What's the Secret? - SOLD

Sometimes it is such a relief to return to something familiar. For me that's apples. Someday I'll actually count how many I've painted, but for now lets just say - lots! So when something else isn't working out and I'm feeling frustrated, I give myself a little confidence boost by painting something I know well.

Egg-centric - SOLD

This workshop (in Atlanta) had the complete opposite space issue than the one previous to it - we had more than enough. So much I had to whistle sometimes to get their attention. In the photo below you can see the space I used for demos in front, and all my kids ranged throughout the room.

Below are my demos from class, including one where they took bets to see how few strokes I could use to paint a pinky/red knockout rose. I think the total was 47 (for those in the know, please correct me if I'm wrong).

Here are of my few kids looking awfully serious. This was during the 5-minute value exercise, so they were concentrating, understandably.

And here is the whole, silly group! I told the one hiding I wouldn't call her out on it, so I won't. And I'm not one to break a promise. Nope, not a peep from me. I won't even mention it.

It was a great 3 days!!

Upon Closer Inspection - SOLD

Somehow we made it through the mid-week slumps - ok, so I had to threaten time-outs a few times - but we made it. And I saw some real breakthroughs, which for a teacher is the best feedback I could receive.

DAILYPAINTWORKS update: We will be opening the site up for general membership (on the all artists & today's art pages, & your own gallery/store page (see mine), for $9.95/mo) with access to auctions (free up to 4th re-listing, then 50 cents & 3% of winning bid) on June 14th. Read more about it.

Eggless

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I LOVE painting eggshells. I could do it all day. I saved these from my breakfast. My husband said, "It's kind of weird that you have eggshells on a plate. And sugar?" But they go together so well, don't they? "Yes, they do. And I guess that's all that matters." Good husband.

Swiss and Gouda

I've been browsing the fancy cheese section at the grocery store recently. I now judge swiss based on how big the holes are. I get a lot of funny looks, but it's worth it.

Queen of the Asparagii

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Many of you have tried to guess the big surprise tomorrow. It's been very interesting to read the guesses. : ) But I am not giving anything away. You'll just have to wait. Sorry about that. Meanwhile I've been trying my hand at asparagus after a long break. What do you call more than one of these green things? Asparaguses just sounds plain wrong.

Chicken for Dinner

This is my entry in this week's Daily Paintworks Challenge - the Raw Meat Challenge. Pretty silly, I know, but I've been wanting to paint a chicken like this for a while. It was really fun.

And speaking of Daily Paintworks, check out my interview on the DPW blog!

Cinderella

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This red pitcher is a friend from my past. I found it at an antique store years ago and they wanted more than I was willing to pay. I struck a deal with my friend Jen who went halfsies with me. I painted it a couple of times and then she kept it at her house until she recently loaned it back. But the star of this painting is good ol' Cinderella who just walked in. But where's the prince?

Sweet Enough?

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I had this same sugar bowl before the fire. I have found it again, many times over. I love it. David finished one set of studio shelves yesterday and amazingly I've already collected enough to fill the entire thing! I'll post a picture soon.

Breakfast Eggcetera

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This is the last of the eggs for a while. What I liked especially about this one was the egg white pooling in the bottom of both shells. It's such a challenge to capture, but so satisfying when it works.

Eggsistentialism

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I have to admit, my dad came up with today and yesterday's titles. I am not that clever. In googling how I might spell today's, I tried to refresh my memory (from college) about the meaning of existentialism. Apparently, perhaps due to paint fumes, I've actually gotten dumber since then. I couldn't make heads or tails from the few definitions I read. Anyone have a simple synopsis?

Bowl-Egged

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I think you have to be from Texas or at least the south to read the title for this one right. I tried to think of a way to type a kind of pronunciation but couldn't quite make it. I hope it's clear enough.

Egg on the Edge

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I am visiting my family for a few days while I'm here in Texas, before heading back to Oregon. I was busy all day today so I'll have to post about last week's workshop tomorrow. Meanwhile, here's an egg I painted while I was still at home. I was on a little egg kick, so expect more.

Cozy Rosies

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I'm heading out early tomorrow for Texas! I've got a workshop in San Antonio next week and I'm spending some extra time seeing my family. I'm very much looking forward to it.

Apple Accumulation

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This is daily painting number 1500. It kind of snuck up on me otherwise I would have done something to celebrate. We did go out to dinner tonight, coincidentally. And I had a big steak. I guess that works.

I was a humbug in my last post about the new year. I was just kidding. I meant to say - 2011 was quite an adventure - here's hoping 2012 is bit LESS exciting. : )

Flipped Out

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I did this painting for this week's Daily Paintworks Challenge - Change the Color. The idea is if you keep all the values accurate, you can really make the colors anything you want. I don't normally recommend changing colors - it is surprising how many things each color will affect - but it was a fun exercise, and I am surprisingly happy with the result. Here are a few process photos.

Radiating Reflections

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I think reflections of colorful things inside a metal bowl are super cool.

One Helluva Party & Red Sweater

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Last night I went to another figure session with Sarah. Our model had some mega dreadlocks, and a fuzzy red sweater. About an hour into the 3-hour pose I started over. I decided on the second try to experiment with wilder colors in shadows. The part I'm happiest with is the suggestion of a hand. I find I spend about 2/3 of the time on the face and 1/3 on the rest (ha! - just read that was Sarah's experience as well)!

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And below is the belated group photo of last week's Sedona kids. It was a really fun group!

Free the Others

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I am back from Sedona but not quite rested enough yet to do a good recap of my class there. I had to get up at 3:30 this morning to catch my flight. Tomorrow I am scheduled to run in a 6-mile race with my new friend Sarah and I am really hoping my body is up for it. If I am still alive tomorrow night I will post pictures about my most recent gaggle of kids.

Cactus Time Out

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I always seem to forget one thing every time I travel, and this time I had a big oops - I forgot my computer plug dealy - the thing that keeps my computer charged. Now I am home from Florida and catching up on email. Please forgive me if you've written and I haven't responded. I also have gotten quite a bit of email recently - which I appreciate GREATLY - but if you didn't ask a specific question I probably won't respond. Please don't take offense - if I respond to every one I won't have time to paint. Please know I read  them all and LOVE the support and comments!!!

This painting is the last one from BTF (before the fire). My plan is to return to the faces for now and probably resume still life as well by the end of the week. I have to admit I really enjoyed doing still life demos at my workshop this last week ... (will post photos soon)