How I changed an old painting - repost.

Classical still life  AFTER changes

20"x16"  oil on canvas  - unfinished

FIRST Version - below

ARTIST NOTE
This was painted
after taking a
workshop from
Qiang Huang and I was quite pleased
a few with areas of it but this was
back before
I started to use my
Fracturing Technique.
The only parts I
liked were the
brush marks
on the lower cloth.
I copied exactly what he did
because I love Qiang's brushwork!
After some time
the analytical part of my brain kicked in.

Look at the way
it is all lined up.
DUH....
what was I thinking!
Have to learn to watch
out for the tangents.

I lightly sanded
the old surface then
rubbed a little
linseed oil with a
small amount of
Gamsol added.

I changed the
shape of the vase
 into a pitcher so it
would curve into
the painting and also
moved it in from the
edge. I lowered one
of the peaches and
got rid of the middle
lemon in the small
bowl.  I brought
forward the base of
the small dish holding
the lemon slices by
making it deeper so
it no longer lined up
with the grape.

Then I made the back wall
lighter so the jug would fit
into the passage of light.
I needed to move the
eye around and away
from the top right of
the painting so I
added a slice near the
left edge. I intend to fill
out more of the eucalypti
stalk later. I added fresh
paint all over so I could
start to fracture.

At this point the painting starts to speak to me and I listen.
I have to ask myself what I like and what I do NOT like.
Looking at it in the mirror I decide I should dump it.
BUT...darn it, I have a class I am doing this in front of
so  I will have to ...
excuse me,
but I cannot resist...Keep Calm and Carry On!

I realize I do NOT like the dark area of grapes PLUS
the lower two dark corners. It was like having an arrow
pointing down off the bottom!

What to do? Does it matter?
I decided it did - if only as a valuable learning experience.
I wanted more color...and for it not to be so stiff.
This was a personal taste issue more than correction.
I already had some clementines
so I changed the grapes into an orange and lemon
then automatically the peaches appeared to change
just by using the leaves to make them become clementines.
I took the cloth all the way to one corner and
added the fringe to break up the large dark area
...still to be perfected.

The image above shows developing the fringe.
I ended up taking it further back on the table
Placing the glass over it first to make corrections
on the glass see if I would like it

I know I have to do some finessing in
several areas to satisfy my
unresolved feelings about this painting.
I think we all have paintings like this and it can be
a great way to discover our reactions to many
aspects of our artwork.

In my case - style change and knowledge growth.
Look what has happened on the glass since I did the very top
pic. An "off with its head " moment and got rid of the fringe.

Made the background lighter too.

 Will this EVER be finished...

Does it matter? That is the important question.

Am I enjoyed playing around with it?
You betcha! I learn a lot by risking ruining a painting than
having the attitude of trying to save it, just to sell.
Maybe this one will never be completed.
But as a learning experience, it was very informative.

English Wild Roses

Wild English Roses.

6x8 in oil on canvas $130. SOLD

Artist Note.

The wild rose has been painted 

by some famous artists.
Below

Renoir  (1841 - 1914)
placed them on a hat.

detail

Vincent van Gogh (1853 - 1890)
painted the one below.
He was as taken with the pattern
of the leaves as much as the flowers.

John La Farge  (1835 - 1910)

painted the next one.

It is a Study Of Sunlight

The waterlily is pretty fabulous too!

Henri Matisse (1869 - 1954)

painted many 

florals that I love.

Pretend there is a wild rose in 

the still life above.

The next artist died three years

before Matisse was born.

The English painter

William Henry Hunt (1790 - 1864)
Wild Roses and Birds Nest
I had a print of this one in my
bedroom when I was young.
Maybe that is why I love birds nests?

John William Waterhouse
(1849 - 1917)
included wild roses in the
background
and they are a beautiful
secondary interest.

No roses, but
the painting Waterhouse
did inspired by
Tennyson's poem
The Lady of Shalott
is mind blowing.
I have stood in front of this
huge painting
in speechless awe.
(treat yourself and click on link)

All of these artists painted the
wild rose in a totally different way.
I embrace them all.

