Mary Maxam - paintings

Harbor Flowers - summer flower mix

2012-01-27T17:30:00.000-08:00

Harbor Flowers oil 14" x 10"

In error yesterday, I described these flowers as being from Butchart Gardens, but then remembered they were some of the beautiful plantings all along the walkway at Victoria Harbor. The complimentary colors were appealing to work with and I finished today. One of my main challenges today, was to keep enough grays and varied edges to let the brighter focus of marigolds show up well.

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Marigold Mix - beginning oil, step one & two

2012-01-26T17:53:00.000-08:00

Marigold Mix - beginning oil 14" x 11"

My 'go to' with flowers has always been to choose informal arrangements more often than setting up a still life. These marigolds and begonias are from the Butchart Gardens in Canada. I began this floral mix with a basic block- in, as per usual and planned how I would handled the values generally. I'm in the stage now where I am beginning to apply more opaque paint and work with edges. While I didn't have time to finish, I should be able to do that tomorrow and show you the completed painting.

Orange Branches

2012-01-24T17:00:00.000-08:00

Orange Branches 10" x 8" oil on linen panel

Coming back into snow country from being in Arizona last week, takes some getting used to! But, it's great to think about the sunny color of the orange trees in Phoenix. This one was just outside the door of the place I stayed. I took some photos and tried to make some mental notes to myself about shadow colors, as I knew they were destined for painting.

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Dianthus - 3rd painting, Kathy Anderson's workshop

2012-01-23T17:05:00.000-08:00

Dianthus 9" x 7" oil

This was the last painting I had time for at the workshop last week. I had most of it finished, but only after catching up a little, did I have time to complete it today. The whole table of flowers made it hard to choose from and I liked the very springlike small shape and white whites that these Dianthus had. Kathy created her wonderful whites through warm violet gray shadows and making sure the flower area was completely clean and white to begin with. I thought it worked well here.

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Boldbrush Fav 15% , Moonrise

2012-01-20T18:09:00.000-08:00

Moonrise 9"x9" oil on linen panel

I just found out my painting 'Moonrise' was selected as one of the FAV 15% in FASO's Boldbrush competition for December! It's just wonderful to be included here. .... thanks FASO :) You can view all top 15% on their site.

Red Garnet Geraniums and more workshop

2012-01-18T19:31:00.000-08:00

Red Garnet Geranium oil 9"x 12"

At the workshop, Kathy had a wonderful variety of fresh flowers to choose from and I grabbed this geranium for it's color and I thought i'd be able to complete it in the time we had. For the most part, it is finished, but I will work on a few more edges before calling it done. It was another super day of painting and watching Kathy Anderson's wonderful demo, which you can see below. She has a great relaxed way about her instruction that seemed to work for everyone. I've met several wonderful artists this week, and we're all learning from each other, as well.

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Kathy Anderson demonstration of Pansies

Pansy Mix

2012-01-17T18:24:00.000-08:00

Pansy Mix oil 9"x12"

This is my finish from yesterday's painting at Kathy Anderson's workshop. I also began a second one, of geraniums this time and I hope to post it tomorrow.

SOLD

Today, Kathy was so busy teaching, she was unable to get her painting finished but tomorrow, I'll be able to show a finished piece I think. Meanwhile, below is Nancy Guzik, who is teaching in the studio next to our's. she was working on a beautiful portrait demo of a charming girl with a basket of flowers in her lap. The work was very methodical, delicate and careful. Looked like a wonderful class!

Scottsdale Art School- Kathy Anderson Workshop

2012-01-16T17:41:00.000-08:00

Pansies- unfinished 9"x12" oil on linen panel M Maxam

This was the first day of Kathy Anderson's workshop at Scottsdale Art School. She is a fun, generous and relaxed teacher and her work is fabulous for it's delicate shapes and beautiful clear color. You will see a few steps of her demo below and my partially finished painting above.I hope to be able to post both finished works tomorrow. Kathy is a member of the Putney Painters group, famously begun by Richard Schmid and Nancy Guzik. She began her painting with washes of transparent color under the main design. She then, very deliberately places more opaque color onto those basics. More tomorrow...

Other Daily Paintings

This show her painting midway through and how she builds over a warm/neutral background .

unfinished pansies by Kathy Anderson

Edges in her work are carefully considered. She will soften and sharpen edges as she builds the opaque color and works her brush in the direction that the petals lay.

Diana Moses Botkin Challenge

2012-01-15T04:00:00.000-08:00

Clearly Decadent 9"x9" oil on linen panel

So beginning today,every month on the 15th, I'll be posting my own, and the work from five other artists for the Diana Moses Botkin challenge. These five are all so terrific and I look forward to seeing how it develops throughout the year. This month's challenge was 'plastic bag' . For my painting I went to the store where I've been seeing the beginnings of Valentine sweets. This little package of brownie and chocolate dipped strawberry filled the bill.I'lll be adding others as I get them. SOLD

"Apples From the Store"

Oil on hardboard, 8"x10"

"Grisaille Bird and Produce Bag"

5x7" oil on linen

"SPILLAGE" 5x7" oil on canvas

©Suzanne Berry

untitled greenhouse

2012-01-13T17:14:00.000-08:00

untitled greenhouse oil 16"x20"

This is a more complete look at where I'm headed on my greenhouse painting. It is hard to show closer areas in a blog post, so my last closer look of only the figure, helps show that. I still need to find time to finish, but at this point, I feel I know what I want to do, to pull it together. I have been invited to be a part of the Diana Moses Botkin Challenge and will be posting the entries, from five fabulous artists on Sunday,the 15th. Then, I'm headed to Scottsdale for workshops with Kathy Anderson and Lori Woodword...lots going on!

