Bouquet of Yellow

Bouquet of Yellow

6x8in oil on canvas panel $140.

Purchase HERE

Artist Note.

It was fun to get back to the 

fracturing technique in oils.

I find that although I use the 

same technique in other mediums,

only the acrylic comes 

close to the same effect as oils.

Another from my avian show.

Waiting  13 x10"

acrylic SOLD

Quite a fun one to paint

pushing into the abstract.

I used the fracturing 

technique a lot

It doesn't really show,  

but first I wrote 

all over the white surface 

with my thoughts 

about the avian world 

and then painted over them.

Small areas of it

appear here and there.

Pink X Five

Pink X Five

6x6in. Oil on canvas. $110.

Purchase SOLD

Artist Note

Pink... I have several pink 

paintings going. 

Must be the time of year

because

my friends

have given me

pink tulips,

pink freesias,

and are you ready for this...

a pink striped teapot. 

Stay tuned.

Rushing Water - Yupo.

Rushing Water

7x10in Watercolor on Yupo

Artist Note.

Still involved with the 

water series. 21 so far.

I am on a short

 trip and did this on the 

way to our destination.

I love to paint in the car. 

I feel free to paint

 and not worry

if a bump creates an 

unexpected blob...or two!!

Just pure fun with paint

which makes the trip fly by.

Be happy with 

your paint today!

Reflections On The Pond

Reflections.

6x8in oil on canvas panel  $135. SOLD

Artist Note 

This one is as much about 

the reflections as the 

lily pads and Koi. 

 I had started a series 

about reflections earlier this year

(March) but was thwarted in my

efforts by a health issue.

Here I feel the same pull to capture

the reflections as I did earlier.

The addition of the lily pads and 

colorful Koi makes it more enticing

Keeping it abstract.

All palette knife except for the fish.

Snow, Water and Crows #3

Snow, Water and Crows #3

6x8 oil on canvas panel  SOLD

The colors are not accurate and I do

not have any editing tool to correct it

at the present time.

The three panels so far have an uncanny 

way of looking as if they could be

part of a whole. It is because I am using the same 

limited color palette.

I am finding that I have an interest in learning

to paint the crows...

so I have started to do some little studies.

I am enjoying painting all of this snow and 

water...we have no snow left so am 

depending on memory and photos.

Feeling free as a bird (no pun intended)

after the pressure of the Challenge.

I also worked quite a few more hours today

on the 

large Farmers Market painting.

I am learning a lot from working on such

a huge size. Like my shoulders ache!

Watercolor Changes - day 29 in the Challenge

Sunflowers and Pomegranates

13x10" watercolor on Yupo paper

unfinished

Day 29

Artist Note.

On yesterday's post I mentioned how I had just

been given some fresh pomegranates and

would like to TRY adding one to this painting.

It is on Yupo and it's plastic surface makes it easy

to lift off a previously painted area  See below

I formed the shape I wanted with a 

damp paper towel. I also removed the sunflower

 resting at the bottom of the jar.

Next I placed the actual pom in the position

I thought would be best

Naturally... and I know you will ALL understand this...

other changes then started to happen. 

It seems pretty impossible to make a change 

without the eye noticing all the other areas

 effected by the new shape and color.

Also it is a sunny day and my set up

appeared much brighter.

One back pear disappeared.

The jar became slightly wider

A cooler blue was added - so much for 

limited palette! Other colors and shapes

changed too.

(I do enjoy a warm and cool of each primary.)

I sharpened up some edges 

and softened others.

Below is the one before the changes

I have to live with this new version for a while

to see how I feel about it.

I do know I am glad that I tried the pom addition.

Bit more energy.

Apple Tree Blossoms and W/S Info

Apple Tree Blossoms

8x6 oil on canvas panel $125.

click HERE to purchase SOLD

A favorite place in Santa Fe, NM.

Artist Note.

I have two, 3-day workshops on how to use the 

Fracturing Technique with your own personal vision.

 June 3-5th

June 11 -13th

Both here in Las Cruces, NM

Please email me if you are interested. 

juliefordoliver@gmail.com

Freesias and a Neat Product

Freesias

5x7in  oil on canvas panel  $100

Beautiful freesias bouquet from Trader Joe's in Albuquerque.
I love having friends who travel up there and bring me
back  flowers to paint..

Artist Note.
This demo shows a bit more detail than the last floral I posted.
But still trying to only suggest the outer flowers by
shape and color.

