Monday, December 30, 2013

3-D Leaf

I was taking a picture of this painting outside in order to see the true colors. After I was back inside and cropping the photo I noticed the leaf on the window frame! It must have fallen onto the painting. I should just keep quiet about it and people will think I am an expert at painting realistic leaves!


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Friday, December 27, 2013

Summer Tabletop

These hydrangeas are decorating an outdoor tabletop.The greens in the background make the blues and purples pop.


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Monday, December 23, 2013

Point of purple

There are many artists both past and present that I admire. It is perhaps trite to say that I love the Impressionists but it is true. Up until the historic debut of these artists, color was not the focus of most paintings. When I look at art now; color is the one thing that first catches my eye.
I enjoyed the complementary colors in this arrangement.



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Friday, December 20, 2013

Triple Threat

December has been busy and I haven't posted as much.we had a giant cookie sale at church and I was drafted to make decorated mitten cookies. Being an artist doesn't always translate to being a good cookie decorator. I finally got familiar with royal icing and pulled it off.(after countless cookies being thrown away and/ or eaten by eager family members).
I love these geraniums lined up and anticipating something!


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Sunday, December 15, 2013

Meeting of Minds

I was drawn to the colored glass bottles that held these flowers.The negative shapes made by the background are the most interesting parts to me.


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Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Corner Window

I am not sure how many times I have painted hydrangea, maybe a hundred. I painted them first in watercolor which was quite a challenge, considering there is no fixing a bad attempt. With oil paints it is always possible to wipe it off and start over. If I am lucky, it will all come together as this one did. (8x10) Daily Paintworks auction


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Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Homage to Paris

For some reason this painting reminds me of a French interior. Maybe it is the striped wallpaper. I expect a Matisse figure to enter from the right.



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Friday, November 29, 2013

Blue Window

France is full of these beautiful blue windows. Every one them is a painting begging to be painted. I can't get enough of them. 6x6) (Daily Paintworks auction; one bid)


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Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Cool Flowers

This bouquet has yellow in it but the overall feel is coolness. I fell in love with the blues and purples. I love adding the last layer of "ice blue". I now know why I returned to oils, when the paint goes on like "buttah" there is such pleasure. I love my job!(8x10)($38)


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Monday, November 25, 2013

Happy Flowers

In coming up with a title for this painting, I immediately thought Happy Flowers because that is how I felt when looking at them. I am so glad I have the ability to paint something to make me happy. Beats antidepressants. Or alcohol.


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Monday, November 18, 2013

Rice Fields

We passed by some rice fields traveling through Arkansas recently. I was struck by the abstract patterns they created. Quite exotic for middle America don't you think?
Thanks for viewing my blog!


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Saturday, November 16, 2013

Dinner Party

This past summer we were guests at a friend's dinner party. One of the other guests brought a jar of flowers that she had picked from her yard. They were just beautiful and I took several photos. I spent some time during dinner planning how to paint the purple ribbon. A lot of painting goes on in my head!




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Thursday, November 14, 2013

Brink of Daylight

This is another painting from my very early morning walks this past summer. (It is too hot to walk past 6:00 am in Memphis in summer)I had to time it just right- not too early so as to trip over a tree root in the dark and not too late in the morning.Looking back over the past year, I am proud of what I have accomplished. I have posted over 300 paintings on DPW, sold several, got a new hip, started a blog. Proud to have 12 followers but would like to have more!


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Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Late Summer Afternoon

This painting was from a photograph I took on the way to Houston. It was actually early October but in Texas it is still summer at that time of year.it started me thinking about my childhood.This was a scene I might not have seen as a child.We tend to divide up places to live as urban or rural but I think my environment was unique. I lived on an Air Force base. It was actually a sheltered life. Everything we needed was right there, including 15 cent movies. We walked everywhere by ourselves, stopping in our tracks at 5:00 p.m wherever we were to listen to TAPS. Later on I attended "town" schools while living on base but it was still an unusual life.


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Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Captive Zinnias

I know I always say different flowers are my favorite, but I really do love zinnias. The shapes of the petals, the bright colors... I could go on and on but you get the picture!( 8x10 Daily Paintworks auction)($34 opening bid)


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Sunday, November 10, 2013

Lilac Party

I like the combination of colors in his arrangement.Lilacs Are always pleasing to me.



