Back to the Pepper Obsession....

Little Hotties

oil on canvas

5 x 7

It's like I just can't help myself when it comes to these colorful little gems - I am simply drawn to them in the grocery store! Even the kids, when shopping with me, see that look in my eyes and before I can even reach for the peppers, say, "Mom... No. No more peppers!". I haven't had to resort to sneaking them into the house yet, though. Although this one didn't photograph well, I enjoyed creating this tidy little composition.

Memories of Pal

Memories of Pal

oil on board

8x10

I painted this little painting in honour of my beautiful palomino, Pal (original name, I know), who died last September after a healthy 28 years. I kept one of his shoes to remember him by. I know it is life, and that our pets do come and go, but even when we get new ones, we certainly never forget the old!

Pickles

Pickles

oil on canvas

12x6

This was a fun painting! These pickles were a gift from one of our many wonderful neighbours, and I just had to make sure I captured them on canvas before we cracked them open!

It's a Slice

It's A Slice

oil on canvas

20x16

This is the second of the large dailies painted for the "Take a Closer Look" Exhibition at Sherwood Park Alliance Church. I love the strength of the orange and blue combination in this painting! It was amazing how much was going on in that little slice of orange when I really started to look at it.

Up Close and Personal

Up Close and Personal

oil on canvas

20x16

This was not one of my typical dailies. I painted this for an upcoming exhibition of the Visual Arts Ministry at Sherwood Park Alliance church entitled "Take a Closer Look". The intent is not only for us to take a closer look at the wondrous creations of God, but perhaps at ourselves, and our relationship with God. My idea for this painting and the one I will be posting next is that if we put only a fraction of the effort into living a life in keeping with God's intentions for us that God put into creating even the smallest parts of creation, then we would truly live in a wonderful world where amazing things happen!

This is a large painting, by daily standards, painted with a much larger brush- a stretch for me, but I really enjoyed it!

Avocado Sliced

Avocado Sliced

oil on canvas

5x7

My husband brought home this avocado for me to tackle as a daily painting the other day after stopping at the grocery store for some odds and ends. I was thrilled! To me, something to paint is way better than flowers! I particularly enjoyed painting the soft greens in the flesh, and adding the slightest hint of the residue of green on the pit.

Purple Shot

Purple Shot

oil on canvas

6x6

I brought back the shot glass again, this time with a couple of sprigs of purple monkshood from my perrenial garden. It made such a simple and striking composition! I don't often paint flowers, but I think next year there may be a series of dailies from the garden...

Lemon with Mexican Scarf

Lemon with Mexican Scarf

oil on board

6x6

I loved the addition of the little scarf tassle in the foreground of this painting. As always, I found the lemon difficult to paint - those darn yellows seem impossible some days! All in all, though, I felt I captured the essence of the lemon.

Orange With Mexican Scarf

Orange with Mexican Scarf

oil on canvas

6x6

I am guessing you have all figured out by now that I love this scarf! I have never worn it, but I absolutely love to paint the rich colors! This is the second of a series of three squares that I painted with pieces of fruit and the scarf. Difficult to photograph with the glare (it was still wet), but I love the painting!

Oyster Shell and Sea Glass

Oyster Shell and Sea Glass

oil on board

5x7

This is a little more of the East Coast childhood sentimentality! I spent a lot of time as a kid pouring over the shoreline, looking for treasures, and you just couldn't beat the feeling of finding that special rock or shell. I was, and still am, especially drawn to sea glass. There is just something about the history - the wondering where that beautiful gem began its life and what journeys it faced along the way.

Shot Glass and Flask

Shot Glass and Flask

oil on board

5x7

Reflective surfaces and glass can both be a challenge as there is so much to see and capture with all of the highlights and reflected images. I guess it just seemed logical to try to put the two together to create a very challenging painting. I kept my brushwork simple and limited my palette and was happy with the resulting painting. The contour of the flask made for a very interesting reflection.

Pear with Mexican Scarf

Pear with Mexican Scarf

oil on canvas

6x6

This lovely scarf, a holiday gift from my sisters-in-law, has turned up in multiple paintings. The incredible variations in color are simply irresistable to paint! In this painting I paired it (no pun intended) with a beautiful ripening pear. The bright lime greens played off the colors in the scarf perfectly!

