Bird of Paradise

This is another 6"x8" tropical painting that I'm working on. This and the Hybiscus will be given to my son's two teachers at the end of the school year. He has two teachers this year that job share. I started this a while ago, then stopped because I wasn't sure about it. I went back to it last night and it came to me easily. Funny how that works sometimes.

Pears and Hybiscus (updated)

I haven't posted in a while, but I have been painting. I've been trying to finish a few paintings that I've started. I'm very good about starting paintings but to finish them...now that's a New Year's resolution to self. This is another give away painting. I still need to sign it. I'm liking how it looks. I might add darker shadows on the pears themselves. This painting goes to a great friend of mine.

After seeing this painting on my blog I didn't think it looked finished. I'm liking this much better. I still need to work on the leaves a bit more until I'm finally satisfied.

Hybiscus

Tis' the season to shop and that is what I've been doing, along with the decorating. I haven't painted in a while but I'm slowly getting back into things now that I'm ready for the holiday. It's going to rain here tomorrow and I have a great rainy day planned, to paint, wrap gifts and write Christmas cards. I might even stay in my pj's!

This is a 6x8" painting that I thought I'd share with you. I'm still working on it and actually, as you can see by how crooked it is in the frame, I haven't glued it down yet. After viewing it on my blog there is still some work to be done. The color of the flower isn't as luminescent as I'd like it to be. And the leaves are a little (a lot) flat. When it's done I'm going to give it to one of my son's teachers at the end of his school year.

Hummingbird Topiery

I made this topiery over this past summer. I just recently put together the flower pot for Thanksgiving as the hummingbird looked as though it needed some flowers. Living in So. California you can have flowering pots outside pretty much all year. Even the hummingbirds are still buzzing around their feeder. I enjoy mixing my creativity with gardening and home design. I'm so happy with the Rosemary plant that I used as it is filling in quickly.

Roxie

This is just a fun painting of our family dog, Roxie. We adopted her about 5 years ago and is now such a big part of our family! She's a border collie mix (mutt)! She's a great dog who enjoys running with us, playing tug a war and loves a great treat!

"Painting" A Portrait

Yes, I'm just calling it "painting" a portrait again! I enjoy a challenge. That is what this has become. I know I'll get it right...one of these days.

"Retouching"

This is the portrait that I've been "retouching". This isn't even a current picture of it. I took this picture yesterday morning but later "retouched" it. Yes, I'm about to "retouch" it again. I guess I should just say "painting" at this point. I'm liking how she's looking now. I don't think I like the background though. Sometimes I need to stop painting a picture and walk away from it for a while to see the mistakes. I'll post a newer version tomorrow.

3 More Small Paintings

Today I've been getting 3 more paintings ready to send back east. My favorite is the apples. I've been trying to incorporate antiques in some of these small still lives since they'll be hanging in an antique store. These panels are 5x7 and mounted similar to the other ones I did. I've been enjoying painting the details of these small works. I've been talking to my dad about making frames (from old wood) for me for these small paintings. I think by adding a handmade old rustic wood frame would add more charm.

Still life Paintings

6"x8" canvas panels framed

Here are several small still lives I painted for my friend's antique shop back east. The "Rooster" has sold. I had fun painting these. I cut to size canvas sheets and painted those a golden color. I gave the canvas sheets an antique leather "look" to them. I then spray mounted the panel in the center. The frames are store bought and I just removed the glass. They look quite nice once put together.

My First Post

"Winnie and Matthew" 14"x11" oil on canvas - nfs


This painting is one that I have previously done. It's of my mother-in-law and son. I love this painting and wanted to share it with you. I love painting portraits! I did, however, put aside painting portraits for awhile to paint a few small still lives for my friend's antique shop back east. I'll post a few of those later. I have just started a new portrait and I'm retouching another.
I love to retouch! Or should I say I never know when to stop.