Lift Off 8" x 6" floral still life painting

Lift Off  Oil on wood  8" x 6"  NFS

Though I've admired how artists use varying degrees of paint thickness to great effect, it's something I feel like I'm only just beginning to explore in my own work...  I used to be so clear about what a good painting should be and evenly applied thick paint was an absolute requirement...  The more I paint, the more I do not know about painting, heh.  The board for "Lift Off" was toned with sienna brown--and I'm liking the effect it has under thinner paint.

Survivors a floral still life by Hoeptner

Survivors  Oil on wood  8" x 8"  SOLD

Didn't quite make it overnight.  ):

My friend Vinnie and I went to an open house at the new Orville Marketplace recently.  It's a giant industrial building that has been completely renovated... in order to open an upscale arts destination.  Much fun was had and we are both interested in exhibiting our paintings there when it opens. 

Especially exciting Vin pulled a giant clump of nasturtiums out of her garden for me!!  Trader Joe's never has this flower and my mother no longer grows them so I was thrilled.  When I got home, I put them in a baking dish with water...  They didn't all maintain their glory overnight--however most of the yellow ones did...   Thus, "Survivors."  You may see a few more nasturtium paintings soon.  Thank you, Vinnie!!

Three in Sync small floral still life painting

Three in Sync  Oil on wood  8" x 8"  SOLD

Nasturtium Galaxy floral still life by Hoeptner

Nasturtium Galaxy  Oil on wood  8" x 8"  SOLD

Vintage seed catalogue
from the Smithsonian
Archives

Fun facts about Nasturtiums:  They symbolize victory through battle and conquest.  They are edible. 

They strike me as a kind of "old time" flower, not unlike mums and violets.  I associate them with vintage illustrations on valentine's day cards and seed packets.   

I'm working on mixing better greens...   My normal MO is mix "some kind" of blue with "some kind" of  yellow.  ...and that's usually it.  However, adding bits of other colors including complimentary reds (etc) can be very good for color unity throughout.  Maybe more nasturtiums this week.

Crimson Trio Jeremy Lipking is good inspiration

Crimson Trio  Oil on wood  14" x 11" NFS

"Nasturtiums" by Jeremy Lipking

I re-discovered an old folder of nasturtium photos on a storage drive.  The photos reminded me of Jeremy Lipking's amazing painting titled "Nasturtiums."  As a longtime fan of his art, I can't get enough of his brilliant brushwork and sensitive handling of shadows and edges.   I decided to use his painting as inspiration and printed it out to have as reference along with my photos.

I have a ways to go before my brushwork is so pleasing, but I grew a bit with this painting.  I had to give up some of my go-to colors for greens and I realized I have more than a few go-to habits on autopilot.  It was a worthwhile exercise.

Fall Flowers painting of nasturtium orange

Fall Flowers  Oil on wood  6" x 6"  SOLD

I've done a few variations of this one, I never tire of the pretty Nasturtiums.

Intrepid oil painting flowers floral

Intrepid  Oil on wood  8" x 8" 

It's been a beautiful weekend here, sunny and not too humid.  My husband and I went for a long ride on his motorcycle yesterday.  I took pictures from the back and we stopped for sushi late in the afternoon.  (Pictured:  cucumber wrapped salmon and crab with sesame, beautifully presented and yummy too!)

Cosmos original oil painting still life Hoeptner

Cosmos  Oil on wood  8" x 6"  SOLD
Click image to enlarge.  Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

Wishing all a joyous holiday season and a Happy New Year!!  I will be back in JAN, but will be checking emails. 

Crimson Orbit oil painting flower floral still life

Crimson Orbit  Oil on wood  6" x 8"  SOLD
Click image to enlarge.  Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

As the year concludes I find myself taking brief tours down memory lane...back to when I first started getting serious about painting.  Of course one hopes to see improvement.  The first time I painted this little floral arrangement was here.  This version pleases me even more than the first one and I really loved that one, even though it never sold. (:

Summer Memory wild flower painting

Summer Memory Oil on board 8" x 8" SOLD
Click image to see bigger.

Diane@DianeHoeptner.com

The first time I painted these white flowers was here. They have propeller like petals and look as if they might fly away at any moment.

Windy Yellows

Windy Yellows 8" x 8" Oil on Board NFS

Sorry if I talk about the weather too much but I can't get over just how cold it gets here. It's in the 20's with windchill making it feel like ZERO. We keep checking the siding and gutters on the house to make sure they aren't flying away with the wind. Anyway, I will photograph this painting again when the light and temp is more reasonable. I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss sunny Southern California today.

Pretty on Pink Floral Still Life

Pretty on Pink 8"x 6" Oil on Board N/A
Click image to see bigger.
diane@dianehoeptner.com

I bought a bundle of neon colored felt swatches last summer for $1. at a garage sale. Wasn't sure the pink piece would work with this arrangement... but it seems to balance out areas of saturated color nicely.

Fluted Yellows Naturtium Flower Oil Painting

Oil on paper, 22x22, sold

Trying again for that elusive yellow on gray "eye pop" effect. (: Not sure if this is there yet, but I like how it came out anyway.

Garden Pops Flower Oil Painting

Garden Pops 8"x 8" Oil on MDF Board SOLD

Click image to see bigger.

diane@dianehoeptner.com

Rainy Day Blooms Floral Still Life Painting

Rainy Day Blooms 8"x 8" Oil on MDF Board NFS

Click image to see bigger.

Love, love, love this one. I've been painting the little nasturtiums for a few days now and this is the first time I caught their special characteristics... They have these little "tails" & balloon-like bases so lovely and fragile. Plus, the glass came out kinda good too. It was a swell day in rainy Cleveland, OH.

Friday Bloom Orange Flower Floral Still Life

Friday Bloom 8"x 8" Oil on MDF Board N/A
Click image to see bigger.

Available for purchase here.

The blue pottery vase was acquired for $3. at a going-out-of-business antique store. I love the deep blue and green coloration. This painting has a nice color harmony that I'd like to try for again sometime, maybe next time more flowers... As usual, it is better appreciated in life.

Orange Flower Painting Floral Still Life

Orange 8"x 8" Oil on MDF Board N/A
Click image to see bigger.
Available for purchase here.

Nasturtium Painting (flower floral still life painting)

Oil on paper, 22x22, reserved

I went over to my dear Mother's house Saturday and we picked these lovely nasturtiums, from her garden. Really bad picture, will re-photograph when the painting is safer to handle!