A journal of new paintings, events and other creative endeavors
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Grapes on the Vine
24" x 24" oil painting on wrapped canvas. I have been collecting photos and sketches of grapes for a long time hoping to dive in one day. This is my first attempt and it was a lot of fun. Any suggestions from my artist friends out there?? Please post them! I have a composition planned for a larger canvas that I am sketching through now and hope to start tomorrow.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Farthest from the Tree
24" x 24" Oil Painting on 3/4" wrapped canvas support. Orchards and apples are one of my favorite subjects. I especially like to create the composition and the color from my memories and experience rather than a specific reference photo.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Sunflower Trio
20" x 24" wrapped canvas. I painted this one directly onto white canvas which is unusual for me as I always paint into a colored ground. The canvas, though primed, seemed like it kept absorbing my paint and I would have to go back repaint passages that I would have rather kept. Lesson learned. I am off to my studio to prime some canvas in tasty colors.......much more fun!!
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Sunflower Lovers
3' x 3' Oil on gallery wrapped canvas. This is the third painting that I have done that is was inspired by these two particular sunflowers that I watch grown together in my garden. From my kitchen window, I could see their friendship turn into something more.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Best Friends
This painting is 3' x 3' oil on gallery wrapped canvas. The images are created from composite sketches of sunflowers I grew in my garden last year. There is something majestic about sunflowers that makes them very fun and challenging to paint. This piece will go to the Ann Arbor Art Fair.
Friday, June 08, 2007
The Mod Squad
3' x 9' Triptych composed of (3) 3' x 3' gallery wrapped canvas' and painted in oils. This piece is a commission for a new salon opening in my neighboring town of Saline, MI. I grew a row of Zinnias in my vegetable garden last year and loved all the variety of color. The salon owner was looking for something bright and funky to be the focal point of the styling room. I purposefully composed each Zinnia with a different 'do! I hope her patrons enjoy the piece. By the way, the name of the business is "Mod Squad Salon".
I love to create; which is why I returned to college in my thirties and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Eastern Michigan University. It seemed life wouldn't be right unless I knew more about art. My studio is spread out into various work stations in my home so that I can paint and still keep track of my young family. I draw inspiration from my rural landscape, my gardens and my children. I journal with electronic photos and my sketchbook. These images are my reference material from which I create the compositions for my paintings. In collecting my imagery, I am always looking for contours and light. I like to whip the color up to whatever suits me. People say that makes me a colourist. I think I am a few hundred paintings short of being anything more than an artist that likes to paint.
The web has enabled me to connect with other painters in a virtual artists’ community. I enjoy the regular exchange of information and ideas. I especially enjoy the daily postings of my fellow blogging-painters. Their images inspire me to paint more… and better!! Thank you for stopping by my blog.