Orange Swirl

"Orange Julius" - 6" x 6" - oil on cradled hardboard panel - SOLD

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The third and last in the series of cupcakes on a blue and white plate. Your eyes do not deceive you; I have indeed added quite a bit of gold painted detailing in the plate that was absent from the previous two cupcake paintings. In this painting, the design seemed appropriate, so I did not eliminate from the final work. In the others, it was overbearing - at least to my eye - and I left it out.
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By the way, this cupcake is delicious...or so I've been told. ;o)
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Teacup Study: My Mother's Collection I

"My Mother's Collection I" - 6" x 6" - oil on hardboard panel - SOLD

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After having painted a 4 piece series of teacups in late 2008 as a private commission, my mother shipped me about a dozen of her favorite collectibles for reproduction. Very thoughtful of her! And now, more than a year later, I am finally getting to them, one by one, although there are a couple I may have to forego. The details are much too mind-numbing, even for me. Sorry, Mom!
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Pretty In Pink

"Pretty In Pink" - 6" x 6" - oil on hardboard panel - SOLD
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My mother-in-law tells me that the mere act of painting dessert themed images brings about an insatiable appetite for all things sweet, and that artists who paint desserts run a risk of obesity in doing so. Of course my reply to her is to scoff, wave my hands in the air as if to imply she's insane, and then I drive to my nearest Krispy Kreme for...........just kidding.
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I think I have a different take on desserts. I find them to be exquisite little works of art in and of themselves. I appreciate them for the same reasons I appreciate sushi- for the craftsmanship and care that go into their presentation. I enjoy the sense of abundance and celebration that designer cupcakes represent. I mean, if you're depressed or on a major sugar craving jaunt, you grab something cheap from the cookie isle or the bakery section of your nearest grocery store. You don't usually go to a boutique bakery and pay $3 apiece for something like what you see above. These you buy for special occasions, usually joyous.
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So, here's to celebrating life, and your next trip to the dentist. ;o)
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A Winter Cup

"A Winter Cup" - 6" x 6" - oil on hardboard panel - SOLD
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Every season I have a favorite painting subject to which I usually gravitate more than once. In the Spring it's cherries. In the Summer it's pool toys and ice water. In the Fall it's leaves and the first batch of Satsuma oranges to arrive at the grocery store. But now, in Winter, I am going crazy for steaming mugs of tea and coffee. Makes sense as I live in the northern hemisphere and this time of year is preferable for hot beverages.
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Here in the Las Vegas valley, we have been under the influence of an El Niño Winter - lots and lots of clouds, rain, and cooler-than-normal temperatures. So, not surprising that I am often found with a mug in my hand. I love any excuse to make an aromatic brew. The smell is just as wonderful as the taste, and for an artist, the look is also inspiring.
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Today we have yet another weather pattern moving through our desert. The sky is gray. The sound of the rain soft and entrancing. In my studio there are large bay windows, though on days like today, the light is at best pale blue. Under the warm glow of interior lighting, next to those windows, a cup of coffee or tea takes on a duality that's hard not to want to put to canvas.
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Today's painting showcases what I see in my studio on a regular basis this time of year. The light from my studio windows casts a cool glow from the right of one of my favorite matte white cup and saucer. Yet from above is the warm glow of my desk lamp. I like the way it causes the cup's contents to reflect back onto the inner rim. I like the way the blue and yellow battle a bit for supremacy of the light, absorbent surface. I like the way the setting around the saucer and cup disappears into shadowed darkness. Looking at the painting I can almost smell it, taste it, feel it warming and soothing my soul.
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And once I'm done typing up this post, I'm going to drink it with relish- probably on the couch, under a soft throw, reading a book and watching the rain.

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Cream & Sugar Redux

Cream & Sugar - 6" x 6" - oil on hardboard panel - SOLD

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Have you ever finished a painting and then felt like something was wrong? You couldn't put your finger on it, but something was just WRONG with it? This is what happened to me with "Cream & Sugar", originally posted last month. The surface upon which the creamer and sugar cubes sat was dark brown. It looked great in the reference photo I took, but, translated to canvas, it just didn't work.
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I decided to give myself until February to see if it grew on me. It never did. So, this week I gave in to the urge to redo the painting, something I rarely ever do. In fact, I don't remember the last time I went back into a painting after it was completed, except maybe to repair a scratch or something superficial. But the moment I put that first layer of white down over the dark brown, the whole image opened up for me. It gave me what I'd been looking for. It's not like angels appeared from behind the clouds, harps in hand, but I was definitely feeling like things were back on the right track. It looked RIGHT to me.
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Anyone else ever redo a painting before? I'm curious to know of your experiences. Personally, I had major anxiety at the thought of undoing something done and experimenting with what was otherwise a lovely composition. Of course, after the fact, I am very glad I did, but whoo boy! Those first few brushstrokes of white? ANGST.