Pointed Out

25" x 19", oil
sold

I've had the picture of this tulip sitting in my references since June. I didn't like it because it was pointy. Time went by, and now that's exactly why I like it: it's pointy. I used to try and homogenize every flower I painted. Now, I like finding quirky traits that set a blossom apart from the crowd.

My favorite part about painting flowers is getting to use colors that pack a punch.

Love

24" x 20", oil
sold
The title for this painting came very easily. The shape and color of the petals remind me of hearts, and I like short, simple titles.

The hardest part about this painting was getting the greys right. The cream part of the petals is anything but just cream. Instead, there are blue-greys, red-greys, yellow-greys, etc. The background is this rich, chocolately red-brown. Tulips and chocolate...excellent gifts. It was great fun to paint.

Goblet

28" x 27", oil

sold

You know that scene in Sleeping Beauty where the kings are tipsy and drinking their goblets full of that cranberry-colored wine? That's what gave me the idea for this title. Also, when I was a kid we'd get Welch's Sparkling Grape Juice at Thanksgiving time and one special glass each. I loved the juice's color when I'd hold my goblet to the light.

Afternoon Iris

17" x 17", oils
sold


I love irises. This one was growing at my neighbor's house. She had a whole forest of these purple/golden irises and when it's hot, you can count on seeing her outside with her garden hose, watering her flowers. Thanks Jean for letting me trounce around your yard with my camera!

Pale Yellow Iris

29" x 26", oil
NFS
I had to include an iris in my flower series. They are the queen of frilly flowers. Every iris I paint causes me to think about my dad. He loves irises and it's because of him I like to paint flowers. When I was in high school, he asked me to do a 3' x 4' iris painting for his office and I've been painting flowers ever since. Thanks pops!

This iris was growing in my brother and sister-in-law's backyard. I'll try and get another picture tomorrow with better light (nix the glare at the top); I can't reshoot now seeing as it's dark outside.





Pictorial Tidbits: The two above pictures show the very beginning (white charcoal sketch on purple background) and the middle stage of the painting (almost finished flower before the background was warmed and the last of the POP was added to the petals). Total time lapse from start to finish: 4 hours.