Friday, January 30, 2015

Sun Room

This is painting I did yesterday in Ann Blair Brown Workshop in Nashville.We are working on interiors. I am learning a lot and having fun!
I would like to say I am very lucky to have a wonderful husband who supports me going off to these workshops over the years.


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Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Early Spring

I figured we all need this today, no matter where you are. I love seeing the first daffodils every year. Here in the south they are always quite early so it gives hope of the good things to come.
Today is the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. I remember watching the movie Operation Eichmann in the early 60's. It was probably inappropriate for a child and it made quite an impression on me. At that age especially I couldn't fathom such inhuman behavior. Now at age 62 I still don't understand. All I can do is hope humanity is evolving to be better. If I just don't watch the news I can keep this illusion.




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Monday, January 26, 2015

One of Each


This is a gift of springtime to everyone especially those in the Northeast who are just starting the "historic" blizzard of 2015. I love when it snows but I think this might be too much. We had just moved near Philadelphia when the Storm of the Century hit. Of course my husband had left the day before for a business meeting in sunny California. Funny how that seems to happen. It was beautiful but I am glad to be back in the south where snow is pretty rare.


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Sunday, January 25, 2015

Meets Expectations

We watched Downton Abbey tonight and I enjoy watching the beautiful scenery inside and out. There are many paintings to be done in every corner.
I started thinking about which group my ancestors would have been in-- gentry or servants. I do know that an ancestor on my father's side was an indentured servant from Ireland who came to this country in the 1700's.so I doubt there is a chance Any would have been guests at Downton! Oh well.


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Thursday, January 22, 2015

Ode to Redon

I finished painting this yesterday and my first thought was that it reminded me of Odilon Redon. He was a French painter of the Post- impressionist era who died in 1916. I always see at least one of his paintings in most major museums that I visit. Not that my painting could equal one of a famous painter but it is a little in his style.I wonder who will show up tomorrow?



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Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Blue Portal

I usually paint a scene like this in much warmer hues. This time I wanted to suggest maybe some moonlight shadows. It is amazing what the temperature of a color can do for a painting.there is always something to learn in Daily painting. For example this morning I painted something for 2 hours without getting up and standing back. When I looked at it again I knew something was wrong but couldn't figure it out so I wiped the whole painting! We are not guaranteed a winner every time. Maybe magic will happen tomorrow.


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Monday, January 19, 2015

Percolator

I liked this old percolator as a vase. It reminds me of the percolator that my mother used to make coffee years ago. That sound like on the Maxwell House commercials takes me back. Of course I still don't drink coffee. My husband makes a pot every morning and manages to drink most of it. ( decaf- in case you were worried he was too wired) I love painting flowers like this; the play of the negative spaces and the colors changing every few inches. An instructor I had once said " don't go more than inch before changing up color" . Good advice.



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Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Swimsuit Competition

The title just popped into my head. I saw these pots of geraniums all lined up and thought of beauty pageant contestants. Each needs to differentiate from each other, kind of impossible in the pageant world where everyone has perfect teeth, hair and legs.these beauties have some variety of color and value to make a good composition. On a side note; I have had recurring nightmares about being on a stage wearing a swimsuit in a beauty pageant.I wake up each time in a cold sweat!



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Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Garden Dance

My favorite hydrangeas are those that have a little green mixed into the blooms.it is just exciting to me to see the contrast of the not quite "ripe" greenish blossoms to the beautiful purples, pinks and blues.Love painting them! Better than ice cream.



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Alley

Europe is full of little scenes like this. You turn a corner and there it is.What struck me most is the lighting; almost like a stage lighting to draw attention. Hopefully modern structures won't squeeze out all these gems.



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Saturday, January 10, 2015

Shade Tree

Although the heat of summer is a distant memory today;this painting is from our early morning walks on the golf course. The sun was just about up and made for some great shadows near this tree. As I get older I find the best moments are about memories not things. A bit of a cliche but true.



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Thursday, January 8, 2015

Welcome Home

I have been painting more florals lately( perhaps as an antidote to the cold). A good change is a still sunny doorway. Italy is like a big candy store for artists. Although instead of candy there are picturesque scenes at every turn. The doorways there are all so inviting.


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Saturday, January 3, 2015

Provence Proof

Why is it that anything French just looks better and more sophisticated? We went to France a few years ago and I loved going through the stores and markets. I bought some pretty aprons made of Provence style fabric. Of course they were probably made in China. I still feel ooh la la when I put one on, though.


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Friday, January 2, 2015

Fairy Flowers

Sometime I have a hard time naming paintings; this one called out to the name Fairy Flowers. I imagine fairies would choose such colorful blooms in colored vases. Of course to match their colorful fairy wings!


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Thursday, January 1, 2015

Happy New Year! The past weeks have been very busy with family in and out of town. We will miss all of them but will be glad to get back into a routine. No more chocolate fountains and delicious cookies.(at least until Valentine'sDay)


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