Sunflowers and ....

I think the music in the mall stores has gotten to me .... I was painting these sunflowers and pomegranate last week and somehow couldn't get the image of a Christmas ornament out of my mind.   Where's the thought of the turkey and stuffing?  So once home, I toned down the shiny ornament and forced it back into a piece of fruit.   It is easy to look forward & worry about what lies ahead.   But for now, I will focus on the present ... and the in season pomegranates!

8 x 8" Oil on Panel

Hot Pepper

Red Hot Red Pepper!

Hot Pepper 6 x 6 Oil on Panel

Takes Two to Mango

These two paintings continue my efforts on focusing on a small vibrant area of the canvas with color and letting the rest fall into the background. I am drawn to this limited color palatte but am feeling I should try and branch out a bit! Change is difficult!

Takes Two to Mango  8 x 8 Oil on Panel

Green and Yellow  8 x 8 Oil on Panel

Single Rose

This was a cropped image from one of the still lifes set up at my workshop in Texas.   I zoomed in on the photo and choose a small part to paint in 6" x 6".   This single rose makes me imagine how one feels after a wonderful evening out ... coming home with a single rose ... and sitting and remembering the night.   Sometimes the memories are better than reality!

6 x 6" oil on panel



Roses

 I attended a workshop given by Qiang Huang in New Braunfels, Texas about a week ago.   We had a wonderful group of painters, a fabulous host in Mary McIntosh and of course a great instructor with Qiang.   These are the three paintings I did while studying his methods of using dark grey backgrounds with a bright focal point in the foreground.  I will continue working in this style until I feel I have captured my intention!   Hope you enjoy.

Jar with Fruit

Pear

I am preparing for a workshop at the end of the month with Qiang Huang.   I am very excited to see how he approaches painting.   

I watched his video:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLZQf3P2rkg  then set up a similar still life and tried to follow his steps.   I am fairly happy with the results but plan to do several more for practice!

La Paloma Woodie

Every third Thursday in the summer in Encinitas it is "Car Night" where folks stroll up and down looking at vintage cars. I was lucky to spot this green woodie parked in front of the La Paloma theatre.

  6 x 6" Oil on Panel