Easter Flower Still Life

Hydrangeas and Lilies, oil on linen panel, 20x16, currently $1350. unframed
Painted on a beautiful surface of fine linen (L600) from New Traditions Panels.

I started this painting about four weeks ago and it has been a work in progress. Even though the majority of the painting was finished from the still life, I repeatedly went in to repaint areas to soften edges and change small areas by glazing. I thought I would post it for this Easter weekend as the white lilies and blue hydrangeas give us hope for a new season. Rejoice!

Carnations

This weekend I had the opportunity to participate in the Grand Rapids Art Museum's event called "Art in Bloom". The event was originally geared for floral designers to create a floral sculpture inspired by a work of art in the museum. In the last three years, they also have invited four "plein air" artists to set up a still life in the museum and paint while the guests meandered and voted on their favorite floral design. This year we painted for three hours on Saturday. I decided to keep it simple so I could finish my painting during that time. I choose to paint carnations and had the idea to paint them laying on the table in a simple arrangement. It wasn't as easy to arrange them as I thought it would be, but stuck to my initial concept. The painting surface is the same as the painting in the last blog, an 8x12 oil primed linen mounted on a birch panel. I am happy with the result.

Carnations, oil on linen panel, 8x16, $850. framed

at the museum

Peonies and Nectarines II

Peony Bouquet, oil, 8x8, $400. framed SOLD

Peonies, Cherries and Nectarines, oil, 6x6, $250.

Rose and Nectarines, oil, 5x7


Three more still lifes that were painted before we recently went on a vacation. Although I have not checked, I'll bet the peonies are finished in the garden:(. I love traveling and will post some more plein air work painted in northern Michigan.  These plein air studies will be used in upcoming pastel work for the next show at the Ann Arbor Art Fair. Also, the new work now at North Seas Gallery in Charlevoix will be posted soon on this blog. North Seas Gallery is a treasure with many fine antiques and masterful paintings. 

Nectarines and Peonies

Arrangement With Nectarines, oil, 8x8, $400.

Well, peonies have been blooming and for once, my white peonies are looking good. I have been really focused on painting them in my small still lifes. Also, I have discovered how nice the nectarines look in the still life and I love painting them. Here are the first three paintings.

Nectarines and White Peonies, oil, 6x6, SOLD

Silver Bowl of Nectarines, oil, 6x6, SOLD

Festival Regional Arts Exhibition - 2012

These four paintings were accepted in the 2012 Festival of the Arts Exhibition in Grand Rapids, MI. The exhibit and opening reception is at the GR Press Building, May 25, from 5:00 - 8:30 pm. More info can be found at Festival 2012. The exhibit will run until Saturday, June 9.

Awaiting Fields, pastel, 18x12

Daffodil Bouquet, pastel, 12x9

October Moon, oil, 6x6, SOLD

Towards Evening, oil, 12x24

Spring Bouquets

Lilacs and Pear, pastel, 12x12, $850. framed
I was so captivated by these lilacs and quickly arranged them into a vase. One of my lilac bushes  is of a darker red violet color and the  younger bushes are the typical light lavender. I just set the branches in a vase and they seemed to arrange themselves in a pleasing manner. I had not really planned on adding the pear, until I started blocking in the composition. I like how the pear helps lead the eye up to the lilacs. Also, I changed the table cloth color to a pale orange to complete the triadic color scheme. The lilac scent is still lingering in my studio.

Daffodil Bouquet, pastel, 12x9, SOLD
I actually painted this still life last spring.  Recently, I took it out of storage and decided that it was a lovely little painting, that just need a few more strokes of yellow green leaves on the forsythia. I framed it and it makes me smile when I look at it. Very cheery!

Petite Daffodils, oil, 10x8I am pleased with the color combinations in this painting.

Thanks for looking! 

Still Lifes with Silver and Copper

I am venturing into painting metal vessels and larger still life set ups. Painting from life, whether a still life or landscape, involves skills in design, drawing, a vast knowledge of color and acute observation.
An artist must continually practice these skills.

Sugar Bowl With Orange, oil, 6x6
private collection, NFS

Copper Pitcher and Cherries, oil, 12x16
$800. uf or $950. framed

Sugar Bowl and Cherries, oil, 5x7
$125. uf or $250. framed

Kettle with Apples and Roses, oil, 12x16
$800. uf or $950. framed

November Still Lifes (so far)

Bouquet and Milkweed Pod, oil, 6x6, $250. framed

Aubergine and Pumpkin, oil, 6x6, $250. framed

Golden Pear, oil, 6x6, $250. framed - SOLD

Golden Pear, Apple and Mums, oil, 6x6, $250. framed - SOLD


These little still lifes are a joy to set up and paint. I am hand picking the fruit from Brechting Farm. The  flowers are from my gardens and the milkweed pod is growing in abundance along the road. 

Small Still Lifes

Over the course of the past few months, I have been challenging myself to paint small still lifes in between the landscapes. I am finding that I look forward to thinking about painting these objects, how to arrange them, colors that are harmonious and trying to keep a simple, yet engaging composition. It can be difficult at times, yet painting these little scenes from life is a learning experience and I am enjoying each one. I like the small square format and can envision them hanging in a kitchen or eating nook. Please feel free to give me feedback. I have framed a few and will be bringing them to the Ann Arbor show.

I decided to show them in groupings...I like how the colors go well together here.

Spring Bouquet and Sweet Cherries, oil, 6x6, $250.

Bosc Pear and Cherries, oil, 6x6, $250.

Two Pears, oil, 6x6, $250.

Art in Bloom

Yesterday, I participated along with Marianna Heule, Margo Burian, and Beth Charles (Tulip Time Poster winner), painting in the Grand Rapids Art Museum during an event called Art In Bloom. We set up a floral still life and painted for four hours while museum patrons watched. The paintings were sold during a silent auction. It was a fun event and we met some really great people! Here are some photos of us painting.

Margo and her painting in progress.

Marianna's painting in progress.

My painting is finished!

Daffodils are Spring

Two Daffodils, oil, 6x6

Daffodils and Pansies II, oil, 6x6

The daffodils are just arriving despite the unusually cold spring weather we have here in Michigan. I did a few small daffodil paintings this weekend to help cheer me up when they were predicting snow. When it did snow yesterday, I did several more daffodil paintings, this time with pansies, which always perk me up, they look so cheerful. My Grandmother's favorite flower.

Daffodils in a Bottle, oil, 8x6, Grand Gallery

Daffodils and Pansies, oil, 8x6 Grand Gallery

I hope these paintings cheer you up!