Sometimes simplicity is just better. I've painted quite a few new Christmas paintings this year; this little guy was left over from last Christmas. He went to a new owner this past weekend. Green was her color!
Had a great time in New Smyrna Beach this weekend. The show was so-so - like most of them - but I'm always grateful for all sales. This sweet little tree found a home.
I tried all day. . . I mean not literally, but from about 5:30 until 7:00 yesterday morning, and again in the evening, to upload this one little picture. As I always do, I had resized it to a fairly small image to make download easier. Still nothing. I thought it was my internet, but I was able to watch movies, check email and everything else, so I'm assuming it was a blogger thing. A little nest purchased at Thornebrook, but there will be more.
I used to paint olives a lot. I'm not sure why. I love to eat them - that's for sure. I quit buying the small jars. It was useless. I eat them almost every day. I hope the are good for you! I really had no idea they would be popular with so many people though.
Well, it's been a long hiatus. . At first I blamed Irma - which was a legitimate reason to not be able to paint or post paintings for a couple of weeks. First it was preparing for the storm; then it was enduring the storm (the easiest part), then it was and still is the aftermath. It takes a long time to recover from these storms both mentally, physically, and financially. Hopefully, this one post will be the beginning of a new routine. . . I'll keep trying!
Anyway, I'll have to start with some stuff recently sold since I have photos. I will have a new Christmas collection too, so hope you will keep watching. :).
Not too sure about painting this kind of thing. I wanted it to be recognizable yet fun and abstract-ish. It was fun to paint. . .kind of. We'll see if it leads to any other condiments.
I have not been able to paint the last couple of days. My only opportunity is between about 6 and 8 PM, and it's just too blasted hot in my studio space. I don't want to get behind in my assignment to myself to post a painting a day - even if I don't always paint a painting a day. So here's one from my current inventory - painted in the late spring.
I have been painting coastal subjects for several years now. I have a love/non-love relationship with that subject matter right now. I still love birds, coasts, and palm trees, but need a little change. One of the reasons I paint to begin with is not only because of the challenges and gratification of the process itself, but it's also because I get bored very easily, and it occupies my mind and my time. So I looked around to find something to paint; this is my first try at a lime. I then juiced it on an avocado and added red pepper flakes.
Another pear - yes - and there will be more. I am preparing a whole new body of work - sort of. The plan (and my plans frequently do not come to fruition) is to prepare a good supply of small paintings on paper that can be framed. All originals of course. It's going pretty well so far.
Last year - around the end of July - I committed myself to daily painting. Unfortunately, I did not quite meet my goal. In my defense, (1) I do work away from home 4 days a week, and (2) I do paint more than one painting on weekends. Many times I paint as many as 10 or 15 small pieces on a weekend. Then, of course I have to take a picture of each of them. . . excuses, excuses. I had all sorts of glorious and ambitious notions for this summer - now summer is almost gone! Happens every summer. This particular summer, I've had one project that has occupied not necessarily all of my time, but has occupied all of my mind. That project will be revealed soon.
I'm going to try to get a new body of work ready for the fall. I really like painting on paper - like this little pear, and will be doing a lot of fruits and vegetables, wine bottles, and various things in small format. So, hopefully next year at this time, my number will be over 500!
This has been such a popular little painting. Well, I say little, but I've painted this in a large formats too. In fact, last fall, I sold a big one in St. Augustine, and right after it sold, I was commissioned to paint another fairly large one. I think it's the serene colors, the fact that it's water, sky, peaceful and quiet. This little painting seems to speak to many - that's what I've been told.
The ocean can evoke so many feelings. When I look out over the ocean I feel a certain sense of peace, but also uncertainty, curiosity, and respect for the power and vastness of this huge body of water.
This may be the last of this little gem and this style (but don't hold me to it). I'm heading in a different direction (again). Hopefully you'll stick with me while I continue this crazy journey.
For some reason this particular pineapple almost looks human to me. I guess it's the hair.
What is it about pineapples anyway? They're juicy, beautiful, tasty, and yet kind of hard to pare. It's worth the effort though. Pineapples also represent many of the things that are important to me - intangible things - warmth, welcome, friendship, and hospitality. I guess it seems kind of contradictory to be touting art (tangible), and yet talking about the intangible. It's all a balance really. It's my very humble opinion that we all need visual stimulation, visual aids, visual reminders about things. A painting, a sculpture, even the beauty of a musical instrument or other object can bring us joy, change our mood, and sometimes ultimately alter the whole course of the day. . . or at least the moment. We have to remember to take the time to look. . . and really see. "Stop and smell the roses" today - and every day.
Another Independence Day full of anticipation, and now finished and gone. Even though it's always pretty super hot here this time of year, I do think that this may be favorite holiday. Flags flying, people wearing all of their holiday attire and adornments, bbq, fireworks. . . it's just a fun holiday, without all of the lavish gift-giving. It's more of a time to have fun, eat, and enjoy the ride. Can't wait for next year!
A little boy decided he wanted this oyster painting and his mom bought it for him. He was probably about 7 years old. He was an amazing little boy. Very well spoken, smart, and very outgoing. His mom said she was having a very interesting journey with him because she is an introvert, and she's raising an extrovert by surprise. The little boy had eaten his first oyster recently, and this little guy memorialized that occasion for him. He was a very impressive young man and I was thrilled to share this little painting with him.
A beautiful extended weekend on St. Simons Island comes to an end. The weather was wonderful, and the people here are delightful. This painting sold on Day 3 of the 4 day show. Thirty minutes after the sale, another customer came back to buy it. Wish I would have had two of them! It never fails that one painting is the star of the show . . . but there is just never a way to know which painting it's going to be.
Okay, so it's been a while. Computer quit, painting has been eh, and time has been limited. Excuses, excuses, excuses, right? Well, I've discovered that I'm a highly sensitive person. I'd never thought myself like that, but sure enough, it's true. I guess you never get too old to discover something new about yourself. Being highly sensitive, and with that a creative mind, is both a blessing and a curse. Creativity consumes a lot of your thoughts - thinking of the next move, the next painting, the next process, technique, color, and so on. I'm always, always, trying to improve, pushing myself closer to where I'd like to be. I'm not even close yet. In the meantime, here's a bit of paradise.