Jug-O-Tomatoes

Tomato Jug

oil on board

10x8

Before I moved on from the whole tomato run, I thought I would try a slightly larger, more ambitious painting with this small antique jug. I like the little tumble of tomatoes showing through the glass of the old jug. This little garden of mine has been a great source of subject matter this summer!

Tomato Shot

Tomato Shot

oil on board

7x5

Another painting of my series of little "shots" - this one with some tomatoes from my garden. I am really happy with the shine on the smooth skin of the cherry tomatoes and the way they just fit so neatly into that little shot glass!

Sugar Daddy

Sugar Daddy

oil on board

5x7

This one was a lot of fun - almost as much fun as the trip to the candy store to look for painting subjects. All of the different kinds of candy just brought back so many penny candy memories!

The label was difficult, but enjoyable to paint.

The Ultimate Kitchen Painting

Cucumber Melon

oil on board

10x8

So, this is what happens when you go on a painting trip and are simply painting the items you find around you in the condo. I was intrigued by the transparent yellow-green of the soap and the neat glow it cast onto the foreground where the light was shining through. The dramatic black background made the whole thing pop! I have never painted anything with writing on it. That was tough.

The Missing Egg...

Broken Egg

oil on board

5x7

And here is the missing egg from the carton - I figured I would take a stab at painting it as well. The egg had really settled out from sitting, but I do like the richness of the yolk and the crisp shells.

Breakfast for Two

Breakfast for Two

oil on canvas

10x10

This is one of the dailies painted while on our annual Sylvan Lake painting trip. My friend and business partner, Tammy, had taken an egg to paint...which is why there is not a six-pack (my original concept for the painting). All in all, it turned out okay, and I liked the empty space in the carton. The angles were very difficult to get right, but I did enjoy capturing the color of the cardboard.

Zip-locked Tomatoes

Zip-Locked Tomatoes

oil on board

5x7

These are the first of the tomatoes from my "garden" ... all done in containers, but as I said before, I haven't killed anything yet, and it is the closest thing to a garden that I have ever had. I guess this painting could go under my "stuff in stuff" category - I loved painting the plastic bag, right down to the blue and red stripes of the zip lock top!

More B.C. Cherries

Cherries in Cut Glass

oil on board

7x5

Thgis is the second of the cherry paintings, completed while on my annual painting trip to Sylvan Lake with my business partner, Tammy Watt. We completed numerous dailies during the duration of our trip. It was interesting to see how two very different painters approached the same task. The glass dish, given to me by my mother, was a particular challenge, but I tried not to overthink it, and just paint... somehow it worked!

Five Cherries

Five Cherries

oil on board

5x7

During my recent holiday, I was doing dailies every day and in looking for ideas asked for some help on Facebook for some fresh new subject matter. There was definitely a variety of responses! One of my friends suggested B.C. cherries, and this was the first of the cherry paintings that came from that suggestion. It didn't photograph well; wet, with lots of glare, but you get the idea.

Red Pepper Squared

Red Pepper Squared

oil on canvas

6x6

This is definitely one of my favourite subjects! I never tire of painting the rich vibrant colors of peppers. I painted this for the door prize for the latest art show of the Emerging Artists Society of Alberta, on for the month of August at the Loft Gallery in Sherwood Park.

Red Grapes

Red Grapes

oil on board

5x7

I thought the yellow background provided a nice contrast with the rich red of the grapes. I enjoyed painting the variations of color on each grape.

Three Tomatoes

Three Tomatoes

oil on board

5x7

I like this composition! And the color! It's no wonder vine-ripened tomatoes rarely make it to the salad before I get get to paint them! This one was really fun to paint.

Grapes in Nan's Pickle Dish

Grapes in Nan's Pickle Dish

oil on board

7x5

I painted this one today in honour of my grandmother - in memory of all the wonderful memories we shared as a family in her home! I will never forget all the incredible traditional Sunday dinners we had in Winterton when we were home to visit. Good food, great conversation and laughter were never in short supply!

