Too Close for Comfort

This is the last in the kiwi fruit series. In my previous post, Kelley left a comment saying that, in a series, the image can get progressively more abstract. I had never heard of that idea before, which I thought was fascinating. This is certainly true in this series, even though I wasn't trying, the image of the fruit did become more abstract.

All Together Now

Still having fun with the kiwis. This one seems like it's a little more abstract and geometric than the previous ones. It's also fun to paint this way. I'm hoping to get one more painting from the kiwi fruit. They are getting a little withered from the light, so we'll see. Stay tuned for more tomorrow.

One and a Half, Once Again

Here is one more kiwi painting. This was done at night, which to me is a little harder than painting with daylight. Kiwi, since they are covered with fuzz, don't really have any sharp highlights. They do sort of glow. I tried to show that in the painting of the whole fruit. I'm not completely satisfied with the outcome, but am so excited to get back to painting, that I don't really care. Having the time away, just makes me want to paint more!

One and a Half

It's great to get back to painting. I was sidelined with some kind of hideous virus for about a week, and not up to painting. Yesterday, was my first day back. It was a small challenge to get restarted , but so much fun! I really enjoyed these kiwi. The green color inside is so beautiful! Not only was I enjoying the visual aspect, I was also eating them. Kiwi are a very healthy fruit, loaded with vitamin C, great for the immune system. I did several of these kiwi paintings, some of which I will not post, they were that bad. I will post some of better ones later on.

Lean to the Left

More cherries. This time I tried to lighten things up a bit, maybe because, it has been so much like spring, with temps in the low 70's. It is a little strange for this time of year, but beautiful, with sunny days, lots of blue skies, but cold at night. I guess we are luckier than other parts of the country, where people are struggling with the freezing cold. Here's to cherries and sunny skies in January!

Lots of Love

This is a small monoprint that I did last year for the Valentine exhibit at the Lafayette Gallery. I did one in a dark red and one in this magenta color. The dark red one sold. This one remained. This past weekend, I brought it to the gallery for this year's Valentine show. It is now hanging and the exhibit looks great! If you are in the area, please come to the reception on Feb. 6th. The gallery website, lafayettegallery.net, will have the details of the exhibit and reception. Hope to see you there!

Lean to the Right

This time I wanted to try painting with looser, more relaxed brushstrokes. It's fun trying to loosen up a little. I'm also still feeling challenged with the stems and want to work some more on that, especially where the stem meets the fruit. It's always something. I guess that's why artists keep coming back for more. I think that I'll try for at least one more of the cherry paintings and then move on. Tomorrow's another day, as we've heard.

In the Shadows

I was just emailed by Debbi, who told me that the image on my last post was nonexistent. Thank you Debbi! I will try again. We'll hope this works.

In the Shadows

In my last post, I talked about the beautiful displays of citrus fruit, outside, as you approach the front door at Whole Foods. Once, I got in the door, I couldn't resist, there was a gorgeous display of beautiful dark red cherries. I had to bring some home home, and here they are. This was my first time painting cherries. It was fun , but a little challenging with the stems. I also did this at night, in the semidarkness, with the spot light to create highlights. Painting at night was a little different for me, also challenging.

Two Plus One

The colors of citrus fruits are so beautiful and inspiring. I just bought a whole pile of lemons, limes, tangerines, grapefruit, and oranges.
I sort of went nuts at the grocery story...just couldn't resist the colors, so happy and bright. The produce area in Whole Foods has a huge display, outside , right before you enter the store. It was breathtaking! All I could think about was getting home with the fruit and starting to paint!

Three of a Kind

Finally, I'm getting back on track. I've missed my routine and am happily painting again and back to blogging. Whew! So nice! It seems like I've been away so long, and it's great being back. This is a lime painting that I did awhile ago, and did not have a chance to post. I love experimenting with colors. The lime green and rich blue are one of my favorite combinations. I'd like to work with more color and try to find more combinations that are interesting. We'll forge ahead in that direction and see what happens! Stay tuned for more!

Best Wishes for Happy Holidays and a Wonderful New Year!

Best wishes to all for the most wonderful holiday! This year my Christmas present came early! Brian came home from the hospital Monday night. Thankfully, he is now almost back to his normal self. All is well.

Thank goodness! My Christmas dreams have come true!

May this be your best Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Years ever!

Side by Side, Version Two

Here are the persimmons, again, this time with the turquoise background. I love the orange with this color. I was hoping to do more with the persimmons. After sitting in the sunny window, they now look like giant orange raisins. Oh, well. Perhaps this is the final persimmon painting for now. This painting was done last week and am just now posting it.
Things have been very uncertain around here. Brian has now been in the hospital for three nights and we are still waiting for the final word on what is wrong with him. He was finally admitted after two trips to ER last week. Christmas has been put on hold for the moment, until we know more. Working on this blog has been a short escape in the midst of chaos!