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Work In Progress-detail from a greenhouse

2012-01-10T15:53:00.000-08:00

detail-greenhouse 7"x9" oil

I've been working larger today and this is a detail from what will be a finished 16"x20". I don't know when I'll be able to show the completed work, as other things are shouting for catch up! This is from a covered area at our Farmer's Market in the fall and this woman stood, trying to make planting decisions no doubt. I think my big challenge will be to keep the surrounding shapes and color subordinate to the main idea....we'll see.

Daily Painting Gallery

Two For The Road

2012-01-08T16:59:00.000-08:00

Two For The Road oil 8" x 10"

Thank you for your interesting input to my last post where I referred to painting every subject under the sun. Looks like most of you agree that it's about the painting of shapes,colors and composition many times and less about the subject itself. I snapped some pics of these two pedaling fast and furious last fall and the pthalo blue with orange bits caught my eye. They looked particularly great against dark fir trees. I tried for several soft edges to try to convey motion.

SOLD

Cattle In Long Grass

2012-01-06T17:03:00.000-08:00

Cattle In Long Grass 8" x 10" oil

Ok, I know what your thinking.....'is this woman ever going to figure out what she wants to paint!?? ' Well, what drew me in here, was actually the way the cows blended into the trees and background shadows and created the horizontal darks in the top third of the painting. So, for your weekend, I leave you with a grazing cow in long grass, in hopes that you are as contented as she.

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Winter View - blue reflections of snow and water

2012-01-04T16:53:00.000-08:00

Winter View 8" x 10" oil/canvas

Thanks to those of you who commented and left opinions on whether I should go back into yesterday's fishermen and change it up a bit. As you will see, they are the same, though I am now just toying with the idea of just a red hat (who can resist a red hat?) still mulling.......We don't have snow here, and it's been a mild winter so far. But, this was done from a picture I'd taken north of here at an earlier time. Even here, it's not the overwhelming mounds we have seen in the past. It's just enough white to break up the landscape and here I mostly concentrated on the reflected blues.

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Three Men In A Boat & fall fly fishing

2012-01-03T17:24:00.000-08:00

Three Men In A Boat 8"x 10" oil

I haven't worked with fly fishing for a bit and this one includes the warmth of the gold leaves in the background and action in the figures that I thought gave real direction and life to the piece. By tomorrow though, one of these guys might be wearing a red shirt to break up the "twin look" of the blues, hmmmm can't decide.

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Silver Lining

2012-01-01T16:25:00.000-08:00

Silver Lining 8"x 10" oil on canvas

Happy New Year to everyone and I hope this year brings health and happiness for you. My painting to start off 2012 is actually the second one I painted of the year. I wanted to try use an acrylic mid-value color under my oil painting, but the first effort just didn't cut it! I knew what was wrong though...I needed more grip in the surface for the 'brush feel' that I like. I used some clear acrylic gesso in the mix for this painting and it was much better. It reminds me that as far as resolutions go, perhaps my best bet is to be persistent and keep searching for the silver lining.

SOLD

Wood River, End Of Day

2011-12-30T17:35:00.000-08:00

Wood River, End of Day 8"x 10" oil on canvas

This is the Wood River in the Wood River Valley of central Idaho. I wanted to use a different color scheme that I am accustomed to and visualized this triad using violet green and just a touch of yellow orange. I enjoyed it and slathered on the paint in the foreground imitating the river flow.

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Desert Horizon

2011-12-28T15:53:00.000-08:00

Desert Horizon 6"x6" oil/linen panel

I'm back at the easel and starting out with a little sky drama over the desert. This uses some thick paint at the end to convey the brush and rough grass. I used some thicker paint than usual in the sky as welll. I'll be in Scottsdale in a couple of weeks, for some painting there, so desert shapes and scenes will soon be even more in mind.

SOLD

Snowy Apples-Demo

2011-12-25T21:03:00.000-08:00

More Snowy Apples 9"x9" oil on linen $200

Step 4

Step3

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Thank you to everyone for kind comments on my Santa posts, hope you all enjoyed Christmas. Today, I thought I'd re-post a demo from the past until I get back to my easel. It.s one that captializes on a sunny day and bright blue skies. Hope you have great skies today where you are.

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Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T00:00:00.000-08:00

Santa On Skates oil gouache

The big day is here and Santa is spinning in celebration!

Merry Christmas!

NFS

No shipping on purchases until Dec. 31- thank you!

It's Time For Santa !

