Three Harvest Pears 2009

Three Harvest Pears 2009

I have to admit....I'm easily diverted from one subject to the next. My real problem is being constantly inspired by everything!! Certain colors, shapes, compositions (abstract or realistic),patterns everywhere are all sparking my creative juices. I can't keep up, but I'll share some of the things that I am doing. Pears are such sensational fruit to paint. Artists paint them in endless styles. In this particular arrangement I decided to create an extremely dramatic mood. The composition is of three formally balanced pears with an extremely dark background. They are placed on a black surface and as the light hits them, the yellows of the pears reflect onto one another and onto the surface. The darks of the surface actually refract or reflect back onto the pears throwing orange up on them. So exciting! The format of 6x18 establishes the mood further and it is painted on the sides. It is a simple painting that is very exciting and after the style of early masters. I loved painting them. I'll probably paint them again. If you are interested in purchasing this painting you can follow the link at the bottom of the blog page to my etsy shop.

New Mexico Sand Dunes

The Umbrella at White Sands National Monument

New Mexico White Sand Dunes

(Painting from trip made to White Sands Monument in September)

In September I was invited by a friend to go to New Mexico for a week to paint. We took one day to travel to the White Sands National Monument close to Alamogordo. What a spectacular place! When we were on the boardwalk we saw a couple in front of us who had this great umbrella in primary colors. It was such a contrast against the sand. What a picture! An unknowing person might see that image and believe the couple was at a beach somewhere. It was kind of surreal. For a while I enjoyed the dunes, the wonderful contrasts of white against the background of sky and blue mountains, the unusual dessert flora with wind eroded patterns, but I decided I was thirsty......my friends did too. We were glad to have bottled water and a car awaiting us to leave gracefully from the strange beauty of that terrain. It was also good to know that we could be directed to find a way out! I would not want to get lost for very long there! I'm glad we went.

Inspiration is Contagious

Autumn Inspiration

I have decided that inspiration is very contagious. It is something like hearing that your first grandchild is coming. The first thing you want to do after you hear something wonderful and meaningful to you is share it with someone else. Then as soon as that special someone hears your news, they pass it on to someone else and the first thing you know... the good news has traveled faster than wheels. Painting from inspiration is this way. Let me explain myself...... A couple of weeks ago one of my classes decided that they wanted to paint something that was seasonal for autumn. One girl brought some objects (various gourds and a pumpkin). She and I went outdoors and down the street, gathered some berries and leaves to add to the still life. Before long several of them were painting the still life and the atmosphere was almost festive. I was so inspired by what they were doing that I gathered some objects to set in a composition for a still life a few days later. After I painted the painting above, my other classes decided that they would like to paint something similar too. The original inspiration had traveled through several groups in a matter of one week. How wonderful that people can have common understanding of something that brings a spirit of festivity, goodness, food, seasons, and other mental, spiritual or emotional pictures. I believe that inspiration has a common denominator....a Creator, Designer, and Lord of all. So what kind of picture do I want to paint of my life before the world everyday? I desire that my inspiration comes from my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and that I would inspire others with the same kind of love He has showered on me.

Free! Take what you want!

Mark's Peppers

Little Yellow Pepper

As my husband and I entered our church Sunday evening we saw a box at the information desk. On it was a sign, "Free, take what you want." It was not signed so several people who were in that area began to guess who the generous person was. Someone present said that they knew who it was and we all praised his thoughtfulness. What a nice gift! Well, there were not very many people there and the box was really full, so I have to admit I was thinking...........Oh, what beautiful subjects to paint! How can I decide on so few? Do I really take what I want, or should I think of others and take only a few and leave a lot.......I just have to tell you that they were a tempting lot....right there in church! So I did a very thoughtless thing and took several of the most beautiful, unusually shaped and brilliant peppers that I have ever seen.....and the variety of kinds were amazing. The shorten this long and tedious story, I will say that I painted two today and I plan on painting more. I think I might place my picture in the same place as that box, and place a sign on it, "Free, to the thoughtful one who brought the peppers."

Visual Excitement of Tomatoes

Three Amigos Morphed - 6x12 Stretched Canvas

Yesterday I had no words to describe why I was painting so many tomatoes. It might have been because it was late in the evening or it could have been that it had been several days since I had painted all those tomatoes and I had lost my first impressions. Whatever the reason, I have been asking myself questions as to why I wanted to paint them in the first place, what I wanted to say, how I wanted to say it, and what I want others to see in these simple little paintings.

There is voluptuousness and visual, excitement in the colors of vegetables and fruit! The color of tomatoes not only brings a mental image of "goodness", but a physical mouth watering sensation. I wanted to convey some of these sensations by using color, shape and values. There is a certain amount of drama when objects are placed in contrasting light and temperature. I painted the tomatoes in warm tones against a warm, neutral background with a cool white foreground establishing more depth. It doesn't matter how small the the composition, it can convey a mental story. The story may be simple - tomatoes are tasty and beautiful!

A Tomato

Tomato, 6x6 Stretched Canvas (SOLD)

I can't believe that it has been over a month since I last blogged. It appears to me that blogging consistently might take more discipline that painting. I have nothing to say tonight. Just wanted to share some more of my work.

Tomato Break

Tomatoes and Cruet Bottles

A student in one of my painting classes recently brought some tomatoes from her garden to share with class members. What beauties! I immediately set them in a still life and began painting that afternoon. I couldn't wait to load my brushes with juicy paint and apply to the canvas, emulating the mood of the fresh, colorful, and tasty vegetables. It was a great day especially after I ate some of them. They enhanced a great sandwich.