"Still life derives from the Dutch word stilleven, coined in the 17th century when paintings of objects enjoyed immense popularity throughout Europe."

I'm going to keep plugging!  Hope you can "pear" with me.  Love word studies, and the Dutch gave us so much of our language.   I also like the still even, just to ponder when I'm feeling a little off.  Like today.  I'm working on setting a course.

daily exercise is good for the soul

This is the painting du jour.  I am trying to paint a little all over  large panel I have.  The design upper left is from another exercise.  Just trying to clear the cobwebs.  Using a range of warm to cool reds and white to learn my colors while working on design.

The Merry, Merry Month of May

We are eagerly awaiting the marriage of our son at the end of the month of May.  All of us are on High Alert to keep going to the goal.  There seems precious little time to paint, but, as you know, the painter must.  I'm trying to keep it simple and direct.  Lots of precious practice pieces.  I painted this set up earlier with a different direction colorwise. 

LemonLife

I like the strength of cad lemon for its intensity. Love lemonade, don't always enjoy making it of the pitfalls of life.

Offering

"I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge---that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."  Ephesians 3:17-19

Fully Engaged

This collection of white objects all clustered with a golden pear made for an interesting afternoon.  I was in ellipse squeeze.  I was trying to use three disparate primaries.  My objective was to work fast, to get the composition and drawing going and then to paint like mad.    I did have fun doing this one, though.  12" x 12"

En Pointe

This is my prize-winning painting from the Midland show. I received this lovely photo from my friend. Shows up quite well in my Randy Higbee floater frame, n'est-ce pas?

Paint Pot

In this painting, I have veered into the addition of Cadmium Yellow Light.  The varieties are a little surprising to me.  I have also found that a photographed look at the painting is quite a bit different than the actual piece.  Is this a little like looking at the painting in the mirror?
Last week, I had the pleasure to meet, Carol Carmichael, a fellow traveler in this pursuit of painting.  Her studio is filled with her amazing artwork.  She has been painting a very long time, teaching art, encouraging others.  I'm hoping I will get to see her again in Birmingham.  

Pesto Sauce

Here is today's humble effort.  I love working with my very limited palette: more ochre, alizarin and ultramarine.  This 12 x 12 seems unified and light.  May try glazing after it dries.

Waiting My Turn

These little boaters on the very edge of Lake Redcloud are waiting their turn to go canoeing.  What a beautiful sunny day it was.

Come a Little Bit Closer

Today's 6 x 6 is another practice with ocher, alizarin and ultramarine.  There are countless variations in tone and hue available.  I'm wildly excited just now having heard that my piece previously posted here has received First Place in the Midland Arts Association Spring Show.  The painting is entitled En Pointe.  What a thrill opening my mailbox to see such news.  A little encouragement goes a long way with me!

My Efforts of Late

Lately, I have done quite a few still life paintings.  This one presents it own challenges.  Somehow on the photo, I can see where I went wrong.  And now I've been exposed.  I'm calling the one on top Shorty.



The butter dish is study/deep practice #2.  Both are 8 x 10, using yellow ocher, alizarin crimson, French ultramarine blue and white.  This one is Sit Still.  Trying to discover the secret of luminosity. 

REAL GALLERY Opening

The REAL Gallery opened last night with a very good turnout.  Thank you to all my friends who dropped by to see.   My friends Deborah Thomas and Ann Seago were exhibiting also.  The show will last until Sunday, March14 at this pop-up location.  When you're in for SXSW, please stop by at 912 Congress. I hear there is an
Apple Store pop-up right down the way, introducing the new iPad! Hurry downtown for all the
excitement.

REAL GALLERY in Austin, TX

You are invited this evening to a reception for Second Thursday on Congress Avenue at Real Gallery. The gallery is located at 912 Congress. Refreshments will be served. Please come check out my work.

White on White

This little 6 x 6 is a very quick exercise.  I'm working on a few of these to see how my three primaries work: yellow ochre, alizarin crimson, French ultramarine blue. 

Out for a Stroll

Where is she going, this señora? I think she is on her way to the bakery. She's following her nose. M-m-m-m!

Angelique BéBé

These little confections are in a darling New Orleans children's store. Couldn't a little girl have fun in this tu-tu!

The Underpinnings of Painting

My Fifteen Minutes of Fame, Gone With the Wind

Here is my Blue Ribbon Winner from the recent spring show at the Brenham Art League.  I call it Little Feat.  The colors are not quite accurate in the photo, the painting is 15 x 30 and is a depiction of my little Townsend.  First Place!!!