2011-12-23T21:05:00.000-08:00

Santa With The Reindeer 14" x 11" gouache

Here's Santa and the reindeer, ready to go and looking forward to the trip...they have been been fortified with gingerbread and other baked goodies from the day before. One more Santa tomorrow to wish you Merry Christmas!

NFS

No shipping on Purchases untll Dec. 31- thank you !

It's Time For Santa !

2011-12-22T21:47:00.000-08:00

Santa's Baking ! 14" x 11" gouache

Santa likes to bake his favorites and he's getting dubious help from one of his elves. I'm afraid Mrs. Santa prefers to stay out of the kitchen and go shopping when he's baking though...hmmmmm, something about messy kitchens!

I've painted Santa a few times in the past and it's time for him to make his reappearance. From now until Christmas there will be a new Santa wishing you a Merry Christmas.
NFS

No shipping on Purchases untll Dec. 31- thank you!

It'sTime For Santa !

2011-12-22T00:00:00.000-08:00

Santa With Lights gouache 14" x 11"

I've painted Santa a few times in the past and it's time for him to make his reappearance. From now until Christmas there will be a new Santa wishing you a Merry Christmas. I begin with him trying to untangle lights for just a few more decorations. I like how he's very calm...knowing it will all be done in good time ...somehow!

NFS

No shipping on Purchases untll Dec. 31- thank you!

Fall Into Winter II

2011-12-20T16:51:00.000-08:00

Fall Into Winter II 9"x 9" oil/linen panel

This is a second look at the Coeur d'Alene River around the area of Cataldo Mission. It's cold, but only with patches of snow in the hills. The warm and cool colors of this season alway have me thinking of the warm and cool temperature changes and they make an interesting idea in a painting I think.

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There's No Place Like Home

2011-12-18T14:22:00.000-08:00

There's No Place Like Home oil on canvas 8" x 10"

Well it must be all those recent reruns of The Wizard of Oz, but the title for this seemed just right. I guess I could name the hen on the left Dorothy. This of course is the time of year when we are all thinking of home and hearth, but it can be difficult to pull it all together for a myriad of reasons. When things get hectic, I will try to keep these contented hens in mind.

SOLD

A River View

2011-12-14T18:04:00.000-08:00

A River View oil 12" x 12"

Well, this is certainly not the finish of yesterday's Sky demo! But, I was not able to get the detail and good photo that I want to post on that piece, quite yet. So, today I am posting a sketch done last week. It is from Yellowstone Park, where the light came right through the middle of this stretch of water, on a sunny day.

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Please Note - No shipping from Dec. 20 to 29.

Sky Work in Progress- first half demo

2011-12-13T18:39:00.000-08:00

Unfinished Sky Work 30" x 40" acrylic/deep edge canvas

Time to work larger and this is the first 5 steps in a sunset landscape. Just click the image to begin the slideshow. By my next post, I hope to have it finished and post the full demo and finished work. I am starting here with a mid-toned canvas . I first drew big basic shapes using vine charcoal and used a thin wash of transparent white to establish the pattern of lights and darks. Once that dried, I began with big brushfulls of paint to place the local color in various areas starting at the top. Stay tuned......

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Twilight

2011-12-12T16:12:00.000-08:00

Twilight 11" x 5" oil

I wanted to try another moon/sky work today and grabbed this slice of linen panel that has been looking for a subject. This is once again, partly from a photo source and part from memory. It is about that time of day turning to night where there is the blue cast to the landscape and yet you can still see color. It is difficult to catch and certainly my photos don't seem to. So, here is my idea of it with sagebrush, and a little path, and a bright moon.

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Moonrise

2011-12-11T17:43:00.000-08:00

Moonrise 9"x 9" oil

Friday evening the moon rose so silvery and bright that both my husband and I commented on our separate sightings while we were out and about. He was the one though, that took the picture that inspired this painting. I am really wanting to paint other nocturnes now, it's a real change for me.

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Breakthrough

2011-12-10T16:49:00.000-08:00

Breakthrough oil 9" x 9"

This is a sky that is part from a reference and part from memory. You know how it is...you're traveling, you see the storm in the distance, and now and again there seems to be a breakthrough of light and rain that just couldn't be held back. Then it always makes me think about that one place, what's happening right underneath that spill of light and rain?

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Under Cover

2011-12-07T17:05:00.000-08:00

Under Cover 9"x 9" oil

All these snowy apples are huddling together and under cover. There were still quite a few leaves on trees when this snow happened and that makes for the blue greens in both the leaves and snowy shadows, one of my favorite contrasting color schemes. It's crazy, but when I pass these trees each day, I feel like they continue to be a new discovery! They somehow continue to delight me.

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Colorburst Sky

2011-12-06T17:48:00.000-08:00

Colorburst Sky oil 9" x 9"

Today's post is one of those sunsets that remind of the kind of color in fireworks. I know it doesn't look it, but I tried to hold back on too much happening in both sky and water, to concentrate on big sweeping shapes. A fabulous end to a day.

