The Turning Tree - Large Acrylic Painting

"Turning Tree"

30" x 36"

Acrylic

I finally finished a new one. This is a large acrylic, 30" x 36". I have been doing some "fine-tuning" on it for several days - I just was not quite satisfied with the leaf colors. I think I finally achieved what I set out to do, though. My goal was to show a tree that had begun to change colors, and had different stages of leaf maturity (i.e. different colors) ranging from greenish yellow to a dark rust color. I think that I am okay with it now that I have simplified the background a bit. (It was really "busy" before).

I am working on two other paintings at the moment, and just happened to finish this one first. The other paintings include a very large canvas featuring 5 running horses, and a smaller canvas with a close-up of a single horse. I intend the larger painting to be a very loose, almost abstract, colorful canvas with lots of my favorite color: red!!!

Please check in again soon. Toodles!

I am back after a sort of "hiatus". Actually, I spent over a week working on a single painting - a landscape - that I still need to tweak just a bit. It is a huge canvas - somewhere in the neighborhood of 3' x 5.5'. Also, I had to set up a new, larger easel. This was a hassle since no instructions were included in the box. Geez, I would have settled for Spanish instructions...or even Japanese... if they had only included pictures. But, I think that the three of us (me, Mom, and Lucy the Boxer), ultimately got it assembled. The good news is that we only had 3 extra parts left over, not counting the 2 extra screws.

I am not ready to post the "big picture" yet, but for the last several days I have been working on a 24" x 30" canvas of 2 very colorful horses. This photo is not primo - I think the actual paint colors are much sharper. Still, you get the overall basic design. I think that this is one of my favorite paintings because of the freedom of choice I used in selecting color and style. The result is more expressionist than the usual impressionistic approach that I generally take in painting. I hope you like it.

"Horses Nuzzling"

Acrylic

24" x 30"

A Daily Painting: 8" x 10" Daisy Field No. 2

For the last couple of days, I have been busy with a few new projects. I thought that it was time for me to share at least one of these.

I had previously entertained the idea of painting another view of the daisy field - a smaller, more detailed version of my larger "Daisy Field" painting, posted earlier this week. This 8" x 10" painting was finished yesterday. The paint is acrylic, quite heavy in some places, providing a textured look to the flowers.

Also, I began work on another acrylic painting this week: a marina scene inspired by my recent travels to the Gulf coast. I am pleased (so far) with the way that this one is progressing. I hope to post it this weekend, along with another forest landscape from Wednesday.

Again, thanks for your interest!

Wednesday's Thoughts

Thanks, folks! I appreciate everyone who is looking at this blog, especially those who have chosen to "follow" my progress as a painter.

Yesterday I entered an art contest for the very first time in quite a while. I had been thinking about it for several weeks, as this gallery's website is one that I frequently visit, and from which I often draw inspiration and artistic energy.

I believe that the goals of the painters belonging to this gallery are well aligned with my own, as they strive...just as I do...to continually improve and inspire, posting new art each and every day, sharing with the world.

I will keep you updated as to the progress of this art contest, as entries move from one level to the next, either progressing or being eliminated. I am excited about the possibility of joining this talented group of artists, and I am really looking forward to the results.

Please stay tuned...

Pears with Dark Border

16" x 20"

Acrylic

Here is one of the few still life paintings that I have recently completed, as my concentration has been more on landscape and plein air creations lately. This was a commissioned small acrylic painting in which I chose to use large, loose brushstrokes. The idea was to show contrasting colors as well as texture. I added the 4 inch dark burgundy-esque boarder last, after much consideration, because I thought it "grounded" the subject and helped to tie the color palette together. This was a fun, new effort working with an old, popular subject matter! I think I will try some more of these on even smaller stretched canvases.

Daisy Field

16" x 20"

Acrylic

Happy Monday to all!

As promised, I completed "Daisy Field" this weekend. I am thinking about doing a smaller "detail" painting of these cheerful flowers, using thick acrylic paint.

It has been a challenge, though, to keep the yellow centers off my boxer's nose. Lucy loves to sniff flowers...buttercups are the worst...and daisies are no exception. And each time she sniffs flowers, a gigantic "projectile" sneeze follows. Why doesn't she ever learn?

Back to the painting: I enjoyed the loose style and contrasting colors. I may try this again, using a palette knife instead of brushes. This would keep the color fresh and the painting really loose. H'mm...maybe tomorrow...

This Weekend: Daisies, Daisies, Daisies!

This weekend I shall be completing a painting that I am calling "Daisy Field". I began this painting last night, from a photograph, and decided that I needed to do a little paint layering. Of course, this means that I need to let this first layer dry before continuing. Therefore, I probably will not post it till Monday. (We'll see). I do like the contrasts that I am using, though, of the lightly colored petals against the dark green background. I am still a prude when it comes to posting "paintings in progress", so I will await the posting until I feel that it is "finished". Have a good weekend!

Another Cactus Painting

Detail from
"A Desert Family"

16" x 20"
Acrylic

I decided to try something a little different from the norm. I was scanning through old desert photographs when I discovered a number of close-up pictures of several different cacti. I was particularly inspired by prickly pears, Joshua trees, and Sedona plants. I researched them a bit,to become more familiar with their structure.

My goal was to create a painting that was loose and colorful, with perhaps a lot of contrast to give it a playful look. My studies led me to paint several different venues. Two of these I have already posted on this blog, including "Prickly Pears" and "Cactus Mountain". I am posting here a close-up of a third painting featuring several cacti highlighted with multi-colors. I really did not add a lot of detail to this one, keeping it very loose. It was fun to create. In fact, I plan to create another one as soon as possible, a larger perspective painting, featuring the incredible Joshua trees.

Painting Wildflowers under Cloudy Skies

I typically choose to paint bright, sun-drenched plein air venues; however, I decided that I wanted to use lots of blues and purples for a change. Combining these thoughts with my love of wildflowers, I began this painting with the purplish-blue background in different cool shades of acrylic. Greens came next, as I blocked in the naturally growing wildflowers from a close-up perspective in this extraordinarily colorful field.

Eventually, I did add a few golden colors to warm it up a bit, but I wanted the overall effect to be inspired from a primarily cool palette.

Wildflowers under Cloudy Skies

24" x 30"
Acrylic

I really like the way purple and green work together. I think that I shall try more challenges in this color scheme, with energetic brushstrokes to enhance the "loose-ness" of style.

This painting actually took 2 days to complete, as I had to allow some drying before finishing the details of the flowers to circumvent that yucky "muddy" effect.

Again, thanks for looking!

Reflecting on my Reflections...

Large Tree with Red Border

30" x 36"
Acrylic


Well, I admit that I got a little long winded yesterday on this blogspot. But I have an excuse... I had a particularly productive weekend painting, and I was in a reflective mood, thinking about how I came to the conclusion that painting every day is a "good fit" for me. I am also discovering that this process has made me more color-conscious, and my brushstrokes more purposeful and deliberate. (That has to mean that I am evolving...doesn't it?) Anyway, here is a new one for you to view. Comments are welcome, as always.