Showing posts with label still life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label still life. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Mini Pear (Using Leftovers)

Waste not, want not. So often I have paint leftover on the palette when I'm finished with a painting, and I don't like to see it go to waste.

I keep smaller canvases around for this reason. Sometimes I'll just spread the leftover paint across it, and come back to it later to finish it. But this little pear I whipped up quickly after I finished Yellow Tulips Before Spring Storm. Recognize the color scheme?


Mini Pear
Acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas, 4 inches by 4 inches
Available for purchase here

Measuring 4 inches by 4 inches on a wrapped canvas, it's a cutie. The palette knife strokes are heavy so there is a lot of texture on this little fellow, even on the sides. Have a close up...


(detail)



Thursday, February 25, 2016

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)