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This week I painted three still life paintings. It all started with this jar. My aunt had it in her apartment and when I commented on how it was pretty enough to paint, she gave it to me. This is the way of the elderly in my family. My grandmother used to say at every single visit, "now when Granny croaks, be sure and take that music box" or "that vase", etc. I'm not kidding.
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| Terracotta Keepsake Pot acrylic on paper 6 x 6 inch |
The scan of the terracotta pot came out very yellowy, but it is actually olive green.
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| Carafe With Two Cups acrylic on paper 6 x 6 inch |
The carafe painting was inspired by an espresso machine ad. Go figure. It is how my mind works.
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| Clay Pitcher With Two Roses acrylic on paper 6 x 6 inch |
The clay pitcher was a gem I purchased at an estate sale near our home. The couple of the estate owned 7 houses and the sale was the compilation of those homes. The husband passed away 4 years ago and the wife was planning to settle in one of the houses with hired caregivers. This clay pitcher was one of the beautiful gems I found at the sale. I wish I knew its story and from which of the 7 houses it came.
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| Young Mabel Musser acrylic and ink on paper 4 x 6 inch |
Young Mabel Musser was inspired by a vintage photo that had Musser and also Harrisburg printed on it. The photo was not dated, but looked to be around early 1900's. This sort of thing always leads to a google search and in that search I learned there were several prominent "Mussers" living in Pennsylvania. I found an interesting family photo while searching. So I picked the youngest girl in the photo (who was named Mabel) and voila! I had a title.
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| sketchbook sweetie graphite in a tiny Moleskin |
My art instructor loaned me his book titled From Van Eyck to Bruegel: Early Netherlandish Painting in The Metropolitan Museum of Art and I love to do sketches from this book. The above is my simple pencil sketch of Gerard David's Four Heads (about 1495) which is a "metalpoint over traces of black chalk on prepared paper"...whatever that means. All I thought was that it was beautiful. Not the head in the upper right though. That one is plain scary.
That is all I have accomplished this week artwise. I am still pecking away at my 9 x 12 inch oil painting of six people. I have only been working on that one in my class though, which is why it is not done. Soon! The above paintings are in my Etsy shop if you are interested in purchasing.
Scenes from Riverside This Week
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| Forget-Me-Nots on the riverbank |
These are photos taken on my daily walks. I still walk two to four miles every day and my love for this activity is renewed with our new surroundings and this lovely, vibrant season.
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| Arkansas River on a gorgeous Spring day |
I hope you have a beautiful weekend! Thank you for visiting!
♥ Lisa
I love the stories behind the paintings, it adds more "life" to them..You are correct in commenting how our elderly family members start to give away their treasures, passing them on to someone who loves and appreciates them as they do ..I like seeing the landscape around your neighborhood, it looks like a nice peaceful place to be..so enjoy your walks and the warmth that spring brings..
ReplyDeleteThank you Kathleen. I am happy the stories bring them to life for you. I will try to continue the effort. I was never shocked when my grandmother tried to give me her treasures. It was the use of the word "croak" that always left me speechless. She was a woman with a very good sense of humor and a matter-of-fact human being.
DeleteThe neighborhood is peaceful. It's funny how all people always find a place of solitude no matter where they live. Even those from the HUGE NYC have their Central Park, which given the location, is surprisingly quite peaceful.
I too love the stories behind your still life paintings. I love still life as there is something special about choosing treasures to paint. I have to add too that your forget-me-not photo is beautiful.. iT would make a fantastic painting... I would love to use it as inspiration for a collage. I adore those flowers. The uk forget-me -nots are much smaller and not nearly so bright and colourful.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your nice comment Morag. The forget-me-nots are in vibrant blues and purples here. My photos is a bit enhanced, but not too much. I would love to see your collage work with them!
DeleteI love your 'still-life' paintings! And young Mabel and her story. The Arkansas river is just gorgeous - what a fabulous place to live and walk. YAY spring - although it has rained here forever it seems. Need some sunshine. And I think you accomplished quite a bit of artwork this week -)
ReplyDeleteHi Judy and thank you! I have been thinking about your wonderful clay doll you made. So charming!! My package of clay remains unopened. Just not enough hours in the day.
DeleteI hope you get some sunshine this weekend!
wonderful to see each piece and read a little of the story behind them.
ReplyDeletethe seven house estate sale sounds amazing, it might be tempting to buy too much.
such a lovely river by your photos.
lovely spring to you ~
Hi Tammie, I think anyone would have been tempted to buy too much at that sale. I cannot imagine possessing so many homes and beautiful things to put in them. Thanks for your visit!
DeleteThat clay jar is just gorgeous and I love the rich background you've developed in your painting of it too. I agree with Tammie Lee's comment above too. Love visiting you, Lisa!
ReplyDeleteHi CrimsonLeaves! Thank you so much!
DeleteYour lovely artwork, photographs and stories are what make your blog stand alone. It is special beyond words. Thank you for sharing yourself!
ReplyDeleteHi Chris, thank you for saying so. You are so kind and I am happy I found your blog too!
DeleteThey are all brilliant my friend! I love that little jar! Your art has always amazed me, but I have to say, it has grown so much! I have your painting now in my love corner of my bedroom ;o) That painting is so special to me! I knew it was mine! You live in such a beautiful area Lisa!
ReplyDeleteSweet Stacy, thank you. I hope you are feeling much better today. xo
DeleteI LIKE these a lot!
ReplyDeletePRETTY COOL looking!
Thank you Sue!
DeleteBeautiful paintings, Lisa. I so looking forward to seeing your WIP.
ReplyDeleteThank you Fuzzie Fingers! The WIP just might be finished. I signed it last night. Going to think about it a day or two before I post it.
DeleteSo many great works here Lisa, I really like the first terracotta vase and the portrait ! You are so lucky to live in such a beautiful area , lots of inspiration for paintings, don't you think ?
ReplyDeleteHello Jane! Thank you. Yes there is a lot of inspiration here for sure and we do feel lucky to have the rivers and parks so close. I take A LOT of pictures! I am not much of a landscape painter, but a neighbor's picket fence or an occasional goose might show up in a scene. :)
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