Stawberries

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

Oil on linen.  6 x 6

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reflections2

I paint these reflections so often, I quit trying to come up with clever names.  It's numbers from now on.
Another month has gone by, I feel like there were times when I had no time and just put together something really quick and they are probably not the best I could have done. On the other hand, I'm very proud of some of them.  But each one has tought me something.   Next month, I will try to budget my time a little better.

Oil on linen.  6 x 6

Sunday, May 29th: Sketches 1

OK, so this is not technically a "painting" is an oil sketch.  Still I enjoyed painting it very much and as always, another learning experience.

Oil on canvas board.  6 x 8

Saturday May 28th: Newly Planted

I went away for the holiday and could not post. So I'm posting the date of the painting along with the name.  And yes, I missed Friday.  That was traveling day and I was too tired.
Anyway, when I unpacked my painting bag, I noticed that I had forgotten my blues!!  all I had was Paynes Grey.  As a result, this painting is way too warm and kind of dark.  The photograph is not helping either.  Still I like the composition, there's a few things that I would change, like adding some cool notes, but I didn't bring it home because it was wet, so,  I'll  probably fix it and repost it  at a later time.

Oil on linen.  5 x 7

Monday, May 30th: Sketches2

I was using some old blue that I scraped from my palette the day before, I'm still not comfortable not having my colors to work with.

Oil on canvas board.  6 x 8

Pear and Lanterns

I was practicing skin tones on a brown pear and then I decided to add some chinese lanterns to make it interesting. Then, I thought it would be fun  leaving the colored canvas show through. This painting gave me some ideas that I would investigate at a later time.  I do love these colors!

Oil on linen.  9 x 12

Self Portrait #2

Self portraits are a problem for me; I have a hard time keeping my head fixed in one spot.  Well, that's just one of the issues, there are a few more.  Like everything else, practice, practice, practice, that's all it takes!  I'l do many more of these.

Oil on canvas.  8 x 8

Lake Around 8:30pm

I painted this practically in the dark.  I was in such a rush to capture the moment that I didn't have time to put fresh paint out. For the land and its reflection, I used whatever looked dark enough and hoped for the best.   It was easier to tell the lighter colors apart.  I love the feel of this painting.  The values will need a lot more study and adjusting, but this one will remain as is.

Oil on linen.  5 x 7

Rosebud

I thought this was going to be quick and easy, I was wrong.  This one is my third try, too tired to try again.

Oil on canvas.  4 x 5

Rain, Rain, Go Away!!!

Rain seems to be the recurring theme this month, it seems it'll never go away!!
Anyway, this painting is a little too warm, maybe to counteract the raw chill; I'm not sure that I would change it, I think it works.  I apologize for the glare on the top of the picture.

Oil on linen.  6 x 6

Clematis

I started a painting of Clematis this morning, but scrapped it and started over because I wasn't happy with the composition.  I couldn't finish it because "stuff" had to get done. I finished it tonight, but I'm not too happy with the end result, but a promise is a promise.  I'll fix it tomorrow or do a new one.

Oil on linen.  5 x 7

Purple Irises

It's hard not to paint these beauties.  They've been inspiring artist for ages. This is my humble interpretation

Oil on canvas.  9 x 12

The Calm Before the Storm

It was just about to start raining when I started painting this.  The colors were very intense and it was very calm, with just some minor movement close to the opposite shore.  I hope I was able to capture the mood.
By the way, this one is #56. Wow! Time flies!

Oil on linen.  6 x 6

Before the Rain

I like this picture as is, the painting surrounded by the environment where it was created.
It was going to rain any minute, so I set up under the big trees for shelter.  It started pouring right after I was finished.
I'm pretty happy with the results, this is a little bigger than my usual dailies because I had more time.  Painting everyday has definitely increased my speed.

Oil on linen.  9 x 12

At the Marina 2

I'm using my "daily" as a means to work out some composition ideas? issues?, that I'm having.
Work, work, work, I love it.


