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.

Front and Back

Front and Back

oil on board

5 x 7

I love painting pears! Maybe it is that distinctive shade of green, or the color variations that I find so wonderful, but pears often show up in my paintings. In this painting, I was trying to make a simple composition of "two" work, and I am quite happy with it.