Sunday, November 28, 2010

Kindred Spirit

Kindred Spirit
12x12"
Acrylic/Gold Leaf on Canvas
Painting #38 - I'm playing around with ideas for the, International Women Celebrate, exhibition. My final painting will include six females who are influential in my life - this is my niece - she is one of them.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Stampede Boots


Stampede Boots
9x12"
Acrylic on Board
Painting #37 - I thought it was time to paint my cowboy boots. They were custom made for me so they may look a bit different from what you would normally see in the stores. They were quite easy to paint, however, I struggled with decisions about the background. I decided to paint swirls and floating shapes to bring a rhythm to the painting, which I hopes captures what these boots do during the Calgary Stampede - they dance.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Stylish Year-Round


Stylish Year-Round
Acrylic on Board
9x12
Painting #36 - Well, white patent boots are difficult to paint - or maybe its the medium I'm using. I find acrylic paint so difficult to blend - especially in Calgary's dry climate. My paint dries immediately after it hits the board. Next painting I will try using a glazing gel - I'll let you know how it goes. I had fun with the background in this painting - the red is so lovely and rich. I really like the circles in my foreground as well - I'm not sure how they found their way in there - I almost want to name them!

Monday, September 27, 2010

Green Patent Bootlets


Green Patent Heels
Acrylic on Board
5x7
Painting #35 - I thought I'd have a little fun with the background - I love swirls and they appear often in my work. The patent was a challenge. I find it interesting that one pair of patent shoes can be so much more difficult - or easier, than another pair. Perhaps its my lack of experience painting this material? My closet is full of patent so I'll be getting plenty more experience!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Waiting for a Night Out


Waiting for a Night Out
Acrylic on Board
5x7
Painting #34 - I bought these shoes within a half an hour of my first visit to New York City - and we explored the night life together! They are easier to wear than they are to paint. Despite my efforts, this painting does not show the true beauty of the shoes.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Purple Magic


Purple Magic
Acrylic on Board
5x7
Painting #33 - These shoes were a bit tricky to paint - there was a lot of shine and subtle patterns. I like the composition and the positioning of the shoe laces. I wish that I would have put a few more washes over the shoes so my values would have blended more smoothly.

Friday, September 17, 2010

In a Hurry

In a Hurry
Acrylic on Board
5x7

Painting #32 - Well, its the start of another school year and I must admit that I'm having difficulty painting daily. However, celebrate small successes - right? When I was typing out the name of this painting I noticed how in line the title was with what was going on in my life. During these past few weeks as I get to know almost 200 new students I feel as if I'm always "In a Hurry." I think the painting strokes in this paint reflect that I'm feeling rushed - it was a big step for me to leave them this way and not go back in and tighten everything.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Red Patent Shoes


Red Patent Shoes
Acrylic on Board
5x7
Painting #31 - I'm back - I needed a short break after my 30 in 30 and then I wanted to work on some larger paintings. I'm happy with these shoes. I thought achieving the shiny look of the patent leather would be more difficult than it was, however, this painting was just like all others. When I find the slight value shifts in my painting subjects I achieve a greater level of realism.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Nectarine

Nectarine
Acrylic on Canvas
5x5
Painting #30 - I did it, 30 paintings in 30 days. I wish my last painting would have been a master piece... I need say no more! Oh well, on a positive note... I think the background colour compliments the nectarine. What have a learned by the 30 in 30 process? That it takes commitment and a disciplined focus to accomplish this goal. In addition, I learned the value in painting regularly. Painting is a skill - its like learning to play the piano. I will never improve if I do not put in the time.

Half a Pear


Half a Pear
Acrylic on Canvas
5x5
Painting #29 - Almost there!! Who knew the inside of a pear was so interesting? I like this painting - its simple but yet can hold a viewer's interest.

Yellow Pepper

Yellow Pepper
Acrylic on Canvas
5x5
Painting #28 - I'm not seeing the slight value shifts in the pepper that I need to achieve a more realistic form. Perhaps I need to use more dramatic lighting?

Cucumber Slices

Cucumber Slices
Acrylic on Canvas
5x5
Painting #27 - I think the background colour compliments the cucumber. I don't think I achieved the true colour of the cucumber's flesh.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Half a Lime

Half a Lime
Acrylic on Canvas
5x5
Painting #26 - Lots of effort trying to achieve the correct green for the lime. Believe it or not it was a combination of magenta and light green and thus, I chose to repeat the magenta in the background.

Penny Candy


Penny Candy
Acrylic on Canvas
5x5
Painting #25 - First time painting a plastic bag. I need further practice. The bag also looks like its floating - a bit of a shadow on the bottom of the bag should solve that problem.

Is Life a Bowl of Cherries?


Is Life a Bowl of Cherries?
Acrylic on Canvas
8x10
Painting #24 - I like the composition and the light on the cherries in the foreground. I wish the edge of my bowl was a tad bit stronger - it wobbles a bit.

Stack of Caramels

Stack of Caramels
Acrylic on Canvas
5x5
Painting # 23 - This painting was surprisingly easy. It was the first time I painted cellophane - a few strokes and it worked! I wish I had placed more caramels in the composition.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Cross-Section of an Apple

Cross-Section of an Apple
Acrylic on Canvas
5x5
Painting # 22 - That little section in the middle was difficult to paint - I had trouble achieving the depth of the "seed holder". Is there a name for that piece of the apple? I think the flesh of the apple may be too white.

