COLORS OF SUMMER (SOLD)

Here it is finished --remember before I felt the right side needed something? I took artist privilege and added a loose painted flower and some "sort of" leaves, and debris on the table. See how each step it gets more refined---you can't do that all at once (or least, I can't)
This is one painting that got the most comments (besides the painting of my mom) But my favorite comment on this painting was the following "What a delicate painting and wonderful movement too, like notes breaking free from from a bar-line." I cherish that compliment.

Nearly done --

Here I have made a first pass on everything but the foreground--I still am uneasy about the right lower side--it really needs something....

COMING IN FOCUS

Can you see how I am putting a little more detail in? It is coming along---I remember at this point I was already thinking about the right side--I felt it needed more but had to get further along before I could tell. I like this one, cause it shows some parts further along the the rest--I have even put some background in.  I still am in love with this painting. You know our paintings are part of us-- we are very very excited to see the final painting and hope it will be what we have envisioned.

Ugly Ugly beginnings

I found these pictures I took (while looking for something else)--i forgot I took them --it has been so long. But thought I would post them on my blog, because I think it is interesting. I paint from photos as u can see (I paint slow so it works best to paint from photos)
This is the very start of this painting--Look how ugly---I have looked at step  by step of other artists and they don't start this ugly! I was really excited about painting this--this was one of several set-ups that I arranged  from peony's that I picked out of my yard) And, as I said , I  was very pleased with the composition--sometimes they feel more pleasing than other times. you can see the photo  that I am painting from.

THOUGHTS.........

Woke this morning to a very chilly morning---I like this weather where we don't have to have the air or heat on. My daughter & family are coming for a visit today---well, all of them but my oldest grandson (7th grader). He is going to a friends house---they are having a bonfire--can you imagine Andrew wanting to do that rather than see his grandma? lol--Oh, I know it will get worse when they get older, they won't want to visit with old granny--that's the sad part of grand kids growing up, they grow away from the family---sniff--now I know that is the normal rite of passage but I am not looking forward to it.
I remember when my own kids were little---then they were teenagers and I thought it was so much easier when they were little and tucked in bed and I knew where they were rather than out somewhere where I had no control. What is it that makes you feel like this--Is it the weather, or is it just realizing that time goes on, kids grow up, we grow old. (but we have our memories) Oh i just read this--hope I didn't depress anyone.... But it is a happy and a sad feeling about our grands growing up. Don't ya love them??

KANSAS

Oil 18x24 canvas
 I reworked this again--I need to start on a new drawing and quit reworking these paintings--I think i am going thru a phase of dissatisfaction--hope it passes. Although I could be a sign of growth (positive thought) lol This still has a few twiks but that will be later I'm tired tonite and need to clean brushes. $375 Contact artist for purchace.    Paypal accepted.



STILL ON THE EASEL~KANSAS

Getting close, I think--maybe one or two more days--I painted all day--really longer than I should have--made alot of changes I think I need to wait and paint with a fresh eye--i am staring at it in here (front room) and it is prettier than the photo shows but not done--aargh I still need to wash my brushes and get things ready for work tomorrow---waaaaa--poor me. lol Already, I am staring at the painting and see where i need to make lots of stuff different--why do we see but don't see--I do think you can see clearer when you photo and it seems you have to post --then & only then do you see your mistakes. But still each step gets better than the last, I think.... Next morning---i think i am gonna change the bkrd again--i will change till i am satisfied--i need to work on lots of things. It is good i am at work as i am at the point to scrub everything out! lol
Here it is Friday (9-9) and have not been able to go back to my painting---many changes are in my mind--itching to work on it-wondering if i will make it worse...Just read this on another wonderful blog and I think it applies to painting too, as well as life....
"Strange how that it is — that sometimes something has to fall apart — for something better to fall together."   Wow, I needed to read that!

Still On the Easel (Kansas)

Changed the bkrd. I couldn't  live with what I had --Got started on the sunflowers at the top--still will put something on the table--maybe sunflowers or something---I wanted to get to the vase but just got tired after eating so thought i would photo --I like to do that, I can see what is working and what isn't. One more day to paint-tomorrow, then back to work on Wednesday- Hope i can get it all painted then I can see where I am--aargh--its changing -changing changing--please know (I'm sure u do) this is not near finished. In real life my background looks more bluer purpler--not photographing like it really is.

KANSAS (On the Easel)

First pass --figuring out my colors--this can be changed as I kept everything soft--still is in the uglies, but what I have done today will make the next session easier as I can zero in on the details--I may still change the back ground--- I may put something on the table--I have yet to create my darkest dark and lightest lights--this is still at a very beginning stage--I am a long way from the "magic", and I know that if it doesn't work , I can delete and it will be like it never was here! lol -I really like having a blog--I  can think out loud --I still feel like sunflowers have such "personalities" like they are little ballerinas-they bow and twirl. Don't know if I  can paint tomorrow as we are having a family dinner at my nieces--that will be fun --so I will paint when I get home or Monday or Tuesday as I am off till Wednesday. Hope everyone has a great holiday!!