Orchids

                                                                                   

Orchids

6"x12" oil on canvas panel  $200. SOLD

Artist Note

This was a demo for

 the last class of the semester

at the Artist Guild SNM

It was painted on a surface 

already colored

by a previous wipe-off.

I started with the transparent
darker areas first, adding
the colored opaque areas bit by bit
as I gradually moved into
the whitest areas,

I used a photo I had taken
at Trader Joes of the
tops of the orchids through
the  clear wrapping.
Purple, yellow and white flowers.
Beautiful together.

This is an unusual size but I like
how it flows
and do not want to crop it.
It will need a custom frame.

Thank you for all the
great comments on my last post.
I am sorry I have not had time
 to answer them.
Busy, busy with Thanksgiving
and fun company.
Plus...
the house still on the market!!

Great Blue Heron

 Great Blue Heron

Bosque del Apache NM

8"x 6" oil on canvas panel  $150. SOLD


Artist Note

I joined other artists at
New Mexico's amazing
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
where we
hoped to catch the fall colors
and see the cranes.

We left in the dark
for the two hour drive
and was rewarded with
Wow -
a gorgeous sunrise

This beautiful refuge has a long loop road with
bird watching sites and boardwalks at regular intervals.
Our cameras were busy clicking away
and I wrote down color notes.

Lots and lots of Snow Geese

The Blue Herons
are usually on their own so we
were looking for them along the ditches.
which led to us finding
this extra stunning ditch
with the green weeds.
 I cannot wait to paint it.

There is a photo/video link below
of a  Blue Heron
eating a HUGE fish at the
Bosque del Apache.
And I mean HUGE

I found it pretty fascinating
(seeing is believing}
but only because of the
stubborn nature of the Heron
...who obviously was
determined he wouldn't have to relay
the traditional fishing story
to his mate, when he got back to the nest.
You know the one...
" the one that got away!"
Heron eating fish

Rooster Fun!

Rooster With A Checkered Past
Gouache on Aquabord. Sold. 

Artist Note. 

This is a painting that was in a
Rooster show
almost two years ago.
Decorative and fun to do!

I have almost finished
transferring
"art stuff"
from my home studio
into my downtown studio.
One more weekend should do it.

I have been listening to old episodes
Of the Savvy Painter Podcasts.
The one on Gamblin paints
link below is very interesting
Podcast

And for those who follow
Jillian Morrow
on Shifting Light
 will enjoy this great interview
Podcast with Julian

I hope you enjoy
Savvy Painter. 
There are
Some really interesting
interviews on there.
AND
The amazing
Carol Marine is the juror.
for their upcoming competition 
information HERE

Spring Run-off

Spring Runoff
6x8 inches oil on panel $140.
Purchase HERE

Artist Note
I am really drawn to the sound
of a bubbling stream and
singing birds.
Rejuvenation!

Computer Issue follow up.

Thank heavens
the solution was found for 

my computer woes!!

I have to thank fellow artist and blogger

Lauren.

She emailed privately and so 

I will not put her last name  but 

we have followed each other's

work for a few years now and 

she has helped me before.

The solution was to enable 

third party cookies in Settings.

Simple eh?

Bless YOU, dear Lauren.

Sunset On The Bay - Blue and Orange

Sunset On The Bay

6"x 6" oil on canvas panel $110.

Purchase HERE

Artist Note.

I am still following 

the Guild's class assignment

of different color harmonies

This one is the 

Complementary one

I chose blue and orange

for mine.

Titanium White was invaluable

with the orange mixture. 

I mixed a pile with just a wee

spot of orange and that became my white.

 Transp Brown Oxide 

( a deep burnt orange)

took down the orange into 

the rich tones before.adding blue

to darken 

I used a coral

orange which can bend 

to the pink tones with a blue gray.

I used both a warm and cool blue 

Nita Leland's book,

Confident Color

has been fabulous for helping 

me understand all the different

color harmonies. The good news is that

Nita has a brand new book out,

EXPLORING COLOR

I am excited to see it because her 

other books have been invaluable 

with helping me in so many ways.

Nita Leland's website

 Hover over the North Light

block under the book and 

you will find a discount code.

She also has lots of free info 

and color charts to download.

A fabulous site!

Valentine Cupcake

Valentine Cupcake

6x6 in oil on canvas panel $110.

Purchase HERE

Artist note

I love February!

Why,

because 

Valentine's Day is a 

lovely way to remember 

our loved ones.

Not only sweethearts, but friends, 

pets...everyone or everything 

which brings 

happiness into our hearts.

And the anticipation 

starts on

Feb 1st

Rain Puddles And Red Chili.

Rain Puddles

6x8in oil on canvas panel $135. SOLD

Artist Note.

A sight not often seen

here in early November.

This was during the two days 

of rain we got. 

This view of the chili fields

looks totally different 

than in the full sun. 

Far more muted.

Red chili is harvested 

later than the green chili. 

Left on the vine to turn red,

 it is picked and spread on

roofs and similar surfaces

to dry in the sun -

the traditional way.

I LOVE chili

green or red.

This may conclude my water series.

Notice the "may."

I have enjoyed it.

Falls At Yellowstone

Falls At Yellowstone

8x6in oil on canvas panel $135. SOLD

Continuing the water series.

This one is a more intimate

view of a shorter set of

falls.  

I went less abstract in this one 

because I painted it from 

memory and 

I remembered 

every beautiful area..

Artist Note.

I was asked how 

I can paint from memory.

Here goes.

Before I start to paint from

memory

I sit quietly and recall

a place until I see it clearly

in my mind. 

I NOTICE THE 

QUALITY OF LIGHT FIRST 

and jot it down.

Next I try to pull up the 

sounds - hear the rushing water, 

birds singing, if there was a breeze etc.

This gets me totally in the mood.

When I feel I am "back in time"  

I pick

up my knife and mix

the basic colors first.

I establish the harmony on the 

palette, placing the spots of color

next to each other...

and if it jives with my inner vision...

then off I go!

(Hope this helped Mr. Franklin)

Again, all done with the palette knife

Roses and Gift -Day 21

Roses and Gift
6x8in oil on canvas panel $130. SOLD


Some guild member friends gave me this
beautiful lidded pot for Christmas.
I have already painted some
tiny studies in watercolor and this is my first
attempt in oils. I know I will be painting it again.

Artist Note,
I took a day off from the challenge yesterday,.
The workshop was over and I needed a day
to regroup and focus back on teaching.
It felt so good!