DECEMBER TULIPS 6"x8" oil on canvas

I went to the market on Dec. 31 to stock up on food since all the Christmas leftovers were depleted. The flower shop is the first area I see as I start through the store. Bright red tulips caught my eye and I couldn't resist buying them. What a contrast to our very cold temps and traces of snow remaining on the ground. The cloth is a gift from Marie, a friend who was helping expand my ever growing accumulation of still life props.

I like to try different painting surfaces and have been using RayMar canvas panels lately. They are sturdy and hold a lot of paint. Since I like painting on smooth surfaces, I bought the portrait finish.

TANGERINE TRIO 6"x6" oil on canvas

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE!

TANGERINES PLUS ONE SOLD

I actually finished this painting a few days ago but am just now getting it posted. I wasn't happy
with the first photos I took of it. This one is a little better but I am still looking for the perfect place in
my studio to shoot the photo. I love painting oranges and tangerines. I have used them in my
larger still life paintings frequently. One reason is the longevity of citrus. It retains the vibrant color
for many days which is necessary when working in a larger format. If any of you have helpful tips
for photographing artwork, please leave a comment.

GRAPE TOMATOES SOLD

This image looks a little fuzzy to me now that I am posting it. I'm still getting used to photographing paintings. I do like the red, green & gold combination. After all, Christmas is on the way ready or not. I have had a real photographer, Jaquelynn Buck take photos for my website in the past. She does a great job but unfortunately for me she has just moved to Valdosta, GA.

My friend Sylvia just called to tell me that she was unable to leave a comment on the blog. I apologize to anyone else who may have had difficulties with this feature. I think I fixed the problem so please try again.

PAST THEIR PRIME 8"x6" oil on canvas

These flowers have been in my studio for more than two weeks. No water for at least a week and they still have some color. Carnations have staying power like no other flower. I am working on a larger painting of pomegranates and I think I passed the frustrating part today. That would be what I call the middle of the process. When I discover the initial marks are incorrect. Then the redrawing and repainting begins.

RED ON PINK 6"x8" oil on canvas

This painting was done on a warm fall day before the frost put an end to the geraniums. It is one of those geraniums that looks irridescent in certain light and is very difficult to match with paints. A little toward purple but not really. I just received some new paintbrushes two days ago and am anxious to give them a workout. I usually use flats but I am going to add more rounds to my supply.

THREESOME 6"x6" oil on canvas SOLD

I planned to paint pomegranites today but decided on apples instead. Pomegranites for another day maybe. It is easier to paint apples that are all one color as opposed to a variety with all those little specks of green and yellow interspered with the red. So I just ignore most of those little specks and hit the main colors.

PUMPKIN SOUP 6"X6" OIL ON CANVAS

This is my pumpkin painting for today. I think I will paint something different. Don't get me wrong. I like pumpkins as much as anyone but all that orange is starting to look the same. I think my eyes are getting blurry from starring at it for so long. Time to clean my brushes and feed the pets.

MORE PUMPKINS 6"x6" oil on canvas

Still painting mini pumpkins and having a great day. Tomorrow I hope to do another small painting for the blog. Probably pumpkins again but with a different background color. Maybe blue. I'm still getting familiar with blogging and I have found it frustrating at times. But I'm sure I will get faster at all this as I do it more often.

PUMPKIN TIME

There are pumpkins and gourds at all the markets this time of year so
it seems the obvious subject for a painting. This one is a mini, very
cute but not so easy to paint.