Gamsol and Oil

Gamsol and Oil

oil on board

7x5

This was a fun painting. I loved painting the soft yellow and warm honey-colored oils. A subject maybe only another artist would appreciate, but I learned a lot in the process!

Raspberry Shot

Raspberry Shot

oil on board

5x7

These are the first raspberries picked this year! I just wanted to capture their unique form in an unusual way. I like the blue/green background... again, instead of my usual dramatic dark one.
This just says "summer" to me! And there's that shot glass again - great for small compositions!

Egg and Glass Beads

Egg and Glass Beads

oil on board

5x7

This is one of my faster daily paintings, where I really tried to keep my brushwork loose. I was happy with the way I kept it loose and light - no dramatic background, but it really seemed to fit the subject matter.

Fresh Buns

Fresh Buns

oil on board

9x12

This is one of my favourite dailies from the 30 Paintings in 30 Days series. I was enjoying painting things inside of things, and enjoyed painting the warm colors of the soft buns and then trusting myself to paint the plastic bag overtop. I think the blue bread tag just finishes it off!

When You've Got the Blues

When You've Got the Blues

oil on board

5x7

This was just a fun little study with blue glass and cloth. It was hard to get the variations in value that I was going for as the paint was so slick, but I enjoyed putting the little splash of gold detail on the espresso cup. This is one of the few remaining cups I have kept from my collection.

First Radish

First Radish

oil on board

5x7

I did not inherit my father's green thumb. This radish represents a personal victory for me - the fruits of my labours. I grew something in my garden and didn't kill it! I wonder how I will make out with the carrots....

Primary Colors

Primary Colors

oil on board

8x10

This is one of my favourite dailies I did during my 30 Paintings in 30 Days. Of course, as an artist, paints, brushes, paper and such are an appealing subject anyway, as they are such an important part of my daily life. This painting, though, gave me the challenge of tackling the shiny metallic surface with reflections of the paint tubes.

The Silk Scarf...

Glass with Silk Scarf

oil on board

5x7

There is the silk scarf again - this is just one of the many paintings it has ended up in. The challenge of painting those rich color variations is irresistable! The glass is a battle as always, but somehow it always comes together.

Variety is the Spice of Life

Variety is the Spice of Life

oil on board

5x7

This is by far on of my favourite dailies I have done so far. I painted this after attending an art/trade market in Calgary. I loved the look of the spices in the cardboard takeout boxes - the brightly colored labels just added to the charm! They made not only a lovely painting, but some delicious meals as well!

Mandarin

Mandarin

oil on board

5x7

I really like the loose, light feel of this painting. My goal was to really not overwork the painting, as I am often known to do, as I do like my details! I am happy with the delicate feel of the peelings and the texture captured in the sections of the mandarin. It looks good enough to eat!

Last of the Lemons

Lemon Unwrapped

oil on board

5x7

This is the last in the series of daily lemon paintings. It was a good exercise, using color I wouldn't normally use. So......what do I paint next?

That Pesky Lemon Again!

Wrapped Up

oil on board

5x7

This is number three in the series of lemons. After slicing it to paint it, I wrapped in plastic wrap to put in the refridgerator - I then noticed how interesting the little sticker looked under the plastic wrap... I laughed to myself, and thought "I might have to paint that!". The next day, I did exactly that and was pleased with the result. The pesky yellows seemed easier to capture this time, and I once again enjoyed painting "things in things".

Tin Can...One time only!!!

Tin Can

oil on board

5x7

I made a trip to Delta Art and Drafting today and met an amazing artist, Neil McClelland. Once again, I was blown away by how incredibly supportive the art community is! Not only did this guy give me some great technical advice, but he also shared his artwork with me and gave me another insight into the mind of the daily painter. This guy takes daily painting to a whole different level! As we were discussing our experiences with dailies, he proceeded to tell me about a series of daily paintings he did of tin cans. 100 of them in 100 days. Seriously! I came home and painted this in tribute to his incredible work! Be sure to check out his blog! His work is unbelievable!

