First Cosmos, 6x6 acrylic

This is our first, but not last, Cosmos.  I love the dark pink color, and look forward to it's cheering me throughout the heat of the summer.  I wanted the challenge of looking down on the little flower and little vase, measure, measure, measure.  We got these big sqare stones in a light sand color that act like stepping stones, providing a nice, warm neutral backdrop.

Happy Fathers' Day to all the Dads out there....

Eggs-actly! Oil, 6x6

Here I was working with two green eggs and one brown egg.  I kept wanting to make the brown egg much lighter, I don't know why.  Also I hate that the eggs are matte and don't have a great reflection from the light - s-u-b-t-l-e..... is what they are.  so I put them on a pink plate, and laid them on a purply surface....  trying to stay loose.  Missing my clams...

Also got a couple of new things on my Studio Blog.

Green Eggs, No Ham, Acrylic, 5x7

Do not adjust the color on your set!  These eggs are (naturally) the palest green.  Gorgeous.  I will paint them again.  I also have a few new pieces on my Studio Blog and would love feedback.

AND I'm demo-ing at the North River Art Festival in Marshfield MA on Sunday all afternoon.  If you're in the area, it'd be great to see a friendly face!

Steamers-To-Be, Oil, 6x8

You know, I don't even LIKE clams.  To eat, that is.  I have no opinion of clams personally.  But at our Labor Day Clamboil last year I took a few out and positioned them on the counter and took their pictures, and in looking at the images this week I was intrigued by the subtle colors and the glistening of the neck things.   And then the shapes grew on me and I started drawing clams... after I did this I took out a bigger canvas, 14 x 18 - and sketched on it, but it was not big enough.  So I grabbed a 16 x 20, but once again... not big enough.  I think I finally settled on a 20 x 24 in canvas - let's see how that goes!

Garlic Cloves, Acrylic 6x6

Sometimes I can only wonder at the things that occur at the easel.  If you compare this with my "Orphans' Day Out" on my studio blog you'll never believe they came out of the same studio.  I had every intention of proceeding in a loose, but controlled manner, when I started.  Then I just started slathering on the paint, layer after layer.  I started with a wet black canvas, and the black kept bleeding through and getting picked up by the brush, so I started gathering lots more paint and putting it on gingerly, then using the palette knife on the background.  Inspired by Carol Marine's garlic cloves of about a year ago, I guess I made a departure.  Oh well, this is what happened!

Also, as recommended by Katie May on the comments of yesterday's post, DO check out Ed Carson, a Massachusetts painter - very nice work!

Powdered or Sugared? 2 6x8 Oil paintings

SOLD

Also apologies for all the glare on this photo.

The alternate title for this one is "MEDIC!  Rocco's been bit!"  Based on how the two towers look like they're either fighting or playing polo, AND the fact that I saw a little baby named Rocco this weekend.  Yes, I live in Rhode Island - that's one of the ways you know!  It's kind of comforting to know that in the world full of Phin and Hazel babies, there are still Rocco babies, too, don't you think?

Anyway, this is the NEXT to the last of the donut paintings, so you can relax if you just hate them!  Hopefully tomorrow's will be a treat (Thursday's if not tomorrow's) I promise.  I'll be going to Butler's Donut Shoppe in Somerset, MA, and yes, there'll be leftovers if anyone wants to stop by the studio around 2 before I dispose of them!

Today's donuts are from Sip 'n Dip - much fresher, and more 'pillowy' than Dunkin's.  I was really getting to enjoy the texture of the two types, the ones on the left, coated with powdered sugar, the ones on the right tossed in regular granulated sugar.  Pretty soon I won't be able to even look at a donut - lookin' forward to that day....

Odd Man Out, 6x12 Oil

Still inspired by Emily Eveleth (imagine if her mother named her Evelyn instead?) I'm onto #2 in this little series.  This one's dedicated to Valerie Vitalli's granddaughter because she liked the Strawberry one.  Today I was less cheap and invested in a half dozen donuts.  It being Dunkin Donuts, though, they were a little hard (?) and I had to 'encourage' the jellies to relax and sit loosely on each other (notice not much jelly escaped during the 'encouragement'!  They could put more in!).  The frosted Cake donut is the odd man out.  Probably fresher, too!  I approached it like a plein air painting - not so much seeing the 'donuts' as the shapes and values... it's getting easier!

White Rose, 6x8 oil

I love the challenge of a rose, and this one is gorgeous - the inner folds are creamy pinky-orange (how's THAT for technical color names?).  I concentrated more on the rose than the glass, though maybe I should have spent more time on the reflections, etc.  Daily Paintings are wonderful exercises for the eye, as is plein air painting.   Now that the weather is good, I'll get more of THAT in!  Enjoy the day!

Strawberry Doughnut, Oil, 6x6

I swear I had no intention of doing this as a Daily Painting today - honest - I was on my way to CHURCH this morning, but when I pulled up to the building I could see that a funeral was going on, and I didn't want to intrude on that.  So - and I live in the LAND OF DUNKIN DONUTS - where there's a DD's at every 4th corner - I pulled in for a coffee to take to the studio, and they'd just put out a tray of fresh strawberry frosted's.  Had to.  Had to paint one.  With no nod to Wayne Thibeault - I heard of him after I started daily paintings.  But I was 'surfing' through the Blogland the other day and - darn if I can find it again! - I stumbled on an artist who painted a pile of jelly doughnuts (let's not even go there...) which looked like a landscape.  They were so soft and 'pillowy' it was amazing.  If I can find the artist through 'History' on my other computer, I'll edit this post to include it.  Anyway, I don't say it often enough, but thanks for looking!

