Composition by Attrition

"Lone Lilac"

6 x 6 inches, oil on canvas

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As previously mentioned, Lilacs don't last long in captivity. What is it with these guys? They think they're too good to hang out with me? Apparently. Well, this lovely Lilac was perfuming the air in another room, and for some reason didn't wilt like the others. Maybe it's the Gamsol fumes they object to in my studio....

Tomorrow morning is, sadly, the last installment of my workshop. Happily, though, it's Egg Day! I'm also packing a BUNCH of onions, in case any of my repeat offenders regular students want to tackle something other than eggs. 

It's going to be one hell of a good-smelling classroom!

 

P.S. What are you getting your mom for mother's day? It's only a week away (tick, tick). I have LOTS of paintings in my Etsy shop that I can ship tomorrow, with a custom-written note card attached! (And free shipping, for those in the know. Use the code SARAH at checkout.)

P.P.S. And speaking of undying love, I've entered a contest - and I'd really like to win. The prize is a free plein air workshop, here in Eugene, in August. All I need is tons of votes! So, if you have 10 seconds and a Facebook account, please help me out! Thanks. (P.P.P.S. you can vote once a day...)

The Lilac Thief, an Autobiography

 

"Lilacs and Tea"

6 x 8 inches, oil on canvas

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Lilacs don't last long as cut flowers, I'm finding. Not to worry, Lilac lovers, I'm out stealing more as you read this!

I Picked Your Lilacs

 "Lilacs and Lemons"

8 x 8 inches, oil on canvas
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After my brush stroke workout yesterday, I was more than ready to break out a brand new brush and keep keeping it simple! New flats and brights are the best for this - their lines are so precise and crisp. If you don't clean them, or leave them sitting in your solvent jar for hours, or carry them around in a funky vintage makeup case to and from classes and open studios (as I do, yes, all of the above), that crispness doesn't last long. Believe me, I will be cleaning my brushes as soon as I hit "publish!"

...cleaning them, and then stuffing them into the aforementioned case and heading to figure painting night. Join me! (Virtually, in person, or via astral projection - your choice.)

 Sketch for "Lilacs and Lemons" approx. 5.5" square, oil on Arches oil paper. 30 minutes.

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"White Pitcher of Lilacs" floral flower still life daily painting one dollar auction

 

8 x 8"

oil on canvas

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Hoping you all had a great Mother's Day weekend. I went a little crazy on Saturday, competing in a 5 mile mud run and getting ever so slightly banged up. After attempting to minister to my bruises and scrapes all day Sunday, I thoroughly enjoyed (the comparatively civilized act of) painting with my still life workshop students this morning!

"Pink Lilacs" floral flower fruit daily painting oil on canvas

 

8 x 8"

oil on canvas

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I've taught myself a lot about plant identification over the years, painting different flowers. I can now recognize many flowering bushes when they're not in bloom, just by the characteristics of their leaves.  Of course, now there's an app for that. Oh well!