Chief

Chief
29 of 30
Oil  16" x 20"
Commission

I posted several days of steps of this painting during the past month.  Once he was just about done I looked at him for several days and then fixed a few things on his body.  Now he is all done and ready to be mailed off to his owner.  As I said, I loved painting him.  I had pictures of him all over my studio and it's been fun to hang out with him!

After my first posting with just Chief and a loose background, I got an email from an author inquiring about using him on the cover of her next, 8th, book.  And while it's not going to happen (he's too western and light) I was thrilled to be asked.  You just never know who sees your art, who likes your art.  That's a great thing about the internet.  If not for the internet I wouldn't have received this commission, received an inquiry, met the people with whom I blog.  We do live in a great time!

Balcony In Barga

Balcony In Barga
28 of 30
Oil 11" x 14"
$345.00 + $10.00 s/h

This is now completed.  I knew that the shadows didn't work together, and that they were too dark and cool for such a hot, sunny day.  Again, one of the problems when painting from a photo.  I made the shadows all in the same color key, but with different values.  It now works much better, although the shadows here are a little more lavender than the ones in the actual painting.  They're a bit more earthy red from the terra rosa in the mix.  I still am not getting completely accurate colors with my new camera, but I'll get that, too.  

Barga is a town in northern Tuscany that we visited last May.  It is so far north in Tuscany that it's practically in the Alps, maybe just outside of Tuscany.  It was picturesque, built on the side of a steep hill, beautiful, uncrowded and a wonderful place to visit.  We stayed in a large, older home that had been the owner's grandmother's.  I think we found it on VRBO or B&B.com.  We had the whole upstairs to ourselves, the owner and her mother lived on the first floor.  Every morning we'd go downstairs to an amazing breakfast made just for us! 

More Color Studies

25 of 30

I've done quite a few color studies recently (not all as detailed, neat, and with as many colors and values as the most recent one based on Sargent.)  This was the one I did before the Painted Desert piece.  

26 of 30

These colors are based on the warms in many of Sorolla's paintings.

27 of 30

These are based on a snow painting by Frank LaLumia (he used to live in Santa Fe, but now lives in southern Colorado.)

I'll be using all of these color charts in upcoming paintings.  Maybe it's stretching it to be using these in the 30 in 30 challenge.  But, as I've said, I decided to make the challenge fun and to work for me.  

Faded Door

Faded Door
25 of 30
Oil  6"x 6"
$100.00 + $10. s/h

SOLD

I'm still pondering the shadows of my last post.  In the meantime here's another architectural rendering of a portal.  I love painting doors and windows.  You never know what's behind them!

Sargent's Grays - Next Step

Sargent's Grays - Next Step
23 0f 30
11" x 14"

This now shows about 2 more hours of painting.  At this point I have to really look at the grays in the shadows.  This is how they look in the photo, but I'm not sure that they work together.  I also see that the balcony supports need a it of sizing help.  And, this is something that you have to deal with when painting from a photo as opposed to a still life, which is right in front of you, and/or plein air, when what you're painting is right there outside with you.  I also see that the balcony supports need a bit of sizing help.  I'll keep this right in front of me for a day or two until I decide about the shadows.  What do you think?

Sargent's Grays - Next Step

Sargent's Grays - Next Step
22 of 30

After yesterday's color chart I spent more than one hour going through the pictures I took last May in Italy.  I didn't have to use Sargent's grays on an Italian building, but since that was what I was using as my subject it seemed like a good choice!  I could have spent several hours going through my photos!  I didn't find a building that had the whites and ochre-ish colors and the dark burgundies, But, I found one that had the whites and green.  So, that seemed like a good alternative.  The picture was of the whole side of a building.  I had to cut and crop and come up with a composition that works.

My next step was to sketch in the window and building, and paint some of the darks.  So, I guess this is about two hours.  Because I'm participating in the 30 in 30 challenge, although doing it so that it works for me, I've been showing the steps of my paintings.  That way I have something to post almost everyday for 30 days.

Study of Sargent's Grays

Study of Sargent's Grays and Whites

21 of 30

One of my goals this year, and every year actually, is to work on grays and whites.  I think that John Singer Sargent's whites are some of the best out there.  When I see his work in a museum, especially his whites, I walk back and forth, look up close and from far away.  His whites are mesmerizing.  So, how did he get those whites?  I want to paint whites like he did!

