NICE NIGHT FOR A STROLL

Evening Stroll, St. Remy de Provence

After we returned from our trip to France, I was able to look at all of the photos we took and have slowly been making my way through them looking for painting possibilities. This was one of them.  A night scene.  Yikes!! I had never done one, but now was the time.   I also decided to try using a new material, Arches oil paper.  I liked the smoothness and the way the first coat just soaks into the paper.  It doesn't allow for much wiping away, so need to plan accordingly.

This painting is done from a photo of one of the nights we went out to a planned group dinner with our biking friends.  It was at the house of a pastry chef.  We were all so stuffed after, that we decided to walk back to the hotel. Hope you enjoy this little view of France.

Feeling the Season

AUTUMN SUNSET

This painting has been on my easel for the last couple of weeks.  It has been a labor of love because I love sunsets and this one has been a pleasure to paint. This painting is taken from a photo from a road trip somewhere here in Ohio, but it could be anywhere.  Sunsets in the autumn are always my favorites.  The color in the fields is for the most part gone from harvests and we are treated to the beauty of the sun as it heads toward the horizon. Hope you enjoy this bit of the mid-west.

Serenity

The Fog Rolls In Quietly

This painting is a reminder to slow down and enjoy life.  In this digital age everything runs in overdrive. I get caught up in it too and must remind myself daily to enjoy the ride.  The fog in this painting was rolling in softly and slowly, moving in and out of my view.  I hope you enjoy finding some serenity in your life today.  

City Life

LATE AFTERNOON, AVIGNON

I can't believe its been a month since we were in France.  We had the good fortune of having great weather so late in the year, and took advantage of it during our bike tour by walking the streets of the cities in the late afternoon after we were done biking for the day. This painting is from one of those walks, a typical street in a French town.  Small cobblestoned streets and doorways that open directly onto them.  No set back requirements in these cities!! I loved this view simply because the sunlight was highlighting the doorways so beautifully. Hope you enjoy this slice of Provence!!

The Visit

MIDWAY ASPENS

A little over a week ago, I visited our daughter Erin, who lives and works in Utah.  It was past the time that the Aspens were at their peak, but I didn't care.  It was still beautiful there and on one of our drives up into the mountains, we spied some Aspens still hanging on to their gorgeous golden leaves.

This painting is from a photo I took in Midway, after going over Guardsman Pass and before heading back to Park City.  The light was just right and the leaves just glowed. Hope you enjoy this slice of mountain beauty.

IN MEMORY

JACK ANGUS

This drawing is a commission piece done for a client in memory of a friend's dog.  I did it in colored pencil on brown toned paper.  I struggled to figure out what he was holding in his mouth and finally guessed it was an ice cream cone.  I had to simplify the drawing a bit since it was cluttered what lots of different surfaces and colors. Rest In Peace Jack!!

MELDING FLAVORS

SWEET AND TANGY

I love the taste of pears and cheese together.  My favorite combination happens to be Bartlett pears and Gouda cheese.  My mouth waters just thinking of them. Here is a little painting in honor of their combined flavors.  ENJOY!!

From The Mighty Oak.....

BABY OAKS

These acorns have been collecting themselves on my desk for a few weeks now.  Every time I see one that is not smushed, I pick it up, thinking I'll use them in a painting. So that day was today.  I like how they appear so architectural when viewed up close.  Hope you enjoy this little seasonal painting.  Happy Autumn!!

Making Colors Pop

PEPPERLICIOUS

There is nothing like working with complementary colors to make a painting sing. I decided to experiment with doing a painting with the subject being painted on a ground that is the complement of the subject, in this case, the peppers.  I like how little bits of the red show through, making the pepper even more interesting. ENJOY!!

Getting Back To It

AUTUMN COLLECTION #2

Here is another little still life of more favorite autumn things.  I don't carve pumpkins anymore, but still enjoy having them around to bring color to both the indoor and outdoor setting.  I love how this little pumpkin still had part of the stem and vine attached to it.  When painting this still life, I noticed just how much of the orange from the pumpkin was reflected onto the white background. This still life is title "Autumn Collection #2.  Enjoy

All Travel, No Painting

AUTUMN COLLECTION #1

Autumn is my absolute favorite time of the year.  The days are usually sunny and dry and the leaves turn the most beautiful colors.  This October, I was fortunate enough to travel over half of the month. Unfortunately, most of that traveling did not involve any painting.  I did get lots of photo references for future paintings, but to someone who likes to paint everyday, it was almost painful not to get that paintbrush in my hand.

This painting is from what I tend to gather at this time of year.  I love collecting leaves and anything with an autumn feel.  Acorns are another favorite and I always marvel at how many of them fall every year only to be destroyed or eaten by wildlife.

This painting is titled "Autumn Collection #1".  Hope you enjoy.