Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Leaf Well Enough Alone




















Oil on canvas--18 X 18
This falls in the "WHAT WAS I THINKING?" category. I was thinking I would start a little painting that I could work on for relaxation between portraits this busy holiday season. How hard can leaves be to paint? PRETTY DARN DIFFICULT!!! Well, once I started I couldn't stop. I chose a pile of leaves from my back yard and brought in the ones I liked that had just fallen off the trees. For a painting like this I wanted to make sure I had the leaves right in front of me. It wasn't until I began painting them that I realized how incredibly complex each leaf is; the colors so varied. They are amazing. Still to do: Figure out why I keep choosing such challenging subjects for my down time. I am a glutton for punishment.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Orchid

















Here is a pastel I completed recently. Loved all the differing shades of white and white shadows. What a completely divinely created flower.