Rearrange 17

6.5 X 6.5 Inches

Oil on paper

I cleaned the house today. I moved things around, organized, you name It! So I decided why not paint a few dress forms in front of a sofa. I used a photo reference for color guidance and placement. I love dress forms. I always have and now I am giving myself permission to paint them!

This house 16

6.5 X 6.5 inches

Oil Sticks on Art board

Have you heard of the morguefiles?  it's a website that lets you download copyright free images! I search there a lot for inspiration. I found this little barn on there and just wanted to paint it.



This is the actual picture from morguefiles.

I had fun painting it. I used my palette knife to mix the clouds, as well as scratch into the house to add a bit of definition. I like it. Not love it but like it. I would love to take a peak inside.

Magic happens 15

6.5 " X 6.5 "

Oil stick on paper

I don't know what it is about paper that I feel I can paint freely. Perhaps, the oil sticks go on better? Or, that I really always wanted to paint a dress form. Love. Better painting picture to follow.

Hanging out 14

 

 

6.5" X 6.5"

 

Oil Sticks on Art Board

 

 

I love hanging things. These hanging mugs were just perfect! I was mentally struggling with making them look realistic vs. painterly expressive. In the end I just painted. That inner critic has to chime in somehow. 

Learn 13

6.5" X  6.5

 

Oil Sticks on Art Board

 

Some paintings don't always turn out great but you learn a lot from them. This is one of them. As I am not all that happy with it, I learned a few things that are essential to painting with Shiva paintstiks.  I am finding that with oil sticks, blocking in the lights first will yield brighter lights then trying to get them on top of a darker color. So, when I put down a light color, I have to leave it alone, unless I intend to darken it for a shadow. Which also makes me have to think about where I place my colors rather then just diving in. I work mostly intuitively which works most of the time but there is always that sometime that it doesn't. So, thinking about the placement of the paint is worth doing more often. Since they are oil sticks, I mix colors right on the surface, which I love but some colors don't mix well, and don't yield the same color that I am looking for. On that not, I must do color mixing experiments with the shiva paintstiks! I will make a color wheel with them to see which colors mix the best and keep as a reference. Note to self: google that before attempting. The work may have already been done and I won't have to waste paint on it. If not, go and do it.

 

 Have you noticed my last three painting have my initials on them? Yea, baby!

Doctor 12

6.5" X 6.5"

Oil Sticks on Art Board

This is a painting of my doctors hallway.  I really really like this painting! I like the walls and the texture. The sun coming in on the floor. I am happy with it.



It also helped getting through my doctors appointment as I dreamed of painting this. Must do again.

Signature 11

6.5" X 6.5 "

 

Oil Sticks on Art Board

 

 

I always forget to put down my signature. Well, honestly, it's not that I forget but rather I feel that my signature takes away from the painting. I mean, who wants to see my signature, right? I have been reading lately that a signature is actually very important to a painting. It makes the painting official, either it be initials or a full name, it should be included. So I am making a conscious effort to include my initials in my paintings from here on out. I can't believe how hard it was! My initials are in the bottom right hand corner of this painting. Funny, the "s" seems cropped out! I didn't do that on purpose, I swear! Even while posting this picture, I seem to be having trouble with showing my initials. That's telling isn't it? Well, it's there. I am slowly getting used to it. 

 I really like this painting. Even though I live in Florida, I haven't been to the beach since August. I should be ashamed of myself! The beach is calling me. I can hear it in the waves of this painting. I can see myself sitting in the yellow chair under the umbrella. I prefer the shade. I am not a fan of the sun so you will rarely catch me sunbathing but rather under an umbrella people watching. Well, watching my kids is more like it.

 

I will see you soon, beach!