Red, Yellow and Blue

Red, Yellow and Blue.

6x6in oil on canvas panel   SOLD

Artist Note.
I am still not painting but am grateful
that I am getting round to see everyone's work.
It should inspire me to get cracking...

Another Re-post. This one is from May 2012
34 months ago.

I did a series of lemons and shiny cans
It was a real challenge to see how far I
could fracture the cans and not lose the ridges.
Did not want them stiff so it was a case of
fracture
repaint,
fracture,
repaint.

 I should try them again and see if it is any easier.

Sorry about it pulling up the old comments
but neat to see  familiar names.

New Mexico Adobe

New Mexico Adobe.

6x8in oil on canvas panel  $125.

The old Adobe buildings around the Santa Fe area
are a feast for the eyes of an artist. This one is near Nambe.

Birthday Flowers #2 and Set-up.

(Yellow colors appear brighter than the original)

Birthday Flowers #2

6x8in oil on canvas panel   $125. SOLD

More flowers from my b-day stash.
My friends know I love to paint flowers and have told
me it makes an easy choice for them on my birthday.

Artist Note
I set up small still life arrangements on a shelf in my studio.
The shelf is only 7 inches deep and I use about 16 inches of it.
It is just below eye level as I stand, and right in front and just
to the side of my easel. The small area gives an intimate
feeling to a still life.
First, I have the all important light source.
I use an Ott-Light. (Hobby Lobby sells them )
and for a small space they are perfect.

It fits nicely on the shelf.
It can be turned on its side
for up-lighting
I use colored papers for the
backgrounds. The scrap
book papers are perfect.

I lift up the arm and
I love the color of the
light on the set-up.
I place my centerpiece
on a mirror for
reflections. This is
smaller than my usual
mirror ... it broke!

I start with the
placement of the
roses.
I have the color
harmony I want
in mind.

I need the back
rose lifted up so
I place my bottle of
WhiteOut under it
...just the right
height. I use
anything that will
do the job.

I added more flowers.
As I am painting, it
usually takes on a
life of its own and I move
things around with
paint... remembering
some of the Golden Rules.

I do not have room in this studio for a large box set-up - like the ones
I have seen on other blogs, but this has given me some absorbing
painting times.

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.

Mint, Lime and Peach!

Mint, Lime and Peach!

6x6in   oil on canvas board  $100.


Day 23 in the 30 in 30 Days Challenge
My personal goal for this challenge - to paint only
what I have never painted or thought of painting before.

Panic today,  what to paint?
I am having to resort to restroom stuff for the Challenge.
Love the juxtaposition of the colors in this one.
This is from the studio and consists of mint  mouthwash,
cups, lime hand cream and peach soap.

Artist Note.

I painted for a couple of hours on another piece only to wipe
it all off. Feel my pain?

Still learning Windows 8. Frustrating. Lots to learn!

I do appreciate you visiting my blog and thank you.

Cabbage

Cabbage

6x8in oil on canvas panel $125  SOLD

A fairly abstract view of a cabbage.
The color and main leaf detail are what says cabbage.
I cannot remember painting a cabbage before and
was surprised I wanted to paint it...the dreaded green!
It is going into the soup right after this.

Artist Note.

I thought I would join the couple of hundred (plus) artists
and do the 30 in 30 Challenge

Click for more information on this challenge from Leslie Saeta
I want it to be fun like she wants it to be so on some
of my very busy days I may do only a vignette, a sketch or
a tiny, tiny painting...
but am going to try and do completely different things than
I usually do. Starting with a cabbage!

Trials and tribulations of painting a Tangerine

Tangerines

6x6 oil on gallery wrap canvas $100.


I love tangerines. There was always one in my Christmas Stocking.
A genuine treat until they got easier to buy in England.

Artist Note.

This has been a doozy to paint.
I blame it on the interruptions of the Season. So many things going
on plus the frustration of my computer issues.
Here is the progression explaining my discontent.

Headlights!
Two pretty equal sized
objects up front.
I enjoyed painting it,
but then had a good
look and thought
OMG you know better!
...fix it tomorrow.

