Beyond Black and Orange, part 1

Hello! I admit I've set aside the palette knife to get some Christmas projects finished. There are quilts to finish, and I'm co-chair of a Christmas tree for a silent auction to benefit a local charity. Plus, I'm trying to get outdoor projects finished before the weather changes. Whew! I'm revisiting a few paintings with an autumn flair that I did early this year.

So many people are using more and more whites and cool grays in their homes now. So how does that work with kitschy, typical black and orange Halloween decorations? Not so great. How about a subtle nod to the season of spooks?

Orange Figures

Acrylic on canvas board, 5 inches by 7 inches

Available

White Lilies in Brown Vase

More lilies for you today. It's so much fun to play with color combinations of the background and vase.

White Lilies in Brown Vase

Acrylic on canvas board, 8 inches by 10 inches

Available

Once again, painted entirely with a single palette knife.

(detail)

White Lilies in Green Vase

I had so much fun with the Stargazer Lilies, that I tried again in a different color scheme. 

White Lilies in Green Vase

Acrylic on canvas board, 8 inches by 10 inches

AVAILABLE

Sometimes, it's refreshing to work a painting with quick and gratifying results. Here's the close up...

Stargazer Lilies in Yellow Vase

I vaguely recall meeting with the florist when I was a young woman as I made my wedding preparations. I told her I wanted roses in my bridal bouquet. She sighed and said roses wouldn't hold up well all day and recommended using Stargazer lilies in addition to the roses. She pulled one out of the floral cooler and upon seeing it, I agreed.

Too much of my wedding day is a blur, but two things I remember: 1) That bouquet was heavy, and 2) The SMELL of those lilies! They were pretty but so pungent!

Stargazer Lilies in Yellow Vase

Acrylic on canvas panel, 8 inches by 10 inches

Similar lilies grew in our former garden, near the gate so I could enjoy them often, but not too close to the deck where we could smell them. I reused a canvas panel from I painting I wasn't happy with and unfortunately, some of the raised parts of the previous painting showed through on the new painting. No matter, I still had fun painting and reminiscing. Enjoy a close up...

Hollyhocks

I've never tried growing hollyhocks. I never had the right conditions for them (too much shade at the back of the garden). I just admire them in other people's gardens.

Hollyhocks

Acrylic on canvas board, 8 inches by 10 inches

Available here

Have a close up...

(detail)

Landscape with Purple and Orange

Let's start the week with a colorful landscape. Stay tuned...I have three new paintings I just finished and I'm very excited about them.

Landscape with Purple and Orange

Acrylic on canvas board, 11 inches by 14 inches

Available

 

Orange Tulips

I'll admit it, I paint tulips when I want the satisfaction of finishing a painting quickly. Today, the tulips are orange since I had a bit of orange paint leftover from another project. 

Orange Tulips

Acrylic on canvas board, 8 inches by 10 inches

Available

I like playing with the highlights and shadows, but I've made a promise to myself to give them a break for a little while. Have a close up...