Abstract Apple and Pear I

I have problems with not leaving well enough alone. Over the years, I've really had to find that voice inside me that says, "Stop! That's good enough. Don't mess with it anymore."

Sometimes I listen to that voice. And sometimes I ignore it.

Abstract Apple and Pear I

Acrylic on canvas board, 11 inches x 14 inches

Available for purchase here

Above is the finished work. Here is how I originally saw it:

I had called it finished weeks ago. Varnished it, photographed it, ready to share. But deep down something was bugging me and so it sat in my studio while I worked on other projects.

And then I had a rotten afternoon, one that ties my stomach in knots. It really wasn't anything that horrible, just worry. Things in the past. Things that could happen in the future. Things I really can't change. 

I was feeling hurt and a little angry. So I went into my happy place (the studio) and grabbed this painting, and threw myself a pity party at the expense of this poor piece of canvas.

I smeared black paint on the apple and the pear. Oh dear. I wiped some of it off (better than wiping tears, I suppose). I had a long talk with myself while I carefully scratched a black outline around the fruit with the edge of the palette knife. When I started to feel better, I grabbed some cheerful teal blue, flicking it here and there with my palette knife.

It wasn't the painting I originally envisioned, but in the end, I liked it better. Sometimes, life is like that.

Bonus: The cropped image is so fun, I might have to try this again someday, this time on purpose.

(close up)

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