I want to share a wonderful product from
Fine Art Name Plates
When I had my bird nest show last year I had a very large
painting of a Sandhill Cranes's nest and ordered a name
plate for it. See below.
This is what the owner came up with for me. He placed a
beautiful Sandhill Crane on the plate.The people who bought it
were just as thrilled with the name plate as they were with the
painting. They said it added a lot of class.
I truly believe it helped sell the expensive painting...and for
a very small amount of money.

The company has different sizes, prices and different shapes
Yes- that is a Twachtman  plate at the bottom.
They also have an excellent clientele which they would not
have if they did bad work.  I thought I would pass it
on as everything I have had a plate made for, has sold.
Maybe the plate had something to do with it?
The gallery I am in loves them.
And just in case you are wondering
...no-one in my family owns the business!!!!

New Mexico Storm

New Mexico Storm

watercolor

Day 8

Our afternoon stormy weather will soon be gone and the clear
blue skies of fall will be with us.

A fresh week starts with the
Leslie Saeta 30 in 30 Challenge
I have enjoyed seeing some amazing artist's work and I would
not have known about them if it wasn't for this challenge.
Our thanks to Leslie...again. Hope you take the time to check
it out .

Artists Studios Online Tour - A Blog Carnival

This is a fun blog happening. Marla Laubish came up with the great idea of having several bloggers do a little bit about their personal studios.
Have you ever been curious about where an artists creates? Yes? Me too. I am really going to enjoy the privilege of being invited into other artists studios.
Some of the artists will also be offering giveaways. Neat deal.
I hope you take the time to visit them. if you are busy then one or two a day can make for a wonderful week of studio visits.

Marla Laubisch	Carol Schiff	Kaethe Bealer	Jo MacKenzie
Michael Chamberlain	Charleen Martin	Sally Binard	Jacklyn Karabaich
Sharon Graves	Sea Dean	Johnna Schelling	Taryn Day
Julie Ford Oliver	Sarah Sedwick	Kim Rempel	Cindy Michaud
Joanne Grant	Carmen Beecher	Cindy Williams	Cathy Engberg

MY STUDIO.

It is too messy to show you. Yes, I admit to feeling too embarrassed to let see what it really looks like. Every so often I go on a cleaning binge, swearing to keep it that way... and then I get so caught up in painting, in no time at all it is back to what it was. Sigh. I see gorgeous immaculate studios and go green with envy.
By the way, I keep my house neat. Go figure.

I am blessed to have an enormous studio next to the house. The previous owner had a bar, Pool table , weight room, ham radio room and storage room. It is 1700 sq ft.  This is a painting I did of my water bottle on a TV tray including the surrounding studio space. 

The large room is split into two areas. Behind the screen is my large desk, water cooler and shelves. To the right is the entrance to another large room. Go past that and there is a framing room. In the front of the still life I have my very large easel with a crank, computer, printer AND... drum roll...exercise bike!  It is a valuable addition to the studio. When stuck on a painting I get on and pedal furiously while thinking about the problem. I do not always get a solution but do feel better for the exercise.
Behind the easel is a large mirror which is absolutely invaluable. I spot my errors - especially in values much easier with it. It is a mirrored closet door so has handy little wheels to easily move it. I have a high window so the natural light is cast downwards. Over my easel are two Verilux 48" florescent bulbs -  perfect lighting when dark.. The wall along to the right and out of view, has thin shelves to prop my paintings on to dry.  Next to the mirror are my brushes. Blushing at so many. (I have been known to part with a few to university students who cannot afford good ones, but not easily so cannot take credit)
This is a very short video I made of my collection of brushes.

Here are even more brushes. These are my watermedia brushes. I have a different area in my studio for my watercolor and acrylic

Below are shots of my different areas. Frames -  objects - canvases -flowers - books - more props.

I have so much stuff and I have another studio too with more still life objects for the classes

Over the years I have used the kitchen table, a bedroom, garage and have even rented an apartment for a studio. This one is the largest of them all and the one I feel most comfortable in. It has not necessarily produced the best paintings so size has nothing to do with that!

For my give-a -way I offer this watercolor

Farmer's Market Radishes

5x7in watercolor on acid free paper

OR

4 chances at getting a Fracturing Handy Tool

Please let me know which you would prefer and the reason why.  I will have my hubby, Jim, select the ones he likes best. He is more impartial than me.

I thank you for taking the time to visit my studio.

Avian Architecture - The Start, plus framing Info.

Mocking Bird Nest

24x18in  oil on canvas  SOLD

This nest was the one which started the series.
I adore this nest and it is still one of my favorites.
When I started I knew I wanted a contemporary presentation.
I had no idea it would turn into three years of exploring
different viewpoints and media.
I did the three paintings below using the same type
of background. I love the way the dark markings turned
out, and feel they added a richness without being fussy.

