Study 1 - Hydrangeas

12 x 8"

Oil on Paper

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This is just a quick study I painted starting with transparent colors and later adding opaque colors which is taught by floral painter extraordinaire, Nancy Medina.  I used leftover paints still on my palette from another painting and actually painted directly on the palette!  

I think the 'unfinished' loose background adds to the painterly quality as well.  Something I discovered is that I really like the smooth surface of the paper vs the coarseness of canvas.  Guess I'll be changing my to smoother surfaces.  This was a lot of fun!  

Winter Whites

8 x 8

Oil on Canvas Panel

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Another installment for the 30 Paintings challenge.  I have quite a bit of catching up to do, but I'm happy that I haven't given up! And I've noticed that even if I'm not too pleased with the outcome of my work, I still get a sense of joy in knowing that I am one more painting closer to being where I want to be.  

Geraniums

6 x 8 

Oil on Canvas Panel

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Red and white geraniums in a clay container - so simple, yet so lovely.  

Stormy Sky

11 x 14

Oil on Canvas Panel

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This painting is only No. 4 in my quest to do Leslie Saeta's 30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge. Of course I should be on Day 8 with everyone else, but hey, compared to my previous two attempts with the challenge, I'm well ahead of myself!  And a double bonus, this painting is also my entry in the Daily Paintworks Challenge.  Every week a new photo is posted in order for you to interpret while honing your painting skills.  This weeks photo came courtesy of Cher Compton. I thoroughly enjoyed painting this one.  Hope you enjoy it as well.  

Please feel free to leave a comment and also to join my mailing list to receive each new painting via email. 

On Angels Wings

8 x 6

Oil on Canvas Panel

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This is my third entry in the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge.  After being away so long from painting, I've been struggling to make something work.  This was not what I started out to paint, but just happened to end up here.  And then it hit me...

On Angels Wings is my way to pay tribute to two of the funniest people we lost way too soon - Robin Williams and Joan Rivers.  Both had their own unique styles which seemed to be at opposite ends of the comedic spectrum but were never lost on me.  Whether silly or acerbic, I believe it came from their hearts to make us laugh.  And who can't use a good laugh these days...?  

White Star Lily

8 x 8

Oil on Canvas Panel

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These lilies are from our garden last year, but the new buds for this year are on their way!  They are large and the creamiest white.  Love this time of the year with all of the colorful blooms.  Hubby is the gardener in the family and each year our gardens look more beautiful than the last.  

Florida Sunset

18 x 14 

Oil on Wrapped Canvas

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View of one of the many bodies of water on the Sabel course at Heritage Palms Golf and Country Club in Ft. Myers, Fl.  It is one of my favorite views on the course.  It was painted completely in studio and from a photo of a very gray day rendering the image almost black and white.  I wanted to warm it up and give some mood to the landscape.  

Red Poppy

6 x 6

Oil on Canvas Panel

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This little lady was painted with probably my most favorite tool, a palette knife.  I love the texture and tonal nuances you can achieve with a knife. That said, red paint does not show up well in online photos, but as you can probably see, there is a lot of texture.  The color is amazingly more chromatic and defined in person. You'll just have to take my word on that!

                  

Marshland

6 x 8

Oil on Canvas Panel

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Using only two colors, Sap Green and Alizaron Crimson, only one brush, a few paper towels, and a little Gamsol, this was my first attempt at a new technique I discovered from Dennis Sheehan. The canvas was not base painted but was left white.  

I had so much fun doing this one because I had no idea where I was going with it nor what the scene would even turn out to be.  In a way it reminds me of old Hudson River paintings. 

I loved the negative painting (wiping off the paint) to achieve the lights.   In person, the red color is not as vibrant, but is a more appealing brownish tone. I really like the overall warm tones achieved with just the two colors. 

Bait and Wait

10 x 8 

Oil

on Canvas Panel

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This was taken from a reference photo of two guys fishing on Pines Lake. It is actually from our backyard and everyday I am reminded how blessed I am to be able to see such natural beauty.  And to also be reminded that beauty is there if we just look around and 'be in the moment'.  

Sunflower and Daisies

8 x 8 

Acrylic 

on Canvas Panel

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Sunflower and Daisies is my second painting today.  This is definitely a first for me, I think.  Maybe it is because the weather is so nice today.  Even though it's supposed to rain the rest of this week, I am READY for warm weather!  

I'm really enjoying working with acrylics again.  I feel the colors are more vivid and defined.  With oils I would be blending too much!  Just have to remember to allow for the fact that acrylics dry darker.  Otherwise, no fumes, no nasty clean up, and dry time is very fast.  I may have to stash away my oils for a while. Hmm...  

Blue Hydrangea

8 x 8

Acrylic on Canvas Panel

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Blue Hydrangea is a quick study of one of my favorite flowers.  I liked using my acrylics on it.  Nice change of pace.  Hope you enjoy!

In The Pink!

14 x 11

Oil 

on Canvas Panel

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This painting is the result of replacing my brush with a palette knife and just letting go and see what happens.  I am very pleased with the result. I have found that when I paint in this semi-expressionist/abstract style, I experience profound joy while painting.  

The colors are vibrant and the paint is applied with rather thick texture which gives the painting the feeling of vibration and life.  I can honestly and *humbly!* say that the image above does not do this original justice.  

Lilacs and Ribbon

14 x 11

Oil

on Canvas Panel

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Cutie Pie

6x8

Oil on Canvas Panel

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This is my first painting of 2014.  I actually did the drawing late last night so that I can say I started it on New Year's Day and just finished it!  It was so much fun to do.  Perhaps I'll concentrate on pet portraits.   Hmmm....

I love dogs so very much.  They just make my heart sing!