Walking on Eggshells

Walking on Eggshells

oil on board

5x7

I painted this one on one of my annual painting trips to Sylvan Lake. A simple subject, but definitely one that got my full attention and observational skills. A solid little painting, about a very delicate subject... on many levels.

An Apple for the Teacher

An Apple for the Teacher

oil on board

5x7

With the end of the school year fast approaching, I thought it would only be fitting to post this painting I did as a salute to teachers! The apple represents the traditional, cliche gift for the teacher, while the trail of seeds represents the learning, both educationally and spiritually, that

teachers facilitate in their students. I have known a lot of wonderful teachers over the years, and the ones who are truly dedicated to their students make a lasting impression. I will forever have a place in my heart for Mrs. Tupper, Mrs. Stephanson and Mrs. Jackson, who were teachers of mine, and Miss Chalmers, Miss Mekechuk, Mrs. Sylvestre and Mrs. Grieves, who taught my children, and of course, my dear friend, Tammy Watt, who continues to dedicate her life to art education.

On the Mend

On the Mend

oil on board

5x7

Something a little bit different... this just shows how once you get into the groove of daily painting, everything becomes possible subject matter. I kept this little sewing kit in my painting bag for emergencies, and one evening, the colors just spoke to me. I painted this one very quickly, in less than an hour, just trying to get a feel for the little rolls of thread, and not fussing too much over the details. This one was recently purchased by a quilting friend of mine.

Lemon Slice

Lemon Slice

5 x 7

oil on board

This is the second in the series of lemon paintings - still battling the difficult transparent yellows! I was happier with this painting, though - it has a very fresh look to it.

Two Lemons

Two Lemons

oil on board

5 x 7

These two lemons began a series of four small daily paintings. The yellows were very difficult - so transparent! So slick!

On the Vine

On the Vine

oil on board

5 x 7

I've lost count of the number of vegetables that never went in the salad because they became daily painting subjects for me. It has kind of become a running joke with my friends and family. For some reason, tomatoes on the vine frequently fall victim to this phenomenon - there is just something about the rich reds and the gnarled vines! I simply can't help myself!

Still Life with Burberry Scarf

Still Life with Burberry Scarf

oil on board

5 x 7

I created this painting while visiting another painter friend in Calgary, Alberta (Tammy Watt). I was in the thick of my "30 Paintings in 30 Days" endeavour and happened to be there on a painting trip. Tammy had a beautiful necklace on her dresser made of an antique key, and this lovely scarf that made the perfect backdrop! Another daily painting just appeared... and I guess it was refreshing to be painting something other than food!

Pink Grapefruit

Pink Grapefruit

oil on board

5 x 7

I thought I would paint this one from a different perspective, examining it up close. So, I sliced the grapefruit and painted it looking dead-on. I really enjoyed playing with the pinks and orange-reds in this one. I sense more citrus to come...

Directionally Challenged

Directionally Challenged

9 x 12

oil on board

I really enjoyed painting this one. I lined the peppers up and when I looked at the stems I just had that feeling of a bystander observing a conversation: "Which way do we go?", "I thought you knew"..."I think maybe that way..." "I don't know, I thought we went that way already..."

This was a fun painting. And, of course, it's another pepper painting!

... And, of course, the Red Pepper

Red Pepper Study

oil on board

7 x 5

Of course, I had to post the red pepper, too! I just realized that I have never painted a green pepper. Hmmm... is it because I don't really care for the taste of green peppers? Or is it just that the red, orange and yellow colors are more appealing to paint?

Yellow Pepper Study

Yellow Pepper Study

oil on board

5 x 7

This is another in the many pepper paintings I have completed. I love painting the yellow ones because I find the yellow variations of light and dark so much more difficult to capture without muddying the color. I am happy with this one!

My obsession...

Orange Pepper Study

oil on board

5 x 7

I have a confession to make... I am obsessed with painting peppers! I have lost count of the number of pepper paintings I have completed, and I can honestly say there is no end to them in sight! I am just intrigued by the variety of shapes and colors of peppers, and the way the light seems to illuminate them almost from within. My obsession seems also to have gone beyond painting peppers myself... I recently purchased a beautiful hot pepper painting by the talented German artist, Kora Fried.