Side by Side, One More Time

Here is a better photo of yesterday's painting. Kelley left a comment that yesterday's photo was not very clear. We now have a better version, taken yesterday when it was not raining. If at first you don't succeed, try, and try, again, or something like that.

Side by Side

I love the color of the persimmons. That, and the glossy surface are what I was trying to capture. I will work with these persimmons some more and see if I can do a little better. I'm not completely happy with the outcome. As they say, tomorrow is another day!! Onward!

In the Spotlight

This painting was done of the squash before taking the knife to it. I painted it, and was not that happy with how it turned out. I decided the squash might be more interesting if it was cut in half. I put this painting aside and posted two paintings of the cut squash. After several days, I decided that this painting wasn't so terrible after all, and decided to post it. So , here we are, prior to surgery!

A Place to Dream

This is a simple dry point etching that was done last year. It was hanging in the The Lafayette Gallery and was just sold a few weeks ago. For some mysterious reason, this is a popular image. Two other etchings have been sold from this same edition. I guess the idea of retreating to a cozy bed sounds like a good idea in the middle of a cold winter!

One More Time

Happy to be back, after a short, but fun, three night getaway to Santa Fe, complete with snow. This small painting of the cut squash was finished quickly, right before we left. I loved using the greens and yellows. The fact that there is very little in the way of highlights was a bit challenging. Excited to get back to painting after the four day break!

Portrait by Susan Carlin

Another beautiful portrait, based on the great photo from Carol Marine's blog. This one was painted by Susan Carlin. Carol emailed me, telling me that 2 artist's had asked for her OK to use her photo as a reference for a future painting. I emailed Carol back, saying that I'd probably want to buy any potential portraits and to let me know if she heard of any actually being completed. Carol told me to get in touch with Susan. Susan Carlin is a fabulous artist, specializing in portraits. To see more of her wonderful work, go to her blog, susansartjournal.blogspot.com.

Half and Half

More of the 6x6 still life concept, which is truly addictive. These small paintings are so much fun to paint. I think that it has to do with immediate gratification. The whole painting, from start to finish is done so quickly, and right away there is another fresh canvas to get started on. A finished painting, and a new opportunity, all at once! I just love doing this!!

Portrait by Pat Hayashi

Kelley MacDonald, a wonderful artist, friend, and classmate from Carol Marine's workshop suggested that I post this portrait that was mentioned in my very first post on this blog.
This beautiful oil portrait of me was done by Pat Hayashi, my friend and gallery mate. Pat did this portrait based on a terrific photograph of me that Carol Marine took during her fantastic "Daily Painting Workshop" in Santa Fe this past Sept. Pat, also a Carol Marine admirer, saw this photo on her blog and decided to use it as a reference for this portrait. To see the original photo, please go to carolmarine.blogspot.com. The photo is shown on the Sept. 22, 2008 post. Along the way, you will really enjoy seeing Carol's beautiful small daily paintings. To see more of Pat's beautiful work, go to lafayettegallery.net, the website for "The Lafayette Gallery" that Pat and I are members of. To see more of Kelley's beautiful work, go to a kelleymacdonaldsdailypaint.blogspot.com. I am so lucky to have so many talented and fabulous artist friends !!!

Follow the Leader

Here is yet another small painting, using what I learned in Carol's class. Painting the 6x6 still lifes can be addictive. It is very hard to stop. Maybe if I do this enough, I will get bored... it's hard to imagine. There is always more fruit and more colors to try. It seems endless, and so much fun! I only wish that I had more time !

Two is Company, Three is a Crowd

Finally back, after being out of town and coming home to the holiday whirlwind. It is great to get back to painting. Here is another small still life, still using the ideas that I learned in Carol's workshop. I enjoy starting and completing a painting in a short time period. It is so motivating! I guess it is the sense of accomplishment, versus a large piece, that you wonder if it will ever get done.

Three Muskateers

Another painting done soon after Carol's class. Carol's class inspired me in so many ways. Most importantly, I've been so motivated by the idea of daily painting that I've been able to to paint two or more paintings on some days and at least one on most days. We will be out of town for Thanksgiving, leaving Wednesday and returning on Sunday. This will be my last post till next week. Have a very happy Thanksgiving!!

Pair of Pears

This painting was also accepted into the juried, Small Works Exhibit at Artworks Downtown in San Rafael. This was another painting completed soon after finishing Carol Marine's Workshp.

All Lined Up

This painting was also done after Carole Marine's Workshop. It was just accepted to the juried, Art Works Downtown, Small Works Show, in San Rafael, CA. This show will run from Nov. 20th through Dec.31st. For information on hours and directions, please go to the website, www.artworksdowntown.org.

The Couple

This painting was completed after coming home from Carol Marine's wonderful workshop. My friend and gallery mate, Pat Hayashi, selected this painting as a trade for a beautiful oil portrait that he did of me. The portrait was based on a photo that Carol took of me during her workshop, and later placed on her blog.