everything in this one - hard edges, soft edges, a little warm, a little cool, and even an attempt at marble (or at least a representation of marble, LOL!!!). I went quickly and lost a little (OK, a lot) of the realism, but I think it turned out pretty well.

I really like the look and feel of this one and I hope you do, too!

Thanks for stopping by and looking. Enjoy!

Number 44 - Sunflowers in a Water Can

Sunflowers in a Water Can, 8x6, Oil on Gessoboard

It's been a while again since I've painted. I've been traveling, but I had the opportunity to visit not one but two art museums! I stopped at the San Diego Museum of Art to see the exhibition of Spanish art. Wow! Folks aren't kidding when they say they are mesmerized by the works of Sorolla. Absolutely amazing and most beautiful! They also had a couple of works by Monet on display in their permanent collection. Then, I flew down to Atlanta and visited the High Museum of Art and finally got to see my first Sargent! I do have to say that the painters in the late 19th century and earlier had VERY dark palettes. It seems as if everything was dark...

Anyway, this past weekend I decided to paint something a little more colorful. When I got home I found that the sunflowers are blooming, so they became my subject. I've also been looking at a lot of works with metal and glass in them. So, here it is - Sunflowers in a Water Can.

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look! Enjoy!

Number 45 - Morning

Morning, 7x5, Oil on Canvas Board

This little gem is a 'happy little accident' that resulted from a lot of overnight frustrations. It started out as something else, scraped away, then something else again, scraped away. I began to notice that when I scraped away the paint from the canvas there were a lot of different hints of color that seemed to be playing with each other and calling me to join them. Perhaps that was just a lack of sleep getting in my head, but it caused me to deviate from my norm and go WAY outside my comfort zone.

I scraped in the land mass with the palette knife I use to mix with. Then, as I was playing around I decided to add some foreground water by mirroring the land mass and making the darks lighter and putting in the water's edges. I didn't know what to do with the sky until I stepped outside and saw the predawn light. I knew I had to add it!

I'll be doing a lot more with my palette knives as they create a very free feeling, impressionistic effect that I've been looking for. And they're easier to clean!!!

Thanks for taking the time to look!

Enjoy the Morning!

Number 46 - Mug Shot

Mug Shot, 7x5, Oil on Canvas Panel

This is my mug. There is no other mug like it. Others may drink their concoctions from their mugs, but this mug is mine. It is special.

OK, this is my entry for the Daily Paintworks challenge for this week, the Paint Your Mug Challenge. If you haven't checked out the site, you should. A good number of very talented painters hang out and post their works. The weekly challenges are open to all, but the other areas are for members to post - and DPW has some wicked good daily painting members!! Perhaps one day soon I'll be one of them...

Thanks for stopping by and looking at Mug Shot!

Enjoy!