Gray Day At The Pond

 

Gray Day At The Pond

8”x8” oil on stretched canvas.  $200. SOLD

Artist Note.

Can anyone tell me why some water lilies 

have long stems and others do not?

Is it anything to do with how deep the water is?

Curious mind wants to know.

It was a misty morning when I first painted

this spot (in watercolor) 

and I remember thinking,

wow...

how bright a gray sky

 could be without the sun.

I was looking through some of 

my old watercolor sketchbooks

when I came across this view

and it stirred up some spark to paint it.

Nice when that happens

Poor Texas... 

I have really felt for her.

Some lovely friends live there.

The stories they have told are unbelievable.

Sending many prayers.

Question...

Besides donations, how can a person help?

Morning Glories

 

Morning Glories 

8”x6” oil on Raymar panel. $150. SOLD

Artist Note

I started this one plein air in my friend’s yard.

(It was when I painted the pomegranates.) 

They were a beautiful 

purple color 

but as I didn’t take any photos 

I had to resort to some old pics

from a few years ago. 

Georgia O’keefe painted several paintings 

of morning glories and had one where she 

positioned this delicate flower

next to a large Ram’s skull! 

I have never forgotten the painting. 

Such an unexpected pairing. 

Any comments?

 I could not find a secure link

for you to visit 

Rams Scull and Morning Glory

But if you have nothing to do you may want 

to look it up and 

find out the interesting symbolism. 

Stay safe please. 

 

Happy New Year!

 Mockingbird Pride

12"x12"

Artist Note

I am still working on this painting. 

Taking my time to think it out.

Tweak or not to tweak...

that is the question!

As the sun sets on 

2020

I  want to thank you 

for the support you gave me and my art

during this weird year. 

It has meant so much.

My painting habits have changed 

due to being at home with a

dear hubby - who is delighted to have

me around due to him being able to enjoy

regular meals served on time.

(I do not kid myself it is 

due to my scintillating personality!)

I have always worked and been a do-er

so learning to be idle has been quite a feat.

I miss teaching and the wonderful artists 

I was around. BUT... I am grateful to be healthy

and in a position where I can stay safe and

 thanking heavens for Walmart grocery pick-up.

I am also becoming a ping pong player!

Let me know how YOU have adapted

to the new routines 

with any helpful hints you may have.

 I want to wish you all

 a much better new year than this last

one has probably been.

May 2021 Bless YOU with 

Health, Joy and Peace

12"x12" oil on gallery wrap 

Afternoon Pleasure

 Afternoon Pleasure 

6”x8” oil on Raymar panel  $150.SOLD

Artist Note. 

I named this Afternoon Pleasure 

because my

memories of visiting

this lily pond 

are still very pleasurable. 

I have done quite a few paintings from this 

lovely spot and I always enjoy the time 

painting them...well that is not exactly true. 

I start off fast and hopeful

then in the middle begins a struggle. 

and it usually goes through several changes

before it comes together in a way I like. 

This was no exception. 

How are you all doing?

This is a time like no other

and even though my hubby and I are safe

we are very aware how dangerous it

could be for us if we go anywhere crowded. 

 So we will be sharing a short outdoor 

picnic with our daughter and her hubby 

for Thanksgiving. 

This way there will be many more 

to share. 

Please stay safe and still enjoy a 

Happy Thanksgiving. 

Pink Waterlilies

Pink Water Lilies

6"x8"oil on paper  Gifted

Artist Note

I have noticed that during 

unsettled periods of time

I turn to a group of favorite subjects.

It helps me to feel grounded.

These are strange times for all of us.

Before the C-Virus was even around

I began to realise that my husband 

would be needing me at home more

and started a plan to stop teaching. 

It was not an easy decision 

because I really enjoyed being with

a fabulous group of painters

who were invigorating 

and fun to be around.

Anyway my teaching career 

ended abruptly with no party,

no relaxed farewells...

just fast packing-up against a 

Governor's timeline

to get enough art stuff together

to create a studio at home.

Made it!

For those who have followed my blog

for a while, may remember 

that two years ago we moved

into  a retirement community

It has been a great move but our apartment is 

rather small. Fortunately my hubby was

willing to move our king bed 

into the small office

and now his desk and my easel are 

perfectly at ease next to each other

7 x 12 feet each.

But I get the window!

I have also discovered a way to stop people 

falling out of bed... only have a foot clearance.

You wedge before you hit the ground!!

I am not back into the painting flow yet.

I do have work up on the easel

and I go and piddle on it

but with no verve.

The waterlily painting had already

been started

and I finished it here at home

...so it is a start.

I do have a couple in the works though,

a clematis and an iris painting,

both started in the garden. 

Flowers - more comfort!

Times are strange - I have never been idle

in my life. 

I feel I should be helping somewhere,

 maybe at the hospital

but hubby has a severe health problem

and that is impossible to do.

There must be many people like me 

who all of a sudden are at home

and feeling really weird.

My heart goes out to all the families 

who have lost their loved ones,

and a very grateful "thank you" to

the many, many HEROES.

Their steadfast commitment to 

help others in need

no matter what danger to themselves.

Then there are the ones we don't 

readily think about.

Like the janitors who clean the hospitals,

the kitchen staff who produce 

and deliver the meals, etc. 

They are heros too.

I am grateful to live in a country

with so many wonderful people.

Blessings to you all.

Stay Safe... 

The Water Jug

The Water Jug

8"x10" oil on linen mounted on panel $225.

Purchase HERE

Artist Note

A cause for celebration....

I finished a painting without
scraping it off!

It has been a bummer of a summer 

as far as my painting block goes.
I tried all suggested solutions.

I have enjoyed a couple of trips and not 

having to be in my studio quite as early.
I guess it just takes time.

The 4 week online tutorial I paid so much for 

has not been staying on my computer. 

Cannot find the darned thing.

I have only done two segments 

and cannot get the other two.

The second segment is on automatic
writing/mark making.

That influenced some of the marks here.
I kept doing the spiral of  life
with the charcoal.

It is the first online I have ever done so 

maybe I am doing something wrong.

I am going to persist because I think it is well 

thought out and has been excellent in the 

first two segments.

Will let you know when I know.

I continue to post new and older works
on Instagram where my following
far exceeds Facebook.
Weird when it is the same paintings.
It is also far easier to be able
to reply to their comments
and that adds up - time wise.
My instagram is
juliefordoliverart.

I still post here first though.
Enjoy your week and thank you
for following my blog.