A Lamp, A Compass and a Map

Conceptual paintings are not my forte, but lately I've been thinking about a prayer from the Psalm 43.  The psalmist was asking for direction - and asked for a lamp, a compass and a map.  There are times in life when finding true north is not always evident.  So I decided to put my thoughts down in a painting just for myself.  I don't think it's quite finished, but here it is in process.  I'll sit with it here for a few days and listen to what it tells me it needs.  You would be surprised that a painting does know what it needs and has a way of letting you know.  Someone once said  "Paintings don’t really end, they just arrive at interesting places to stop."

Grape Nectar

A cold snowy day is ideal for getting out those unfinished paintings and listen to what they tell you they need!  These grapes may be just about finished after adding some shadow clusters and leaves.  I think the little butterfly is enjoying some on the vine wine.

Crotons, Christmas and Color

This past Christmas season as I gave this croton plant to a friend and fellow artist as a hostess gift, I mentioned it would be a lovely subject to paint.  It was red and green Christmas colors but not your typical Christmas poinsettia that I traditionally paint and teach during the holiday season.  My friend invited me to come back that following week and enjoy a paint day together - and I did!  The first photo is what I considered the finished painting until I took it to an art guild meeting critique.  I was trying to keep to a limited palette of green and red, but Jerry Thomas, an artist from whom I've learned volumes, encouraged me to push the palette to include blues and purples.  Voila! the 2nd photo shows the improvement by pushing the palette.  Thanks Jerry!

Love those ginkos!

One of the last warm days of fall (although we're now having warm winter days!) I went to Naturescapes landscaping and enjoyed gathering leaves and giving a lesson to the owner sitting outdoors on the patio.  I needed an entry for the Gateway East Artist Guild Christmas art show, but my leaf painting was a tad too large.  So, I decided to create a collage that would be small enough for the show. Et voila!  I liked the results especially the ginko leaf over the edge of the mat.  The judge for the show did too and gave it an award.

Retired, Relaxed and Recharging

Now that  my husband and I are retired I can actually take the time to update my blog.  Someone told me that your web site is your book and your blog is your magazine.  Now that I have the time to develop my blog I just need to paint!  I've been spending my time preparing for an eventual move and being a new grandma, but I'll be putting on that "beret" and getting back into painting again soon!