Two More Mandarins

Two Mandarins

6x8"

Oil

$96

     This painting is very similar to one I did a few weeks ago, but it is different just as every moment is different. While I painted this one, the other one was completely out of mind. That must be what makes it possible to paint the same thing over and over, like those haystacks.

   

The Cat

The Cat

16x12"

Oil

$336

     It has been a while since I painted the cat. I thought this posture was very engaging. She is so beautiful, with her pure white fur and fabulous eyes, one black rimmed and one orange rimmed. That contrasting patch of dark pigmentation she has above her right eye makes her a little glamorous. In this version, I hardly painted her at all, only her pretty little face. That is where the real interest is for me, so that is what I gave my attention to and let the rest speak for itself.

Mandarin Lineup

Mandarin Lineup

12x36"

Oil

$300

     These mandarins are on a large extreme rectangle, a canvas I like to use from time to time. It is fun because it is an out-of-the-ordinary format. The oranges themselves continue to delight me as I paint them. I will do another, though smaller, before I must go shopping again. I did a little photography of the fruit for later, but painting from life is more personal and I like it better.

Mandarin Pair

Mandarin Pair

6x8"

Oil

$96

DPW $76

     Two bright orange mandarin oranges. Two orange balls would be fun to look at, but I love the complexity the stems and leaves add. The shadows are an important element too. This was fun to paint.

    

Mandarin Single

Mandarin Single

6x8"

Oil

$96

DPW $76

     Imagine a box full of bright orange mandarins with their stems and leaves still on! The box even said, "With stems and leaves." For me that was the best news. Supermarket fruit is so bare. The greenery makes the fruit so beautiful and interesting. Orange--what a color! I bought the whole box. I now have plenty of something lovely to paint for days and days.

Red Gerbera

Red Gerbera

5x7"

Oil

$70

DPW $60

     Here is a cheerful flower. The sun hit it and made it glow. How often nature dazzles our eyes. So, of course, we want to paint it. I think that must be akin to "gilding the lily." Anyway, I had to paint it, and I got to use all my warms. But they would not have stood out without the cool dark background made up of my darkest blues and greens.