Shiny

Preening, 20 x 20

This painting was done a few months back, but I am looking at it and thinking that it would be fun to paint something reflective today... I love playing with these mercury glass bottles in my collection of props, and I recently bought some new silvery vases that might be interesting to try.  As I tell the painters in my workshops, there isn't a special secret to painting silver,  just paint what you are seeing, and it starts looking shiny!  I'll see if that happens today.  It is good to be back home and in the studio after our brief trip to New Orleans.  

Alaska Bound

In the Cove, Sitka, 12 x 16

Well, my son Matt and his wonderful family are moving from Orcas Island, WA to Sitka, AK next month.  He went to college there, and fell in love with the pristine forests and seaside vistas, as well as the Alaska vibe.  So, he and his sweet wife Ann are moving back...and taking little Sarah (4) and Eli (1)...so, Michael and I will now be trekking to Alaska!  Above is a small study I did this week from a photo taken in Sitka about 10 years ago (not that it looks particularly Alaska-ish, whatever that might be).  I am thinking it would be nice to stay up there for a month or so in the summer and seek out some good painting spots...we are learning to embrace this new development.

Spring

Spring Fever, 16 x 16

Well, today was the first nice, really nice day here in Atlanta in ages, warm and sunny; I should have ventured down to the river to paint, but I stayed in the studio, and painted some new flowers I bought yesterday.  I was discouraged with this, almost wiped it off, and then pulled it back to life by layering on yet thicker paint.  I have been in the mode of incorporating the little blue and white bowl lately; I love the shape and the colors and reflections.  Sometimes I think I need to hide some of my props from me so I don't keep using them as much!

My studio...set up (sort of)....

Sarah

This is my sweet and wonderful granddaughter, Sarah, age 4.  Michael and I visited the kids in Orcas Island, WA last week, the reason for my absence.  We had the best time, and hiked to the beach on Saturday, with Sarah leading the way.  Below is a painting I did of her at age 2 1/2 at an Easter Egg Hunt here in Atlanta.  I like the composition on this small piece.

Bunny, 10 x 8, Oil on Board

Below is a nice study of Sarah done by my good friend, Kathy Wochele, who is just a wonderful painter here in Atlanta (in fact she lives right on my street); she has a special gift for portraits.  I was honored that she did this 12 x 9 painting for me.

Sarah, by Kathy Wochele

Sarah now has a little brother, Eli, who is 1, but I haven't painted him as yet...I look forward to beach scenes with the two of them (hopefully, one day)!  Meanwhile, we're back in Atlanta and I am back into the studio tomorrow.  I will do a few warm-ups to shake off the rust.

Finally

Symphony,  36 x 36

Here is the painting to which I referred in my first post (not pictured until now).  I mentioned that I was working on a large rose piece and how - in progress - I changed the vase to a jar, removed the blue and white bowl, etc.  I now think I may be finished with the painting, but I will still let it sit in the studio for a while to see what it may need.  Sometimes I totally know when I am finished, and/or if I like the painting, but this one has been around a long time (for me), and I don't know how I feel about it.  Ah, the perils of the large painting (again for me)!  Below is a photo of the original set up.  Above is the painting to date!  It is still freezing here, and I am hiding in the studio today.