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!
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.
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!
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. 
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.
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!
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. 
Great snack after a pleasant walk. This is 5" by 7" , oil on stretched canvas.
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. 
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.
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.
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!
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.
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?
Happy Birthday to my Cowboy! The first time I danced with Dan he was wearing cowboy boots.
