The Pomegranite

The Pomegranate 5" by 7" oil on canvas Available

I painted this thinking about my sons girlfriend and her mom who are both very fond of pomegranates.

Thanks For Looking!

Val

Three Greens

Three Greens 5" by 7" oil on canvas Available $80

I like the way the separate apple seems to be looking away.....just a loner or rebuffed by the others? Trust me this one looks way better in real life, despite my time trying to get the contrast and intensity just right in my editing program.

Thanks for looking and please pass on my blog to others!

Cheers, Val

Persimmon Pals

Stand By Me oil on canvas 7" by 5" Available $80

Persimmon Pals Oil on canvas 5"by7" Available $80

Its a two for one day! I am always hunting for something to paint when I am in the grocery store. Perhaps people who watch me in the store think that I am very particular about my fruit as I hold one up and carefully examine it from every angle only to put it back and select another! Persimmons are a favorite for me as I get to use some full strength cadmium orange in a few places.

All my recent "dailies" are on a very nice stretched canvas rather than a panel. Aside from the fact that I like to paint on canvas, these small stretched canvases give a more finished original feel to the final piece. My husband prefers to place them on table top easels or plate stands rather than on the wall.

Again Thanks for Looking!

Val

Through The Pines

Through The Pines 11" by 14" Oil on deep profile canvas

I completed these gallery pieces in November after returning from travelling. I was so pleased to be back home I really just wanted to paint the Yukon! "Through the Pines" is inspired by the amazing mountains and colours found along the Skagway road.

Available for $350 from me or through Yukon Artists at Work

From Skagway Road 8" by 10" Oil on canvas

This mountain scene is right next to the one above, on the road heading towards the Skagway summit. The snow was already down low covering some of the late fall colours. Its a fairly small piece with plenty of brush work evident.

Available for $250 , from me or at Yukon Artists At Work.

High Country Fall 8" by 10" oil on canvas

I have often looked at this photo and considered painting it, finally I tackled it! This is a spot on the Fish Lake Road, lots of Whitehorse folks recognize it.

Available, for $250 from me or at Yukon Artists At Work Gallery in McCrae.

Country Road 8" by 10" oil on canvas

Again those fall colours! Perhaps after travelling through the mostly grey concrete cities of South America I really needed to reconnect with our colourful landscape. Anyway this is a small study again, inspired by a lane way off the Carcross Road. Those familiar would recognize the bent tree framing the road.

Available for $250 from me or from the Yukon Artists at Work Gallery, where all these pieces are hanging along with plenty of other wonderful works from other artists.

I will post the photo of my most recent "alleyway" painting tomorrow...........along with a "daily"

Thanks for Looking!

Val

I'm Back!

Mother's Coalport 5" by 7" Oil on canvas Sorry, not available.

I'm Back! I have actually been painting lots since my last post, but they have not been "dailies".

So it is time to change my own guidelines for this blog and include more than just my little still life "dailies". I would like to share with you all my new pieces as they come off the easel, at least the ones that don't get hidden under the bed!

I have been putting off posting to my blog so here are a few other small daily paintings. I hope you enjoy.

Another Cup Of Tea 5" by 7" oil on canvas Sorry, not available

I have plans for these two pieces as gifts but the others below are available from me.

Copper and Onion 5" by 7" oil on canvas Available, eighty dollars

I have painted this little hand made copper pot before. It's been in my home for years. Sometimes it does duty as a plant pot, other times it just sits by the fire. Although I have never cooked in it I could not resist the colour harmony with the yellow onion and the garlic added to the theme.

Pewter Mug II 5" by 7" oil on canvas Available, eighty dollars

Again I have painted this before, but I think I nailed it this time! Lots of different grays, warm and cool in this piece.

So you see, I have been busy! Tomorrow I will post all of my recent gallery pieces.

Thanks for Looking!!! Val

Hey and please leave a comment, the positive ones are like little gifts to me......and criticism helps be grow as a painter.

Patio Pots

I set up outside to paint these clay pots on my deck. I wonder if Monet had so much distraction from mosquitoes? I ended up with paint on my elbow from swatting bugs! Still, it was more enjoyable than being in the studio. Happy summer days everyone.
Thanks for looking, Val
And once again it is available, directly from me.

