In Bloom

We just returned from the east coast, to spring. Everything here is in bloom, sunny skies, and very green everywhere. Spring has arrived! Before we left, I put the daffodils in the refrigerator, they were perfect when we returned. Amazing!

Let's Open Up

Day two of the daffodils. Overnight, most of the daffodils opened. Flowers always amaze me... they are gorgeous! Tried to capture the beautiful light greens and clear yellows!

Look to the Left

Yesterday at Trader Joe's they were selling ten daffodils for $1.29. How could I not bring some home! I bought two bunches. The buds were tightly closed yesterday. Today they have started to open up. It was fun to paint them. I was was trying to be a little more loose with my brush strokes, at the same time trying not to go over each stroke. I'll try again tomorrow. It will be interesting to see how they look in the morning! Stay tuned for more!

Welcome to Spring

Yesterday I took the day off and visited the de Young museum in San Francisco to the see the annual "Bouquets to Art" exhibit. This is a wonderful exhibit held every March to show fantastic flower arrangements inspired by works of art. One of my favorite Wayne Thiebaud paintings had inspired a very dramatic flower arrangement, as you can see!

It was interesting, for the first time, after seeing this painting in books and in the museum many times, I noticed a sign next to it explaining that this painting was unusual for many reasons. The main reason was that the gumballs had highlights, but not the glass globe that contained them, creating the impression that the gumballs were suspended in mid air. Another unusual feature, is that the shadows of the gumball machines had no relation to the shape of the actual machines. The shadows are are in the shape of cones, while the machines are rectangular and globe shaped. The machines also have no handles or price information on the front. The exit holes are too small to accommodate the gumballs. All of this information surprised me. I had never noticed. Amazing!

The most dramatic arrangement was the giant spiral of bird of paradise hanging from the ceiling in the main entry! Very impressive!

I think it is so important to get out and see art in museums and galleries. I try to do this as often as I can. I always come back inspired and energized, with all kinds of new ideas and excited to start painting again! To all, welcome to springtime!!!

Best Buddies

This has been a busy month, with not enough time for painting. Finally this weekend I had some time and was able to get back to the easel. I started with familiar territory, apples. I did three small paintings yesterday. This was the best. It feels so good to paint again. It seems like I'm starting all over. I have a few ideas for a new series, but first wanted to warm up with something comfortable, an old friend, apples.

Apart, then Together

The last of the sushi paintings for now. I think it's time to move on to something else. This painting seems to be more abstract, which is exactly what Kelley mentioned about an earlier post. She said that when painting the same subject over and over again, the image will get increasingly more abstracted. This sure happened with the sushi!