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His Best Side

2011-12-04T16:20:00.000-08:00

His Best Side oil 9"x9"

Do you have a best side when having your picture taken? I helped with taking a family photo the other day and it brought to mind, how so many of us try to figure out what the camera sees :) This rooster is turning for us all to admire his light struck feathers and show best side for the photographer. I loved painting the deep reds in the shadows and used the light to create her form against the yard.

SOLD

Fall Into Winter

2011-12-02T16:44:00.000-08:00

Fall Into Winter 9" x 9" oil on linen panel

The changing seasons always bring that in between time. This is the case with this snow along the Coeur d'Alene River. The orange and ochre of the fall landscape meets with the blue and violets of winter and they are perfect compliments for each other in color and seasonal harmony.

SOLD

Peared Up-still life of market pears and a recipe

2011-11-30T17:00:00.000-08:00

Peared Up 9"x 9" oil

At the Boise Co-op last week, I spied the most lovely basket of pears. They were wonderfully rounded and unbruised and I knew I had to paint them. The sign that you see up in the right corner says 'Recipes Availaible' and I include their unique (and I'm sure quite delicious) pear recipe Here.

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Apple Sky

2011-11-29T16:55:00.000-08:00

Apple Sky 9" x 9" oil on panel

These apples are painted in a more distant ornamental view, where you can look up and see the sky poking through branches. My idea here was to create a frame of nature for the blue sky. Here I used a transparent yellow wash first and it warmed up everything and helped to make the sky pop.

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Cold, But Cozy

2011-11-28T17:11:00.000-08:00

Cold But Cozy 8" x 8" oil on linen panel

I painted these right after my other snowy apples, just before Thanksgiving, but didn't have the pic with me while we were away. Anyhow, I will start this Christmas season with these two hiding under a little snow blanket together, such a great time of year to hide out together and keep each other warm :)

SOLD

The Edge Of Winter

2011-11-25T18:57:00.000-08:00

The Edge of Winter 8" x 8" oil

This is another re-post while I'm away, from about the same time last year. The snow is not overwhelming, but is starting to stay longer and in larger patches. The clear blue sky creates the icy blue reflections in the snow, and I like the warmth of the rust and ochre colors in the grasses underneath as contrast.

SOLD

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T21:20:00.000-08:00

Fabulosity And Her Court 8"x8" oil

Happy Thanksgiving! I am so thankful for family,friends and all of you who follow and support my work. I so appreciate it. After all the turkey and stuffing and pie and football......of course there's shopping! Hope you find the best sales and have the best time ever...

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Retired

2011-11-22T18:53:00.000-08:00

Retired 9" x 9" oil panel

As I'm re-posting this week, I thought I would re-visit this pick-up truck from last winter." Retired" is a title that was suggested by a follower and it's red, with the snow had a bit of that Christmas look to it. This truck looked like it deserved a good rest and I loved painting it and the imagined story behind it..

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BC Sunset

2011-11-20T21:03:00.000-08:00

BC Sunset 16" x 20" oil on canvas

While I'm away this week, I'll be posting some previous works. This is one of my favorite sunsets and still in my mind's eye describes perfectly, this particular evening on the water.

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Snowy Apples Again

2011-11-18T16:15:00.000-08:00

Snowy Apples Again 9"x 9" oil

We had our first real snow today and while I can't say the shoveling is great... I did start thinking about the snowy apples that I've painted in previous winters. They are so ornamental and lovely against the white and I took several shots in the area today to develop for more paintings. 'Tis the season :)

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Carmine

2011-11-17T22:46:00.000-08:00

Carmine 12" x 12" oil on panel

I mentioned yesterday that I had come to my 365th post and it seemed like a bit of a milestone. So, today I thought I would post the first painting I did for my blog. It is named for the deep red color of the poppy and reminds me of how fun it is to paint glass. I think it's time to look at the subject again soon. This one is a sentimental favorite and not for sale.

Daily Painting Gallery

Rose of Sharon

2011-11-16T16:59:00.000-08:00

Rose of Sharon oil on panel 8"x 8"

I just happen to notice that this is my 365th post since I started my blog in Sept,'09 ! That sounds somehow like a one year mark, but it's really a two year, two month mark- haha! For today, I am looking at flowers again and this is the Rose of Sharon on one side of my mother's house. I painted this without an underlying stain and used thicker paint, and enjoyed the change of process.

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Shall We Dance? pink Hollyhocks

2011-11-15T00:00:00.000-08:00

Shall We Dance 6"x 6" oil on linen panel

Thanks for your insights on my critique and ideas from yesterday's post. Today, I knew I wanted to revisit Hollyhocks, which I never get tired of, no matter the season. These were next to the B&B in Victoria where we stayed briefly in the fall. I always enjoy the way the little skirts of these blossoms sway in the breeze, doing a little dance.

SOLD

Art Blog Critique

2011-11-14T00:00:00.000-08:00

This post to let you know that today I've been reviewed by Art Blog Critique , written by Tony Moffitt. I appreciate his comments and insight and to that end have decided to change the look of my blog a bit. I had been thinking about using a light background and will try this for a while.....Thanks Tony. In addition, I've been considering offering prints of some of my selected works through one of the print-on-demand sites. It would allow purchasers to select size, format, framing etc and give a variety of price points. Good idea?.....Terrible idea?...what are your experiences and thoughts on prints? Thanks....tomorrow's post...hollyhocks.

