Frilled Tulips

Blooming here now: Dogwoods, pear trees, daffodils. There are fat buds on the maple trees. The redbuds are just about to pop. And coming soon? Tulips!

Frilled Tulips

Acrylic on canvas board, 8 inches x 10 inches

Available for purchase here

When I was a girl, my grandmother had an extensive flower garden, and it was so fun to see the different types of tulips emerge. There would be plain ones and fancy ones. I tried planting tulips one fall, and some critter ate the bulbs before Spring arrived. Oh well.

I really had fun layering colors and textures on this one. Ah, Springtime! My favorite season is probably still fall, but Spring is a close second. Have a close up...

 

Poppies in Evening (a process)

This is one I'm having a hard time letting go. This was was really a labor of frustration with a happy ending.

Poppies in Evening

Acrylic on canvas board, 8 inches by 10 inches

Available for purchase here

I struggled with this painting. Initially, the poppies looked flat. There were hills and a stream that seemed awkward. The sunset was too pink. OK, do you want to see the wreck of the before?

My eyes are covered now. I can't look anymore. I was tempted to toss it out, but I'd invested so much material on it. With the palette knife, I applied big, bold patches of color.

Yes, that still looks nothing like the final results, but it gave me enough room for a do-over. Look closely, and you can see the shadows of the trees in the background, and the hint of the sun sinking into the horizon. The bunny slope of a hill and the clunky stream are gone. Let's take a look at the end results again for comparison.

My friends, there are A LOT of layers of paint on this one. But by the time I added the black outlines, I was sold that this is how it should be. Have a close up...

It's 100% palette knife work. All of the highlights were carefully scratched on with the tip of the knife. I love the results, and I feel like I'm starting to find my voice on canvas. I really hope this one finds a good home.

Yellow Tulips before Spring Storm

We are enjoying unseasonably warm weather in my neck of the woods, but my goodness, the wind yesterday was fierce! Today is slightly calmer, and tomorrow is supposed to be our third day of temperatures in the 70s. Bring on spring!

In celebration of springtime in the Midwest, I have a new painting to share.

Yellow Tulips before Spring Storm

Acrylic on canvas board, 8 inches by 10 inches

Available for purchase here.

I probably should have modified the name of this one slightly. "Yellow Tulips BEFORE Spring Storm" because anyone familiar with the driving rain, whipping wind, and possible hail that comes with spring in the Heartland, these poor tulips won't be so pretty after the storm passes.

I really enjoyed capturing the fading blue skies as the dark grey moved in. Gather ye tulips while ye may. And here's a close up...

413 Days

413 days have passed since my last post. Talk about procrastination! I'm ready for a fresh start but still doing something I love. So I've started painting again, but not just painting the living room for the upteenth time or rushing outside on a calm day with a can of spray paint.

I'm talking about acrylic painting (mostly palette knife). And I've dusted off my Etsy shop. For now, it's just paintings. Maybe I'll return to pillows, totes, and funky jewelry again, but I'm really enjoying painting now. The results are pretty instant, and I even enjoy the process of getting stuck. I'm finding palette knife painting to be both forgiving and unforgiving as I hone the techniques.

So I'll leave you with the first of what will hopefully be many new projects. Enjoy!

Red Tulips I

Acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas. 12 inches x 12 inches.

Edges are finished so no framing is required.

Available for purchase here.

Close up of Red Tulips I