Oh My! Is this embarrasing!

AFTER, 2012, 16x12, Cleaning Oysters

BEFORE, 2004

Oysters are something we almost always get when we go visit relatives in California, and at the time, the oysters we bought had to be cleaned. They no longer need to be cleaned but still shucked, of course. This is a painting that I did from a photograph (a 6x4" photograph at that) 8 years ago. The photo was taken in 1997, a bit before digital photography. In the original painting I left out the petunias on the wall, a favorite of my Mother-in-law's, but in the redo, I thought not only would they be a great reminder of her, but it also adds great visual interest. The petunias were in the photo.

I started out safe, and redid the boxwood hedge and then added the petunias. The petunias halted the eye moving off the painting via the wall. Then I redid his shirt and shorts really trying to simplify the shapes and giving a better sense of the light and dark patterns. Next, with great trepidation, I went to the figure. Softening the transitions between the light and darks and softening the definitions of his muscles. I warmed him up quite a bit giving him a nice farmer's tan. It may be a bit too warm, but I like it. I pushed the right leg back into the shadows where it belongs. His hair is platinum blonde and I am not totally convinced that I am done on that point. Last came the bucket and the foam cooler. I think it is much improved.

VW Bug

Orange Bug Blues, 30x30, oil on canvas

I totally reworked this painting recently. It has been "bugging" me since the last time I posted it. I am much happier with it now. It has much better flow. I am including the "original" photo below so I can explain the changes I made and what I was thinking. First I darkened all the trees in the background. That helped ground everything else. To create more contrast, I then lightened the sky just a tad. Next, I darkened the roof of the garage and created more movement in the cast shadows on the roof. Then the wall needed to come down in value as well, and I elaborated on the lighter layer of cast shadows that come from further away which creates more variety and interest. Keeping on the theme of bringing down the value, I went to the poles and the wooden fences. In the fence on the left, I went for less contrast and on the fence on the right, more contrast. I did not do too much to the bug itself except to soften some of the edges and to soften the cast shadow on the roof. The snow came last; People really liked the snow in the foreground so I hesitated to touch it but I did redo it all in the end. I kept some of the purple showing through but went more towards the blue. Blue and Orange being complimentary colors, that was my original attraction to this scene. Your Opinion?

Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums, 6x6 oil on board

Mother's Day found me with little time at my easel, which was perfect for another small painting. I don't grow nasturtiums but I sure found their color stunning on a cloudy wet day in California. These were the only blooms on the plant at the time. I may have to readjust my thinking on this plant and add some to my garden. It needs some refreshing color such as this. I had fun painting these twirling type leaves.

From the Informed Collector

Today I  was highlighted in an email newsletter called "Informed Collector" that is connected to the website where my web site is hosted. Here is the link to read the post online. I am very honored and loved the blurb that was written about my work so much that I plan to use it! How this came about was there was a blog post last week about this feature and the author said to contact her if you were interested in having your web site viewed with the possibility of being featured. I got a non-committal response so imagine my surprise when I was chosen the very next issue!

Surfer Girl

Surfer Girl, 6x6, oil on board

Here is another in my series of 6"x6" paintings. I so enjoyed painting the beach scene at Half Moon Bay, CA on the Pacific side I went through my photos from Florida to do a scene from the Atlantic. That little speck off the end of her surfboard is someone in the water.

Easter Sunday on Half Moon Bay

Easter Sunday Beach Walk, 6x6

I took this photo while we were in Half Moon Bay, CA visiting our niece this past Easter. It was a cool and breezy day, but there was still plenty of activity on the beach. I have switched to this smaller format for the time being as I felt I was getting bogged down in my larger paintings lately. I needed to have some sense of accomplishment and the smaller format, while it has its own challenges, allows more room for that. I got 5 done last weekend, this is one of the better ones. It is simple in its composition and color structure, which is suitable for the smaller format. I do see a few tiny fixes that need to be addressed now that I have looked at it for a week. The footprints in the sand in the middle left hand side distract from the over all viewing experience due to the fact that they are all similar in size and shape. They need some variety and to recede. ie they are too static.

I have discovered an auction site online for artists; similar to eBay but strictly art. I would like to give it a try but want to start with small paintings. With that in mind I had my husband cut a stack of 6x6 boards. This is my second attempt to paint in this format, as I started last fall with the intention of submitting to a show in California that is devoted to 6x6 inch format. I did not submit to that show, so I have those paintings ready too. I am using just birch boards as the surface so again, it forces me to lay thick strokes down. Once I get my account set up and running I will post the link here with a view of the corrected painting. See you then!

Cattle Crossing

Cattle Crossing, 12x24, oil on board

I have spent more time on this painting since I posted it a few months ago as a work in progress. I have broken the larger shapes into smaller shapes and added more variety of color into those smaller shapes. I also had someone who knows horses look at it and she did have some corrections for me to do on the horse in the background, which I am very grateful for.  I have enjoyed the change of scenery of these last two Wyoming paintings.
I wrote this blog post a month ago and forgot to post it!