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Saturday, November 9, 2013

Green Bottle

I found this green bottle at a crafts store. I love the shape and the bonus cork!It also has some beautiful shadows and highlights when the spotlight is focused on it. I am putting this painting and one of hydrangeas into a local art show next week.


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Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Tulip and Pomegranate

I was lucky enough to attend a Qiang Huang workshop this past weekend. I completed three paintings there and I painted this one today as "homework". I was afraid I would let time go by and forget what he taught us. His main point was to try to get us to create some kind of drama in our paintings. Lighting has a lot to do wit it. If you aren't familiar with Qiang, look him up on Daily Paintworks.


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Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Floater Frames

Okay, I guess this is another helpful post. I posted before about my favorite frames,especially for non standard size frames. I ordered this "floater frame from kingoffframe.com. They are located in California and even with paying shipping costs they are a good value. This floater frame is $40. As you can see in the pictures below the first one; they come ready to have your small (6x6 or 8x8) just glued into the opening. They also come completely finished on the back and ready to frame. This style is Arroyo gold and can be found under the $30 section. ( they add $10 to make it a floater)I have no connection to them at all, I just love the frames!








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Sunday, October 27, 2013

Hydrangea Gathering

Sedona ,Arizona has the only McDonalds restaurant with turquoise arches. The city decided the yellow arches would clash with the beautiful red rock formations that they are famous for. We often are that way about art. Granted, if you have a hot pink color scheme in your living room you might be a little cautious about the painting you choose. Otherwise buy what you love, not what you should buy to please someone else. That was over in the eighth grade!



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Friday, October 25, 2013

Hydrangea and Bird

This is a large 1/2 sheet watercolor painting. I haven't done water colors much lately but I still love the way the paint reacts.I would say that painting is painting no matter what medium one uses.


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Tuscany in the Kitchen

I found a great little easel at TJ Maxx for $5.99! This painting is an 8x10 and fits perfectly onto the easel. A great way to display!



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Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Yellow and Blue

I love the combination of blue and yellow.I am showing this painting on an easel to
Show that there are other ways of displaying a painting than framing, especially when it is don on a panel. Using the easels allows for rotation of paintings. It is a good way to add color to a room on a table or shelf.


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Monday, October 21, 2013

Corner Apples

I got a new adjustable table from my sister as a birthday gift. I needed one that was low so I could paint objects from a bird's eye view-- much more interesting than eye level. These apples are the first to try it out.


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Friday, October 18, 2013

Pear in a Bowl

I have started a collection of colored glass bottles. They are both fun and challenging to paint.The trick is to just paint what you see and it will all come together.


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Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Love this frame!

I found some great frames for non standard size painting. You can find 8x10. Or 11x 14 easily ready made but square frames are not as easy to find. If you custom frame them it is often very expensive. This frame is from kingoffframe.com. They have a selection of frames for $30 for 8x8 size. They are beautiful, thick with expensive looking elements. Also Dick Blick art supplies on line has a good selection.



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Saturday, October 12, 2013

Sunny Tulips

I like to paint things that have strong lights and darks. It makes the painting much more dynamic. Tulips are a favorite of mine. I miss going to Longwood Gardens in the spring and seeing the thousands of tulips of all colors and varieties. If you are ever near Philadelphia, make time to see this beautiful place.


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Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Flower Explosion

This formal painting reminds me of a party, most likely because of the variety of colors. No limited palette here!


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Saturday, October 5, 2013

Pastel Blooms

I chose very light colored flowers for this painting. The contrast comes from the dark areas in the foliage. I do love painting glass; It is an example of less is more.


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Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Hydrangea Heaven

I learned some new color combinations for hydrangeas. The clear glass is always a challenge, but I enjoy painting the glass.


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Monday, September 30, 2013

Three for You

This is one of the paintings I did in a Nancy Medina workshop this past weekend. What a fun way to spend 3 days!(12x16 Dailypaintworks)


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Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Run for the Roses




Roses are not the easiest thing to paint, but I guess that is why I try and paint them. The petunias add a good contrast to the white pitcher. I am excited to go to a Nancy Medina workshop this coming weekend! I would rather do that than a shopping trip to New York!


