Elephant Vase

Elephant Vase

8" x 10" Acrylic. $125.

Hello. Elephant Vase is another painting of my vintage bronze vase. I posted a miniature earlier under "Small Asian Vase." The vase and the painting are not as blue as it looks on the post. Capturing a metal patina is so difficult. When I went back to look at the 4" x 4", I realized that I am not happy with the patina or the shape. I was so pleased with the Elephant ears that I didn't finish the vase in a way I am happy with. One of the values of blogging, is that you can see your work in a completely different format. The colors may not be accurate, but the values, shapes, composition, etc. are. Also, as I recently mentioned, I can enlarge pictures of my work to a very large size and really take a look. Although in some ways, it may not be fair to the artist, as paintings are meant to be viewed from six feet away, and it can turn up some surprising results, especially on a miniature painting, I am finding the enlargements really helpful. I do enter my work in various juried art shows, most of which, require a photo of each work submitted either by CD or online. It helps me to see what the judges see. I know I can enlarge my own pictures, but there is something about this that I like. Thanks for looking!

Penelope

African Bowl With Handle

African Bowl With Handle

11 x 14 Acrylic. $225.

This is another of my old African bowls. I really like how the patina came out in this piece. I also think the tattered rim looks good. Thanks for looking.

Penelope

Who Knew?

I was surprised to find out yesterday that if you click on a posted image, it comes up REALLY BIG! It doesn't work on Renee's New Brush, but it works on the daily postings. It amazes me just how tech un-savvy I am. I especially liked seeing the brushes in the 4" x 4" Studio Pose painting. Very interesting.

Penelope

Chickadee On Berry Branch

Chickadee On Berry Branch

8" x 10" Acrylic. SOLD

Who doesn't love a chickadee! Chickadees are very social and often called the "clowns" of the back yard birds. There is something about the look in their eyes that I find irresistible. In this painting, the way the blue sky background makes the red berries really sing was a surprise to me. Normally, I use colors that are opposite on the color wheel, to set off the focal point, as in Cardinal on Branch, where I used a green background to enhance the reds of the bird. I was surprised and happy to see how effective the blue background was. I know that cool colors recede and warm colors advance, but I didn't see just how much until Chickadee On Berry Branch. Thanks for looking!

Penelope

Snake

Snake

22" x 28" Acrylic, $350.

Snake is one of my larger paintings. One of my goals here was to move from the expressionism of the background, to the blending of expressionism and realism in the branch and nest, to the realism of the eggs.

Penelope

Another Day, Another Decoy

Small Ice Fishing Decoy

5" x 7 " Acrylic on canvas. $95.00

This is the third Ice fishing decoy I have painted and posted. It is the smallest decoy in my collection. I love the way the spiky metal dorsal fin looks like a mohawk. I am always happy when I complete a painting. My happy dance is usually a bit short-lived as I slide across the floor to greet the familiar--problem #1: What do I paint next? Two decoys? My black teapot? No, Oh, I know, toddlers cowboy boots. Wait, what about the...

Penelope

Cookies Inside

"Cookies Inside"

8" x 10" Acrylic on canvas. $125.

Hello. Cookies Inside is the larger version of the mini I posted Jan 3. It is a painting of my ceramic cookie jar that was manufactured by Hull around 1940. I have a lot of these jars, and the shakers that match them. They always make me smile to look at them. I really liked using all three primaries and the challenge of having the cool greens come forward while the warm yellows and reds receded a bit. The warm colors do not always play nicely, as they usually demand center stage, but I was pleased to see the green out front. I plan to start the 8 x 10 version of the matching shakers when I am done with the fishing decoy I am working on. Thanks for looking.

Penelope