Coco, Floral, Fruit

Coco, Floral, Fruit  Oil on wood, 8" x 8,"  NFS

Promise of Spring

Promise of Spring  Oil on wood, 8" x 8,"  NFS

Very happy with this one. The vintage (plastic) bunny has decorated my desk since I found him at a garage sale a year or so back...  Glad I finally got to paint him.

Under the Irises

Under the Irises  Oil on wood, 8" x 8,"  SOLD

The lovely irises never bloomed beyond what you see here.  I had hoped to photo them again for future paintings...  Maybe the walk from Trader Joe's to my car was too much exposure to the cold air...  I'm satisfied with this painting, though may try it again (bigger) sometime. 

Stealthy One a new cat floral painting

Stealthy One  Oil on wood, 10" x 10,"  NFS

A few floral cat combos this week and next...  I swing around to this theme when I need to streeetch.  Not to mention, Winter. It's gone below 0 a few times since last I blogged... Photographing fresh flowers in the studio was not a bad way to spend an afternoon. Side note: I love my job.

I See Daisies and a Coco Update

I See Daisies  Oil on wood, 6" x 6," Reserved

Before we left our home in Cleveland, husband and I had to shoo Coco cat out of hiding from the bowels of the basement... He knew changes were afoot and he wasn't havin' it. It took him a few days to recover after we moved into the motel, curled up tight under the covers of the bed. He's fine now, his appetite has returned and he's his sweet self again. More paintings when I am able!  Thanks for reading.

Parrot and Daisies

Parrot and Daisies  Oil on panel, 8" x 8,"  SOLD

Carol Marine wrote once that she sometimes paints "vulnerable" colors first...  After mulling that gem over for a while, I decided to try it with "Parrot and Daisies."  I put down the yellows and oranges and then proceeded to paint the rest. Very happy with the results...A great upside to this method is you have those ever-important colors available (right there on your palette!) when going down in value/saturation, making color harmony that much more likely. Thanks for the awesome (as always) painting advice, Carol!  

In the Chill, a new floral still life painting

In the Chill  Oil on panel, 8" x 8," NFS

Love this one...  It includes a sold wood lightly distressed turquoise frame. 

Parrot and Daisy

Parrot and Daisy  Oil on panel, 8" x 8,"  SOLD

Between the Cavaliers winning the NBA Championship and the Republican National Convention here next month, there's a lot of hubub around the CLEVE!  Husband and I have been enjoying boat time on Lake Erie, though I fear the water is still too cold for swimming.  Summer seems to be passing at warp speed...  "Parrot and Daisy" is another go at floral with bird! ..and an attempt to fake pattern behind glass...  I think I pulled it off ok.  Happy Summer to you!

Once Upon a Wish

Once Upon a Wish  Oil on panel, 10" x 10,"  NFS

The panel on which "Once Upon a Wish" is painted was prepared with a different gesso than usual... making the painting surface not unlike a fine sandpaper sponge. Thicker/more paint was used to compensate and I am happy with it. Though I probably won't use that gesso again.

Lemon Daisies II, floral still life painting with Daisies and Lemons

Lemon Daisies II  Oil on Panel, 8" x 8," NFS

First version from 2013

Another go at Lemon Daisies.  This one has more negative space above and around the focal point which makes it seem less crowded. I also removed the stripes on the tablecloth. Better, me thinks.

Observer

Observer  Oil on wood, 10" x 8,"  NFS

"Observer" is better in life!  I will try to post a better photo of it later.

In other news, I am on a bit of an unplanned hiatus here. 
Hoping to work in more studio/painting time soon.  

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Coco and Daisies floral still life with cat painting

Coco and Daisies  Oil on wood, 12" x 12,"  SOLD

This one nearly painted itself.  (and I love it!)  I didn't anticipate background colors drying as quick as they did.  As a result, I left it a little rough.  But the daisies have a "finished" quality that makes a nice contrast.

Ragdoll with Daisies floral still life painting with cat

Ragdoll with Daisies  Oil on wood, 12" x 12,"  NFS

Another kitty + floral:  I figured out it's easier to compose these if I find the perfect cat to paint first.... and let the cat inspire choice of floral still life to include as setting.  It's easier because I have way more floral still life reference photos than I do of cats.  and they are shot at many angles with different light....  Will try a few more this week. 

Adventures on the internet

Umbrella art!?

Very wonderful Kristin Bauer van Straten mentioned me on twitter recently.  Here's the tweet:

 

When the True Blood star who will play "Malificent on the next season of Once Upon a Time tweets: my traffic stats go through the roof. Thank you, Kristin.   

But wait, I happened to click the hashtag symbol before my name....  and discovered this gem on Twitter.  (WTH?)  Someone saw fit to decorate their umbrella with my 2009 painting "Beach Daisy?!" Yes.  Well, at least they gave me credit.  :)  

Deco Still Life before and after fixing a painting

AFTER:  Deco Still Life  Oil on wood  16" x 16"  SOLD

BEFORE:  Oy, bad photo, I realize this in hind site!

Well, you'd think I repainted the whole dang thing based on these photos...  The before photo was shot inside and it's too yellow, my bad!   The after photo of  "Deco Still Life" was taken outside this morning and the overall colors are (shockingly) more accurate. The only parts I actually repainted are the daisies, a few stems and the blooms in the horse head vase.  
If you are wondering "Mmm, I wonder why Diane is hauling out her oldies but goodies and attempting to make them perfect?"  All will be revealed in tomorrow's post.  :)

Three Lemon Floral oi painting

Three Lemon Floral  Oil on wood  12" x 12"  NFS

  

Mums on Magenta floral still life painting

Mums on Magenta  Oil on wood  8" x 8"  SOLD

I have a simmering and exhaustive mental list of "things I want to do in my paintings."  The list has just as many "stop doing" items as those things I want to do more of...  Stop being so reliant on photo reference, quit over blending and use warmer colors.  (and that-there is the tip of the iceberg.)  But I feel like I made some progress here.  Though the photograph is not so great, I am happy with "Mums on Magenta." (It's better in life.)

Astrocat Floral Still Life with Cat Painting

Astrocat  Oil on wood  16" x 20"  NFS

I had many photo references of the Trader Joe flowers but they never demanded to be painted...until I had the idea to add a cat.  At 16" x 20," this painting felt ginormous and I really had to pace myself...  but I am satisfied with it.

Art Deco Still Life

Art Deco Still Life  Oil on wood  16" x 16" SOLD

After my last painting, I felt ready to try something a little brighter.  I'm especially happy with the art deco teapot and I look forward to painting more of my as-of-yet unpainted props.

Daisyworks floral still life painting

Daisyworks  Oil on wood  16" x 16"  NFS

This painting is a bit bigger, it's 16" x 16."  It has all the comfort zone subjects I love to paint, white flowers, fruit and pattern.  Additionally, I made an effort to not over-blend, very happy with the results.