Artist Note.
I first made a textured layer of heavy gesso on the canvas
using a large palette knife. A transparent wash of color
went over it before adding the dark transparent marks.

I had several of my work sheets
hanging near the paintings.
Artists usually enjoy
reading these.






Next part is about framing the small paintings.

MY Quandary...
How to frame the small paintings for the show.
I spent a lot of time thinking how to make my regular
small paintings look significantly worth more than what
I sell them for on my blog. The gallery has to
make their commission which I heartily endorse so
I came up with a wonderful frame on which
I which received fabulous feedback.

Blurry I know, but you should be able to get the idea.
I usually paint on canvas panels so first of all I painted
the edges and then they were
glued to a suede backing with a beautiful and
perfect Italian molding. Simple and expensive looking.
and just right for the birds nests.
They were not cheap for sure, but value was easily perceived
because of the increased size and good quality.
I had ten in the show and four more were ordered.

I got the idea for gluing them on TOP of the suede
from doing it in my own little gallery.
I love to paint the small daily paintings to the edge
and hate how much is cut off with a frame
so this is what I often do.

Take a 6x6in
plein air frame

$11. on sale at Jerry's
YES
ONLY
$11.!!!!

Use a glue-gun to
attach the painting
panel
on FRONT of frame
With the edges painted
it looks really great.
Even better is an
8x8in canvas panel.
on top.
Trust me on this.

A friend brought in the nest I have shown above, last week.
It is an abandoned Finch nest made with various dryer lint.
It is a lovely little thing. You would think I would be fed up
of nests by now but I really enjoyed painting it. It is a keeper!

My main camera broke before the show so many of the images
are not really good, but you can see more of the show's paintings
HERE if you are interested.
Please excuse the website -  is not finished yet.
Not enough time...sigh.

Will have to show you the large disaster painting next. Oh Boy!

Kitchen Sink, New Mexico

Kitchen Sink, NM

8x6in oil on canvas panel  $125 SOLD

It was Lisa Graham who sent this comment on
my last post of a Chili Ristra hanging by a door.
"Whenever I see a Ristra I always think of an old
Mexican kitchen with a large window over
the sink and shutters. 
Then I want to make enchiladas."
I could see the image she created so clearly in my
mind and this is what I came up with.

Artist Note.

As this developed entirely from my imagination,
it kept on growing when I added items as I
recalled them. Most likely from the many,
many kitchens I have been in in Mexico and
El Paso.
Hand painted tile, no granite. No dishwasher.
Garlic and Chili Ristra's hanging by the window.
Tomatoes ripening on the windowsill.
Casual flowers or pretty weeds in a jar.
If she painted it...
Lisa's version most likely would have a plump,
motherly type rolling out the flour tortillas.
All painted in her wonderful unique style.
See her work HERE
Thanks for the inspiration, Lisa. I enjoyed
painting this.

Santa Fe Door

Santa Fe Door

8x6in oil on canvas panel  $125. SOLD

Here is another New Mexico blue door.
This one is in Santa Fe. The adobe is very
old and has been patched here and there...
but not by an expert!
The door is slightly more turquoise than
the photos shows. For those of you who
are unfamiliar with this area - it is a strand
of red chili peppers hanging on the wall.
Called Ritras they are very popular and
come in a wreath style too.
Check here RISTRAS

Artist Note.

I was overwhelmed at the response to my
600th post. As well as the wonderful
comments, I received personal emails galore.
It made me so happy and appreciated that
I realized it how nice it would be if we all sent
at least one blogger, (we follow) a thank you
for not only their talent, but
the "time and effort" they put into it. 

I am going to be busy!

Pansy Revisit

Pansy Revisit

5x7in oil on canvas panel $100.

This is a pansy study I did a while ago.
I liked the bright colors and abstract background
so I did another layer to freshen it up.

Artist Note.

Kathy Squires, a personal friend and fellow member
of the Artist Guild, posted a lovely flowering cactus
painting on which she had used the fracturing technique.
Take a look HERE

Lisa Graham did a fabulous job of fracturing
a couple of pieces. The bird in the tree is awesome
and my favorite. Take a look HERE
I really enjoy seeing what others artists do and hope
you do too.

I am very excited as we leave tomorrow to visit
our daughter for the weekend.
It will be a six hour drive so I will
be doing my usual painting in the van. I hope to
do some work for my May show.
Enjoy your weekend.