Fall Fishing II

2011-11-12T16:52:00.000-08:00

Fall Fishing II 9" x 9" oil on panel

While the cold weather is starting to give us a completely different color palette, I still have fall color in mind. I grabbed this is from fisher guy Steve's photos and his "Big Dog Weekend" album. I liked pulling out the burgandy color in the figure and parts of the landscape and highlighted bits of color coming through the trees. I also used a palette knife more than I usually would for some rough rock and landscape textures.

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In Disguise

2011-11-10T16:58:00.000-08:00

In Disguise oil 9"x 6"

Last summer on a shopping trip, I snapped a picture of my niece when she tried on these oversized sunglasses. She is usually not too much of a shopper unless it's for Nike's (and more Nike's), so these glasses did seem to put her "In Disguise" : )

This one's not for sale, click here for other Daily Paintings

Sunflower Glow

2011-11-09T18:14:00.000-08:00

Sunflower Glow 24"x 12" oil on canvas

I really wanted to post something bright and upbeat today and I hadn't posted these sunflowers before, although I painted them awhile ago. They really came together in a way that expressed the free and breezy feel of sunflowers and the open abstract background helped to support the idea. This is on a canvas and the price includes the black framing you see below.

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Making Plans

2011-11-06T16:42:00.000-08:00

Making Plans 8"x 10" oil on canvas

I wanted a change of pace today and decided these two would fit the bill. They were in Yellowstone Park and were probably looking at a map, but the togetherness of the pose made a good little tableau for lots of possibilities. I used a rougher surface here which allowed me to suggest shapes, rather than get too caught up in every detail.

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Sky Sketch

2011-11-05T16:37:00.000-07:00

Sky Sketch 7"x7" oil on panel

This is a little sketch I did a while back, as a study of edges and values. It's a good one to post on this lazy weekend while I'm planning for larger works . Hope you are having a good one and finding time to paint, or look at paintings.

SOLD

Toward New Horizons

2011-11-02T16:00:00.000-07:00

Toward New Horizons 18" x 18" oil on linen panel

I've been wanting to work larger and just finished developing this painting from my smaller work

"Bend In The Road" . As I've been doing lately, I used a warmer undertone than in the first sketch and like the results. I am wondering how many of you develop larger paintings from small works. If so, let me know in comments to this post, I would love to see the results.

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Fall Fishing

2011-10-30T17:03:00.000-07:00

Fall Fishing 8"x10" oil on canvas

I looked for a fall day to paint and decided to use the under layer of orange for a suggestion of fall in this piece, rather than going for the full blown color of fall leaves. In this way, I hope to convey the feeling, and still give the fisherman the focus of the piece.

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On The Road Again - Zorn Palette

2011-10-28T16:21:00.000-07:00

On the Road Again 8"x 10" oil

I was reminded the other day about the Zorn Palette by Sharlette White's blog, and she writes about it well. This is a limited palette of only four colors that I have used before, but it had been a very long time. This rider looked like a good opportunity with some subdued fall color in the background. He really had a lot packed onto that bike and it looked like one of several days on the road fur sure. This painting is also on stretched canvas ,painted edges and has a wired back so ready to hang.

SOLD

Birds Of A Feather

2011-10-26T16:31:00.000-07:00

Birds Of a Feather 8" x 10" oil-stretched canvas

Today I needed to paint the color and movement of chickens once again. This flock lives in Sweden with a former student and I'm guessing they're a pampered lot! A little hunt, peck and gossip in the farmyard...what a life! I used a little bit different format for this. As it's on stretched canvas, I painted the edges as well, and will add wire on the back tomorrow. Nice for hanging right away, until time to frame.

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October Walk

2011-10-24T15:58:00.000-07:00

October Walk 14"x 18" oil on stretched canvas

So this is the finish for yesterday's post. I knew I wanted a figure involved and I've had this figure with her two dogs in mind for a long time. For me, they add a bit of story and movement and also break up that long stretch of beach. Additionally, I cropped it to eliminate some distracting shapes at the top of the trees. It did change the mood considerably, but that works for me......what are your thoughts on it ?

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Untitled-Unfinished- a journey

2011-10-23T17:38:00.000-07:00

Today was one of those day when I just wanted to put paint down...period! I didn't really have a plan or size in mind, but grabbed a 16 x 20 canvas and the first sketch and photo I had at hand. This is Yellowstone Lake from our visit to the park a couple weeks ago. I used a transparent underwash and layered on some of the top with a palette knife for texture. It's not finished, and I think I will be adding a figure...maybe cropping...and then we'll see....I hope to post a finish tomorrow, or.... well.........stay tuned.

