Magnolias #1

12 x 16 oil on canvas panel

Playing with acrylics this afternoon and trying to paint magnolias in an abstract fashion.   This is the state flower for Mississippi and it is beautiful and has a wonderful fragrance but it is very difficult to paint without a stiff look;  the petals are so thick and perfect looking.

Geranium Re-Do

12 x 12 oil on stretched canvas

I am always re-working old paintings that I discover in the back of my storage closet.  A friend asked for a donation to Catholic Charities and I haven't painted too much lately so I thought of this one.  I drug it out (it had already been framed) and re-worked it eliminating some of the flowers that were on the left side of canvas.  I like it better now.

Hodgepodge

12 x 16 oil on canvas panel

Today's post is really a hodgepodge of techniques and experiments I attempted.  I had an OLD panel that has had about 4 previous paintings on it.  I used it to try out some new techniques such as mixing the paint on the painting itself straight from the tube, using some new brushes I picked up in Atlanta this past week, palette knife work, thick paint applications, etc.  The end result is ok but not something I am thrilled with.  I began by trying to paint in high key but abandoned that idea - just don't really know how artists such as Nancy Franke can achieve that....my strokes all blend into the background when I attempt.

Balcony View

11 x 14 oil on stretched canvas

The last two days have been so dark and dreary with the storms from Hurricane Isaac coming through so I wasn't able to photograph outside in the natural light.   That must be why I chose such a "bright" subject to paint because this is definitely out of my comfort range!  

Summer Planting

8 x 11 oil on canvas

I spotted this lady looking for bedding plants at one of our local garden stores and basically "stalked" her from the parking lot.  Luckily my new camera has a good zoom lens so I was able to get her from far away.  The scene attracted me with all the colorful flowers (complimentary colors) and her yellow blouse.