Lemon Lime

Its great to be back painting another small daily warm up! I have been busy with a large portrait project that I will start a blog on in a few weeks.
These were fun to paint and I especially liked the way the lightest part of the lime blended with the halftone on the lemon. It is so hard to judge the lemon in the shadow....what colour is dark yellow anyway!
This is 5" by 7" and is on stretched canvas. I am going to continue to use these small stretched canvases rather than panels. I prefer painting on canvas texture and these have a nice finished substance to them and look wonderful in floated frames.
As usual this is available from me directly for $75.

Thanks for Looking!

Val

It's A Daisy Day SOLD

This little painting insisted on being blue! I wanted the yellow centres to really stand out so I kept having to reduce the contrast elswehere.
I love the way daisy faces turn up to the sun, I feel the same way!
Thanks for looking,

Val

My Old Workhorse SOLD

I really needed to get outside of my studio and so today I painted in the back yard, and it was wonderful! I have been using this wheelbarrow for more than 30 years, and every dent and ding is well earned. Very enjoyable to paint!
A heads up to Whitehorse folks ; I will be doing a mini workshop as part of the Yukon Portrait Project tomorrow at 3pm at the Old Firehall. We will be mixing skin tones. Please think of it more as me sharing information, rather than teaching as I am still a student myself.
Thanks for Looking!
Val

New Growth SOLD

I love digging in the dirt almost as much as I love painting. Getting the ellipse of the pot opening correct was a drawing challenge, but I think its right....good practice.
This Saturday I will be doing a mini workshop at the Old Firehall on mixing skin colours in oil. It is a part of the Yukon Portrait Project running for 2 weeks starting June 6. Come and see the many wonderful pieces by various artists at the Old Firehall and throughout downtown.
I hope to keep up with a few "dailies" every week over the next few summer months but I am starting a demanding new painting project that will take up much of my time.
Thanks for looking!
Val

Planting Day SOLD

I am back in my studio after a family visit and some time in my garden. Here is a scene familiar to many folks at this time of year! Hope you are all enjoying your gardens.
Thanks for looking. Val

Willow Bob

Well as you can see I have been busy! This is a portrait started from life and finished from a photo. I dont usually post my gallery works but I really wanted to share this piece with everyone! It is entered in a Yukon Portrait Project that will open at the Old Firehall June 5th.
Bob makes wonderful willow furniture, some of which can be found at Yukon Artists at Work gallery in McCrae. I loved painting all the grizzle and that HAIR!
This is still a work in progress as I may do a glaze on it when I return from a week long trip. There is also some glare on the dark wet oil paint on the right side.
So because I am leaving for a week there will be another drought of paintings. I miss doing the small works. Perhaps I should have named it Val's sporadic daily painting blog.....
Thanks for looking, Val

Antique Compass

I started this yesterday and almost wiped it out because I was having trouble with the composition. I changed the background and adjusted the values and now I think it works. This is a gimballed mariners compass that was used by my late husband's grandfather and is part of a small collection of his items that we have inherited. Now that I have tackled it once I think I will be able to include it in future compositions without being so afraid of the drawing. I have looked several times at his sextant as a possible subject but, wow, the drawing is daunting!
It is 5" by 7" on Masonite panel and is available from me. By the way, many of my past "dailies" have found their way to the Yukon Artists at Work Gallery in McCrae.
Thanks for Looking!
Val

Worn Out SOLD, Thanks!

Dan asked me to paint a pair of running shoes and these are my retired oldies. This is one of those paintings that just go so well and I realize that all the time spent with a brush really does build skill and sight. Time to get out on the trails!
By the way I have found a couple of wonderful frames for these small pieces. They are quite reasonable and if you are interested in purchasing one call me or email me. I order them from Kelowna.
Thanks for looking!,
Val

Cappuccino SOLD, Thanks!

Coffee is a wonderful part of our social culture. I imagine you have shared many wonderful conversations over coffee and this painting celebrates that. It was hard to to sip on this while painting it!

I have a question for you all. I am thinking of re- naming my blog so I am asking for your opinion. I want to call it "Little Life Paintings" or "Little Lifes" by Val Hodgson or similar. Leaving out the still in still life. You see there is only one rule I made for myself with this blog and that is everything I paint and post must be from life, in other words no photos. I spend lots of time painting from photos for my gallery work and this is a way to develop my skills further.
Let me know your opinions, leave me a comment!