Thanks to Valerie - who gave me the name of my 'inspiration' today : Emily Eveleth

Runnucula in a Glass Cup, 6x6 oil

Today I painted a single Runnucula(?) in a little coffee cup I got in Holland.  I wanted the black background and I wanted the challenge of the white petals in light and shadow, as well as the glass, AND the metal rim on the lower half.  PHEW!  Below is a shot of my new, big easel, set at a right angle to my old easel, which will now be reserved (yeah, right) for my Daily Paintings.  I apologize for the underlining here, sometimes it just happens and I don't know how to undo it.  

An Apple A Day, 6x6 Oil

I tried looking down on this apple.  I was really into the varieties of reds in the shadow side.  Tried to keep it loose, and layered the background.  I was thinking I wanted to paint more food, but after this I think I'm going to look at flowers and birds again for a while.

The Monday Morning Painters, once again, were just Phyllis Adams and me - where are all you Fair Weather Artists who  - all winter - kept saying "TELL ME when and where you go out painting!"  Well, I'm telling, are you serious?

Mexican Bell, 6x8 Oil

I SHOULD have titled this one "What Was I Thinking?"  The reflections nearly did me in.  Hopefully it looks like a golden bell.  In San Miguel they hung these from trees and they made lovely music in the wind.  Anyway, if anyone likes flowers, Mexican pottery or crazy orange cats, they should check out my Studio Blog (go ahead... leave a comment.. it's OK.. :))

GOOD ART QUOTE:

The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance. and this, and not the external manner and detail, is the true reality. - Aristotle.  Smart guy, huh?

Congratulations Calla, Oil, 6x12

My daughter, Molly, got a herself a new job on Friday - we were all very excited for her and had a special dinner, etc, and we got her some Calla Lilies, which are her favorite flower.  Before we got home with them, Tim & I stopped at the studio to drop off a bunch of canvases and I had to try to paint the Callas.  I set them up in the black box, and set the light on them and they positively glowed.  

Tomorrow I'm doing (hopefully, weather permitting) a plein air session followed by a figure class - so I'm not sure what will get posted late in the day.  I may just post in my Studio Blog.

Honey Bear, 4x6, Oil

What's that phrase?  "Necessity necessitates?"  Well, there I was at the studio with nothing, NOTHING to paint for a Daily Painting.  I couldn't make myself paint another mug, although I got a cool one for my birthday specifically for the studio.  So to go with a nice herb tea I have a little 'honey bear'.  Put it in the black box and, voila`!

I also mistakenly posted on my Studio Blog instead of here, a  Featured Artist, fellow blogger, Phyllis Adams.  She does cool paintings of dogs, so check her out!

Also you may notice a Monday Morning Painters link, over to the right.  If any of you would like to paint with us, it's a weekly plein air session - no 'leader', but I'll post directions to the site every week.  It's not a club, it's just a weekly site - please feel free to join us!

Periwinkle Cup, 6x6 Oil

I bought these little cups and saucers at the cafe (now defunct) downstairs from my previous studio.  I love the yellow, periwinkle and rose cups with turquoise accents.  What a challenge to paint though, because the colors are slightly muted but still saturated.  Why am I doing so many coffee themed Daily Paintings?  Certainly not because they're in demand :).  I am challenged by the shift in elipses as your eye hits the rim of the cup, the base of the cup, the saucer top - throw in a handle, and it's a morning's eye exercise!    There's that and I love good coffee!

Scottsdale Artists' School Mug, Oil, 6x6

Back to the studio and raring to go.  Finally over the sore throat caught on the plane, I could focus on doing my Painting A Day and not have it look like.... well, the 3 Coke bottles I've been trying to paint all week!  I am also fooling around in the studio with self portraits.  It's terrible when your model won't stay still - even more terrible when it's YOU who are the model!  I'll post those tomorrow on my studio blog for a laugh.  

This is the mug I got when I went to Peggi Kroll Roberts' workshop in Scottsdale.  Well worth the trip, and this was my souvenir.  Reds, as usual, a devil to work with.

I Say "To-MAY-to", Oil, 6x6

SOLD

I decided to explore the tomato a little more and get a little looser (my husband is questioning my eyesight, saying I'm painting 'blurry' lines) and I like the background a bit more here.  I just have to say it - I LOVE oil paint.  Oh, I like acrylic, watercolor and pastels, too, but I love the feel of oil paint.

One Hot Tomato, 6x6 Oil

Oh, the wonders of technology.  I finished this yesterday before I left the studio, but cropped it and posted from the Honda Dealership, where my car is getting serviced!  The little tomato looks a bit flattened out in the photo - I'll look again, but it seemed to have more depth in real life.  I love the irridescent green background, thank you Daniel Smith Oils!

Black, No Sugar, To Go, 5x7 Oil

Got a comment from a fabulous artist, Sally Dean, that I should be mindful in painting things like toss-away coffee cups, that they really pollute the environment - and so today I'm painting my 'green' coffee mug.  Also, it comes from Coastal Roasters - any visit to RI should include stopping in at this gem of a coffee shop, particularly on a nice day, when you can sit outside and get, essentially, my view ;)  So here's my 'green' cup with the green lid.  Actually, it's Tim's cup, but I gave it to him (and hid it today so he'd leave it for me to paint!).

Small Iced, Regular, 5x7 Oil

Here in Rhode Island (the actual birthplace of Dunkin Donuts, I believe) there's no 'season' for iced Dunkin Donuts Coffee.  No offense to Coastal Roasters, who has my heart for hot coffee, there's something special about DD's iced.  I've sat at the drive up window in a snowstorm behind a string of cars, all getting our fix of the nectar!  I tried to stay loose in this one, and am happily ensconced in my new studio - yay!