Flowers

It's snowing outside.

In my studio there are flowers all over!

It's wonderful to be able to paint what you would rather see.

The first two paintings were studies.

There are noticable things I would change (finish) on each one

but I thought you might enjoy seeing them anyway.

"Rose Bud Study I"



Rose Bud Study II

The next two paintings are larger than the scans show. 

What is pictured is what would fit into the scanner.

Scans are much more true to the actual color of the paintings.

"Pink Mink Protea"

actual painting size 10"x14"

This is one of Mike's favorite flowers, it's a very masculine flower.

I was trying to capture both the dry nature of the petals and leaves

as well as the fuzzy edges of the flowers.

(Forgot to crop the bottom edge)

"Rose Garden Glow"

actual painting size 11"x14"

I haven't decided if this painting is finished yet.

Some colors could be pulled back and a few more details could be added...

maybe.



Happy Valentine's!

I've been stuck for a while. 

Artist Block is very frustrating!

I painted a few Valentine's Cards to put into the flower shop.

Lots of color!

Fine Art Doodles......

The following were painted on a trip to Las Vegas while I was

waiting for Mike, he was at a trade show. 

"Breakfast at the Venitian"

5x7

"Lion Fish"

8x10

This handsom fellow (or lady, not sure) was swimming in the aquarium at the Mandalay Bay Casino.

I will be working in the flower shop for Valentine's. 

I to work for practically nothing if they would let me bring my

camera to take flower pictures!

Hopefully you will be seeing lots of floral watercolors in the future.

Happy New Year!

I am not in the mood for winter.

The following paintings reflect this.

The first 4 are ACEO's that are going up for sale on e-bay.

The following is a large painting that was a long awaited special request

for the Texas Kryder's. 



Title:  "Seventy Degrees at Sunset"

(Actual colors are much more vibrant, photo wasn't the best.)
***

O.K., I have done one wintery, snowy painting in the last couple of weeks.

I'm still not sure about this next painting.  I think it might not be

finished yet, but maybe it is.

Now that we are past Chirstmas and heading into January, which is usually

very uneventful, I hope to have much more time to devote to painting!

Happy New Year!



Hibiscus

Yesterday I took another watercolor class.

I have been under the weather for two weeks now, it zapped my creativity so

getting out and making myself paint was a really good thing.

Hopefully I am fully on the way to getting better now, I think I am because

I finally feel like picking up the paintbrushes again.

The class was called "Intimate Florals".

Here is the completed project....

The only other painting I have completed in the last two weeks is this next one. 

I like it but I think its a little dark. 

This is probably reflecting the fact that I was not well when I painted it.

"The Light Within"

5x7

watercolor with pen and ink

Painting the Night

I attended another one day workshop with Cindy Briggs.

The subject for this workshop was painting night scenes.

The following is what I painted.

Keep in mind there is a limited amount of time to paint so

I needed capture the essence of what she was teaching.

Lets just say the stone masons who put in the windows

failed to use a level. :)

I plan on going out this evening to capture some night shots

in downtown Bend so that I can practice. 

One of the most valuable tips I picked up:

When you are painting figures, (that are all situated basically level, not on a hill)

to create an appropriate sense of perspective between those nearest you

and those receeding into the distance,

all of their heads should be basically at the same level.

I have been working on other paintings as well

but because many of them will be gifts or Christmas cards

I can't share them at this time.

I will share this one.

This is a housepainting I did for a relative who just

purchased this as a vacation home.

Happy Holiday Season!

So Busy!

Robin's Egg Blue

As promised here are a couple of pictures

of Blue Pear Gallery set up in Autry's Four Season's Florist.

It is surprising to me how long it took to get everything together. 

Prints, cards, plastic sleeves in various sizes, acrylic card spinner, frames, mats, stickers....

not to mentions the paintings.  Fortunately, for the notecards, I was able to draw on the

multitudes of artist trading cards I have stored in my computer.  They enlarge just fine!

The framed paintings will look better mounted on the wall but other merchandise

needed to be moved  first and we didn't have time for that before the event last Thursday evening. 

 "Morningstar Frost" is the only one on the wall so far. 

 It is the pastel in the background with the yellow/lavender color palette.

I have one new painting:

"Robin's Egg Blue"

Watercolor on 300lb premium watercolor paper

5"x5"

After finally getting everything up in the flower shop I took a few days "off"

to take care of the house and laundry, which had gone begging for a while. 

Everything is clean and tidy now and today I will resume painting. 

I plan to do some pastel work so I think I will lay out the drop cloths,

turn on the air filter and get busy!

Consider the Miracle

Alright...I know I missed last week.  But, I have a good excuse.  I have been very busy getting everything together to put into the flower shop.  I set up Wednesday the 2nd. ( In one hour that will be today.)  I decided to write this blog tonight because I won't have time tomorrow, I didn't want to miss two weeks in a row!  I think everything is in order.  I'll post pictures of my set up next week.

For now here are my latest paintings:

"Consider the Miracle"

Watercolor

8" x 10"

"Brothers Memory"

Watercolor with Pen and Ink

8" x 10"

Be sure to check out my new on line Gallery

http://www.bluepeargallery.com/

(There is also a link on the upper right of this blog page.)

This will take you to Fine Art America where I have set up an

on-line gallery and store.