Can't Get Me Down - SOLD

Can't Get Me Down

oil, 6" x 6"

I don't know what it was, but I just got obsessed with DPW Challenge this week. Normally I would steer clear of flowers since I've never been happy with any flowers I've painted. I guess that's why this challenge was a HUGE challenge for me.

The challenge had a limited palette of Ultra. Blue, Cad Red Lt, Cad Yellow Lt. and white, plus it had to be done in 1 hour, plein aire.

After 6--yes 6!! failed attempts and 6 hours of frustration I finally got something I can live with. I sat in the rain outside with my umbrella and in between the kid related interruptions I was able to get this thing knocked out in the 1 hour time limit--just barely.

June Sky

June Sky

12" x 16", oil

My husband told me to grab the camera as we were headed out for an evening walk. I'm so glad I did because the sky was so beautiful. Thunderheads were forming in the distance lit by the sunset, cliche maybe, but so cool looking.

My mom suggested doing another palette knife painting, TOO much fun! Would it be wrong if I abandoned my brushes?

Morning Patrol

Morning Patrol

8" x 10", oil

Our new pullets are close to full grown now and happily roaming the yard on most days. They were left out of my last painting because I got too focused on the swing, but here they make an appearance.

Summer Swing

Summer Swing

8 x 10, oil

This is one of my favorite spots in the yard, and it just glows on a sunny morning. I've taken so many pictures of this spot in probably every season, so I'm glad I finally got around to painting it.

Stand and Sway - SOLD

Stand and Sway

8" x 10", oil

....must ...paint ...greens

I'm trying to develop a taste for the many green, green, greens of summer. My two favorite colors in the world are alizarin crimson and cad. yellow med (think red dogwood, golden grasses, and throw in some snow patches). In other words, I'd rather be painting a fall or late winter scene. So, while I have some free mornings this summer I plan to force myself to confront the greens.

This is from a photo I took in our yard, as you can see we are not too meticulous about weed whacking around the trees. In fact, I have no trouble at all finding interesting weeds and bare patches to add a little flavor to the GREEN.

Winter Shore - SOLD

Winter Shore

6 x 8, oil

I guess I'm still in winter mode, just like our weather around here. Right after my palette knife frenzy last Friday I still had and hour and a half before the school bus, so I did another little painting. This time -without- the palette knife, just so I could make sure I could still use a brush!

I'm sure other artists can relate, but every time I set out to paint something it's like I have to mentally convince myself that I know how to do it. The more time that passes between paintings, the harder it is to believe I might be able to do it. Such a maddening endeavour, painting!

Field's Edge

Field's Edge

8" x 10", oil

I always struggle with skies so wanted to try something different. This was a first for me, but I got out the palette knife just to do the sky, then something happened and I couldn't put it down! I ended up doing the whole thing with the palette knife since it was so much fun. I'm generally not a big fan of palette knife paintings, they remind me of those big abstract paintings of the 70's that look like they were done with a spackle knife. I now see how it could become really addicting!

6 months later...

Winter Cut

8 x 10, oil

Finally back with a painting. I'm trying to get myself to paint larger, so that means bigger brushes. I'm pretty hooked on flat brushes now so when I discovered that my large brushes were all filberts I had to get out the scissors. I'm sure this is a big no-no, but it actually worked out OK. I WILL be shopping for some larger brushes tho.

Almost all the snow has melted now, but after a fresh snow this winter I went out to the marsh and took some photos. With the sun low in sky the shadows on the snow get so dramatic. The path through the marsh looked so sharp in the sun, just cuts through the peaceful winter scene.