Classic Lilacs

I really admire those that do realistic paintings that can be mistaken for a photograph. But I found out long ago that painting that way doesn’t fit my style or personality. This painting is made up of loose and impressionistic strokes to give an idea of a vase of lilacs.That is all I need to make me happy.

Growth Opportunity

The paintings in my head often don’t turn out the same when I bring them to life. This is not always a bad thing, though..after I started painting this it reminded me of Miss Havisham’s garden.It us a little wild, a little controlled and a little Victorian.

SUMMER RETURN

Green is a tricky color. The green that comes from a tube of green paint is rarely found in nature. Most artists work to mix a green that is more true to what  we all see outdoors. The best greens are made mixing yellow and blue with a bit of the complement of green—red. The red dulls the color to a more neutral hue.This neutral green makes the beautiful colors of the flowers pop.

Energy

I like the colors in this painting of flowers. The title suits the arrangement because there seems to be a lot of energy happening with all of the colors and shapes interacting with each other. They all seem to be waiting for a party to happen.

Best Bottles

There are often dozens of shapes, values and colors in a glass bottle or jar. They also change depending on the lighting and time of day. It is all a matter of painting just what you see. Adding some beautiful flowers seals the deal.

Weekend Update

I painted something similar to this a while ago but as always it is pretty impossible to duplicate exactly what I had painted before. I do like to paint something more than once. There is always something different that turns up. I think of Monet who painted many views of haystacks in different light. I think he learned something each time; maybe I will too!

Zinnia Balance

I find zinnias especially challenging to paint. For some perverse reason this  makes me want to keep painting them. I think they are so beautiful and pleasing to the eye that I can’t help trying over and over to get the perfect depiction of them. Worth the effort!

Hit PArade

Close ups ups are a favorite point of view of mine to paint.They seem to cut away everything that isn’t important and emphasize what is. In this painting it doesn’t matter what room the geraniums are in or if indoors or outdoors. It is just the viewer and the essence of the flowers.

Get Together

The composition of a painting can be tricky. Sometimes the center of interest is a larger shape than others or can be a color that stands out from the rest of the painting. In this painting I wanted the viewer to travel around the interior of the painting without the eyes leaving the edges. Although rhis painting is small, it is powerful.

If I Had Wings

I guess we all had some kind of childhood fantasy of super powers. Mine was that I imagined I could fly. I pictured myself gliding above the people and housetops. I think that is why I have a yearning to ride in a hot air balloon.Also I have been thrilled lately to warch drone videos that give a birds eye view of the landscape below. I will have to be content for now to create paintings with this unusual point of view.

PEP TALK

Hydrangeas are still a favorite of mine.Combined with an aqua mason jar the set up is perfect. I like the combination of the blue green with the cobalt blue;atried and true analogous color combination of “neighbor” colors.

High Interest

i really love painting these meadow scenes with wildflowers. I have the idea in my head of what I want the painting to look like but I just let it happen as I go along. I have finally found the best  medium for me. I love watercolor but I painstakingly drew the subject matter in pencil then applied the paint hoping I wouldn’t make a mistake. Oils are so much more relaxing. The worst that can happen is that I don’t like what I start and I have to wipe the painting and start over.

Summer Splash

I am back to the Mason jars and flowers!

These flowers look straight out of a summer garden and of course the mason jar is the perfect place to put them. Someone once asked  how do uou pInt glass. I was intimidated when I first tried but I soon realized it is about just painting the different shapes that I see. It all just comes together , especially when I add the white highlights at the end.

Training Day

i like painting flowers in containers like pots and vases but there is also great beauty in the flowers in a natural setting such  as in a field or meadow.the shapes are important because the individual flowers make interesting patterns.

On the Fence

Lately I have been admiring some beautiful abstract paintings online. I am blown away by the beautiful colors and shapes. Often I hear people talking about abstract paintings by saying that a 5 year old could do that. Of course abstracts are really difficult to do.This painting is my attempt to be more abstract. You can still tell it is a fence, maybe after a few more in a series the fence may disappear all together!

Personal Space

I like painting flowers close to a window because of the lighting. These geraniums are set so that the outdoors through the window come across as negative spaces.Natural light is first choice because of the softness.

Stake Your Claim

i have been so excited doing a series of garden and meadow paintings. I guess it is a way of painring landscapes combined with flowers. I can't abandon flowers cold turkey-- which of course I would never do anyway.

Way Down

I painted this and 3 others with similar colors in preparation for a large commission. The person who commissioned the big painting definitely wanted an abstract feel to it. Turned out to be fun to paint just concentrating on the shapes; not worrying about each petal.

Monday Magic

This painting is 36x36 inches and creates a pretty big impact. In this case the impact is more about design and value instead of color.Stretched gallery wrapped canvas makes it ready to hang without an additional frame.

Flower Story

I really loved painting this one.When I started it out it was pleasant enough;a little more pastel. I went to a Margaret Martin workshop in Naples Florida. She told us to always paint interesting subject matter, that if the artist is not moved by it the viewer won't be either.
This painting is pretty much imagination. I had the flowers for reference but took off from there.

See You in September

The weather this past week has been glorious here in Memphis. Low humidity and mild temps has made it possible to go for pleasant walks every evening  while the sun is still out. This painting is  like the scenery I have been seeing backlit by the setting sun. A perfect September sight!

Story Book Blues

This landscape painting reminded me of the old Golden Books we read as children with the golden spines.Something  about the painting seems to be waiting for some book characters to make their way into the scenery. High drama  or the Poky Puppy!

Garden Joy

This is a version of a painting I did earlier that had colors that were more spring and summer like.I changed it to colors that were more colors that are found in autumn.I love the snapshot of flowers whatever the color.

Select Blue

Always a favorite, these blue hydrangeas are enhanced by the beautiful aqua pottery planter. I am remembering that the color of the original planter was an ugly mud color so I took the option of changing the color. I love aqua and blue together; they are such good neighbors!

Queen Anne's Lace

Apparently I have become obsessed with painting meadows. Especially those with flowers in them.I love the transitions of green from yellow green to blue green, even adding gray to some of the greens to make the colors more neutral. The bright flowers add a pop to the scene.

Stand for Something

I love buckets of flowers. Buckets are so plain and utilitarian. Farming and milking cows comes to mind. I am glad they have a use as a container of beauty.

Peonies Please

This is a small 6x6 oil painting that was done some months ago and I misplaced it! I finally found it and am glad to post it. I am not the most organized of artists but usually can find everything when I need it but I realize I do need an organizer . Probably won't happen , although I do have a few friends who are qualified!

Cottage Garden

This painting is the third in the garden series(30x40). This was a delight in painting negative spaces; one of my favorite things to do. I started with the flowers and ended with the green leaves and stems.I love the change from blue green to yellow green in the foliage.

Wildflowers

This painting is another that is currently in the show at Botanic Gardens for the month of August.I have arenewed interest in painting this type of garden paintings. It is a chance to paint very intuitively;a pure pleasure.

Treat Me Well

Lighting makes a big difference in a painting. One of my favorite lighting sources is back lighting. It seems to create a glow in the paintiing when the shadow is in the front of the objects and the light peeks out from behind. It makes for built in drama.