Roses in Blue Glass ( 8 x 6)

It's December 30th and I think this will be my last post of the year. I'm getting ready to take a short trip to the Los Angeles area and I won't be back for a few days.
I started this composition very simply; just the knobby blue glass and the yellow roses. It didn't feel right so I included the foreground red rose. That left the right side of the glass feeling too stiff, so I added another red rose behind the glass to balance it and carry the red through the glass to enhance the transparency. A lot of adjustments for such a small painting. (I think I've got about three paintings here)

Roses and Vase (10 x 8)

This is a vase that I've painted many times. Today I decided to mix it with my silk kimono. It's a pretty complex pattern, but I think it works ok.

Teapot & Rose (8 x 10)

I decided to combine the little iron teapot with a rose and the silk kimono. I like the combination of pattern, color and texture.

I am finding that the pressure to get out approximately one painting a day is forcing me to paint quicker and to fuss and noodle less with the work as I'm doing it. The outcome is more work, quicker progression of ideas, and a steeper learning curve.

Iron Teapot (8 x 10)

This little oriental iron teapot was given to my wife and me by a family friend for our wedding. I really love it and it has appeared in the background of several of my paintings. I thought I'd showcase it.

Butter Warmer ( 10 x 8) and Bottom Lands (22 x 28)

I'm posting these two paintings today (Dec. 21st) because I probably won't get another one done until Sunday the 23rd. The butter warmer is a small 10 x 8 painting. I'm a little disappointed at the "fussiness" of the painting, and I think I need to get rid of the soft brushes.
"Bottom Lands" is a plein air painting done in November out at the Elkhorn Slough. It's done in more of the "Early California" style that I like.

Roses in Plastic Glass (8 x 10)

This seemed like a good idea when I started it but now it looks like it's too complicated a composition. I should have probably settled for one rose.

No Place Like Home (8 x 10)

Ok, I think that's it for the red shoes series for a little while. I like the shoes, and the paintings have been popular, but I'm starting to get a little too tight when I'm painting them. My goal has always been to keep the paintings loose and painterly, but I think I'm loving the objects too much. I find that I am trying to be really faithful to the shoes and the glass balls rather than to the painting as a whole. Putting the shoes aside and concentrating on some other objects for awhile will revitalize my approach to them when I return. (PS; The title has to do with the clicking heels)

Lunch in San Juan (14 x 11)

Well, here it is Monday evening and I haven't finished my daily painting yet. (too much Christmas shopping) It's about 2/3 done but it's too late to finish it this evening. I thought I'd substitute a painting that I did earlier in the fall. It's part of a series on San Juan Bautista. I'll try to post two tomorrow.

Amy's Keens (8 x 10)

My wife, Amy, isn't a "high heels" kinda gal. She's more of an athlete and an outdoors woman. But she loves her wild shoes and colorful socks so I decided to do a few of the more colorful pairs. Here's the new Keens. They are the latest in casual/hip/athletic wear. The photo isn't too good (lots of light reflection).

Mimosa Still Life (8 x 10)

Today was a real test. I spent the day at my gallery, Mimosa, painting a still life and speaking to people who came to see my work or just to shop. It was a little difficult to maintain my concentration, and I was working under changing light conditions. Despite that, it was a fun day and I met some really nice people who appreciated my work. I sold some paintings too and I look forward to doing it again. Thanks to Pam, Deanna and the rest of the staff at Mimosa. The photo was taken in the gallery before I left and something cast a little shadow on the lower left side. Oh well...

Christmas 07 (11 x 14)

I know it's kind of schmaltzy but I'm a sucker for the trappings of Christmas. I love the tree, the candles, the smells, poinsettias, ornaments etc.

I am painting one Christmas still life each year, even though I realize that they are probably too seasonal to sell. They give me a chance to try to capture the translucent quality of the candles, the delicate poinsettia leaves, and the shiny ornaments all in one painting. I'll put them up in my house in December, and store them the rest of the year.

Oriental Tea #2 (8 x 10)

Well here is the sequel to the previous "Oriental Tea" painting. I modified the composition a little by reversing the location of the background teapot and leaving out the second cup. I'm not as sure that I like this composition as much as the other one, but I like some of the elements more. As before, I especially like the green teapot and I want to put it into more paintings. It has a nice rough, but refined, quality that contrasts nicely with the teacups. The fabric on the table is an oriental silk kimono that I picked up at a street fair several years ago. I bought it because I was attracted to the design and thought I would include it as part of a figure painting. That hasn't happened yet though.
'

Red Shoes and Blue Balls#1 (8 x 10)

This was the first painting of the shoes and ornaments. I would have posted it sooner, but I was not happy with the color in the photo. I'm still not happy (the color is too cool) but I decided to post it anyway in order to get it onto the blog in something close to the proper order of when it was created.

Red Shoe and Blue Balls #2 (8 x 10)

I went to the local dump to look for a window frame to use as a background for still life painting. While I was there I went to their recycle shop to look around. The red shoes just jumped out at me and I had to have them. Since it's Christmas season I added the blue balls for a little more interest, and a laugh..

The two teacup paintings (both 8 x 10)

The pair of still life paintings is the latest in a long line of still lifes featuring teacups . The teacups belonged to my Canadian grandmother who loved her tea. They have a lot of meaning for me and they bring back memories of my childhood in Canada.

I try to paint them in a loose and painterly way, but still retain good drawing and a feel for the reflective eggshell-thin surfaces. It's tough to get all those ellipses fitting together convincingly without getting fussy.

Lately I have been more interested in the other objects in the painting. The teapots in the background are reflections of that interest. I really like the cast iron oriental teapot in the "Oriental Tea #1" painting. I'm working on a sequel which will also include that teapot.