Drift Rose Study II

Drift Rose Study II
5" x 7" oil on board
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The second of my election day drift rose studies. I painted these under a combination of natural, north light and three overhead 60 watt GE bulbs, trying to keep the shapes as simple as possible.

Drift Rose Study

Drift Rose Study
5" x 7" oil on board
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After voting on election day, I painted flowers, secure in the notion that our country was headed in the right direction...I'm happy with the results of my paintings; the election, not so much.

Lily Study

Lily Study
5" x 7" oil on board


Anything in a glass jar might be my new favorite subject to paint. The light shines in my "studio" window from the north and creates all sorts of nice, cool, pastely colors in the glass.  As usual, I've had a hell of a time getting a good photo - my iPhone actually gives the truest representation of the color, but despite editing, it looks better in person.

Fruit Basket with Kosher Salt and Wine

Fruit Basket with Kosher Salt and Wine
16" x 20" oil on board


I painted this sometime over the summer and just never posted it. I had woken up around 3am and couldn't go back to sleep, so I just got up.  Then I got the urge to paint. I really like the looseness and the abstract shapes in the background that are actually kitchen appliances and cabinets. I think what made me want to paint was that that the arrangement was just there, prearranged, and I like it when I don't have to artificially pose objects to create a composition.

Historic Sycamores - Harpers Ferry, WV

Historic Sycamores
9" x 12" oil on board


I read that sycamore trees often live up to 250 years, with some living as long as 400-500 years! So I would imagine that the massive sycamores standing in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park stood witness to the battle of Harpers Ferry, which took place in 1852. That blows my mind. It was fun painting them.

Camellia Flowers

Camellia Flowers
8" x 10" oil on board
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After voting, I spent the rest of election day painting flowers to increase my inventory for the Sodexo craft show coming up on December 2nd. As usual, this painting is much prettier in person.

Monocacy Island

Monocacy Island
8" x 10" oil on board


The photo and the name of this painting - not so great. However, I think this is one of my best plein air paintings.  I got it down quickly, and it's accurate. I like the little reflection of sky in the lower left.  I caught no fish on this day because the river was up, but I had a great time painting.

Still Life with Bananas, Fruit Basket and Wine.
9" x 12" oil on board


As usual, I've been experimenting with paint palettes and approaches. I painted over a pre-existing painting for this one, so there are some nice textures, and I didn't draw it out beforehand. I just picked up my brush and started painting. That could be why it's a little more centered than I'd like it to be. However, it's interesting, and I like the colors.

Audubon Park Stoop

Audubon Park Stoop
16" x 12" oil on board


I took the reference photo for this painting several years ago during a visit to New Orleans. I wish I could grow oranges on my stoop...

Abstracted Cat

Abstracted Cat
8" x 10" oil on board
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Yep.

Ellie and Mo

Ellie and Mo
8" x 10" oil on board
Commissioned

I hate to say it, but I dislike painting people's pets. It's tedious and stressful because it involves hours of staring at the computer screen, trying not to screw up a member of someone's family. That said, Ellie and Mo turned alright, and if you want to pay me, I'll paint your animal even though I don't really want to.

Winter's Coming

Winter's Coming
8" x 10" Oil on Board


The next few posts are going to be a bit of a blog dump.  Obviously, I haven't posted in months, mostly due to lack of time. However, I have been painting. I have a show coming up in December, so I'm getting everything up to date.