Half a Tomato


Half a Tomato
Acrylic on Canvas
5x5
Painting #21 - I have discovered that I like painting the "insides" of things - which would make for a very interesting series. Just think - the insides of people - thoughts, feelings, ideas - are much more interesting than the outsides of people. And then there's food - you be the judge - isn't the inside of this tomato more interesting than the outside (see painting #19)?

Raw Egg

Raw Egg
Acrylic on Canvas
5x5
Painting #20 - Silly me thought I'd try a raw egg. Not bad for my first one ever but I have too much purple in my egg shells.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Green Onion and Tomatoes


Green Onion and Tomatoes
Acrylic on Canvas
5x5
Painting #19 - I struggled to achieve the colour and the texture of the green onion. The tomatoes came quickly. Over all, I'm happy with this painting. I think the complimentary colours make the composition strong - perhaps a rectangle canvas would make it stronger.

Summer Strawberries

Summer Strawberries
Acrylic on Canvas
5x5
Painting #18 - I enjoyed painting these strawberries - the process was definitely an exercise in problem solving. The big question was, "How will I achieve the texture without painting every single detail?" Kristina Steinbring and I were on our annual painting trip and I am thankful for her input.

Banana for Two


Banana for Two
Acrylic on Canvas
5x5
Painting #17 - I cannot believe how difficult it was for me to get the perspective on the bottom half of the banana, however, I finally achieved it. I could have worked on my shadows a bit more.

Orange Pepper

Orange Pepper
Acrylic on Canvas
5x5
Painting #16 - I'm not sure why painting an orange pepper was so much more difficult than painting a red pepper, but it was. I changed the background colour several times and now the pepper looks like a cut-out on the canvas. Oh, well!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Village Farms Tomatoes

Village Farms Tomatoes
Acrylic on Canvas
5x5
Painting #15 - Wow - I'm half way there!! Well, painting the form of the tomatoes was very difficult to achieve. I finally accomplished the look I wanted by using layers of washes. I love the background colour and think that it compliments the tomatoes quite well.

New Zealand Kiwi

New Zealand Kiwi
Acrylic on Canvas
5x5
Painting #14 - I love this painting - it was very quick to complete and I achieved the realism I wanted with the flesh of the fruit.

Golden Pears #2


Golden Pears #2
Acrylic on Canvas
5x5
Painting #13 - Well, I didn't achieve the beautiful golden look that I wanted. Next time I'll pick up a couple of pretty bartlett pears with long skinny necks and try painting them!

Golden Pears #1


Golden Pears #1
Acrylic on Canvas
5x5
Painting #12 - I wanted to create a beautiful "golden" painting - its golden but not nearly as beautiful as I would like. I decided to try painting the pears again.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Juicy Grapes

Juicy Grapes
Acrylic on Canvas
5x5
Painting #11 - This painting took quite a few hours. I like the realism I achieved in the grape vine. I think the colour I chose for the background gives the painting a "summer time or refreshing" feel.

Smooth-Skinned Mango


Smooth-Skinned Mango
Acrylic on Canvas
5x5
Painting # 10 - To achieve the rich colours of the mango's skin I had to add layer after layer of coloured washes. I don't like my white highlights - they look like they are sitting on top of my mango. Any suggestions?

Friday, July 23, 2010

Half an Apple


Half an Apple
Acrylic on Canvas
5x5
Painting #9 - I have to admit it - I like this painting. It was quick to complete, the inside of the apple is interesting and I think I captured the flesh of the apple quite well.

Red Bell Pepper


Red Bell Pepper
Acrylic on Canvas
5x5
Painting # 8 - I'm quite satisfied with this painting. I had to exaggerate the pepper's form for a more interesting painting.

Sandhill Crane on the 12th Fairway

Sandhill Crane on the 12th Fairway
Acrylic on Canvas
8x16
Painting #7 - I'll admit it - despite my efforts I couldn't finish this painting in one day - it took two days. Nature always inspires me - this Sandhill Crane came to visit as I sipped a beverage on my parents lenai in Florida. The feathers were a challenge. I enjoyed painting his/her red head and beak.

La Calera Orange


La Calera Orange
Acrylic on Canvas
5x5
Painting #6 - I struggled with the texture and the different values within this orange, however, I like the composition. Next time I will choose a "thicker-skinned" orange and cut it so that I can see a pattern within the flesh.

Sunkist Lemon

Sunkist Lemon
Acrylic on Canvas
5x5
Painting #5 - I'm pleased with my lemon. The painting was quick and I think I achieved its form. In hide sight, I wish I would have chosen a different foreground colour - or perhaps, my shadow is just too dark.

Gala Apple

Gala Apple
Acrylic on Canvas
5x5
Painting #4 - This painting was so hard! I had difficulty interpreting the pattern on the apple and I continued to over paint the details. In addition, I'm not happy with the highlights on the top of the apple.

Packham Pear

Packham Pear
Acrylic on Canvas
5x5
Painting #3 - I tried hard to capture the form of the pear. I like the looseness in this painting but I need to work on achieving more values to capture a more realistic form.

Half Grapefruit

Half Grapefruit
Acrylic on Canvas
5x5
Painting #2 - this one was surprisingly easy. I like the turquoise background. It sold the day after I completed it.

Cherry Trio

Cherry Trio
Acrylic on Canvas
5x5
The journey has begun - painting #1. No break-through in my learning, however, I feel a sense of accomplishment. I usually paint on large canvases and my paintings can take weeks to complete. The benefit of painting small is that I can actually complete a painting in a day!