Back to basics...

Solo

6" x 6", oil on stretched canvas

$125 framed

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I don't know if this happens with most painters or not, but I usually have a good idea what I'd like to paint when I wake up in the morning, maybe not a specific set up, but at least a general idea. Well, this morning was a complete blank so I went back to the basics, for me that means a pear. There's something about it's shape that allows you to bring out many different emotions and human qualities.

Maine House

Maine House

6" x 6", oil on stretched canvas

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I tried to exaggerate the warm and cool sides of this house to give the lighting a strong role, but it didn't come out as strong as I wanted. It's funny how when you have your nose in your painting for a while and you think you're using really strong values, you then step back and realize you could have gone much bolder.

Water's Edge

Water's Edge

6"x6", oil on stretched canvas

$125 framed

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Today I worked on an elaborate pear still life only to wipe it down 3 hours later after trying and trying to push it in the direction I wanted it to go, but sadly it would not cooperate. So instead, I grabbed this little seaside landscape from a previous painting session that needed a few more tweaks. I think I'm off pears for a while....

Triptych

Family Photos,

3 @ 6"x6"

oil on stretched canvas

1/3 Sold

I just received these clear maple floater frames with black interior that I had ordered for this triptych. I'm really happy with the quality and the clean contemporary look. I'm definitely going to order more for my other paintings. Should I add them to my daily paintings? I'll have to think about that. This set is destined for a local show that will be taking place in a few weeks.

Prison Break

Prison Break

6" x 6", oil on stretched canvas

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Well, here's my second attempt of this composition after wiping down yesterday's painting and changing the colors and lighting a little bit. I try not to let the wipe downs bother me but it's hard not to think of all of the time and effort spent on trying to make it work. I guess it's all a learning process that is supposed to make me a better painter, right?

Forbidden Love

Forbidden Love

8" x 8", oil on stretched canvas

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There's something about glass in still life set ups that I just really like. It's always a challenge to paint what you see and not what you think it should look like.

Looking Up

Looking Up

6" x 6", oil on stretched canvas

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Here's a little still life for today. I set this up by placing the flowers in a glass jar on the floor and painting while standing over it. With two chaotic kids and two curious cats in the house, I had to complete this quickly before it would get knocked over.

Rocky Shore

Rocky Shore

6" x 6", oil on stretched canvas


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Here is yet another favorite view from Maine. This vantage point is taken from Lane's Island, which is part of Vinalhaven, Maine. This small painting is a study for a larger painting I plan on creating.

Ocean View

Summer's End

6" x 6", oil on stretched canvas

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You know spring is coming in New England when you start to see the greens and yellows start to creep in and overtake the grays we've faced all winter long. We're not there yet, but not too much longer.

Maine Landscape

Hiker's Reward

6" x 6", oil on stretched canvas

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In the summer we look forward to spending as much time as possible in Maine. Once there, one of our daily rituals is to take a family hike every morning after breakfast. There's always one of us that needs a nudge to get out the door, but once we take a break in mid hike, sit down and take in the amazing view, all is well.

More color = less drab

Distorted

6" x 6", oil on stretched canvas

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I think you can tell by yesterday's post that it was a rainy, dreary day here in New England. Will spring ever come? If I can't see any bright colors outside, I guess I'll have to create them on my canvas.

Pear Study

By Myself

6 x 6, oil on stretched canvas

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This still life is atypical of my usual work, much more blended than I normally do. Sometimes when the big strokes aren't working for me it's time to do some blending.

Using Less White

Get Me Out of Here!

8 x 8, oil on canvas

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Here's a quick little painting from Carol Marine's workshop last week. I challenged myself to mix less white into my pallet than I normally do in order to achieve a more saturated outcome. The end result seems shockingly bright to me, maybe I'll gray the next one down a little bit.

Let the Bloggin' Begin!

Family Reunion

10 x 20, oil on canvas

I plan on submitting this painting into the CAA's annual Art in Bloom exhibition, here in Hopkinton, MA. I'm very inspired after taking Carol Marine's workshop this past week. If you know Carol's work then you're familiar with her studies of pears, so how can my first post not be all about pears? I highly recommend taking her workshop if at all possible, you won't regret it!