Thanks! Val
This piece is 5" by7" oil on Masonite and is for sale directly from me for $75

Blue Bowl and Pear

With special thanks to the person who left this lovely blue bowl after the birthday party in April. Now, I will give it back when I know whose it is!! Painting the mottled texture on the pear was my favorite part. Did I say how much I love my new brushes?
Thanks for Looking!
Val

Rose and Vase SOLD, Thanks!

Well I really had to work for this one! Again the photo has lost some definition in the rose...whats with that? I guess the red is a problem in my colour balancing. I just received some new "fitch" brushes made by Winsor Newton. I only had them for the last part of the painting but they are wonderful for loading on soft thick paint!
Thanks for looking,
Val
This piece is 5" by 7" and is available from me for $75.

Henley Goblet with Rose SOLD, Thanks!

The Henley is an important rowing regatta in Britain and my son, once a national team rower, was given this old silver goblet. It is very tarnished which makes it easier to paint!
My photos are getting better with the information from Morgan Whibley's course and although most of the darks are true I can see a loss of my darks in the rose. The photos are never as nice as the real painting!
This is 7" by 5" and like all my small paintings is available directly from me. Hope you enjoy.
Oh and check out the links to other artists that I have added to my blog, some wonderful work. I will add more later.
Thanks for looking,
Val

Lemon and Slices SOLD, Thanks!

Well, I have decided that I need to focus on a particular style for my daily still life paintings. This will help my paintings to improve faster. I really enjoy exploring a variety of styles and compositions but I am always drawn back to the classic traditions.

So here is a very classic presentation and I loved painting every minute of it! Although I want to limit my style I do not think this means I need to limit my subject matter. I am pretty sure I can do cowboy boots and teddy bears with a similar lighting and painterly brushwork!

Thanks for looking,

Val

Three Onions

No tears while painting this one. In fact I am very pleased with how this turned out! Maybe I am getting better.....
It is 5" by 7" on Masonite panel.
Thanks for Looking!
Val

Moonshine Jug

This is yesterday's painting that I did not get to post, so here it is. I think I have had this pottery jug forever and it looks like a classy version of a Moonshine Jug. Maybe we will find a use for it....
Thanks for looking!
Val

Stacked

I have inherited a collection of very old books and sometimes they find their way into my paintings. I measured and re-checked my perspective but still the top book seems to tip forward. Perhaps I needed to soften the far edge and add some background colour to the far side as well. Then again maybe I just need to redo the drawing again!
Anyway here it is. Sometimes I get so involved in my other paintings that I simply forget to post!
Thanks for looking!
Val

Fresh Eggs II

Yes that egg really is blue/green. I thought I had a better composition than my last egg painting but now that its finished I can see this one is not as strong a composition. However i am pretty happy with the rendering. Sometimes when I get in my studio I am so revved to start painting that I don't take enough time planning and evaluating my composition.
Thanks for looking and I hope you enjoyed your weekend breakfast as much as we did!
Val

Fresh Eggs

Dan brought home these beautifully coloured farm eggs and I thought they were perfect for a colour study of skin like tones and form. I am working on a portrait series and trying new colour palettes appropriate for portraiture. I see a lot of similarity in the variation of skin tones and these egg colours, one is quite pink, another quite orange and the third is less saturated and a cooler brown. Then the real challenge is to make the form turn convincingly!
I think I will do more again tomorrow.
This is 5" by7" oil on panel and is available from me for $75.
Thanks for looking!
Val

Chinese Jar II

You may notice that I have painted this before. There is so much to it that I had to simplfy and be selective. I think I did a better job this time than last.
It is 7" By 5" on panel.

Thanks for looking!
Val

Japanese Brushes

These brushes are from my weaving and silk dying past. They have unique split bamboo handels. I love having them around my studio, perhaps as a reminder of my fibre arts days. I used them to apply dye to my handwoven silk fabrics.
This is 7" by 5" and is available from me for $75.

Thanks for looking!
Val
www.valhodgson.com
bajaval@gmail.com

Pear Shapes

These were simply wonderful to paint. And I am getting better with the photos and editing for colour. Hope you enjoy and thanks for your comments!
5" by 7" oil on stretched canvas. $75 direct from me, a little less than my gallery price.