Back You Go

2011-10-20T16:20:00.000-07:00

Back You Go 9"x 9" oil on linen panel

See my post below for a painting demo and discussion of this piece

SOLD

Back You Go - figure demo

2011-10-20T16:04:00.000-07:00

click image for the slideshow to begin

This is a figure demo for the painting above using 23 photos. That may be too many overall. It's always difficult to know quite how many to use and I don't, as yet, have the video capabilities. Also, as a demo, it might be more clear to just have a standing figure, without the complication of the rest of the composition. But, practice makes perfect.....someday. This is from a friend's photo of recent fly fishing travels.

New Water

2011-10-19T17:17:00.000-07:00

New Water 8"x 8" oil on linen

Thanks everyone who responded to yesterday's question about my plan for a next demo. I will work to put together a figure and I appreciate knowing it was interesting to watch. I certainly enjoy seeing the others I find on the web. This painting is also from the Lamar River and I used a photo of my husband as he fished, with the foreground giving it a bit more color and adding a layer of depth.

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demo- The Lamar River

2011-10-17T21:37:00.000-07:00

Demo- The Lamar River 9"x 9" oil on linen panel

Here is the demonstration for yesterday's post. Just click on this first image to begin the slideshow of steps. I haven't put one of these together for awhile, but finally found a program that makes it pretty clear cut. I will be listing the steps I use in my November newsletter. Meanwhile, I'd love to hear from you as to whether they are helpful and interesting. Would you rather see a floral or figure? Let me know your thoughts or questions...thanks.

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The Lamar River

2011-10-17T17:29:00.000-07:00

The Lamar River 9"x 9" oil on linen panel

Today, in painting, I referenced a photo that was taken a few weeks ago while in Yellowstone Park. This is the Lamar River, and I plan to develop another using some fishermen trying their luck on these well known waters. I haven't painted a demo in quite some time, and for this painting I took 21 pics of the steps used to create it. I'll post that demo tomorrow.

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Birdhouse Geraniums

2011-10-16T17:54:00.000-07:00

Birdhouse Geraniums 16"x 20" oil on stretched canvas

I haven't been able to get into the studio for a few days, but today I'm posting a painting that hasn't been either on my blog or web. This has a little birdhouse in the background, that sits in front of our house.It's at the top left and these geraniums grow out front in window boxes. I have a bit of a new twist from now until Christmas... I will periodically post larger works at smaller painting prices, and this is the first...great for gift shopping ( maybe even for yourself ) and it will spur me on to create new works ! It's a win-win :)

SOLD

Light On The Water

2011-10-11T17:14:00.000-07:00

Light On The Water 7"x 9" oil on linen panel

This is a simple scene of late day light . It was filtering through the trees and had that golden cast that seems particular to fall. I suggested the orange reflections from fall tree colors as well. This painting is being shown through my DailyPaintworks gallery.

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Tasting Merlot

2011-10-09T17:09:00.000-07:00

Tasting Merlot oil 9"x 9"

This is a scene from the Reininger Winery where we had tastings of several of their offerings and a peak at the back room. The grapes were fermenting and there was a wonderful fruity aroma they call the 'angel's share'. And this girl was friendly, informative and generous with her time.

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Zerba Vines

2011-10-07T17:16:00.000-07:00

Zerba Vines 11"x 14" oil
We have returned from the Walla Walla area where there are over 100 wineries. We spent a day with wonderful friends and our excellent tour guide, Lori Fischer, and it was fun and informative. This painting is from a view of some of the vines at Zerba Winery who have a multitude of awards. The day was overcast and rainy, but still beautiful. More wine tour paintings to come...
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Erick

2011-10-05T05:44:00.000-07:00

Erick 9"x 9" oil on linen panel

A while back, I worked with a few open grisaille images and wanted to visit this method again. This is a portrait of my nieces boy, Erick. He is wearing a traditional Basque beret which I thought worked well in this simple sepia toned work. He's a sweetie, but it was a challenge to have him sit still enough for the reference photos I used! I'm sure he is running and exploring something right this second :) !

NFS

Montana Meadow

2011-10-02T18:11:00.000-07:00

Montana Meadow 11"x14" oil on linen panel

Sometimes, when standing in front of a very simple landscape, it's a puzzle to focus on what drew my eye initially. Here, I wanted to use loose brushwork to convey the sweep of color and emphasize movement in the limbs as well. A very simple idea that I hope conveys a quiet place.

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Jack At The Beach

2011-09-30T16:58:00.000-07:00

Jack At The Beach 8"x 8" oil on linen panel

This is Jack, investigating starfish at the beach. His dad's wonderful eye for a photo caught my eye once again and he just had to be painted. Jack obviously has the same enthusiasm for learning, and the water that his folks have.....I see a future fisherman here for sure!

NFS

Afternoon Reflections

2011-09-29T17:28:00.000-07:00

Afternoon Reflections 8"x8" oil on linen panel

I liked the pensive pose of this fisherman on the Big Horn. This painting is alot about the reflections of the landscape and figure, but also on the idea about the fisherman and his own reflections on his time on the water and the day.

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Tying One On II

2011-09-28T16:27:00.000-07:00

Tying One On 8"x8" oil

Finally back at the easel today, and I had such fun painting this angler tying on a fly. Another chance to paint a female angler and it's a fun change. This is the St. Joe river again on a late summer day and before catching a nice one !

