In the works...

The top painting is the next iteration. I wanted to compare the progress and this seemed like the only way because once it's changed, that's it. Duane Keiser has a series in which he paints a scene then paints it again right on top, in different light, with slightly different objects. He photographs each finished iteration and displays the changes as a slide show.  It's like a modern version of Monet only braver because he destroys the original masterpiece in the process. (Please don't think I'm comparing myself with DK. I know better.) Anyway, today I stopped being precious with the painting and I'm hoping I made some progress. I don't think I like the noise in the background. Think I'll go in and brush it to flatten it out.

These are two paintings I've spent some time on but haven't gotten around to finishing. The trolls have been put aside since summer when I spent a lot time working on them. I got frustrated because I wasn't getting what I wanted fast enough, and that combined with the stupid subject matter made me turn it towards the wall. (The preK teacher across the hall from me threw all these trolls out a couple of years ago and I rescued them to paint. Why? Maybe lost youth. I don't know. ) The shells are a fall painting that was painted with natural light, but we had so many rainy afternoons that I couldn't work on it and put it aside. The rainy season seems to be over, so I hope to finish it soon. Anyway, both of these set ups are taking up space in my 12x13' studio, so I really have to finish them because I need the space.

Hello Kitty

Why? You might ask. Maybe it's because I'm an elementary school art teacher, cat lover and halloween lover. Maybe it's because I bought a rigger brush from Rosemary and co. but whatever the reason, at least I finally finished something and posted it. I'm having a finishing problem. I've heard that starts are great, but I think finishes are better.

New Plein Air Paintings

Anna Maria and Backyard View

I've been wanting to paint outdoors, but it's Fl. in the summer and it's hot! I finally went to the beach and painted the clouds and water. It was exciting to paint in public instead of nerve wracking like it sometimes can be. I used water soluble oils and my homemade cigar pochade box. I realized have to rig up something to clip boards onto so I can paint a little bigger. The backyard view is out my studio window and at the end of a day of working on 2 larger paintings, I felt the need to paint fast and loose. The sun was setting and really lighting up the spanish moss.

Peppers

This was an engaging challenge to paint because of all the highlights, funny shapes and the gold plate.

I'm still listening to Infidel.

Chinese Bowl with Limes

I have a Goodwill store habit and that's where I got this lovely bowl. The limes came off my hybrid tree. I haven't acknowledged the books on tape that I've been listening to lately while painting. I'm now listening to Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, which is intense and very moving. I'm hearing it for the second time. I'm also reading her book Heretic. Also great. I listened to Barbara Kingsolver's new book, Flight Behavior for the first day of this painting, which was kind of upsetting because we've been having crazy weather including tons of rain just like in her book. I won't tell you the bad news about that because I don't want to ruin an interesting read. I'm also reading Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf and I'm loving it. Reminds me of Ann Tyler's writing. 

Zinnias

This painting is brighter in real life, kind of odd because colors usually seem brighter on the blog. I love to grow zinnias because they're ginormous and easy to grow, not to mention they're self seeding. O.k. maybe I help them out a little bit. I so miss the soft flowers of N.Y. and I guess these remind me of my old home.

Two Limes

These limes were growing on my hybrid tree. I enjoyed painting the leaves and it's still a big thrill to pick fruit off my tree.

Egg Cup

sold

The fabric in this painting is embroidered with flowers and I was going to add them and maybe I will, or maybe that's another painting of just the fabric.
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Monochromatic Buddha

I got this statue from morgue file. It literally took forever to paint. I could probably keep going...

Florida Flowers

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Lotus

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White and gold

I bought a bunch of tea cups to paint and this is one of them. I stacked it on a gold plate and added a gold spoon. It's been sitting on a shelf under another larger still life that I'm working on and I took a break from that and painted this.

Rose

I've been painting larger and am having trouble finishing, but I finally finished this and another painting today, which has to be rephotographed. I'm having perfectionistic problems.

Jerry

Meyer Lemons

OMG I'm finally back! I've been experimenting with different ways of painting, such as using liquin to speed drying time instead of clove oil to prolong it, and painting from photos instead of from life. I also started the Bargue drawing course and I have one more profile to go to I finish the second plate. I even started listening to music while painting instead of listening to books on tape. That was fun. I listened to a bunch of Steely Dan, Sting, Amy Winehouse, Adele and Beyonce on Youtube, which coincidently kept my screen bright as I painted. Then I read DG Paints blog on staying consistent...
So, today I set up the still life and painted pretty much the same way I had for years, the exception being the liquin. I listened to A Bowl of Cherries, which is an interesting story read by an amazing reader. More on that later.