Three Suns

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We've had some very unusually dreary weather here in Utah so my outdoor plein air painting days are "on hold" until the weather clears. I decided to bring some color into my life by painting a floral still life, and what better way to grab some color than with sunflowers. They are the best indicator of summer weather so I found some at my local grocery and set up this still life. I already feel better.
This is the third try for these sunflowers and I think I finally got a painting that I like.  Even though the vase is dead smack in the middle, I think the composition works.  The color yellow is a bear to work with because of its relatively light value. Getting those dark yellows to read dark took some trial and error.  Also, not painting every petal was a challenge, since I tend to be detail oriented.

ENJOY

QUAKIES

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This is the time of year that those of us who love color wait for.  I was inspired to paint this by one of the hikes I took into the national forests in and around our area of Utah.  The Aspens were at their peak a few weeks ago and I have taken many photos of them.  The locals call them Quakies because their leaves shimmer in the sun and reflect their golden color.  

This was painted on a black canvas and I like how some of the black in the background shows through, giving the painting a graphic feel.  When I was working in colored pencil many years ago,  I often used a toned paper, sometimes much darker, as my support for the pencil, and I loved the look it achieved.

ENJOY!!

Spring at the Conservatory

CONSERVATORY PATH

This painting is a plein air study done at the Franklin Park Conservatory during a plein air painting session. Unfortunately,  about half way though the painting process, we were struck by a pop up thunderstorm and had to run for cover.  I did take a photo of my subject before the rain started so was able to finish this at home.  Hope you enjoy!!

SUMMER BALES

POST OFFICE HAYFIELD

 This painting was inspired by a trip to our local post office.  Yes, we do live in the city, but there are still areas that have not succumbed to urban sprawl.  As I was getting out of my car, I noticed the hayfield adjacent to the post office had been cut and fresh round bales of hay were sitting there in the sunshine. I took a quick shot and the painting above is my take on the day.

ENJOY!!

Start to Finish

 Walkies View I -Study

Walkies View I

Here is an example of how I work to develop a painting.  Many times, I will only do a value sketch and composition drawing before diving right in to a finished piece.  Sometimes, I like to do a study to work out the composition and colors ahead of time. Here is the result of doing a color study.

I like how the shadows from the trees fan out to create interesting patterns in the fallen leaves.   Notice how the shadow edges become softer and more diffuse as they lengthen.  

Enjoy

Neighborhood Favorite

CLEVELAND' S LITTLE ITALY

I love exploring old neighborhoods and when I got the chance to tag along on a business trip with my husband in Cleveland, we spent some time in Little Italy.  This section of town was full of great little restaurants, antique stores and beautiful old buildings.  What a beautiful, vibrant area to call home!!
I am always practicing new ways of painting, and for this piece tried to loosen up my brush strokes a bit as well as not worrying about perfect architecture.  I especially like how the sunlight placed a diagonal highlight across the building in the middle and think it adds a great focal point to the painting.

ENJOY!!

MY ANCESTORS

German Village House

This painting is inspired by a trip to one of the historic areas of Columbus known as German Village.

It is in this area that many Germans settlers came to the new world and found work in Columbus and Franklin county.  This area harkens back to the days of narrow brick lined streets, small brick row houses, and tidy gardens. Though this house was not brick, it caught my eye because of the lovely garden in front. I can only imagine how lovely the garden in back must be.  And since most of my ancestors originated in Germany, I feel a certain closeness to these homes.

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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!!

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!!

PAINTING MEMORIES

Village in Provence

Last October, my husband and I were lucky enough to enjoy a much needed vacation and chose to go on a bike tour to France.  We bicycled in Provence and our travels took us through numerous small villages.  The painting above is one of those villages. I was charmed by the beautiful colors of the buildings and the blooming plants in the doorways and hanging from the windows.

ENJOY