Out to Lunch II

 

Out to Lunch II   Oil

12x12 on Museum Quality Panel

 

 

This painting was taken from a photo of sailboats docked in North Carolina while their owners were "out to lunch".  I couldn't resist the vivid colors reflecting in the water.  I painted this one twice with a few variances in color as birthday gifts--one for my son and daughter.  Colorful, sharp reflections in water or on a glass surface are fun and challenging to paint. Hope you enjoy the birthday present.

 

I want to thank all of you who have signed up for my email updates.  I would love to hear from you.  If you have questions, either comment at the bottom of each post or email me.  Thanks for stopping by today.  I appreciate you!



 

Aqua Boat   8x8   Oil

on Museum Quality Panel

 

 I really love painting boats and especially the reflections in the water.  This boat was painted with a palette knife, a bit smoother than you normally think of palette knife paintings.  I think the soft colors create a peaceful painting.  Makes me want to jump in and take a ride.

 

Wishing you a peaceful Monday.  Thank you for stopping by for a visit today! 

 

 





Stone Steps  Oil  8x10

 

 

This painting was done en plein aire (French for "in fresh air").  After taking a plein aire class, I set up my easel in front of our stone steps leading to the lower level of our flower garden.  Actually, I should say my husband's flower garden, as he is the horticulturist.  It was a challenge trying to do justice to these beautiful steps.  It was a sunny day, and I wanted to capture the sun striking the tops of the stones.

 

Painting en plein aire is quite different from studio painting as you have so much information in front of you and a decision has to be made as to how much to include.  The light doesn't stay the same for very long and there always insects and other obstacles to consider.  Even so, it is so nice to be outside on a beautiful day, and nature is a great teacher. 

I appreciate your visit!

 



Sunflowers in Blue Vase

5x7  Oil

 

 

Sunflowers are such a happy flower to paint.  I love the bright yellows against the blues.  I thought this would be a good painting to post on a cold winter day--brighten us up a little and think about warmer days.  I actually like all the seasons and thankful that we get to experience all four seasons here in north Georgia.  Occasionally, we even get snow, which is always exciting to me. 

 

Have a great week!  Thanks for visiting!



Blue Umbrellas  8x8 Oil

 

As promised yesterday, above is a palette knife painting from a workshop I took in Atlanta one year ago.  Leslie Saeta was the very talented instructor.  I also posted another of the paintings from her very informative class entitled Two Boats, for which I failed to give Leslie credit--oops.  I loved her technique, energy and enthusiasm.  It was so much fun learning to paint with the palette knife--very liberating after my tight painting with a brush.  Due to this class, most of my paintings in the past year have been done with a palette knife.  However, since I love details (more on that personality trait later), I still tend to put in a lot more detail than most palette knife painters.  But that's what makes the world so interesting.  We all have our unique qualities and different ways of interpreting a scene.  As you will see as we go along on this journey, I like to try different techniques and subject matter.  To me, that makes art even more fasinating and keeps me going back to the easel. 

Thank you for taking time out of your busy day and spending a little time here!  Have a wonderful weekend!



Italian Arch  8x8 Oil

 

One year ago this week, I was in a very informative oil painting class in Atlanta conducted by two very talented artists, Dreama Tolle Perry and Leslie Saeta.  Be sure and check out the websites for both these artists.  Dreama uses bright sunny colors and a "loose" technique and Leslie paints totally with a palette or painting knife.  It was a great experience, learning new techniques and meeting many very talented artist.  I spent a week totally immersed in painting.  The above Italian arch was one of the paintings we completed.  Since I'm a rather detailed painter, it was fun and helpful to loosen up and put down patches of color with very little blending.  I love the clothes hanging over that beautiful arch--so different from scenes here in the U.S.

 

In my next post, I will post one of the palette knife paintings I did from Leslie's class. 

 

Happy Valentine's Day!







Call Me Chicken

8x10 on museum quality panel

 

This proud and colorful rooster was a fun painting, done with a palette or painting knife.  I'm a colorist and love the bright colors.  Guess that is one reason I love roosters, both to collect and paint.  I have one about 3 feet tall sitting on my kitchen counter--big and bright.  This one seems to be "thinking it over".  Thanks for stopping in today.  Have a great weekend!



Hayfield  6x6  Oil

 

This painting is a hayfield in White County, Georgia just north of our house.  Hayfields, dirt roads and mountains are all great subjects to keep me intrigued.  The owners were actually in the process of bailing the hay, when we pulled in and I jumped out and started taking photos.  The farmers probably thought it was nothing spectacular, but to me it was a painting wating on a brush.  Enjoy your day!





Sunset Marsh on Sapelo

5x7  Oil on museum quality panel

 

 

We made a short visit to Sapelo in the fall of  2011 and I took several photos from that trip.  This is one of the paintings I painted from the photos.  I love color and incorporated lots of strong color into this marsh scene.  Marshes are one of my favorite subjects, so you are sure to see more marshes in the future.  Thank you for stopping by.  Have a great week!