Calla In The Hydrangeas

Calla In The Hydrangeas
8"x6"  oil on canvas panel $150.Sold.


A Happy Easter or A Happy Passover
A special time for us all.

Artist Note

The move is over and we
are almost settled in...that is

not exactly right....my hubby settled in 

the very first hour of the second day!

Good to see him so happy.

I have missed my painting terribly.

I have still been teaching regularly but

my quiet painting time 

has been zip.

For me, it doesn't flow back right away. 

It takes several sessions of an intensive

submersion. 

Are any of you the same way?

Anyway - this painting was the 12th

try on the same subject. Ha!

The hydrangeas changed a lot

but the lily stayed pretty much the same

for the duration.

P.S.

I did paint kitchen cabinets and walls

but it is definitely not the same joy!

.

Hydrangeas and Coffee Bean Plant

Hydrangeas and Coffee Bean Plant

8x6in  oil on canvas panel SOLD

Hydrangeas with sprigs of coffee bean plant.

These  hydrangeas have a lot of a creamy color in the center

with pale blue edges to the petals. I got them at Trader Joes

in Albuquerque at weekend. They are not perky!

Artist Note.

This is a repeat of a favorite post.

This was a demo done in class today.

I had a lovely set up using the the reds of the strawberries from

yesterday to move the eyes around from the coffee bean buds.

I blocked it in like this.

Then I realized I would not be able to fit it all 

in during the time I had time.

So  - out go the strawberries!

Next I used the fracturing technique

and came back.

reworking every area.

Had family visiting this week

so not much painting accomplished 

after classes.

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas

8x6in oil on canvas panel $140. SOLD

Artist Note

It is hard to believe

 another year has passed.

I am not making any 

New Years Resolutions 

as I am grateful for so many

aspects of my life.

I am learning to be a 

little more forgiving of 

my shortcomings. 

What a shame it 

has taken me so long

to get to understand that

just like my paintings,

some parts of me 

are better than others! 

 Also, I can correct, erase, 

and improve

when I can "see it."

I am truly grateful for all 

my blogging friends,

and to all the artists

who honor me 

by allowing me to be their mentor.

I love painting and teaching.

They both satisfy me on a deep

emotional level.

 I THANK YOU.

Wishing you all the 

very best for 2017.

...catch

these 

blessings 

and hug!

Ladybugs.

Ladybugs

8inx6in oil on canvas panel  $135.

Purchase HERE

I love the ladybug.
Somehow, I always feel I have
been given a gift
when I hold one in my hand.

Artist Note.

I painted this using
some photos and the watercolor
sketch below.
I was in Scotts Valley, CA.
visiting our son and family last year
when I saw this amazing group of
colorful hydrangea plants.

I discovered all the ladybugs 

when I started to paint. 

Gleaming spots of red on the green leaves.

Pure eye candy...

be still my heart!

Does anyone else like them, too?

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas

6x8in oil on canvas $130. SOLD


Artist Note

This was a demo for the Friday group
on the same limited palette as the last post
with the brightly colored Anemones.
The goal was to show how to paint
masses of small blooms by only painting
one or two in detail, and the rest only suggested
by shadow and color.

This time I worked with \
more neutral colors to show the full
range of this handy palette.
Here are a few color charts
from Guild members.

Ned Jacob's limited Palette

Cad Yellow light
Orange 
Alizarin Perm. W&N
Ultramarine Blue
Black
Titanium White

I was fascinated seeing the many different 

harmonious earth colors and lovely

greens shades that can be mixed.

California Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas

8x6in oil on linen panel $125.


DAY 19
This plant ( see below) was in a yard not far from
our son's house when we were visiting California
earlier this summer.
I was blown away by the beautiful range of colors.

Artist Note.

I elected to paint a close up first and would like to try
the whole bush sometime. I admire the range of variations
in the colors.

This is another one painted on the Senso linen canvas.
I buy mine in pads of 10 sheets. I find I can toss out a
sheet, if I am not satisfied, much easier than if I had
paid for a stretched canvas.
If I like one, like the one above, I then
glue it onto a panel.

I have had several emails asking about the product.
This is the cover and below that the color of the linen

I love the texture because it has some tooth, but if
you like smooth then this is not for you. Most of the
catalog places have it. I get mine from ASW Express.

Hydrangeas and Part Demo

Hydrangeas

8x6in  oil on canvas panel  $125.

Hydrangeas with sprigs of coffee bean plant.
These  hydrangeas have a lot of a creamy color in the center
with pale blue edges to the petals. I got them at Trader Joes
in Albuquerque at weekend. They are not perky!

Artist Note.

This was a demo done in class today.
I had a lovely set up using the the reds of the strawberries from
yesterday to move the eyes around from the coffee bean buds.
I blocked it in like this.

Then I realized I would not be able to fit it all in in time.
So  - off with the strawberries heads!

Using my wonderful, handy tool.  Love this part!
If interested in seeing tool and how it is used, go to
(May 2nd, thru 5 or 6.)
 http://juliefordoliver.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2012-05-12T19:58:00-07:00&max-results=10
You have to scroll down to get to the correct dates.

I then had to change the vase. Why? To link to the blues of the hydrangeas
I had used a dark green vase first to link with all the leaves,
and the design on the strawberry bowl
had blue in it to link with the flowers.
See how changing one thing can lead to rethinking the other areas.

All these decisions are made with the class watching and
I give the reasons why... and it can lead to some lively discussions.