 Day 2. Decided to see if
peeling part one of them
would improve the design.
Rather liked the dark,
front peel but the new
leaf I put in is on a
tangent with the peel.
Off with its head!
Thought I was finished
so ate a segment...

 Day 3.
Next day came into
the studio and
was intrigued by the
center dark between the
now stiff slices...
so decided to move and
paint a slice on the plate
Leaves are losing their
flexibility and color.
Painted it and left it
muttering
...

Yep  - day 4
A fresh look the next day.
The still leaves are looking
like semaphore flags.
(Girl Guide memories)
I think if they were
moving up and
down it would means "error".
How appropriate!
Tried for some color by
boosting the blue in the
plate and orange in tangerines.

DAY 5 - yes 5!
Painted a leaf drooping
and touching the orange.
Prefer it. Toned down
the color just a bit,
but by this time I
realized that no matter
what, declare it finished.
The tangerines
are all shriveled... just like
my initial enthusiasm.

I do hope by sharing this progression of...lets say, interesting painting
experiences, on a tiny 6x6in canvas...someone else will share with me
some comforting words of their own experiences.
I did paint other things in-between, but lots of interruptions and working
on a soft, flexible canvas instead of my usual canvas taped to a board
added to the frustration, but I tell you this, I would rather be involved
and frustrated with my painting than not painting. For Sure!

Merry Christmas to All

Flowers from Beverley

6x8in oil on canvas board   $125.


Wishing everyone a lovely, peaceful Christmas.
Christmas Eve is my favorite time of the whole holiday.
It is our tradition to enjoy a nice meal, open gifts and go to the
candlelight service after viewing the
luminaria display (candles in brown bags) in historic Mesilla.
New Mexico is a wonderful place to be during the holidays.
Here is a jovial song on our traditions. It takes a couple of
fun, and hopefully, interesting minutes. Click on to enjoy.
Christmas in New Mexico
Thank you Beverley for the lovely flowers.
A nice change from all the red and green I have been painting
Of course...that could be why you chose them!!!!!

Artist Note.

I am so appreciative of all the supportive comments.
I thank each and every one of you.
Please know my internet problems still exist.
Damage was done and
a new computer is on its way.
Will be back in a few days.

Antique Gift

Antique Gift

6x8in oil on canvas   SOLD

One of the artists from the Guild brought me in this lovely
antique teapot, creamer and sugar bowl (not shown)
The set belonged to her husband's mother, and the way
my friend put it... it was in the cupboard not being
used and she knew I loved painting teapots!
Hubby was a sweetie and agreed to let me have it.
This is my first attempt at painting two of the pieces,
and I know I will be including these fun pieces
in other paintings.
Thank you so much, dear Ken and Denise

Petunias in a Costa Rica Mug.

Petunias in a Costa Rica Mug.

8x6in oil on canvas SOLD

A friend went to Costa Rica and brought me back this tall, bright
yellow mug. No handle showing because I turned it so I could
get the heart in.
I remember in the 70's when the now famous, I love New York logo
using a red heart instead of the word love, became so popular.
NYC Logo
The man who came up with it (Milton Laser) got the idea from a Canadian
radio station promotion - Montreal, the city with a heart. (so true)
The magnitude of its popularity can be seen the world over and
I particularly enjoyed seeing the heart on this mug.
It makes me happy!

Pansies and Lemons

Pansies and Lemons

6x8in oil on canvas $125 SOLD

I think the color harmony is lovely in this piece.
Mother nature provides extra bliss to artists.

Artist Note.

I enjoyed fracturing this. I have painted this subject before,
but enjoyed it more this way.

I would like to direct you to the blog of Carol Flatt
She is trying the fracturing technique - giving my blog credit
which I think is very generous of her. I liked what she did
a lot, so please take a look at her Friday, June 1st, plums.

One Too Many

One Too Many

7x5 oil on canvas board   SOLD

One too many because I am running late and this would have been
quicker with one or two lemons instead of the three.

Final day of teaching at the Guild until August.
Part sad and part glad to have time to finish a commission or two.