Loaded on the truck and rolling this morning...

Poppy Ensemble 4' x 5'

These big bold beauties and I are off to the Birmingham Street Art Fair .  I know that means I run the risk of selling them even though they would look fantastic over my own fireplace; which currently has nothing but hanging hardware installed over it! A former boss and lady friend of mine (with an authentic Irish accent) would always say "the cobbler's kids never have any shoes!"

I started this piece weeks ago with no specific thoughts about the color other than the subject. Then, I met some customers in Rochester that have a spot for a big poppy but not quite this big. I used their swatches to inspire the color of this piece. This is one way that I often work. A composition in mind and then something completely separate from the subject that might inspire the color and mood. In this case it was a group of paint swatches. BTW if you ever want to talk paint swatches, I speak fluent Benjamin Moore...yum, my favorite!


Here is a close up of the paint swatches and my palette:

Benjamin Moore Paint Swatches and a sampling from my palette below.

Sunflower Buffet - 36" x 36"

All the cool clear skies of late influenced this piece. These sunflowers grew in my yard pretty much as you see them. We have volunteer sunflowers of all varieties throughout the perennial gardens at the farm this year. My favorite inspiration is always that which I find right outside my door.  I actually took the canvas right out side and created the composition from a few differenct plants.

Here is another piece that rings of autumn's fresh air and cool blue skies:

Apple Time - 36" x 36"

This piece was inspired by an apple tree that I pass on my way to town. It was a total  hit at the "Art & Apples Festival" in Rochester a couple of weekends ago and quickly found a home. Fortunately, I have the capability to offer this one in a stretched canvas Giclee in a few different sizes up to its original size of 36" square. I will have a few of my new stretched canvas prints available at the "Birmingham Street Art Fair" this weekend. If you are in the area this weekend, come say hi! The fair is set up right on Woodward. My booth is in front of the Birmingham Theatre and just south of Starbucks (Grande, one-Splenda Capuccino - extra dry :P ...just sayin').  Hope to see you there!

Shirley Temple Peonies - installed

This room is just adorable.  These pieces were so much fun to make and I think they work really well as a triptyk in this nursery.  Each square is 20".

Apple Time - 36"x36" -- Just in time for the 46th annual "Art & Apples Festival" in Rochester, MI this coming weekend!

This tree is a couple of miles from my house on my route to town. I love it's shape and the way it's robust crop of apples seems to float about the branches. This is also the first orchard that I have painted with a painting knife. I am really happy with how it turned out.

You can see this piece in person at the "Art & Apples Festival" this weekend in Rochester, MI. I will be at booth #559; stop on by!