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Saturday, September 21, 2013

Quiet Bouquet

This is a small(6x6) painting of a simple bouquet of flowers. It just goes to show that a bunch of flowers can be simple but beautiful.




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Friday, September 20, 2013

Two pots

I liked the challenge of the textured surface of the pots. Of course, add in my favorite hydrangeas and you have a favorite!


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Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Three Bottles

I like this almost monochromatic still life. There are so many small interesting shapes that make up the bottles and flowers.



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Monday, September 16, 2013

My Dad's art

I posted my mot here's quilt on here recently. That was her artist connection. My dad also had an artistic aspect. He drew pictures as a boy but was not encouraged. There was always work to do on the farm where he grew up. Later in life he visited an old man out in the country who made split oak baskets. He cut the trees , split the wood and made the baskets. My father spent a lot of time with him and learned how to make them. He made them until his arthritic hands would no longer cooperate. I am indebted to both of them for passing down some of their talents.



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Sunday, September 15, 2013

Golden Hills

I often take a photograph that I want to paint and apply photoshop to it.what this does is to reduce it to the most simple format. It also brings out colors that I didn't even realize were there. The finished painting often is somewhere in between the two.



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Friday, September 13, 2013

Perfect Pitcher

I like the color combination of these flowers in contrast to the white of the pitcher.I don't think I could ever run out of ideas for flower paintings!


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Sunday, September 8, 2013

Pears and Flowers

I have been painting transparent vases and Jars lately but I really liked the look of this pottery vase. The transition of the colors on the vase was unusual.


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Friday, September 6, 2013

Old Fashioned Flowers

These blooms remind me of flowers collected by a little old lady from her garden of old fashioned flowers. All that is missing is a doily!


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My Mother's Art

This time That I have taken to recover from surgery has been a good chance to step back and reflect. My mother died at 83. She grew up in the Depression in very poor circumstances. I think she and my father both had artistic tendencies. Hers showed up in the quilts that she made. She made several intricate patterns but the ones she chose to make in her last years were all "Log Cabin" designs. This is one that I have been using as I convalesce on the sofa. Covering up with this serves two purposes: keeping physically warm and warming my heart as I remember her love for me . I think she would have made me a coke float to help me feel better!


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Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Five o clock Shadow

This entrance is just off of a courtyard. I really liked the late afternoon shadows on the walls and ground.
I am pleased to be back painting after my surgery, although physical therapy is quite a workout.At least painting only requires the muscles in my left arm!


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Thursday, August 29, 2013

Multiple Flower Bouquet

My favorite part of this painting is the shadow area.To me it is just as important as the flowers in the jar.



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Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Road to Tuscany


I am blogging from my hospital bed( hip replacement).How's that for dedication. It is actually because they are always waking me for something that I am awake at 5:00a.m.I painted a lot last week so I would have some things to post. This is another scene from Italy that I never tire of.I love the colors!


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Sunday, August 25, 2013

Homage to France

This still life evokes memories of France.it may be the colors or the Matisse like patterns. Whatever you see, it was a lot of fun to paint!
I am having hip replacement surgery tomorrow morning. I probably won't be blogging for a few days. Look for me in the next marathon you hear of(not) haha



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Friday, August 23, 2013

Morning Clouds

I think I could paint a picture of this scene every day and each day it would be different. Since I have been painting more landscapes I have really become aware of the sky. I guess I have taken the changes in the sky for granted all these years. Now I look at clouds and think about how I would paint them. I think there is a song in there somewhere(if you are over 50) ha



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Thursday, August 22, 2013

Geranium Pots

I do love geraniums although they don't thrive past July for me in this heat. It may be more a matter of me abandoning them.I like the shapes of the blooms and leaves. The negative shapes interest me most.


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Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Mary's Garden

I think of the nursery rhyme "Mary, Mary , Quite Contrary"when I see this painting.It is much easier to paint flowers than tend a garden of flowers! At least for me.
(12x12 inches)


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