BEAUTIFUL TANGLE

This painting is inspired by an area that I frequently walk by when I am walking my dog; a small grove of pine trees at the entrance to a park.  It was painted using gold leaf in the background, a process that I have been experimenting with recently.   It is also my entry into a show sponsored by the gallery where I show my work.  Every year, we have a show that features pieces inspired by poems.  Here is the poem that goes with this piece. 

TREES NEED NOT WALK THE EARTH

Trees need not walk the earth

For beauty of for bread.

Beauty will come to them

 Where they stand.

Here among the children of the sap

 Is no pride of ancestry:

A birch may wear no less the morning

 Than an oak.

 Here are no heirlooms 

Save those of loveliness,

In which each tree

 Is kingly in it's heritage of grace.

Here is but  beauty's wisdom

 In which all trees are wise.

Trees need not walk the earth

For beauty of for bread.

Beauty will come to them

 In the rainbow-

The sunlight-

And the lilac-haunted rain.

And bread will come to them

As beauty came;

In the rainbow-

In the sunlight-

In the rain.

David Rosenthal

ENJOY!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

FIRST SNOW, BIG COTTONWOOD CANYON

This is my first painting of 2017.  I am excited about a new year, with new painting opportunities and much more to learn about painting.  I received two special books for Christmas about two of my favorite artists, Richard Schmid and Joaquin Sorolla.  Both of these artist are fabulous painters within the plein air community and it is my hope that I can paint my of my work from life this year.

This painting is inspired by a trip to Utah last fall.  I took some family members there for the first time and we explored the area of Cottonwood Canyon where Brighton Ski resort is located.  How interesting it was to hike in an area where I had only skied before.  To see those wide swathes of ground that become a ski run in winter, was a new experience.  Of course the Aspen trees were at their most beautiful, so I ear marked the reference for future use.

ENJOY!!

NOTICED!!

THE RED DOOR

Some months ago, I came upon this house when I was out walking in a historical neighborhood.

The sun was casting great shadows on this sunny day, and I was drawn to the house with its bright red door. I knew it was possible painting material, so I took a quick photo and walked on.  Here is a small painting of my interpretation of the house and its special door.

ENJOY!!

CHEERY PIE!!

CAN SHE BAKE A CHEERY PIE?

I love to bake pies, but don't often do it anymore because we don't need the extra calories.  But recently I baked a pie to take to a friends house who was making me dinner while my husband was out of town.  I guess home baked pies are rare these days because you'd have thought he won the lottery.  Anyway, here is a small painting of my pie.  Cherry.

ENJOY!!

BIRD POSE

LISTEN TO THE BIRD

I have been playing around with still life set ups and arranged this group of pieces to include a cute little ceramic bird.  One of my passions is to watch and study birds, and I thought it was high time that I include a bird in one of my paintings.  I also love to paint the reflections of glass, so included a small vase too.  In my mind, I can imagine the little bird singing to the vase and bowl of apples.  Wonder what is on his mind?

ENJOY!!

APPLES

THREE ACTORS

I painted this still life using some favorite objects.  The napkin is in my favorite green color,  and the shelf is a random piece of scrap wood I found.  These apples are the good old Red Delicious type.  I love painting them because I get to mix up a really deep red for the darks.  I like the dark, dark shadows and the orangey yellow of the background.  I can imagine these apples as three actors on stage, with the stage lights gleaming on them.

Enjoy!!

STILL LIFE ON MY MIND

READY FOR MY REVEAL

I have been thinking about doing some still life painting.  Now that the weather has turned, its comforting to be inside in my studio and painting from my own set up.  This apple and knife on a plate had me stumped for a title.  Then it came to me; the apple is going to be sliced open, revealing its juicy flesh.  This apple happens to be my new favorite, the Honeycrisp.  Eating one of these is like having dessert.  

ENJOY!!