SOLD

Coeur d'Alene Lake View

2011-09-27T18:09:00.000-07:00

Coeur d'Alene Lake View 11"x14" acrylic on deep edge canvas

As I haven't been in the studio the last couple of days, I'm posting this lake scene that I haven't previously. This is also painted around and onto the edges of the canvas so it doesn't need framing. I've posted a side view below. This is a fun way to work now and then, and an unframed look is refreshing sometimes and particularly for work of wide open spaces I think.

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Kate's Run

2011-09-21T16:58:00.000-07:00

Kate's Run 9"x9" oil on panel

So, here I am painting with a plan toward more harbor, boat and florals and darned if Steve didn't post pics from the beautiful St. Joe River, and his most recent students! This one of Kate just jumped out at me and it is my first ponytailed flyfisher - very fun!

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Birders or Watching The Watchers

2011-09-19T16:22:00.000-07:00

Birders or Watching The Watchers 7"x7" oil

I am still at Tokeland harbor for this subject matter, where we spotted a group of birders spotting something else.The entire group all had their binoculors trained on the marshy grasses across the way and for me they made fun subject matter themselves..... They were off, they told us to at least 4 other stops that day and were enjoying themselves thoroughly.

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Tofino Docks

2011-09-18T18:21:00.000-07:00

Tofino Docks 7" x 9" oil

I've had this picture in the back of my mind for a long time, and as I am working with boats right now, it seemed to gel in concept.This was an early evening in Tofino BC and as the sun was going down,it lit up the planes of the boat and dock perfectly. I knew right what I was going for in the finished painting and that helped me pull it together.

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Victoria Harbor

2011-09-15T17:01:00.000-07:00

Victoria Harbor 7"x9" oil

Hello to all my Canadian artist friends and this one's for you! We visited the beautiful city of Victoria in BC and the harbor there is wonderful, with lots of activity and color. This red sailboat could be seen from every direction, as it stood out against all the blue and white surrounding it. I thoroughly enjoyed painting it and hope to visit there again soon. ( hint for coming attractions: we also went to the fabulous Buchart Gardens!)

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More Boat Bouys

2011-09-14T17:44:00.000-07:00

More Boat Bouys 9"x7" oil

I couldn't resist more bouys today and still had fun with the shapes and colors. I may have used a few too many for a small painting...but liked stacking them one over another to produce depth from the vibrant shapes.

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Bouy Bouquet

2011-09-13T16:07:00.000-07:00

Bouy Bouquet 9"x7" oil

Along with the boats and docks, one of the fun visuals all along the harbor are the colorful bouys.

They're like abstract flower bouquets, some tired and faded and others bright and looking freshly painted. It was hard to know what to focus on here and I went for the whole clunky shape...just a bit off balance.

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Tokeland Harbor Boats

2011-09-12T20:14:00.000-07:00

Tokeland Harbor Boats 8"x 8" oil

We are back from travels and it's been a busy day of catch up. But, I did have a chance to paint from a photo taken in Tokeland Washington, on the coast. We had great sunny weather on this particular day and the bought crabs for dinner after enjoying the views and dock walks.

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River Talk

2011-09-10T21:32:00.000-07:00

River Talk 24"x36" oil

I am pre-posting larger works this week as I am out of the studio. There is always 'river talk' amongst fly fishers and this is my husband and good friend Ed, discussing either the last or the next stretch of river and the stories of the last cast or catch. This is from the Lochsa River in Idaho.

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Rose Cottage

2011-09-09T20:07:00.000-07:00

Rose Cottage 36"x 48" oil

I am out of the studio and pre-posting some larger works this week. This is from a beautiful rose garden in Spokane with a little cottage at the end of this flowery lane. I've always thought it looked like a great place to retreat to.

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The Narrows

2011-09-06T21:16:00.000-07:00

The Narrows 60"x48" acrylic

While I am away from the studio and net connections this week, I am posting larger works. This is the largest work I currently have and it was hard to photograph so that the edge and details showed well, but you can see the 'big picture'. It is done from references from the little bays and inlets around the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington. I wanted to get that feeling of being right on the water and looking out to the light.

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Champagne Peonies

2011-09-05T21:09:00.000-07:00

Champagne Peonies 30" x 22" oil

I am out of the studio and out of touch currently , so this week's posts will be scheduled ahead of time. I am focusing on larger works this week, in hopes that you enjoy seeing some of those for a change.

These are some of the large peonies at Manito Park in Spokane and crowding the frame with these lush blooms were a fun way to show off their beauty.

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Jim & Cicada

2011-09-03T20:27:00.000-07:00

Jim & Cicada 20x16" oil

This is Montana fishing guide Jim who is shown here with his patient lab pup Cicada. She is really enjoying the fishing and catching as much as he does I think. But then, labs have such wonderful personalities and can always make one feel they would not ever want to be anywhere else :)

SOLD

A Second River View

2011-09-01T16:06:00.000-07:00

A Second River View 7"x9" oil

Last month I painted this view of the Coeur d'Alene River and I keep coming back to the reference of both photo and sketch. I wanted to work with a rectangle this time, still keeping the focus on the bend of the river in the distance and the large rock mass that stops the view on the left. I like this composition as well and might even try a third version.

