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. 

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'.  

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!



Tuscan Grapes

12x12 
Acrylic on

Gallery Wrap Canvas

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I thought I'd give this one another try.  I had painted grapes earlier this year, but was not pleased with how it turned out.  I decided to play around with it and I'm very pleased with how it turned out. 



Cozy Reflections

10 x 8

Oil on Canvas Panel

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This scene is from a sitting room in the home of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt located in New York state.  As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to paint it.  The warmth and coziness instantly captured me.  I did, however, embellish with a few details such as the doily and book.  I have several other reference photos from our trip to the FDR estate which I think will make interesting subjects as well.

 

 

 



Study in Silver

8 x 10

Oil on Canvas Panel

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I always enjoy when artists paint reflective metals.  It has a life-like quality to me.  This is my first attempt at painting silver in a Kenn Backhaus workshop.  It definitely makes you really look at your subject matter for all of the subtleties in the reflections.  Hope you enjoy!

Poppies

8 x 6

Oil

Canvas Panel

 

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Poppies are one of my favorite flowers.  Their petals are so delicate and translucent as the light shines through them.  I painted this picture for Leslie Saeta's 30 Paintings in 30 Days for September.  This was supposed to be yesterday's painting, but hey, better late than never!

 





The Lookout

8x10

Oil on Canvas Panel

 

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The was taken from a scene while on vacation in Switzerland a few years ago.  I call it The Lookout because as a last minute thought, I added in a Silky Terrier and an orange cat keeping careful watch of the activities below.

 



The Music Man

11x14 Oil

on Canvas Panel

 

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This is a painting I did for my brother, John's, 70th birthday.  He is an unbelievably talented musician and all around great guy. 

 

I used a looser, more painterly style on it.  It was taken from a small black and white photo. 

 





Apples to Oranges

 

8x10
Oil on Board

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This is a quick study of fruit using the last of the paint on my palette for the night.  I especially like the shadow on the orange against the apple.  I'm happy with it!

 



 

Puppy Love

 

5 x 7

Oil on Canvas Panel

 

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I love dogs so very much!  They give unconditional love and ask nothing in return.  They know your every emotion, whether you are happy or sad or just need to give a belly rub!