Oil on linen.  5 x 7

At the Marina

I spent the day working on a large painting, so for my "daily" I chose an unfinished section and made a small painting.  So now, when I get to this part, I have worked out some of the problems.  That works!

Oil on canvas.  4 x 5

Fishing

This was done very quickly, I was trying not to get noticed.  I know, a first one for me!
Not bad, it was fun, not too serious.


Oil on linen.  5 x 7

Green Ball

I bought some ceramic balls sometime ago, never knew why or what to do with them, until today.
I might not have done a perfect job, and I probably broke some chiaroscuro laws, but it really made me look at the form and the colors and that's a good thing.


Oil on canvas.  6 x 6

Wisteria

I struggled with this one, It's not easy for me to paint abstract shapes and values.  I admire a painting that looks abstract up close and from a distance you see whatever it is.
Karen, thank you for your help and patience, and thank you Tatyana for your "on the mark" suggestions.

Oil on linen.  5 x 7

Maraschino

Just when I thought this was going to be a so-so painting, the light changed and gave me a second shadow. Love it;  thank you, it needed that!

Oil on canvas.  4 x 5

Cookies and Tulips

I got these beautiful tulips and homemade cookies for my birthday.  I ate the cookies while painting the tulips.
 I'm very please with this painting, I managed the colors as I intended and learned a few things along the way. It was a good morning.

Oil on canvas.  6 x 6

Pampas Grass

I'm not sure what the name of this plant is.  It doesn't change its colors in the Summer, it just gets bushier.    It looks nice all year long.


Oil on canvas.  4 x 5

Chair at 3pm

I think this is a good painting exercise for me.  It helps me see colors and shapes, and I find the finish product amusing.  Like everything else, practice, practice, practice.

Oil on linen.  5 x 7  

For Mommy

How sweet is this??
It might not be one of my finest painting jobs, the pressure was on to "open the box already", but this one is a keeper.

Oil on canvas.  6 x 6

Tree in my Front Yard

Painting every day is not a problem, posting every day might be, my camera, phone and computer  need a little updating; so does my hair do, but that's a different matter. If I miss a day, rest assure, I'm painting wherever I might be. It's not like the world hangs on my every post anyway.
On to the painting, I have painted this tree many times through the years and I still don't feel like "I've got it".  I'll keep trying, it'll be an excuse to look at it, it's a very handsome, strong tree that has endured many windy days on Brigantine Avenue.

Oil on canvas.  8 x 8

See the Forest.

This painting was a "joint effort".  I decided to treat myself to a few landscape classes with Karen O'Neil.  Today's demo involved seeing and painting those big shapes of green that make up a forest.  Mine was a neat arrangement of colors, so she took matters into her own hands, brush, and this is the end result.  I had such a nice time!

Oil on linen.  5 x 7

Azteca

If I have time later, I'll put the finishing touches.  Feliz 5 de Mayo.

Oil on canvas.  6 x 6

Rainy Morning

Everything looked very beautiful and alive this morning, even though it was raining.  I tried to portray this effect, I'm not sure if I've succeeded, time will tell.  It is a nice painting and that's enough for now,  anyway.

Oil on linen.  5 x 7

Mi Mate

Mate is an Argentinean tradition, is a hot herbal tea, drank from this container made from gourds or wood. It could also be made of metal, mine is wooden with a metal trim at the bottom.  I didn't know what to paint and my mate is always around.  Just a very loose, sketchy painting with a limited palette.

Oil on linen.  6 x 8

Azalea

I had lots of difficulties with this painting; it was hard trying to edit the information before me to fit into a small canvas.  I gave it my best shot, another learning experience.

Oil on linen.  6 x 6

Chair on the Lawn

Working outdoors trying to portray the effects of light.  Lots of fun to do, details are not very important, shadows move very fast, can't get too involve with little things.
I love this time of year!! May is my favorite month.

Oil on linen.  5 x 7