Oleanders From Betty
8x6in oil on linen $125. SOLD
My friend and fellow artist, Betty Hummer, has these wonderful Oleanders
growing in her back yard and when I went by this morning
she told me to pick some. The purple is a weed which drives her
batty because she cannot get rid of it, but I love the color so included some.
Betty is in her 80's, widowed, battling cancer of spine and lung and by the time
I got there before coming into work, had already washed her floors
the old fashioned way on hands and knees,
and had a bucket full of weeds she had pulled by the door.
She puts most of us to shame with her strong work ethic.
She is an inspiration and I admire her so much.
She is the friend who persuaded me to start teaching.
Artist Note.
The fabulous artist Qiang Huang has endorsed the use of something
similar to what I call my handy tool. I am thrilled.
He is trying the one you can buy. (shaper)
Read what he says about using it
It may make more sense than how I say it.
It is a lovely floral painting, but I had no idea what kind of flowers it was, had to look it up. Having objects/flowers with different colors is a challenge, especially if some are white or yellow. It is so easy that they will steal the limelight. I think you balanced it wonderful with the red flowers creating a group, surrounded by white ones, almost work like my white lines.
ReplyDeleteHmmm... stop rambling....
Happy painting (and hug)
Interesting and a good point, Roger. I guess the principle IS the same. Glad you looked up the flower. They will not grow as well in the northern part of the state. Here they grow like weeds, but my friend in Albuquerque has not had good luck with them.
DeleteYour waterlily painting is a stunner. I can't wait to see more.
Beautiful..............how the colors travel around the painting. And don't we all need roll models.
ReplyDeleteWe do indeed. Thanks Helen.
DeleteAh Julie my friend, I'm glad to be back on a normal schedule and hope the same for you. I've received a check from my gallery, Tsuga Fine Art and Frame and an inspiration to keep painting, smiles. Your comment about Qiang Huang's handy tool has brought to mind another one. Got this from David Shevlino who's work I truly admire. Your local auto shop carries a "auto body filler" that comes in three different sizes and can be cut to whatever shape you want. It's a soft but tough plastic that is wonderful. Best part, very inexpensive. Give it a try.
ReplyDeleteYes - my schedule is getting on track. I am almost through finishing up the commissions from my show.
DeleteI went on Shevlino and recognized his diver. He is amazing because he can do many different techniques. He doesn't have just one. I watched a pretty realistic demo of a still life and then I saw some of his images which reminded me of Carolyn Anderson where nearly every edge has been broken and I think she is brilliant. Loved his orchid like Qiangs. What a range. Would be great to take a workshop. Will look into the auto body filler you mentioned.
I hope to have half that much energy! Beautiful oleanders. You have me thinking about that tool:)
ReplyDeleteThanks Libby. I like your new piece.
DeleteSo much depth in this exuberant piece! Your work is so inspirational, Julie. And thank you for sharing the story of your friend - I wish her the best in her struggles with her health.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your kindness. Thank you. Betty does not use a computer so I will pass on your sentiment.
DeleteLove your life drawings - amazingly good.
Such a pretty painting and a pretty story about your hardworking friend. Makes me smile and makes me want to go wash my floors too.
ReplyDeleteI love Mr. Huang's work. It's so great that he's tried out your tool! On my way over to see what he did.
I enjoyed seeing your son's work. He obviously is talented in more that music. None of my kids have ever shown any desire to paint or draw but each art talented in different ways.
ReplyDeleteI hope I do not come across as saying Qiang tried MY tool. It is the one you can buy heendorsed, but the principle is the same. (mine is much cheaper because you can replace just the rubber)
These are so beautiful, Julie! My heart goes out to your friend Betty. May she stay strong and overcome cancer. What a demon that is.
ReplyDeletethank you, dear Sherry. it is a demon and I have quite a few friends fighting it.
DeleteHi Julie,
ReplyDeleteWe have warning signs in Florida about not picking oleander! Highly toxic to humans and pets. Please Google for details.
Lovely painting and I hope you haven't broken out in a rash from handling them.
Also thanks for the link to Qiang Wiang... I'm signed up for his workshop in 2014!
YOu are thoughtful to send the the warning, Diane. Thank you.I remember seeing the movie White Oleander.
DeleteSo many houses in Las Cruces have it growing and we are all told about the danger of our pets ingesting the leaves. Not heard about humans getting sick from it... I did read that a certain white kind was more poisonous than others. Good to be informed and will pass it on.
Delighted you are taking from Qiang; he gives a fabulous workshop A couple of years ago I organized one for him here in Las Cruces and helped do one in Albuq. Carol Marine helped him get into the blogging world.
Your art is already so professional you will grasp what he teaches and also love him.
Deep and rich color, you really made the fabulous Oleander come alive ! She sounds like a wonderful and tough lady, all the best to her.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jane - I will pass your warm wishes on to her.
DeleteYour "three faces" are perfectly marvelous.
Good Morn, Julie,
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely story. Mary is an amazing lady! Love what you did with the oleanders. Red is one of my fav colors.
Bought a tool at Home Depot to try. It is a corner tool for grouting. Little plastic thing for next to nothing with a rubber flange. Gonna give it a try. Also wondering about a straight up kitchen rubber spatula. Have you tried one of those? I had a hard time finding the thing you used.
Anything flexible will work. It is based on the squeegee principle of lifting off cleanly. The kitchen spatula could work I guess. I like mine best because I can easily refill as they get less flexible with time. The ones you can buy are okay too and are called shapers. There are some new ones out which I have tried but not the same. If you have never tried the type I use then it should okay whatever you use... a case of what you get used to.
Deletesounds good. a friend sent me a photo of a white wild rose. thinking it might be a good subject to try this with.
DeleteHi Julie,
ReplyDeleteI use a similar rubber shaper tool for applying masking fluid for watercolor. It works like a dream for me and you don't have to worry about ruining or cleaning brushes. I love the spontaneity of using this tool to apply mask as I'm working on a painting, because I have to do is wipe it off and it's ready to use again.
Yes, Kim, I agree - I use a round shaper for watercolor masking. Perfect. I also use my regular handy tool for moving the paint around.
DeleteThe oleanders are so full of beautiful colors..weed included!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful to zoom on the painting to appreciate the amazing
texture...
Glad you took the time to zoom on in.
DeleteYOur painting of the lighthouse is wonderful.
Julie - what a beautiful painting...I too love that touch of purple. As for your dear friend Betty - what a wonderful soul. When we meet someone like her - she makes us realize our blessings and is an inspiration too. Thanks not only for sharing your Oleanders (I have never seen these before) as well as your wonderful friend.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the sweet note about Betty. Glad you like the painting. I enjoyed your post about the hummingbirds.
DeleteJulie - I know I say this frequently about your work but this is one of my favorites - Lovely colors and textures and I agree with Debbie what a gift of a friend you have in Betty. I want to be her when I grow up.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the really nice comment, Marcia. I do treasure Betty and my hubby adores her too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous little robin you painted. I loved him.
Julie I took his Qiang workshop in Carmel and I had just given two of my friends in the workshop one of your tools. We brought you up in conversation with Qiang, I explained him how it had given me permission to brake the form and how it had helped me!!
ReplyDelete