Oil Painting Outside!

The weather has been perfect....light breeze...no bugs and birds in and out of hidden places in the bushes and trees...busy with their nest building and tending. I have from early morning until 2:30 pm to paint and then the sun comes around and it is too warm to continue. This canvas measures 16"x16" oil with collage. I have stopped and started so many times waiting for good weather that I have lost track of where I left off. I'll need to do some sitting, staring and writing before I continue. This Sunday, Deena is coming over for an "Oil Painting Retreat".....another word for playing, painting,inspiring, whining and laughing...we will work at this until quitting time...2:30 and then the iced mocha for contemplation!

Saturday Pablo and I will be watching Goya's Ghosts starring Javier Bardem and Natalie Portman and directed by Milos Forman. I'm hoping for beautiful color, scenery, story, history and yes, passion! Anyone seen this one?

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Ode to Van Gogh

Canvas oil painting measures 20"x24" . I painted this corner of my studio years ago when I wanted to explore the impressionists methods. I remember as an exercise it was REAL work but I learned so much about light and shapes because the painting was done without drawing or layout just one mixed color shape after another.I used a strong light to create the shadows. It hasn't been my desire to paint realistically for years but I can appreciate the skill . I added the apple and considered it to be my ode to Van Gogh and his yellow chair. Margaret Ryall of

Painting On has a wonderful post on the empty chair...well worth it to visit her site.

Good news or at least unplanned opportunity for me...my friend, Deena has had a show scheduled for April/May at a local salon/spa but for many personal reasons asked me to take the slot and she would show later in June. The place requires about 16 good size pieces so I have been taking work off the walls here and repairing, framing and creating title and price lists...this is not my favorite part of showing art! When I began this blog it was instead of showing and so far I put myself in a juried show and now a two month show...go figure! I had wanted to finish some new pieces to share but that will need to wait for a week.

Spring has sprung here...windy today but loads of sunshine!