Painting with a Theme

During last two weeks, I have not only been painting still lifes but also following a "wine" or "grape" theme. I did two pastels and several oils with this theme and the paintings will be entered into an exhibit called "Grape Expectations" for this summer in Leland, MI. I hope you enjoy my interpretations!

"Cabernet", oil on panel, 7x5
The first "study" as I was thinking about doing a larger still life with the bottle and glass of wine, see the next painting.

Untitled right now, oil on panel, 12x12

"Ready for Harvest",  or Pinot Noir... undecided on the title. 
Pastel, 18x12
From a reference photo that I took during a plein air session at  Silver Tree Winery in Suttons Bay, MI.

"Vineyard by the Bay", pastel, 16x20
This pastel is an example of using a plein air study and a photo of the vines going in the other direction. So basically, I used both reference to make this painting.

Still-Life Series

After painting quite a few landscapes, I like to change it up a bit by painting still lifes. Usually one still life idea will lead to another. This month, I also happened to teach a still life class on Wednesday evenings and a class in pastel at the Frederick Meijer Gardens. My Wednesday class consisted of both pastel and oil painting students. The demos were alternated with the mediums.

"Blue Bottle, Pear and Clementine, pastel, 6x6
In one class we did a still life with an object and a clementine. This was my example for the pastel students.

"Clementines and Blue Vase", oil, 6x6
The example for the oil students using a clementine with a contrasting background.

"Melon Slice and Pear", oil, 6x6
We had a still life with a pear and strawberry. I did not use the melon in the student still life. After painting it myself, I decided it was kind of advanced. The pear was a challenge enough!

demo in pastel, half finished. 6x6

Demo for the Pear and Strawberry still life in oil. 6x6

Oil Painters of America Exhibit

River Banks - Spring Thaw, oil on linen, 8x16, plein air

I am super excited! After numerous tries through the years, I finally have a painting accepted into the 2013 Juried Salon Show of Traditional Oils with the Oil Painters of America. Although I have had work accepted into national art competitions before, this show in particular was a goal to have my work accepted among many other fine OPA painters. Having a painting accepted into a show like this can really boost one's confidence! The best part, is that the show is here in Michigan at the Crooked Tree Art Center in the beautiful town of Petoskey. I have already signed up for a plein air painting workshop with the well known painter, Marc Hanson at the art center. The workshop starts right after the opening weekend of June 22 in Petoskey.
Taking a painting workshop really helps to recharge the artist and learn from someone else who has knowledge to share. I hope to always keep learning and improving my work!

I hope you have the opportunity to see this exhibit and visit beautiful Michigan this summer. The show runs June 22 through August 31, 2013.

Discovering Inspiration

Morning Moon - Lake Superior, pastel, 36x24, $2400. framed

I love to discover new inspiration! 
Last summer my family spent some vacation time in the Upper Peninsula. We are fortunate to have friends with a home in Grand Marais and we spent time with them hiking, biking, picking up colorful rocks and bonfires on the beach during a moon lit evening. Grand Marais is a wonderful small town and we throughly enjoyed the beauty of the area with the backdrop of incredible Lake Superior. 
Paintings are everywhere you look! These paintings have all been inspired by our visit in Grand Marais.

Moon Rise on the Bay, pastel, 9x12, $500. framed
 

Safe Harbor, pastel, 16x12, $850. framed

John's Sailboat, oil on panel, 6x6, plein air, NFS

Full Moon at Sunset, pastel, 12x9, $500. framed

Dock in Grand Marais, oil, 9x12, plein air, NFS

Still-Lifes at Treeline

Pitcher With Apples, oil on panel, 12x12, $800 framed at Treeline Gallery
(I like the country French look)

Blushing Pear, oil on panel, 6x6, $250 framed at Treeline Gallery

    Treeline Gallery in Suttons Bay, has a nice assortment of landscapes and still-lifes. Since this is the slow time of year for this beautiful gallery in northern Michigan, I thought I would highlight some of my work there.

Kettle with Apples, oil on panel, 8x8, $425. framed at Treeline Gallery

    Working in the still-life genre is relatively new for me. I started a few years ago during the winter months with a group of painter friends. We call ourselves, "The Six Women Painters". This was a great substitute for plein air painting (sometimes not practical in the Michigan winter), and working from life is good practice. From that start, I often find subjects like flowers, fruit and veggies in season at farmer markets or even just the grocery store. Also, I am starting to collect small antique objects that would look good in a painting. Sometimes it takes just as long to arrange the still-life as it is to paint it! I prefer working small, 6x6 - 8x8, and on occasion find it necessary to work larger.

Mixed Fruit, oil on panel, 6x6, $250. framed at Treeline Gallery

Pears with Orange Slices, 6x6, $250. framed at Treeline Gallery


Please call Alyce at 616-450-6708,
 if you would like to speak to her about any of these paintings.

Thank you for viewing my work!