Can't Wait SOLD

Can't Wait  16x12 w-m oil on canvas

When the lake calls on a hot summer's day, who can wait?

Ginger Jar

Ginger Jar 16x12 oil on stretched canvas

This painting reminded me of a reference made by an artist whose blog I follow. Her name is Kate Stone, her paintings are wonderful, and her blog is:  Painting Stuff To Look Like Stuff

Kate cites the 80/20 rule, which alludes to the fact that often it's only 20 percent of your painting that makes you drink 80 percent of that bottle of wine. This was one such painting for me. Even though most of it came together swimmingly, it took me AGES to correctly capture the color and texture of the plums. More than once, I almost tossed the whole shebang. For the sake of the 80 percent that was working, however, I soldiered on.

Here are some steps in my struggles along the way:

Sketch in oil

Beginning underpainting

Working on dynamics of all fruit

Color of grapes and plums is too similar 

Plums now too blue, green grapes too vibrant

Green grapes developing, plums still too blue

Ginger Jar finished 16x12 oil on stretched canvas

Blue Mood

Blue Mood 16 x 12 soft pastel on Canson paper  NFS

For short time I worked in soft pastel, but rarely do so now. This is one of several small classic nudes done as studies. As you see, I was enjoying playing with complementary colors.

The Humidor

The Humidor 16 x 12 acrylic on gallery wrap canvas NFS

This is one of several paintings I'll be exhibiting in an upcoming Muskoka Arts and Crafts Members' show. I'm happy to say that a smaller, similar version sold earlier from DPW, so hopefully this one will fare well in the show.

Vern

Vern 16 x 12 soft pastel on Canson paper  SOLD

This is a pastel piece done at a session of our local portrait group. We meet weekly for a couple of hours and work from a live model. I don't attend as often as I should, but it's wonderful exercise whenever I do.

Bubble Breeze

Bubble Breeze 16 x 12 acrylic on stretched canvas  SOLD

Summer, sunshine, and blowing bubbles equals just plain fun. This little acrylic painting is based on a photo of my niece.

Golden Moment

Golden Moment 16 x 12 oil on stretched canvas  SOLD

As the sun moves low in the sky, we have the golden hours of the day. And so this painting -- golden light, golden hair, golden dogs -- altogether a golden moment.

Daisy Days

Daisy Days  16 x 12 oil on stretched canvas  SOLD

Gotta love daisies. In summer daisies can be found all over Muskoka, and our backyard is a virtual carpet of them.  Even in the front garden, cheerful bunches of daisies spring up in the lawn and my husband dutifully mows around them. Appropriately, they are the official flower of the town of Gravenhurst, where we now live. This is one of several paintings I've based on candid photos of my friend's daughter.

Wine and Grapes

Wine and Grapes 16 x 12 oil on gessoboard  SOLD

A traditional still life in rich greens and golds, ideal for living or dining room. Grapes are always a favorite subject, and the light that pierced through these deep purple gems was especially fun to capture.  This 16x12 oil on gessobord is a standard size for ready-made framing.