fumbling to the still life! last garden stuff - 6x6"

I have decided that I simply must get better at still life..............not that I don't like doing them, but I was always so bad at controlling light on the set-up and framing them. Well, I bought Carol Marine's new book "daily painting" and saw that I could order something called the "still life stage" for a reasonable cost - so, I did. It arrived this week and I immediately set it up (very easy) as I was finishing the Christmas commission - this is my first attempt so I thought I would post it even though it isn't very good. What amazed me is that I was able to totally control the light and frame it at the same time! The reason I have wished to attempt more still lives is because I want to broaden my ability to mix reds, yellows and other colors that don't occur when I paint landscapes outside. I can't tell you how much fun I had doing this little thing (and I didn't even feel cramped by the size - a first). The next time I post, I will mention the company that makes the "still life stage" (left the info at the studio). Oh, and the veggies are some of the last things from my garden.......I had a zillion poblano peppers!

busy, busy, busy!!

I have been pretty busy working on a largish commission with multiple figures that has to be done in time to ship it for Christmas so I haven't been doing much new stuff to post (don't feel comfortable posting a photo of the commission). I did the small plein air (8x10") right before I left for TX and began the other one (24x18") around the same time. I hope to get out late-day soon since I love this winter light and it is pretty fleeting. It has actually felt like winter here with temperatures at the freezing level most days!

red brick - 14x18"

Sorry about the poor quality of this photo.......my camera's acting a bit weird and the light was terrible. I am back from my 10 days traveling to and from Texas to visit my daughter (and help her with some wedding prep). My plan was to paint along the way (I took 3 days) and then paint there as well. I knew there weren't too many daylight hours but I wanted to try. The weather was pretty awful - in fact, every time I wasn't driving, it was pouring! The Saturday prior to Thanksgiving, there were so many flash flood alerts that all of our phones were sounding alarms all day. It was so wet that I couldn't even really take photos................I was pretty happy to get home and pick up the brush! This building is in Savannah GA and I got this great view one day on my way home from Dick Blick (art store).