Oil, 8 x 10, canvas panel
This was a painting where I painted one shape of color, then the next one and the next one and so on, and when I stood back across the room–a sunlit rose had appeared!
Tag oil painting
Apple Candles
8 x 10 ins, oil on canvas panel
Every year at Thanksgiving (November) I use cored Red Delicious apples to hold candles for the table decoration. It seems in line with the pioneer spirit and using what is easily to hand.
A few days after Thanksgiving last year I still had these on the table and was sitting contemplating the world when I noticed a beautiful morning light on them that really brought them alive, even without flame in the candles! I quickly took several photos and painted this from one of the photos with my Geneva oil paints.
Leaving the Nest
As I was raking up the leaves in the fall, I found this small and beautiful nest on the grass. All sorts of fibers are wound into it; pieces of grass, trash and even animal, and possibly human, hair. It is such a marvel of skillful engineering that I wanted to celebrate it in a painting.
I placed it with a maple leaf (from our lawn) and an oak leaf (that probably blew across the street from the neighbor’s yard) and gave it a title that is in line with our stage of life-they’re nearly all gone!
Painted with Geneva Oil Paints.
Ducks
When we lived in Bath, England for 8 months in 2006-7, we used to walk past a music supply shop called ‘Duck, Son & Pinker’. Since ‘Duckie’ is sometimes used in England as a term of endearment, my husband thought this was an appropriate title for me, our 4 year old son and baby daughter!
From that time, the name stuck in our (half-British) family too. This male duck (from a photo I took in Holland, MI last year) seems to be talking to his mate with some concern, echoing both a marital communication and the famous line from Bugs Bunny.
Landscape Tutorial II
Beach Scene
Beach Scene, 6 x 8 ins, oil on canvas sheet
This was another tutorial by Paint Coach Chris Fornataro, from his Patreon site. I like the Patreon system; you can find good instruction at whatever level or tier suits you and the artist directly benefits. I’m a ‘patron’ of Paint Coach at the lowest level ($5/month) which lets me see one new video a month. That seems to be plenty for now. Since I became a patron his number of patrons has doubled-so also has his income.
The tutorial was emphasizing the use of thick paint and was a lot of fun to do.
Granddaughter
Painted in glazes.
8 x 8 in, oil on linen panel. Always a delight to paint.
Beach Talk
Oil on Canvas panel, 12 x 16
I loved painting this picture of my husband and grandson. Everything about it felt sunny and happy. I took the photo at the end of a very pleasant week that the grandchildren stayed with us, at the end of which we delivered them back to their parents on this beautiful beach on the shore of Lake Michigan.
My favorite part of the painting is my grandson’s fingers and their shadow. His pose is so characteristic of him, including the way he is concentrating on pushing his foot into the wet sand. I also enjoy the shadows and their part in the composition.
My husband’s Tilley hat features again!
Landscape tutorial
Fall Landscape, painted from an online tutorial by Paint Coach, Chris Fornataro
Oil, 6 x 8 ins
A fun small study done in one evening; lovely colors and thick, luscious paint!
Brass jug and citrus fruits
6 x 8 ins, oil on canvas sheet
This little brass pitcher is special to me because my dad made it when he was 16. He passed away 10 years ago, and I have this on my kitchen window ledge now, reminding me of him.
I thought it would look good with these two citrus fruits and I am pleased with the result.
Mug and pear
Here’s another simple still life, 6 x 8 inches. I set it up on a piece of wood right next to my easel and tried to paint what I saw. I’m loving the feeling of oil paints.
marymayhewart 