Hot Stuff

Hot Stuff 6x6 acrylic on canvas

A quick 6x6 acrylic demo that sold. Bright red peppers and a cheerful green plate.

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

Teacup and Grapes

Teacup and Grapes 6 x 6 acrylic on stretched canvas SOLD

Each year a gallery with which I'm associated holds a show called "Small Art, Big Cause" that benefits the Muskoka Children's Foundation. Local artists donate 6x6 pieces, and I usually contribute two little canvases. It's a wildly popular and lively event, with artwork literally snapped up as quickly as sales can be processed. Adding to the excitement, there's often a draw when a painting attracts multiple buyers. This year, we were delighted to hear that we raised $4000!

Here's a photo of our collective effort...

Pinocchio

Pinocchio 14 x 11 acrylic on gessoboard  NFS

This 14x11 acrylic was enormous fun to paint. I made it for our brand-new (well fairly new) 9-month-old grand-nephew's first Christmas.  I tried to paint a three-dimensional puppet rather than a cartoon, and used photos of figurines as well as the Disney illustrations. Here are some steps in the process.

Fruit and Brass

Fruit and Brass 16 x 20 acrylic on stretched canvas  SOLD

This 16 x 20 acrylic painting is larger than many of my still life pieces, but I did enjoy having a bit more elbow room. There is a bit of glare on the lower left of this final photo.  The shots of the painting in progress show this section to greater advantage. It's also evident as the painting progresses whether I was working in daylight or evening/artificial light.

Portrait of Walter

Walter 20 x 16 acrylic on stretched canvas SOLD

This 20x16 acrylic portrait on stretched canvas is a commissioned piece. As with all commissions, I've delayed posting until it was picked up by the client -- a dear friend who was very pleased with it, I'm happy to say!

The portrait of Walter was done using several photo references. Fortunately, I know the subject and could judge which elements of each photo accurately reflected both his personality and his likeness. In the best photos, however, the subject was wearing the type of eyeglasses that automatically darken in outdoor light. In order to more clearly see his eyes through the lenses, I had to create an overexposed black and white computer print.

Here are some progress shots ...

Initial sketch

Beginning fleshtones

Various source photos - note B&W print on left

Moving on to the shirt

Almost done

Subtle adjustments and transitions

Done and signed

Summer Reprised

Summer Reprised 12 x 9 acrylic on stretched canvas AVAILABLE

It's November here in Canada, but we've been enjoying some unseasonably warm days. We know, however,  that winter isn't far around the corner, so I thought I'd recall a memory of summer. 

Mr Cool

Mr Cool 6 x 6 acrylic on stretched canvas SOLD

What a profile this fellow has, and I especially like the foot tucked behind the front paws. Most of all I enjoyed finding color in the "white" fur.

Wild Strawberries

Wild Strawberries 8 x 8 acrylic on gessoboard AVAILABLE

This is my young neighbor, who is a delight to paint, but too shy to pose for me. Means I have to catch her unawares, such as when she's picking the wild strawberries that grow all over my backyard in the summer. They're the tiniest berries, but they're perfect miniatures of their farm-grown counterparts.

Sunshine on a Plate

Sunshine on a Plate 8 x 8 acrylic on gessoboard AVAILABLE

Citrus sections on a turquoise plate makes a great color combo. Add sunshine and the shadows are luscious. Just looking at it makes me feel bright and happy.

On Deck

On Deck 10 x 8 acrylic on stretched canvas AVAILABLE

The moment is filled with tension and anticipation.  You watch the performance of the rider in the ring, and know your turn is next.
This was done from a photo taken at our local fall fair, and reminded me of years I spent as a young rider. Every spare moment -- and a good chunk of Dad's cash -- was spent at the stable.

Onions and Shallots

Onions and Shallots 8 x 10 acrylic on stretched canvas AVAILABLE

Some onions and shallots sharing a spot with my favorite brass bowl. An 8x10 still life in acrylic.

Apples with Brown Jug and friends

Apples with Brown Jug 16 x20 acrylic on stretched canvas NFS

 

I'm very pleased that three of my still life paintings have been selected as part of  "ART YOU CAN SINK YOUR TEETH INTO"  (September 30 to October 15) at Martins Gallery, Bracebridge. This toothsome show will be part of the third annual  "What's Cooking," a  smorgasbord of food and entertainment-related events. For two weeks a variety of local venues will serve up a packed schedule of cooking, tasting, and entertaining experiences that feature celebrity chefs and foodie notables. 

The 16 x 20 acrylic, Apples with Brown Jug, will be accompanied by two previously posted 8 x 8 acrylics, Celebrating Oranges and Too Big for the Bowl.

 

Celebrating Oranges 8 x 8 acrylic on gallery wrap canvas AVAILABLE

Too Big for the Bowl 8 x 8 acrylic on gallery wrap canvas  SOLD

Too Big for the Bowl

Too Big for the Bowl 8 x 8 acrylic on gallery wrap canvas  SOLD

Just the fragrance of strawberries conjures up summertime for me, and they are abundant here right now. This 8"x8" acrylic is painted on 1.5 inch deep gallery wrap canvas, so it can be displayed unframed. Here are a couple of progress shots...

Grape Doodle

Grape Doodle 4.5 x 7 acrylic on stretched canvas

I've been busy with a couple of portrait commissions, but painted this little bunch of grapes just to keep in touch with my "still life self."  It's actually just doodling with a paintbrush. 

Summer

Summer 12 x 9 acrylic on stretched canvas AVAILABLE

A painting from last summer. Nothing beats the wild abandon of leaping off a dock. Life at the cottage is all about joys such as this.