Pink Hydrangeas and Porcelain Cup Oil Painting

 Pink Hydrangeas and Porcelain Cup - Intense Color

I grew up with Blue Hydrangeas and thought that was their only color. Things have changed, and Pink Hydrangeas seem to be leading the way lately. Went to my favorite nursery and could not find one blue version of the beautiful flower. I miss the blues, but decided to try pink. Such a warm painting will require a warm frame!

I love painting flowers, but they are one of the most challenging subjects because when you look close there is so much detail. The challenging part for me is editing the details. Since I'm not a hyper realism painter, I enjoy a looser style and prefer to suggest some things letting the viewer fill in with their perceptions while still keeping a bit more detail in the focal areas.

 

Pink Hydrangeas and Porcelain Cup
8 x 10 Oil Painting ©2020
 

Always check the values:

BW - Pink Hydrangeas and Porcelain Cup
8 x 10 Oil Painting ©2020

Thanks for checking in.

Ginger Jar with Tangerines and Blue Flowers - Update

So back to my more frequently used palette. I must say the understanding of color is more solid now that I've used the Zorn Palette the past few paintings. By this I mean how color affects the viewer.

This is a simple grouping of objects that have a full value range and intensity of color. My spirit is feeling a little brighter and more at home. The actual jar has a printed design of square calligraphy blocks that I left off because it seemed too busy, but actually thinking this is too plain.

BTW, the blue flowers are a variation of Scilla siberica and perennial Geranium.

Start -  Ginger Jar with Tangerines and Blue Flowers
8 x 10 Oil on Canvas Panel
© 2013

Decided to try it with the design afterall... left a lot of the design off, but it is pretty true to the actual idea. Now if I can just learn how to suggest depth more convincingly.

Update - Ginger Jar with Tangerines and Blue Flowers
8 x 10 Oil on Canvas Panel
© 2013

Shiny Pots and Posies...

One thing that catches my interest as a painter is how reflections play out in a painting, specifically how they worked on shiny metal containers. Even if they are not in shadow, they are still reflected light, yes? So I painted the following two - one copper and one brass.

Copper Pot, Grapes and Posies - SOLD
8 x 10 Oil on Linen Panel
© 2013

Brass, Mini Tangerines and Posies
8 x 10 Oil on Linen Panel
© 2013

Fall Arrangement

I wanted to do at least one image for fall and went with 8 x 10 canvas panel. Still working with the lighting in the studio to find out the best approach - the idea was to have a little brighter mood. Attempted a random arrangement with only a small effort to influence the composition.

The pine cones were gathered while walking my dogs and I have enough to use as  fire-starters for building a fire this winter. They really are fun to paint. ;o)

Fall Arrangement - SOLD
8x10 Oil on canvas panel
© 2012

Life's Crushing Influences vs GRIT

Pear, Mums Blueberries
8 x 10 Oil on Canvas Board
© 2010 (cropped) SOLD

I recently came across a couple videos - and they got my attention. One is answering the question why kids loose their curiosity and achieve below their abilities in so many cases. In my opinion, this doesn't just happen with studies in Science and Math, but in all areas of learning.

As most of us know, it is even more often seen in the Arts - the  first to go in school budget cuts, etc. Art has to be one of the greatest areas of opportunity for nurturing curiosity - yet how it is perceived and taught in so many cases minimizes its importance for optimal life experiences.

If video isn't viewable click here.

Our life path as artists can be a constant struggle to push through these crushing influences and create anyway. The second video talks about 'GRIT' found on a recent post by The Stuck Creative. As I see it, our job as Artists is to persevere (develop GRIT) while creating beauty and finding ways of making it even more interesting for ourselves and others.