"The Watering Can" (better photos)

SOLD

I like these photos much better. They accurately portray how dark the darks are. This is a beautiful little 7x9 inch oil study of my favorite watering can full of flowers.

These two photos show the brushwork on the can - I really had a great time with this one.

Cinderella Pumpkin (for Bill)

SURPRISE! I finally found my way back into my studio...and yes, it felt very good.

Now don't laugh but I don't ever remember seeing this type of pumpkin any where but in a story book before now. My friends called it a Cinderella Pumpkin and they are beautiful.
Here's my beginning. A wash of Burnt Sienna and then a wipe out of my image. Then I went back in and darkened some areas with more Burnt Sienna.
I begin my darks - Sap Green with some Burnt Sienna. Its always at this stage that I feel like I have no talent what so ever and wonder what ever made me think I could paint. Does that ever happen to anyone else?

SOLD

Finally my little 6x8 inch painting emerges and I am satisfied...well sort of...I'm one of those painters who can't find a stopping point. I need to hire some one to come in and physically remove me from the studio in order to not "Tickle" a painting to death. Is anyone else like that???

Its funny how I'm never really happy with a piece of work but sometimes I can be happy with bits and pieces. I absolutely love the stem and the that background....

I know, its almost time for the guys in the little white coat to come get me....

Thanks to all of you who have been so patient and encouraging - I love you guys!

The Cream Pitcher

Click here for eBay link

Now here's a little story....about a year or so I did this painting of the cream pitcher and it was on a horrible brown background and I was so unhappy with the piece that I tossed it in my slush pile and wrote off my effort as "a valuable practice session" - valuable in teaching me what not to do!

Then last weekend I was working on a piece that I needed to let dry and glancing at the clock I knew I didn't have time to really get a decent start on a new piece before we had to leave to meet friends for dinner but I still wanted to paint so I grabbed this little guy out of the slush (more like sludge) pile and decided to repaint the background a darker - richer color to see if there was any hope. Once I did that I liked the painting a whole lot more.

But then I realized my biggest problem was my bad planning when it came to the position of the subject matter. I knew I needed to balance the canvas so I decided to try my hand at a piece of glass - specifically a mason jar just for fun. I loved it - now I could be hooked on glass - hum...glass jars stuck in Chamisa bushes...what do you think? Ha!

It was so much fun and a great exercise. I intend to do more so stay tuned - Cara

"Creamer"

"Creamer" 4x5 inch oil painting on canvas

I collect serving pieces with either cherries (my favorite) or strawberries along with the occasional raspberry decoration.

This little creamer is one of my favorites. I know, I know, I seem to have a lot of favorites.

This piece is currently being auctioned on eBay -

Yellow Bowl

SOLD

8x10 Oil on Canvas

This sweet little still life was literally a part of my kitchen preparation for dinner. The yellow stoneware bowl is one of my favorite dishes. Placed against the red of the plump tomatoes it called out to be painted.

This painting is currently being auctioned on eBay.