There are a million ways to get whites and grays.  To help me I looked closely at his painting, Corner of The Church of St Stae Venice.  Then, I tried to make all of his colors.  I started with the colors at the bottom of my color chart, and used only those to get the colors that I saw in the painting.  I understand that Sargent used Lead white,  I'm using Titanium white.  

Now, I'm going to go through all of my photos from our trip last May to Italy and paint a piece using his colors.  

Here is a link to a post all about Sargent's palette:  http://underpaintings.blogspot.com/2009/09/color-palettes-john-singer-sargent-1856.html?m=1

Maybe I should try this again using his exact palette. 

Who is one of your favorite artists?  Have you tried to use his palette?  

Study of Chief #2

Study of Chief #2

20 of 30

Oil 8" x 10"

SOLD

This is my second study of Chief.  With this one I wanted to try a different background and paint the other side of him.  I also loved the photos I had of him running.  As you've seen, ultimately I painted him from this side, but from a different picture.  

Study of Chief #1

Study of Chief #1
19 of 30
Oil 6" x 8"
SOLD

 I've been posting steps of my recent commission of Chief.  Before I even began this painting I did several studies of him.  It helped me get to know the horse, his color, proportions, plan the background, etc.  It also helped me work out the composition.  The buyer originally had a different idea than what I'm now painting in mind.  She sent me lots of photos and I worked from those, cutting and pasting.  When I came up with the composition of the large piece that I'm now working on, I emailed that to her and suggested that for the painting.  She agreed.  Sometimes you know when a painting's going to work.  The next time I have a commission I'll suggest in advance that I'd like some artistic freedom.  I hope I have as great a client as I now have!

I'm happy with this study and happy how the painting itself is turning out.  I've decided to be like the hosts on HGTV shows who send their clients out the door for the last part while they put together the rooms.  I'm not going to show the next steps until the whole painting is done.

And, while I've been participating in the 30 in 30 challenge, I gave myself Sunday as a day of rest.

On My Easel..3

On My Easel..3

18 of 30

Oil  16" x 20"

Commission

It was time to work on the background before I could continue with the subject.  Every color and value of an object is only correct when compared to the color and value next to it.  So, I couldn't continue with Chief himself until I knew the colors and values around him were accurate.  

On My Easel..2

On My Easel..2

17 of 30

Oil 16" x 20"

Commission

I'm adjusting the 30 in 30 challenge to work for me.  One of my goals is to paint more large pieces, and I can't do that everyday.  But, I can paint almost everyday.  So, I'm showing some of the daily progress on this commission.  

I've loved painting this!  I paint cows, bison, but I don't paint lots of horses.  I'm not around horses that often, and they say paint what you know.  Well, they also say push yourself.  (Not sure who "they" are!!)  So, when I got this commission I decided to go ahead.  I've loved the challenge.  I think the hardest part about painting someone's horse, is just that.  The horse belongs to them and if some body part is a bit different, they'll notice.  Which is why I paid close attention while drawing him.  I used grid lines and Bargue references.  I don't usually grid drawings.  Mentally using Bargue reference lines and points is always helpful and useful in any drawing.

On My Easel

On My Easel

16" x 20"

16 of 30

This is the third study of Chief that I'm painting.  I'll post the others at a later date.  This size takes me days, so I thought I'd post several steps.  I used grid lines and Bargue drawing techniques to get the horse right.  Both are helpful.  You can google Bargue to learn about it.  It's really great.  It has you visually lining up parts of the object both horizontally and vertically with other parts of the object.

Back Yard Lillium

Back Yard Lillium

15 of 30

Oil  6" x 6"

$100.00 + $10. s/h

This is another of the paintings that I'd only just sketched in and hadn't finished.  Thought it was worth the effort to paint it.  These lilliums, a kind of lily, grow in our back yard in June.  So, if this flower was right outside my door, why didn't I get it painted?  Funny thing about them, even in a warm light they are a cool yellow.  To me, gardening is really three dimensional art.  Isn't it?