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Country Road

2011-08-30T17:58:00.000-07:00

Country Road 8"x8" oil

The drama of this simple country road comes from the lighting in and behind the clouds, but I was actually inspired by Julie Davis's recent paintings of her wonderful trees. She is working on form after form and I admire the way she changes it up and presents interesting and solid shapes each time.

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More Wine Tour

2011-08-29T17:57:00.000-07:00

More Wine Tour oil 9"x9"

I had so much fun painting yesterday's wine country landscape, I had to give it another go. This time I increased the perspective factor, looking down through the rows of green. the warm wash underneath gives it that sunny day feel.

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Wine Tour Anyone?

2011-08-28T17:23:00.000-07:00

Wine Tour Anyone? 8x8" oil

This scene is from some vineyards and farm country east of Seattle and it reminded me that we are planning a tour of some wine country this fall. I'm not sure exactly what to expect, but we are looking forward to it and we'll be in very good company with friends :)

SOLD

Chicken Dance

2011-08-25T15:49:00.000-07:00

Chicken Dance oil 9"x9"

My good friend Judy, sent along this wild rooster and he seemed so much like he was trying to make an impression, that I added the hen in the distance. She is questioning his dance of course, but who knows..?....he's pretty fancy and may win her heart in the end !

SOLD

Cool Customer

2011-08-23T17:17:00.000-07:00

Cool Customer 9"x9" oil

This is another of Laura's wonderful exotic chickens (see yesterday's post) and I titled it for this guys attitude and also because the photo resource showed him standing in about a half inch of snow. I really enjoyed the way the red orange of the head played off the cool blues in the background , very cool...ha!

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Follow The Leader

2011-08-22T18:21:00.000-07:00

Follow The Leader 9x9" oil

I'm back and painting and have been looking forward to having time with this chick :) In that wild way of facebook connections, I 'found' the Thackray sisters ( former students where I taught) one of whom is Laura who now lives in Sweden on the most beeeautiful farm with the most wonderful exotic chickens! She allowed me to paint from some on her website . Thanks Laura!

SOLD

Garden Shed

2011-08-22T03:25:00.000-07:00

Garden Shed 16"x 16" oil

This is a garden shed that belongs to a friend and avid gardener. I painted it awhile back, but decided to re-post it now. It is a little white stucco building that provides a great backdrop for color.

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Pellegrino & Pansy

2011-08-21T08:30:00.000-07:00

Pellegrino and Pansies oil 7" x 5"

I am out of town, but thought I'd do a repeat post of one of my favorites. The fresh spring greens of the glass here seemed just right with the off white of the pansies, as they have a yellow cast. Once again, it's a simple set-up but I thought a nice pairing of everyday objects.

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Single Stem Sunflower

2011-08-17T20:42:00.000-07:00

Single Stem Sunflower 14"x11" oil

My florals tend to be of the garden, natural, outdoor variety and this is about my speed for a 'formal' set up. So, I like this simple jar for the blossom here to be the focus.

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Sunflower Stem

2011-08-16T21:52:00.000-07:00

Sunflower Stem 14"x11" oil
I wanted to play up the sunflower here by using grays and gray greens in all the other areas. These hot late summer days really bring on those huge flowers that bend and bow further and further each day.
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Sunflower Gossip

2011-08-14T19:09:00.000-07:00

Sunflower Gossip 12x12" oil

This is one of those kinds of "poses" that sunflowers seem to take, where they appear to be 'talking to each other over the garden fence. It always seems to create the little story that helps make garden scenes so appealing.

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Fishing The Joe

2011-08-10T19:45:00.000-07:00

Fishing The Joe 9"x9" oil

This is my husband fishing the St. Joe river on a hot summer day. I will be changing up subjects soon, but still have some fishing subjects waiting in the wings for the not too distant future.

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Working Up River

2011-08-08T18:43:00.000-07:00

Working Upriver 9"x 9" oil

This is a focus on the light streaming through the gap in the trees at right, as the fisherman works up the river toward the next catch. I always have trouble photographing the darks in a painting as they seem to go rather flat. Anyone have any solutions out there?

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His Day Off

2011-08-07T21:07:00.000-07:00

His Day Off 9"x9" oil

I gave this fisherman his day off surrounded by cool blue and teal colored waters. While the figure is my focus, I wanted to really create the rush and depth of the water for the scene.

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Geranium Sketch/ demo

2011-08-06T18:28:00.000-07:00

Geranium Sketch oil 9x12"

I've been gone two days to Wenatchee, Wa. for my show at Gallery 4South . It was such a great evening and I met the most welcoming group of folks. Between the music, wonderful hors d'oeuvres, wine and the festive Artwalk atmosphere, it was like a party! This morning I set up and painted with some other area artists, met a few more folks and answered questions about working plein air generally.The pot of geraniums outside the gallery were the subject for this. Tomorrow, back to fly fishing...

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