"White Shoulders" - portrait painting nude figure painting oil on canvas

 

14 x 18"

oil on canvas

$400

White Shoulders is a famous perfume from the 40's. I always see it mentioned in novels, but I've never actually smelled the stuff. This painting has a kind of old-fashioned feeling to me - for one thing, I made the model look about 20 years older than she is, and the hairstyle also looks outdated, even though what I didn't include in the composition was the riot of dreadlocks exploding from the crown of her head!

Cocktail Cherries - still life oil painting fruit

 

6 x 6"

oil on canvas 

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As part of celebrating my blog's 4th birthday, I'm thinking of going back and revisiting some of my earliest daily painting subjects. Maraschino cherries were among them.

Cow Skull and Orange

 12 x 12"

oil on canvas

purchase

The colors I used to paint the skull are much cooler than what I thought I'd use going in. Most are actually blues and greens. You can sort of see that in the work-in-progress shot below. I also tried to use really thick paint and a big brush. Since I tend to do almost all my painting with a really small, round brush, this was a good change.

Navel Oranges and Lemons

 

8 x 8"

oil on canvas

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Ta Dah! My 500th daily painting. In about a month, this blog will be 4 years old, so I'm awarding myself an honorary degree in art-bloggery, no cap and gown required. No beret and gown, either, which is what I wore when I got my *real* degree!

Cow Skull with Blush Roses

 

11 x 14"

oil on canvas
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There's still time to register for my Still Life painting workshop, Mondays in February. Come paint with me! Info here.

Mona Lisa Smile - female nude figure painting

 

14 x 18"

oil on canvas

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I was so happy to get back to figure painting after the winter break. This model always has just the hint of a smile on her face - you can tell she's thinking happy thoughts even if her shoulder hurts! Here's a behind the scenes shot - "Like" me while you're over there to get all my FB updates.

Apples and Oranges

 

8 x 8"

oil on canvas

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My two-year-old daughter is starting preschool tomorrow. It will only be a couple days a week, but I'm looking forward to some regular studio time, more daily paintings, and hopefully some larger work! I'll definitely be getting my animal-skull collection out of the closet - how's that for a teaser?

Rose and Chocolates

 

6 x 6"

oil on panel

purchase

Valentine's Day M&M's: nothing but pink, white, and red in the whole bag!

Blush Rose Bouquet

 

6 x 8"

oil on canvas

$75

In case you've not been over there, my facebook page has some work-in-progress and studio shots that I don't get a chance to post on this blog. There are occasionally also some behind-the-scenes pictures from figure painting night!

Lemon Bowl with Knife

8 x 8"

oil on canvas

purchase

The first painting of the year! It felt SO good to be back in the studio last night after weeks away. I even managed to do some cleaning and organizing before I got started. My goals for the new year, art-wise, are still pretty vague. Goal number one: write down a list of goals. Go!

Channelling Degas

 

8 x 10"

oil on canvas

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Well, December totally got away from me, and I'm sure many of you can relate! I had a great year - 111 daily paintings, and 28 figure paintings by my (certainly inaccurate) estimation. Thanks for your support and friendship, and best wishes to all for a productive, creative 2012!

Pomegranate by Candlelight

 

8 x 8"

oil on canvas

natural maple frame

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Here's another painting that just came home from a show, made last year around this time. I've been having a lovely family visit this week, with no time in the studio, but I just wanted to check in and say hi to all of you.

Orange Bowl with Pear

 

6 x 6"

oil on canvas

purchase

Here's another gem from my growing pottery collection. I've been intimidated to paint these lovely glazes in the past, but, like almost everything else I've ever been intimidated to paint, it was unexpectedly fun.

Winter Bounty

 

8 x 8"

oil on canvas

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This setup was so gorgeous to me the other day that I had to have another go at it. I'm finding this bowl by Ted Ernst, which I picked up at Clayfest this fall, really inspiring - the color and texture.

In case you haven't peeked into my Etsy shop in a while, I'm offering 10% off all orders through the end of the year, and throwing in a free holiday art card! The coupon code is HOLIDAY2011.

Cross-Legged Nude

 

14 x 18"

oil on canvas

$300

purchase

One of my favorite figure painters is unquestionably Alice Neel. Her influence on me can be seen here in the treatment of the legs. Of course, I only noticed this after I finished the painting, brought it home, and stuck it up on the wall to look at. It wasn't something I was consciously trying to do at the time.

Winter Fruit Bowl

 

8 x 8"

oil on canvas

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My kitchen counters feel very empty - and unwholesome. All the fruit in the house is upstairs in my studio!

Cut Pomegranate no. 2

 

6 x 6"

oil on canvas

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Here is no. 1 - three years ago! Wow, time flies.

Iris Still Life, Redux

 

11 x 14"

oil on canvas

Framed in natural maple

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This painting is coming back from a show tomorrow morning - it was done nearly two years ago, and remains one of my favorites of all time.

Persimmon Apple Christmas

 

6 x 6"

oil on panel

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I have another still life painting workshop coming up in February at Maude Kerns Art Center, here in Eugene. The class is 4 sessions, Monday mornings. Details here!

"Sean, Seated" - male figure painting nude

 

11 x 14"

oil on linen

$150

Click on the image to see it larger, and perhaps notice details like the little green bead on his dreadlock- also a bit of glare on my photo - just on the really thickly painted parts!