Proper Pansies, 6x6

"Proper Pansies" 6x6" Oil

Over the course of several weeks I've painted a lot, but shamefully I haven't blogged about it at all. Zilch, nada, nuthin'. It seems that there is so much to do and so little time. Too bad we can't buy more time somehow like it was a commodity, but then it wouldn't be so prized.  What would you do with it?

"Proper Pansies" was painted last week at Studio 30 during the "still life" session. Officially by my own calling, I'd categorize this time at Studio 30 as a time of good friends and conversation much like a tea party, but with paint. The small black teacup with the pansy decoration and gold gilded inner lining was from my Grandma's collection. It just glows in real life and so I tried to capture that luster with some Cadmium Red Med, Indian Yellow and a tiny touch of a green mixture.  The toughest part of this still life was trying to capture that inner glow of the light streaming through the yellow china cup. I think I got it...well, kind of.  Anyway, the yellow china cup I picked up at the Goodwill, a great place to find interesting things to paint.

One of the time consuming things I did during my blogging absence was listing with DailyPaintWorks.com. Also called DPW, it was developed by blogger Carol Marine and is quick and easy to list and simple to use. The art is varied, categorized and priced with either a set price or at auction. I have signed up to DPW to find a venue to release the hoards of art that I have in the studio that I must rotate. There are some really nice pieces starting just at a low $50 each. So, do stop by often as I post new work weekly. Link to the right---->

Here are a few listings with links to each auction....

Dune Path 6x6, Pastel

Dinghies at Rest, 6x6: Pastel

Cusp of the Day, 8x10" Oil

Fanno Creek Wetlands, 16x12" Oil

Glass Implements, 9x12" Pastel

Mosier Aspens, 12x9" Pastel

Grandma's Best, 6x6

"Grandma's Best" 6x6" Oil

When I was a newlywed, I inherited a few of my Grandma's (RIP) collection of teacups. At the time I thought they were cute, useless little things and then proceeded to put them up in the cabinet to keep for another day. As I have matured over the years I have come to appreciate them a whole lot more. I think of them a lot like collecting fine art. I wonder what each teacup and saucer's 'story' is and how my Grandma acquired each one. Were they gifts from special friends or collected from her many road trips with Grandpa after the harvest? (they were farmers in Oregon) As I continue to explore oil painting to enhance my pastel work, painting small studies keeps things simple for this dual medium artist. They are small enough for a short session at Studio 30, big enough to call it "work". I wish my Grandma could see this piece as I'm sure she would be happy to see her collection appreciated ever so much. It is my way of telling her "I love you".