Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Combat "Cavalry Spurs" Alla Prima Painting

The Order of the Spurs is a time honored tradition for cavalrymen, a ceremony whose roots can be found in knighthood.

It comes already varnished and signed on the front and back. It is painted oil on linen on panel, and the panel is notched in the back so that it can be hung without a frame.

"Cavalry Spurs", oil on linen on panel, 5x5"
{Portion of the proceeds benefit the Wounded Warrior Project}



Thursday, August 16, 2012

"St. Joseph's Pastry" Alla Prima Painting

Oil on linen on panel, 4" x 4", "St. Joseph's Pastry"
This alla prima painting is 4x4", painted on linen mounted on panel. The panel is notched on the back, so that it can be hung on the wall without any framing.

One of the lesser known facts about St. Joseph is his status as the patron saint of pastry cooks, as well as patron saint of families. This St. Joseph's pastry is a riff on a Zeppole di San Guiseppe (as he is known in Italy). He is celebrated at Spring solstice with a Feast, traditionally held on March 19th. It is so delicious though, they are eaten year round.




Monday, August 13, 2012

"Swim Goggles" Alla Prima Oil Painting

Still life, Oil on linen on panel, 4" x 4", "Swim Goggles"


This painting is 4x4", painted on linen mounted on panel. The panel is notched on the back, so that it can be hung on the wall without any framing.
 
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I once read a book called Painting the Things You Love in Watercolor by Adele Earnshaw. It's out of print now, but you can find it used on Amazon for an extremely reasonable price as of this posting. It was fantastic for demonstrating how you can use the items you already cherish to create your own signature style. She covered the basics, but is a thorough teacher. I really enjoyed her down to earth style.

"Swim Goggles" arose out of this need to paint things that I love, as I learn to handle paint better during my daily painting project.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

"Zinnia Stem" Daily Oil Painting

Floral, Oil on linen on panel, 4" x 4", "Zinnia Stem"
This painting is 4x4", painted on linen mounted on panel. The panel is notched on the back, so that it can be hung on the wall without any framing.

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This Zinnia flower stem kept me from painting my planned subject. I was stopped short by it's beauty. The bloom sprang up, luridly, almost daring me to take it. The person who leads the garden, was kind enough to let me have this bloom. It was grown from seed, by elementary children, who learned that although flowers are beautiful, they are also important, as powerful seductors for pollinators. No matter what vegetables are grown in the garden, the children always also plant flowers in the same bed. That makes sense, doesn't it?





Friday, August 10, 2012

"Strawberry" Oil Alla Prima Painting

Still Life, Oil on Linen on Board, 4" x 4", "Strawberry"
This painting is 4x4", painted on linen mounted on panel. The panel is notched on the back, so that it can be hung on the wall without any framing.

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While painting this, I remembered being very little and having my Mom buy us matching t-shirts. I begged to have the shirt, because it featured a cute mouse holding a strawberry. Isn't it amazing what objects will trigger our memories?

Every year during strawberry season, our family goes to a "you pick" farm. The scent of strawberries and rich soil washes the air and there is a playground for families to enjoy after picking. I hope that my daughter will look at a strawberry after she is grown, and remember our times there together.

Does the strawberry trigger a special moment in time for you?

Thursday, August 9, 2012

"Peach with Cherry" Alla Prima Painting

Still Life, Oil on Linen on Panel, 4" x 4", "Peach with Cherry"
This painting is 4x4", painted on linen mounted on panel. The panel is notched on the back, so that it can be hung on the wall without any framing.
                        
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These fruit are stars. I love them both singly, and whole. I'm toying with an idea to create a peach-cherry pie, because it might work together. Why not? The world already has strawberry-rhubarb.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

"Lucky Bamboo" Alla Prima Painting

Have you ever wondered how these plants get shaped? Me, too. I know you can set palm trees in the ground at an angle when you plant them and they will straighten up, forming the most beautiful curve.

still life, oil on linen on panel, 4" x 4", "Lucky Bamboo"

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I decided to go small with this one, and for subsequent paintings, to be able to do some visual excavation and exploration. Normally, when working on a larger painting I'm in the planning and development phase for awhile, and then the execution stage could take weeks afterward. I want more freedom. I want to pursue themes and subjects that I normally couldn't include in these larger paintings, but that would work as stand alone subjects. I think every object we are drawn to has meaning beyond it's beauty. It may be telling us something from our own subconscious, dredged up memories or half-formed thoughts.

It's an idea that I can validate or discard after painting daily. I'm excited! Already I am learning. This painting is in the alla prima method, or "at once" meaning that I painted it in one intense session. I normally paint in a series of layers, in a very controlled manner. This linen on board is like pushing paint around on a mirror it's so very slick.

Bear with me while I learn! I plan on sharing what I know. I'm already having fun and hope you will too.