Mr. Bluebird

Getting into the routine of summer has been a little tricky.  Not a lot of painting going on so far.  The good news is Anna and I have been walking/rolling for exercise on our cul-de-sac every morning this week. (Yay us!)  Anna's friend Devin and her mom Trudy have been joining us, which makes it a LOT more fun.  (Yay Browers!)

This little birdie is on a 4"x4"x1 1/2" canvas that is deep enough to sit on a shelf by itself.  
Click here to buy.

Orange Pair

Anna's school year is coming to a close.  She has finals three more days and then she is through.  I am hoping for an art-filled summer for the two of us.  I envision days working side by side on painting and drawing, and maybe collaborating on a project or two.  I may get a reality check pretty quickly, but it is nice to dream.
Two oranges on a 6"x6" canvas.  Sold.

Three Cherries

This week has been all about "filling orders".  I have been blessed to have several people commission paintings in the past few weeks.  It is an odd feeling, not just painting something that appeals to me at the moment, but creating something within the guidelines that someone gives me.  It's a really fun challenge, and it feels awesome to know that a painting already has a "home" before it leaves my easel. These cherries are for a trio of fruit paintings destined for a kitchen.   6"x6" canvas.  Sold.

Veggies

Here's a really fun commission I got from my etsy site.
It is going to a vegan couple for their kitchen.  Cute, right?  She saw the tomatoes and wanted two other veggies to match.  On 8"x8" canvas, SOLD.

Two Kisses

Totally enjoyed my day at Art in Avodale Park yesterday.  Lots of kids making fun art, wonderful artists exhibiting and good music.  At one point in the afternoon, I had a man on a guitar playing for tips right next to my booth.  So fun.  So hot.  It's definately summer here in the "sunny south".

Here are two silver kisses on a 5"x7" canvas, foil is a fun challenge.  Click here to buy.

The New Black

I  have struggled with darks.  I've been warned against out-of-the-tube black.   I have been mixing my own, from ultramarine and burnt umber.  Nice, but not so predictable.   I read about Gamblin's Chromatic Black in the Blick catalog and bought a tube a couple of weeks ago.  It's mixed from Quinacridone Red and Pthalo Emerald green. It is much more transparent than regular black and grays mixes nicely instead of making them flat and dull. Predictably, consistantly.  It's my new go-to. 

"I've been 40 years discovering that the queen of all colors was black." -- Pierre-Auguste Renoir

Mr. Red

I have a small egg shaped bird feeder outside my kitchen window.  Just right for chickadees and titmice..  The cardinals are too big, but that doesn't stop them from trying.  They're fun to watch as they try to cram their big selves into a small opening for some seed.  Lest you feel sorry for them, we do have a large feeder that they can easily access just feet away.  I guess they like the challenge.

Male cardinal on 6"x6" panel.  Click here to buy.