Friday, December 21, 2012

CONSERVATORY

CONSERVATORY (12x12 oil on panel)
         Winters in Pennsylvania can be pretty bleak, especially after living in the south. The beautiful conservatory at Longwood Gardens is a perfect antidote to the cold outside. It is easy to forget the cool temps when visiting this lush space..

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

CYCLAMEN



This is from a photo taken at a painting workshop in Buffalo, New York. The artist, Margaret Martin, filled her studio with flowers in March for the workshop.they were definitely brought in from somewhere else because there was still snow on the ground that week!

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Monday, December 10, 2012

CHECKERBOARD BASKET



 There is that bird again! He just needed to be there with all of the other objects--a good neutral for
 The bright colors.

Saturday, December 8, 2012

HYDRANGEA IN DRAGON POT



This painting is from a photo taken in the Conservatory at Longwood Gardens. It is a wonderful place in the winter to see all the beautiful flowers when there is snow outside.

Friday, December 7, 2012

ANTIGUA BLUE

ANTIGUA BLUE
      The colors in the Caribbean Islands are breathtaking. This is a view toward the water.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

ROCKPORT FLOAT

ROCKPORT FLOAT
      We took a week long trip to Maine after my husband retired. It was a great trip and I must have a hundred photos of lighthouses. We spent the night in Rockport and was impressed with all of the boats. This group of boats composed themselves---love their simplicity.

Monday, December 3, 2012

PURPLE and ORANGE

PURPLE and ORANGE
  This is a 22 x 15 inch watercolor painting of some beautiful flowers. It seems an unusual combination of colors; but I think it works.I love the way the oranges pull it together.

Sunday, December 2, 2012

APPLES AND TRAY

APPLES AND TRAY
  I am always on the lookout for new things to add to still life set ups. We were in Atlanta for a Paul Simon concert and stopped by a garage sale that morning. This lovely painted wooden tray was calling my name . I bought it and have been waiting to paint it. I loved the gold paint; makes it a little exotic.

Friday, November 30, 2012

PEEPING POM

PEEPING POM
             Sorry, couldn't resist the title! I loved painting the pomegranate in the bowl. I set this up with a strong light on the left to make some deep shadows. The shiny surface in the back was intimidating but really all I needed to do was just paint the shapes that I saw. A pleasure!

Thursday, November 29, 2012

ABOVE PORTLAND

ABOVE PORTLAND
   We visited our son and family when they lived in Portland, Oregon. We traveled above this city and I took aq photo. I have painted this scene in a more somber palette (closer to reality). Lately I have been on a more colorful kick so this is the result!Makes me happier.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

BIRD and BASKET

BIRD and BASKET
 This bird figurine has been around for a while. I find myself painting him often. He makes the perfect accessory.

Monday, November 26, 2012

LONGWOOD PATH

LONGWOOD PATH
   We were fortunate when living in Pennsylvania to live 2 miles from Longwood Gardens. This was a former estate of the Dupont family that has been turned into a beautiful public garden. If you are ever in that area you must go! There are beautiful wooded areas and acres of planted beds and a huge conservatory. The path in this painting is in a quiet area off of the perimeter path where we often walked. Quiet beauty.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

LANDSCAPE

Pennsylvania Garden
             I took  photos of some beautiful paces when we lived in Pennsylvania for 9 years. This was a garden open to the public on quite a bit of acreage. My painting group went there to paint and take photographs.The scenery lent itself to an impressionistic style.

Saturday, November 24, 2012

NAPA DREAM

NAPA DREAM
         We visited the Napa Valley this summer and went to a private wine tasting with family members. I don't drink much wine (migraines) but I thoroughly enjoyed the day. The scenery all around was breath taking and I was able to take a lot of photos.This is the first of many paintings from the trip. 

Friday, November 23, 2012

GRAPEFRUIT GLOW



GRAPEFRUIT GLOW
                  This beautiful blush grapefruit caught my eye at the grocery store recently. I had to buy it-- a bargain because I knew I would eat it after I painted it. I love to stroll the produce aisle and look at the fruits and vegetables, especially the pricier markets because of the exotic types that are offered. There is always salad at my house!

Thursday, November 22, 2012

THANKSGIVING DAY


 SUNFLOWERS AND PEPPERS
16x20
 This is a still life that reminds me of fall, especially the colors. We had a great day with 31 people here at our house! The whole time I was cooking I was thinking about what I want to paint next. Too tired tonight though.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

AUBERGINE


Aubergine-11x14--$100
This is a favorite painting of mine. I love the shape and colors of eggplants. It was a pleasure to paint.