Thanks for looking,
Val

Red Rose III

I am back after a few days of bookkeeping and tax preparation! I promised myself that I would paint each rose that Dan brings home(though I may not post them all). Easy promise, difficult subject.
In this photo the petals are little out of focus. I am taking a digital SLR workshop at the local Arts Underground with Morgan, who is an excellent teacher...so they should improve!
This is 7" by 5" on stretched canvas. Available from me for $75.
Thanks for looking!
Val

Afternoon Apples

Great snack after a pleasant walk. This is 5" by 7" , oil on stretched canvas.
Thanks for looking!
Val

Four Generations

Happy Birthday Geoff! My son is 29 today. This is his Great Grandfathers wooden ships block and a wrought iron anchor that Geoff made some years ago. Four generations of sailors in our family.
I have discovered a new joy in doing these dedicated pieces on special days......I spent the morning thinking about Geoff as I selected his set up then painted his painting. Of course it is not for sale (but you will have to wait till it is dry before I can send it to you, Geoff!)
Thanks for looking,
Val

Copper Kettle

This little kettle has been in my kitchen for as long as I can remember. So of course I was tempted to paint it. All those ellipses to draw correctly! But I do think I separated the colours of the brass and the copper in the end. Whew.
This is 5" by 7" and is on stretched canvas. Available from me for $75. (yes my prices went up)
Thanks for looking!
Val
bajaval@gmail.com
www.valhodgson.com

Tulip II SOLD, thanks

I started this with two tulips...but it has ended up as "Tulip II" because my composition was awkward and so I wiped the other one out, now it looks like the mirror of yesterdays. Ah well.
It is 7" by 5" on stretched canvas. Available for $75 directly from me.
I have recently re-joined Yukon Artists at Work, hope you will come out and see the gallery!
Thanks, Val

Spring Tulip SOLD, thanks

I noticed this little vase this morning and thought it would be the perfect support for the pretty pink tulips that my step daughter brought me. My studio is now getting crowded with all the odds and ends that have found their way into my paintings!
I think the colour on this photo is a little off, it had lost the contrast even after I tried correcting it. You will just have to come to Yukon Artists At Work next week to see the real deal!
Thanks for looking,
Val

Louie SOLD

Louie was gracious enough to sit for the entire portrait session! He was ready to go home for a little tea party afterwards. If you have a special friend or favorite object that you would like a small painting of, contact me.
Thanks for looking!
Val
bajaval@gmail.com
www.valhodgson.com

Starting Dinner

Its great fun rooting around in the kitchen for vegetables and fruit that compliment each other. Today I liked the huge white onion next to the small sweet campari tomatoes. A casserole for dinner?
Todays painting is 5" by 7" and is oil on stretched canvas.

Thanks for looking!
Val

There's a Cowboy in Us All

Happy Birthday to my Cowboy! The first time I danced with Dan he was wearing cowboy boots.
These are his newest pair bought a year ago on the road into Baja at Guerrero Negro, a real Mexican cowboy town.....oh and this one is not for sale....its for my sweetie!

Cheers all,
Val

Tall Tea

A simple cup of tea for today. Enjoy.

Thanks for looking, Val

Just A Rose

My hat is off to those wonderful flower painters out there. Flowers are tough! I love revealing form in my paintings but flowers are so complex in their form.

My husband is a romantic and brings me a single red rose often. So I think I will keep trying to paint them......

Thanks for having a look!

Val

www.valhodgson.com

bajaval@gmail.com

Floppy Ears

Another funny bunny! Floppy Ears is 6" by 6" and is oil on masonite panel. Available from me for $65. Thanks for looking.
Val
www.valhodgson.com
bajaval@gmail.com

The Slouch

A friend asked for more on the stuffed toy theme, so here is The Slouch. He is just as cute in real life! Hope you enjoy him...actually its a cow, so hope you enjoy her. She is 6" by 6" on masonite panel. Available from me for $65.
Thanks for looking,
Val
bajaval@gmail.com
www.valhodgson.com

Little Red Shoes SOLD

Simple subject, right? It seemed so to me when I chose to paint my granddaughter's little red shoes. There are parts of this painting and my paint application that I like though. I will have a better day tomorrow!!!

Thanks for looking,
Val

Happy Easter SOLD

Happy Easter to all my painting friends and family!

This fluffy little bunny is an Easter gift to our granddaughter. I am glad I chose it for a subject today as I really enjoyed working all the fuzzy texture.

Enjoy your weekend celebrations,

Val

Pear on Glass

Remember the green pear from last week? Well its now a gorgeous yellow as you can see.
This is 5" by 7", oil on panel. It is available from me for $65.

Thanks for looking,
Val

check out my web site:
www.valhodgson.com