Tuscan Poppies

Tuscan Poppies

14 of 30

Oil 6" x 8"

Last May when we were in Tuscany, the poppies were in full bloom.  Sometimes when driving in the country side whole fields were carpeted in reds.  It was the perfect month to be there.  These are from a field of poppies right at the edge of the entrance to our B&B outside of Florence.

Summer Cone Flowers

Summer Cone Flowers
13 of 30
6" x 8"  Oil
$100.00 + $10. s/h

Recently I was going through my studio trying to organize a bit.  My studio used to be the dining room, which is great in that it's "right there"  ie: close so I can always run right in and get to work.  But, there isn't a closet, so everything is "right there"  ie:  right in front of me.  If I don't keep up with the putting away and always organizing, it can get a bit messy.  My studio is also my office, it's also where I frame, pack and store all of my painting supplies.  There's a lot going on in one room.

Anyway, I was going through unfinished paintings. This one was hardly even started.  This was from a summer plein air day and all I'd done was sketch in the flowers.  I don't remember whether the light changed, the time was up, or why it wasn't done.  I was ready to get rid of it, but found the photo reference on my computer and painted away.  Several other started canvases also got completed.  Some weren't worth saving.  Another of my goals this year is to take the time to immediately finish a piece worth finishing. 

Two Olives, Please

Two Olives, Please

12 of 30

6" x 6"  Oil

SOLD

Another piece that I'm getting ready for an upcoming wine tasting.  I have work in G44 Gallery.  The owner is also half owner of a liquor store.  So, she's planning on having monthly wine tastings and asked for more wine and cocktail paintings. 

"Shaken, Not Stirred"

"Shaken, Not Stirred"...Bond, James Bond

11 of 30

Oil 8" x 6"

$100.00 + $10. s/h

As I've said, I often get my quotes from Google.  For this one, the quote has become so famous, it was right there in my head!  No searches were required.

I don't often paint a still life from a photo, in fact I can't think when I ever have.  But, I got a new camera over the holidays and we were sitting in a bar watching the Broncos game with our son and my husband ordered a martini.  It looked so beautiful sitting there on the metal table, the neonish blue placemat reflecting up, my son's black jacket creating a backdrop, my new camera on hand, that I snapped some photos.  Upon returning home from our trip and reviewing the pictures, I thought this was a great set up.  So, I painted this still life from a photo.

I'm still working on the colors from this camera.  I'll get it soon, but in the mean time, these colors are just a bit off.

"But Man Made Wine"

"But Man Made Wine"

10 of 30

6" x 6"  Oil

SOLD

I've painted a similar wine still life before.  But, I like the burgundy against the gray/blue. So I'm going with what works for me.  

I recently stated that I use Google for title ideas.  Today I Googled "phrases about wine" and a whole page of wine quotes was there in front of me.  I chose:  

"God made water, but man made wine."  by Victor Hugo.

Pomegranate

Pomegranate
9 of 30
Oil 14" x 11"
$295.00 + $10. s/h

One of my goals this year is to paint more large pieces.  I'm not sure if 14" x 11" counts as large, but, it's not small.  So, I think it's ok.  Another goal is to finish paintings.  I started this previously and only got the pomegranates finished, they don't last.  So I just finished the rest.

Over the holidays my camera broke.  I've had the camera for many years and loved it.  I took it into a camera store to see about getting it fixed.  The store owner commented how worn the camera was!  I do use my camera a lot.  When he told me the price to fix it plus shipping, I decided to get a new one.  I got the same model, Canon PowerShot.  But, somehow with this new one I'm having a bit of a color issue.  The green in the tablecloth in this photo is a bit yellower than in the painting.  The sky in "The Painted Desert" the other day was a bit bluer, the actual sky in the painting was more violet.  I'm sure I'll figure it out, but....any thoughts?

Amazing Grays

Amazing Grays
8 of 30
6" x 6" Oil
$100.00 + $10. s/h

SOLD

Another of my wine series.  My friend, June Heinsoth, came up with this title.  I told her that I was working in my grays.  Kind of makes me hum the words in my mind.  So, Cheers! and hum along.

Chardonnay, Please

Chardonnay, Please

7 of 30

6" x 6" Oil

$100.00 + $10. s/h

I'll be posting several wine, and maybe some cocktail, related paintings over the next few weeks as I get ready for an upcoming wine tasting at G44 Gallery.  However, these are available.  I can always paint another for the gallery.

