Fresh Flowers

 

Fresh Flowers
oil on linen panel 4x6 inch
available here

The sun is out and it feels like early Spring, only it's still January.  The fresh flowers will have to come from Trader Joes for a while longer. 

Flower Paintings and Dreams of Gardening Again

Colors Dancing
oil on linen panel 5x7 inch
available here

Painting flowers is a great way to explore paint color and brush strokes.  The above painting was all about palette freedom.  The painting below was extremely boring, in my opinion, until I smeared cobalt blue onto the pitcher with a palette knife.  There was something so satisfying about that. I cannot explain.

Tilted Cobalt Pitcher
oil on linen panel 7x5 inch
available here

 

Now I am feeling ready for Spring.  

Soon.  

Pretty Boy

Pretty Boy

oil on cradled wood panel

10x10 inch

available here

The shape of these trees changed dozens of times, inspired by arborvitae of the most unusual green.  However, that hue in oil paint was elusive.  

The title was the easiest part.  

Artist Inspiration: Elizabeth Blackadder

 

Elizabeth Blackadder

1931-2021

Books:

By Philip Long and John Leighton

The above book has a great selection of her works in watercolor, oil paint and sketches.  

By Duncan Macmillan

Moon and Star Paintings

 

Stargazing - Red Chair

oil on linen panel

5x7 inch

available here

There is no ocean here, but there can be with a little imagination.

Three recent paintings.  My son asked what inspired them.  Always having to think about that question because often the painting is created intuitively.  In this case it was a mix of lovely winter evening walks with lights reflecting and sparkling all around, and of course the love of being outdoors where the air and sky are crisp and gently stings the nose and eyes.  

Moon Gazing - Blue Chair

oil on linen panel 

5x7 inch

available here

There is no giant forest here.  But in dreams there often is.

                                              Moon Gazing - Red Chair                                              

oil on linen panel

4x6 inch

available here

New Painting: Discussion With Two Cats

 

Discussion With Two Cats
oil on cradled wooden panel
10x8 inch
available here 

I have been painting every single morning since October 27, 2023.  This is the longest consistent stretch since I began painting over 12 years ago. I used to just steal time wherever I could and often many days would go by where I didn't paint at all.  Now I wake at 5 am, sometimes earlier, sometimes later, make coffee and get to it.  It's my favorite time of day.  Quiet, dark, peaceful and meditative.  

And it's snowing today.  Extra bonus.  :) 

Happy New Year!

 

This year has been a beautiful one.  I painted.   I made dolls.  I gardened...a lot. So much peace comes from being outside in nature, and it is a big part of  what made the year feel so beautiful. I was outdoors for countless hours creating beds, mowing paths to reduce my lawn, planting seeds and just planting in general.  I put in dozens of trees, shrubs, and flowers.  I even put in a mini orchared with apple trees, strawberries, blackberries and blueberries. I studied permaculture and learned about rewilding, trying to apply those practices into my yard.  I cannot wait to see how it all looks next year.  

I put together a a video showing all the art from 2023.  Many of the dolls were actually made in 2022, but I never shared them until this year.  And below is my favorite photo this year from all the ones taken of my garden.

I hope you have a wonderful and Happy New Year!