Friday, September 21, 2018

541 Deer in the Forest

Deer in the Forest
oil on canvas
12x12"
$288

     Getting the black really black for his eyes and nose is a surprising combination of prussian blue and transparent iron oxide red. Alchemical magic I guess. It also works with ultramarine blue.
     I liked the way his face and long throat showed up in contrast against his body as he looked over his shoulder.

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

540 Poppies

Poppies
oil on canvas
8x24"
$300

     These are California Poppies that came up in my yard at the beginning of this summer. They grow everywhere. Sometimes they cover a hillside like a thick golden blanket. Sometimes they grow through a crack in the sidewalk. They are dear flowers, but they make painting difficult because they are so simple that your eye does not believe what it is seeing; and their orange and yellow against a blue sky looks almost childish, though beautiful.
     In this painting, I tried for a "surprise color" and surprised myself with the periwinkle blue that showed up in the stems.

Monday, September 17, 2018

539 Gold Slippers

Gold Slippers
oil on canvas
8x10"
$160

     I saw a picture once of Fred Astaire en pointe, so I know men can do it, but in ballet, no. Only the ballerinas. How utterly feminine, satin and ribbons on shoes that enable you to go tiptoe.

Thursday, September 6, 2018

538 Leila

Leila
oil on canvas
6x6"
$100

     I have just recently discovered Leila Hyams from the early talkies. IMDb gives her a glowing write up. I think she is adorable and look forward to trying her again a few more times.
     It is funny how when you are painting, you begin to concentrate on one thing or another and forget about concentrating on so many other things. I would have thought it would all be second nature by now, but for me, not so.