Holiday Greens Plus

I began this painting the day I did a demo for an art association, and did the same subject for them.  It's so different when I can control the light, have unlimited time, and there are no questions to answer!  I was able to make a more finished piece.  The demo I did for the East Greenwich folk is below:

I just couldn't do things like the ribbon in the time it took to do the demo, answer questions, explain about blogging - as it was I put the poor woman right in front of me to SLEEP!  Riveting, that's me! ;)

Holiday Bouquet, 8x8 Oil

Here's a painting of a beautiful bouquet my husband indulged me with while we were grocery shopping. I wanted to paint in the style of my previous winter bouquet with greens, but this is what I came up with after 2 tries. I guess every subject has it's own voice, and you have to be true to it. Here, at my house the time between the holidays is sort of out-of-focus, with me confusing what day it is - who's home? Who's stopping by? Who are we visiting? And although I love it I kind of am looking forward to burying myself in the studio for long hours again.

For You, 9x12 Oil

The other day I was visiting my artist friend Nancy Colella, and our plans were to paint, then have a meal together (it's an hour to her house, so I couldn't possibly make it home without food!;).  Well, we ate first, then it turned into a haircut adjustment (it happens, OK?), and then Nancy spread out the tulips I brought her on a table and I painted them.  The blue tone from beneath the paint doesn't show up as much in real life.  I'm getting into painting flowers - I never really saw the point, but now I'm feeling up to the challenge, and am very excited about it!  Today we're buried (about 8 inches) in gorgeous snow, and I'm driving to Logan to pick up Tim from a business trip very late in the day, so I hope I get to paint today - maybe some snow?

$150 through Paypal

Spider Mums & Holiday Greens, 8x8 Oil

What HAVE I been doing? Well, getting healthy, 'sharing' my sickness with my husband, baking cookies, visiting friends, and decorating. Yes, I find I can't wear my 'artist' hat AND my 'Martha Stewart' hat at the same time - and I so rarely give up my artist hat, but I decided this would be the Christmas to do it. And in light of the financial 'crash' we're heading in to (yes, I'll say it - it's looking like a Depression by the time all the pink slips are handed out) I think this holiday should be more about caring for each other than about presents. I have to say I LOVE presents - giving as well as opening, but they're only fluff - the important things of this world are NOT of this world. And there are many who are not reading things on computers who are suffering more than we can imagine. So in light of those things I'm happily enjoying putting the lights on the tree, sticking various greens & berry laden branches in a window box, listening to my Perry Como/Frank Sinatra/Johnny Mathis Holiday music.

I finally did a Daily Painting yesterday, and I was channelling Carol Marine. Thinking about my brushwork, about the edges, and most of all, the overall design. What do you think? It's 8x8, so the price is slightly higher, $150 via Paypal.

Congratulations to Cheryl Mihalko, and Katie May for winning the 'raffles' this month - they are shipped and on their way to you! Katie won the Pointsetta painting and Cheryl chose the Persimmon - I hope you enjoy them, and have a Happy Holiday Season! Thanks for following my blog!

SOLD