Orchid Study

Orchid Study

6x8in oil on canvas panel NFS

The first time I ever did an orchid I knew I would have
to get really familiar with the way they grew. Very intricate.
I don't think I ever posted this study when I finished it because I
wanted to keep it for future reference.


Artist Note

Continuing my story of how I grew into my
Fracturing Technique.
On yesterday's post I left off with forgetting my brushes on a
plein air trip. I had all the rest of the equipment, but as my
companion was my beloved hubby, who does not have the
slightest desire to paint or brushes to borrow,
I had to improvise.
I tried twigs, leaves and as I was scrubbing on with a flattish stone,
using it like a palette knife, I wondered if this is what the
cave men did... and that's when the light bulb went off.
Credit cards. Something I never seem to leave home without!
Step one

I applied all the colors with the credit card feeling my way
with the textures and strokes. I took the window squeegee
we carry in the car and used it to clean off some heavy areas.
and smooth over others.
I liked the texture and freshness of this combination of tools
so took photo.
Glad I did or I would not have a record of my journey.
This is from over three years ago.

This is all credit card work...and the difference between
the marks the knife and the card make are because of the
way it is held. Hotel plastic keys are the best as they
are more flexible.
With a knife you use your wrist more because of the handle. 
With the credit card you use your arm more because it
becomes an extension of your hand
The following images are from a different painting made
when I got into really using it.

Held lightly and
paint
pulled downwards.

Mushing in -
see pressure with
finger on back.

Accent touches.









This last one is great for tree trunks. Use long length
of card and put tree trunk color (variegated) mixture
on palette and swipe edge of card into it
Apply with a side motion.
I still use this one for my tree trunks.
I gave workshops using this technique for quite a while
with great results. Everyone was given a
bathroom squeegee to take off excess paint cleanly
or move it around.
Wanting to have the same freedom with my small paintings
led to me to making my handy tool. The color shapers you can
buy did not have the same "response to the paint and surface"
as the one I made, but if an artist has never known the
difference I do not see it being a problem.

I was told there is an Australian artist who pulls out
a credit card for accent touches and I am sure there are others
It just seems so natural and handy once you discover it.

Check out watercolorist Rita's clever idea for making the handy tool
in Italy. Click on Rita Vaselli She is so generous with her credit
and helpful to others.  I tried to pick it up
Use the translator to read what she says.

I heard from Audrey who took a fracturing workshop
in December.
She has just done a really lovely fractured lily.
Click on  Audrey Hindsman
If you are interested you can read about the fracturing workshop
on her Dec 17th post.

I loved hearing from Blanche Niznik and she put a generous
mention on her blog. She is preparing for a show
but still took time in to do a great fractured apple

A big thank you to all of them for their enthusiasm and participation..

Red Vase From a Friend

Red Vase

8x6in oil on canvas  $125. SOLD

First, I want to thank everyone who purchased
my video and for all the encouraging comments.
I have placed a link on my side bar for anyone
interested who missed my first announcement.

I love the shape and color of this vase.
A friend from the Artists Guild
brought it in for me yesterday so this is
my first time painting it.

Artist Note.
It usually takes a few attempts at painting a new subject
for me to get where I can  'feel" it in paint.
This particular vase has horizontal, multiple ridges
which I found, after a struggle, will take some exploration.
I went for the basic shape instead. Simplify, simplify.
Do you remember KISS - keep it simple stupid! 
I do not hear it used anymore but it is still as
appropriate today  Very valuable lesson for
painting a complex vase..

Playtime!

Playtime
8x6in oil on canvas   NFS

This is my friend's  granddaughter.
I painted this from a photograph which,
as soon as I saw it,  knew I had to ask
permission to paint her.
It turned out well so I thank my
friend and her daughter for allowing me to
publish it on my blog.
What a lovely shaped head she has.
Totally relaxed she is completely
involved with brushing
the shocking pink mane of the yellow
animal she is holding. My own, 5 year
old granddaughter has a collection of them
so you would think I would know its name.
Just been informed:  seahorse from

the mylittlepony collection.

Tea for Two

Tea for Two

6x6in oil on canvas $100.

Celebrating ending the 30 in 30 day challenge
with a pot of tea with my hubby.
I have two new red mugs and was excited because
they matched the teapot, but the handles are small
and high up which makes them uncomfortable to hold.
Guess they will be for painting and not to use.

Artist Note.

First time ever painting a cupcake!

My Artbyte video should be released at any time by Daily Paintworks.
Nervous in case no one likes it.