Midland Spring Show 2011

Hope you are keeping warm painting around your fireplace.  I have just found that my paintings, En Pointe and Provencal, have been juried into the Midland Arts Association Spring Show.  This is a wonderful exhibit in a grand old Midland home.  Please plan to drop by to see the beautiful exhibit and setting.

HomeMade

Here is my garlic butter exercise.  My little Abigail and I put some cloves of garlic in oil, all ready for mashing into butter.  This painting is 12 x 12, loaded with paint and ellipses, cursed ellipses.  I'm pleased with the shadows here.  This piece may be seen at Shabby Slips Austin.  SOLD

My Muse

This is my little sculpting project which I still have not delivered to the foundry.  I have loved working on her and just can not seem to bring the project to completion.  How I have loved working with master sculptor, Beth Schoen.  The tactile process is wonderful.  Beth is such a great instructor.

Peaches and Ice Cream

This painting is from warmer days, days when the peaches were so abundant.  This reminds me of making ice cream.  Mmmmm...always good on a cold day.

CLOSING TIME

There is something beautiful in the ordinary...reflections on a long day, a good time, light flooding through the open window.

VAL D'ORCIA

This little painting depicts the beautiful Tuscan countryside where we painted late last spring.  My cup runneth over.

MONET'S GARDEN IN SPRING

We had a beautiful afternoon in Monet's Garden when all the other visitors had gone.  The tulips were especially spectacular.

LITTLE FRIENDS AROUND THE TEA POT

Here are a few more of my paintings from recent months.  With gratitude, I am painting and painting, looking for moments to record and to savor.

"There are many things to see, unwrapped gifts and free surprises. The world is fairly studded and strewn with pennies cast broadside by a generous hand. But- and this is the point- who gets excited by a mere penny? If you follow one arrow, if you crouch motionless on a bank to watch a tremulous ripple thrill on the water and are rewarded by the sight of a muskrat paddling from its den, will you count that sight a chip of copper only, and go on your rueful way? It is dire poverty indeed when a man is so malnourished and fatigued that he won’t stoop to pick up a penny. But if you cultivate a healthy poverty and simplicity, so that finding a penny will literally make your day, then, since the world is in fact planted in pennies, you have with your poverty bought a lifetime of days. It is that simple. What you see is what you get.”
—Annie Dillard
from “Pilgrim at Tinker Creek”

This sums it up for me today.  I have found the beauty in a plain scene.  In painting with the renowned Calvin Liang, I have seen his creations on this dreary, soupy day become little works of inspiration and beauty.  Let us all cultivate this simplicity.  I will post my painting later...

In the Parlor, 15 x 30

Please come see our exhibition at Scooter's in South Austin.  Nina Brodsky, Deborah Thomas have our paintings on display there for a few more weeks.

You Are My Sunshine

Dear BlogWorld.  I am going back to fill in the blanks since the time when I left you. I have not been idle.  If not a daily painter, I am surely not a daily blogger.  I prefer to talk about not blogging.  And to paint.

At Orange Beach

This is my darling little grand boy at the beach.  It's funny that the beach is Orange Beach.  My painting is a little orange-ier than the other, but it was a sun-filled morning.  I loved painting little TPT as he made a sand castle for me.

Morning on Lake Travis

It was a beautiful morning with a clear sky above the lake.  Loved painting at this beautiful spot.  Backlit trees and a wonderful view across the way.  Many thanks to the PAA group for such a great location.

Lemon and Tea Cup

Back to my paintings with this little 6 x 6 done very quickly.  Ellipses make me spin.

En Pointe

Confident and a little crooked, these little teaspoons are ready for the dance.

Creamer on Cream

Try as I may, the daily painting is more like weekly. Wonderful day when the oil flows over canvas.

Spicy

This little painting, 6 x 6, shows the spices of life. We have an affinity for Tabasco!

My Little Peony

more brush mileage. my little peony after dark.

"The Little Peppers" was done on Valentine's Day. Happy Valentine's to everyone. This is part of our dinner.

THE FOUR SATSUMAS

Today I'm joining the daily painting movement, guaranteed to frustrate, exhilarate, move a painter from point A to point B. Am eagerly looking forward to some point out there, B or not!

It's the perfect day for studio work. Here is a painting I did recently on just such a day.