No Waiting

No Waiting

oil on paper 

9 x 6 inch

available here

There is a wonderful pizza place called Grimaldi's in Brooklyn, NY. There is usually a wait outside the door, but the day we were there we got right in. There WAS a line that day, but we were only a party of two so we didn't have to wait. Lucky us. 

I hope you are having a great week and not having to wait for anything.

♥ Lisa

Sew

Sew

mixed media on paper

9 x 12 inch

SOLD

I never did learn to sew very well.  My mother taught me how to hand sew a simple hem.  She actually used to darn socks using a light bulb to stretch them out so that she could mend them.  "Who in the world sews socks???  Why not just buy new ones?"  I once asked her.  "Mothers with six children," was her answer.  "Oh"...said me.

When I was pregnant with my first child, my grandmother, who was a seamstress back in her working days, helped me sew some maternity clothes.  They were corduroy overalls and I loved wearing them even though they made me look like an elephant. They really did...they were gray.

 I never did take to sewing though.

sketchbook sweetie
graphite and colored pencil

The painting was inspired by this sketch in my sweetie book (a tiny moleskin) and a recent conversation with a friend who likes to sew.

Hope you had a great weekend.  Thank you SO much for all your very kind comments on my most recent paintings.

♥ Lisa

Adrift

 Adrift

mixed media on panel

9 x 12 inch

It was kind of an amazing experience painting this.  I really cannot explain it in words that would make sense, but I can tell you a certain and special peace came to visit me once it was done and it made me wish the painting session could have lasted forever.

Here are some close-ups.

Happy weekend to every one of you.

♥Lisa

Ancestors of the Tapestry

Ancestors of the Tapestry

oil and cold wax 

9 x 12 inch gesso panel

SOLD

This painting has been shown in progress a couple of times on my blog.  I was not sure the mega-texture was going to work with this, but it was kind to me.  

Some areas were easy because of the texture, like the flowing hair on the figure on the right and also the grass.  Other areas were more of a challenge. Take the arm, for example...so bumpy.  However, once I added the lace sleeve, that seemed to cure the problem.  

Here are some close-up views.

Happy week to you all.  More work to show you soon.  I've been painting a lot.

♥ Lisa

The Bluebirds of Joy

 The Bluebirds of Joy

oil on paper 16 x 20 inch
SOLD

This painting came together with ease...the colors, the faces, the design, even the birds...and doesn't this make the artist happy?  Not all of them go so well.

 detail

 detail

 detail

The decision to make the birds blue came after my art instructor Brian Hinkle discussed how different background colors can really change the mood and feel of a painting.  He pointed out a smudge of blue that was in my already dark red background, suggesting that it would make the mood light and happy.  It was an ah-ha moment for me, not for the background...but for making the birds blue.

Did you know that bluebirds are a sign of joy and a good omen?   Thank you for pointing this out Julie!  After Julie told me this, the title came swiftly.

 detail

 detail

Up close, I always see things I want to change...like uneven eyes or perhaps a crooked nose.  However, there are other things that seem very right to me, so leaving it alone seems to be the lesser of two evils.  Reworking areas often can lead to disaster or lost loves.  I admit I do not paint fearlessly, but I am working on this.

detail

This piece was painted on Daler-Rowney Georgian oil paper.  It stays flat and feels great to paint on.  It will be mounted to a cradled hardboard which makes a very nice and inexpensive presentation and omits the need for a frame.

Have a beautiful rest of the week!

♥ Lisa

Adding Birds and More Pretty Pictures

                                

More progress on this 16 x 20 inch oil painting and this morning the birds have been added.  In Tuesday's class, the art instructor suggested that I could change the background if I wanted to brighten up the mood.   He pointed out a tinge of smokey blue that I had smudged on in various places as a possible alternative, but I love the reds with the yellows here too much to change it.  

However, his suggestion gave me an ah hah!  moment...blue would be the perfect color for the birds that are planned for this piece.  So here you have it...in progress.

                    

Speaking of blue...here are samples of photo edits again.  I found a new photo app called Photoscape for $1 and I love the colors you can add.  The photo above and below are the same picture with different hues.  I almost expect to see elves tip-toeing out from behind the trees in the above and the one below looks more like Fall in real life.  The original is bright and vibrant summer green.

                     

I have been spending time outside in the yard. Weeding flowerbeds is an ongoing job and such a relaxing thing to do.  I try to stretch while I'm working...you could call it Yard Work Yoga.  That keeps me from getting too stiff.   My camera is always near by of course.

                                  

These flowers are not from my yard.  They are from the flower shop.  That big sunflower just seemed to be singing out loud. 

Sometimes when I take pictures, they come out pretty just the way they are so I leave them alone.

                             

Especially when it comes to the sky.  Often, it does not need a filter.  It seems to have its own.

                                

Have a beautiful weekend.

♥ Lisa

Painting in Progress and a Surprise Gift from a Blog Friend

detail of WIP
16 x 20 inch oil on paper

On Tuesday I returned to Brian Hinkle's art class at Tessera Fine Art Gallery and jumped right in starting this 16 x 20 inch oil on paper.  Using one of my sketches as inspiration, the figures went down quickly.  There will be birds in this piece once it is all said and done.

beginnings of 16 x 20 inch on paper
at Tessera Fine Art Gallery

Here is a full view of the piece.  You can see another oil painting in the background which I have shown recently.  That one is slow-going because I have been really indecisive about color.

Hurley

I caught this shot the other night of my dog Hurley.  He has so many facial expressions and this one is precious.  Kind of pitiful, but precious.

Hurley

Speaking of Hurley, do you remember the above photo?  I posted it a while back.

5 x 7 inch painting of Hurley
by Patty Musgrove

Well a couple of days ago I was surprised and so touched to receive the above painting from Patty Musgrove with Listen to the Road.  Patty paints the most beautiful animal portraits and I could not believe she would give me such a gift.  Tears.  Many of them.  Thank you so much Patty.  Life is sad right now after losing my mom and this gift is so joyful and uplifting.

Please click on the photo to view her beautiful brush strokes.  She captured him perfectly.

Have a nice weekend everyone.