Texas Hill Country

6" x 6" oil on canvas panel

We went to San Antonio in January and on a excursion out from there, we wandered around the area that is referred to as the Texas Hill Country.  I took the reference photo for this painting then as the trees had some unusual branching that I thought was interesting looking.  The trees were smaller and shorter than ours in Mississippi.   I think these are live oaks but I'm not sure.  

Waiting to Show

8" x 10" oil on canvas board

This was a horse that was showing at the Dixie National Rodeo a couple of years ago.    I don't even know what kind of horse it is but thought he was pretty.   I'm still working with the palette knife but just on the background - didn't have the courage to tackle the entire horse.  I painted on top of a black ground and started to leave the background black but it looked like a painting on velvet that way so I decided to add the yellow background. 

Delta Dining

5" x 7" oil on canvas board

On today's painting I used the palette knife a little.  I still find it awkward and am in envy of those who can manipulate it and create an entire painting with one.  I love the texture they produce.

Challenging Text

6 x 6 oil on canvas panel

This is my latest entry for the Daily Paintworks weekly challenge.   This is the first time I have painted in 4 or 5 days and I had a rough start.   Someone had taken this photo in New York of a lady texting and we were all to do our own interpretation.   I'm a pretty literal person so mine is pretty much like the photo however some really had some neat "takes" on it - like just  her lips or just the side of her head or wild colors!   It's fun to see each artist's version.

Bedtime Buddy

6 x 6 oil on canvas panel

This photo was taken at night of a very sleepy Buddy!   He roused long enough for me to snap his photo.   Buddy belongs to my son and daughter-in-law who live in Marietta, GA.   

Swamp Scene

 6" x 6" oil on canvas panel

This was painted on top of a black underpainting, black gesso actually.  It's the first time I have ever painted on a black canvas but it was pretty neat - sort of like painting in the negative.  I had taken the photo for this behind an office building in Jackson.  There is this beautiful swampy area behind the building.  It is really picturesque but you have to watch out for snakes and alligators!  I didn't stick around long enough to see any but I hear they come up on the grassy area all the time.

The Swimmer

5" x 7" oil on canvas board

This is my latest entry for the DPW Challenge.  I chose to use a split complimentary and complimentary color scheme.   We had several to choose from and I chose turquoise, orange, red and red-orange.   I have messed up all the settings on my camera trying to get a clearer image and true colors and have not been successful.  I am about ready to pitch this camera.  That being said, this is one of the swimmers in a swim team painting I did a couple of years ago.  I pulled this one out and painted it according to the DPW rules.  The actual painting has a much more vivid color of turquoise in the background which enhances the orangey flesh tones.