Friday, June 24, 2011

Upper Level

I should have named this painting: "Upper Level, on a good day". My day usually starts with a grueling 40 mile commute, but there's beauty along the way, as long as I see things with a painter's eye.
I didn't want to be bother with straight lines, and I'm sure that I broke a lot of perspective "laws". But this was meant to be loose and spontaneous and I think I accomplished that. I do like the idea and will probably develop it into a larger painting.

Oil on linen.  5 x 7

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Fog

This was painted about 7:30 this morning,  the forecast said fog, so I had everything prepared.  Just another rendition of a familiar subject.

Oil on canvas.  4 x 6

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Not Waterlilies

Nothing speeds up the painting process like thunder.  I painted this earlier today, but for some reason, could not upload the photo.
This is some kind of algae that comes up about once a year and in a day or two, it just goes away. I did not do a great job with it, it needed more work and I just had to let it go.  I'll try again in the future.


Oil on linen.  5 x 7 

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Stawberries

I wish I could paint the way they smelled!
A quick painting, I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

Oil on linen.  6 x 6

Monday, June 20, 2011

Blue, White and a Touch of Yellow

I wanted to paint something blue and white today, so I thought that a pile of cups would be fun.  Wrong!!! I had a hard time with the drawing, with the colors and even with the flower. I scraped this several times and started over.  It sort of came together towards the end, except for the one on top that refuses to cooperate.  No more teacups for a while.

Oil on canvas.  6 x 6

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Girlfriends


For those of you who like to see my "fancy set ups", this is how I paint on the beach.  I used to bring my outdoor easel, but my daughter was so embarrassed that I had to find a way to be discreet.  People still notice and comment.  I really don't mind, it's always positive.


Anyway, I thought I would clean this up when I got home, but I like it just the way it is, fun and spontaneous!

Oil on linen.  5 x 7

Saturday, June 18th: Beach Sketch

I wanted to capture the rapidly changing Atlantic City skyline.  The empty spot on the lower left is where my thumb was holding the canvas, and the little specks all over is, what else? Sand!

Oil on linen.  6 x 6

Friday, June 17, 2011

Overcast Morning

Overcast days are the best!!  Everything is so calm.  No rush to catch the light and shadows, painting this was a treat.  I'll go back and soften a few things, but basically, it's done.

Oil on linen.  5 x 7

Thursday, June 16, 2011

On the Side

I was just going to paint a tomato tonight, but the lettuce was so fresh and green, I just couldn't resist to pair them up.   The green reflecting on the cloth was very interesting.

Oil on linen.  6 x 6

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Sunset 4

My daily paintings have enriched my life in unexpected ways.  Today, I rushed home to catch the sunset.  In the past, I would barely notice,  never giving it more than a casual glance.
Today's sunset was a little lighter in color than other times.  The water had yellow reflections.  It was very nice, again, hard to see the colors as I put them down on the canvas.

Oil on linen.  5 x 7

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Pear with Glass

I didn't intended to make a square picture, I thought the subject would look better on a 5 x 7. But, since I'm out of that size canvas, square it is.
The  colors are nice, but the pear gave me a hard time to construct. Pears used to be easier, what happened?

Oil on canvas.  6 x 6

Monday, June 13, 2011

My Subaru

I didn't know what to paint, and it was staring at me!  It  almost looks like is moving
This was a fun painting,very quick.   I'm pleased with the result.

Oil on canvas.  6 x 6

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Sunday, June 12th: Overcast.

Sunny days are definitely overrated!  The beach was very peaceful, even though there were quite a lot of people. I chose not to include them in my painting.  Maybe I should have ignored the seaweed as well (the dark stuff in the front).  Oh well, paint and learn!

Oil on canvas.  6 x 6

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Saturday, June 11th: The Hotel

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I guess by now I'm falling into a pattern of not painting on Friday's, I'll try harder!
Just a quick sketch, overcast day, not too many people on the beach, just walkers.
This hotel is a landmark in Brigantine, NJ.  It's art deco construction makes it very elegant,
I'm only showing half of it because I did not want to get too involved.

Oil on board.  6 x 8

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Flower in a Tall Cup

This painting needed more time than what I was willing to give it.  I still learned something about color and form, at least what not to do.  It felt good working with paint after drawing all day.

Oil on linen.  5 x 7

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Sunset 3

Yes, I'm practicing my sunsets to make a bigger painting.
I thought this one looked good and then decided to tone down the sky a bit.  I feel that my first version was stronger.  I guess I got nervous about so much color!

Oil on canvas.  5 x 5

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Tomatoes on the Vine

It's nice to paint a little canvas at the end of a long day.

Oil on canvas.  4 x 4

Monday, June 6, 2011

Red Pear

I bought some red pears only because they looked so nice with their leaves still attached.  I thought what a long way those leaves had traveled, never letting go.
A red pear with green patches proved to be difficult to handle, no matter how poetic it looked.  The yellow plate did not help either! But, it was worth the struggle.

Oil on linen.  6 x 6

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Teapot with Rose

I started painting late today and I just don't see anymore to continue, but I did not want to go 2 days without painting.
Tomorrow, if nobody's looking I might finish this one and reposted.  I think it has possibilities.

Oil on linen.  5 x 7

Friday, June 3, 2011

Domestic Still Life

Traditionally, artist painted the everyday objects they had available.  Vincent Van Gogh painted potatoes and shoes, Cezanne painted apples, well I did laundry today.  Painting beauty is not painting beautiful things, is painting things beautifully.  I think I read that somewhere.
 Hope this one got a smile!

Oil on linen.  6 x 6

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Sunset 2

I admit that I did not have a lot of time and tried to take the easy way out.  Sunsets are always nice to paint.  The problem is I can't see the colors on my palette well, maybe if I use a flashlight?  I'll try it next time, if I remember.

Oil on canvas.  4 x 4

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Will Pose for Food

I worry about this beautiful creature, it's way too trusting of humans.
It was challenging to separate the swan from the water, but I enjoyed painting this one.

Oil on linen.  5 x 7