I always make art goals every year.  I recently mentioned that one of them is to paint more large pieces.    Another is to work on grays.  These grays are dark, but I love the drama created.  

Wine Tasting

Wine Tasting
6 of 30
Oil 6" x 6"
SOLD

When we were in Tuscany last May we went to several wine tastings.  Everything tastes better when enjoyed where it's grown and made.  I'm getting several wine and cocktail paintings ready for an upcoming wine tasting at a local gallery, G44 Gallery, in early February.  More on that later.

"And Tie A Red Bandana"

"And Tie A Red Bandana"
5 of 30
Oil 8" x 8"
$195.00 + $10. s/h

This is another of the riders on the Medano-Zapata Ranch.  And, I also got this title from googling "lyrics to songs about cowgirls".  My title is a line from the song "Kamikaze Cowgirl" by Larry Joe Taylor.

"How 'Bout Those Cowgirls?"

"How 'Bout Those Cowgirls?"

4 of 30

8" x 8"  Oil

$195.00 + $10. s/h

SOLD

Often when I'm looking for a painting title I use google.  So, for this one I googled "cowgirl lyrics" and got this title from the song Kamikaze Cowgirl by Larry Joe Taylor.  

This piece is from my time painting at the Medano-Zapata Ranch in southern Colorado last June.  I have several paintings from then that will be hanging at the Colorado Springs Airport in the Ranchlands Show from January through March.  So, if you happen to be flying in or out of the Springs, please look for all of the work from all of the participating artists.

Painted Desert

Painted Desert

3 of 30

Oil 11" x 14"  

$295.00 + $20. s/h

I loved the way the light and shadow created brushstrokes of color across the Arizona desert.  When I say the word "desert" to myself I think of the Sahara, rolling hills and bluffs of sand constantly changing in the wind.  The Arizona desert isn't like that at all.  Yes, the wind and erosion cause change in the land, but it is full of color and drama.  

These are all just photos shot out the car window, but I love how they show the light, shadow, and drama of the area.

Arizona Again

Arizona Again
2 of 30
Oil 5" x 7"
$75.00 + $10. s/h

This is another sky from our recent trip through Arizona.  I loved how the ground appeared so violet.  I can't tell you how many times on our trip we both said that the landscape looked just like "Arizona Highways" magazine.  Of course it did!

When we travel we try to take as many back roads as possible and only when necessary drive on interstates.  Our drive from San Diego was interstate to eastern California, then when we hit Yuma, Arizona we headed north on hiway 95 to Quartzite.  From there we headed over to hiway 60/89 northeast through Prescott, toward Flagstaff.  Once there we headed further northeast on hiway 160 to Kayenta, which is near Monument Valley in northeast Arizona.  I'd never been to any of these towns before.  It was a beautiful several days.  I am lucky that we have the time to drive and explore the many small towns, state and national parks, and historic sites along the way.  There are certainly an unlimited amount of paintings just waiting for me!

Arizona Sky

Arizona Sky
Painting 1 of 30
Oil  5" x 7"
$75.00 + $10. s/h

My husband and I just got home from a two week road trip.  We drove from Colorado Springs to San Diego for Christmas.  We spent 8 days on the road and 6 days in California.  Both of our grown kids flew in for the holiday.  A wonderful time was had by all.

We love to travel, and take trips as often as we can.  This was a great opportunity to see parts of Utah, Nevada and Arizona that we hadn't visited before.  We didn't always have great weather and weren't able to hike as much as we'd thought. I continue to love that we do live in a great, big beautiful country!  This painting shows the Arizona desert in the foreground and the mountains of Colorado in the background.  It wasn't too far from the Four Corners.

In fact, here I am standing on the Four Corners.  It's the only spot in the US where four states meet.  It's on the Navajo Nation.

I've decided to participate in Leslie Saeta's 30 paintings in 30 days.  I was really hesitant to get involved as one of my personal goals is to paint more large pieces and I can't paint 30 large paintings in 30 days. But, when I reread her description she said to have fun.  So, I'll do my best!  Arizona Sky is Day 1 of 30.  Go to her site and see all of the posted paintings.