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.