Friday Inspiration: Flower Arrangements

Flowers help arouse a consciousness of beauty in me,

inspiring me to open my eyes and to be open 

to seeing the beauty in the world.

I hope you have a beautiful and relaxing weekend,

Thanks for stopping by,

Liz

{all images found here}

Pansies and Saucer again {a new small floral painting}

Still Life with Pansies and Saucer

{8" x 6" (20.3 x 15.2 cm)) – oil on linen panel}

SOLD

Sometimes I get the opportunity to revisit a previous composition for a collector. Today's painting was such an opportunity. I liken the experience to visiting with a friend, someone you like and know, and on this particular visit you get to learn something new, deeper, something that helps you admire and value the friend more than ever before.

The revisiting becomes an opportunity to ponder and absorb nuances that previously were overlooked, adding value and color to my life. While working on this painting I was struck with the sense of depth and the visual affect of the lighter areas of the saucer shining through the brown bottle, something I would not have been aware to look for if I had not returned to this composition.

I had such a great time creating this artwork for a special couple. Do you have a composition or image in mind that you would like me to re-capture for you in a painting? I would be happy to interpret it for you.

a set of note cards are going home to...

...Lago Arthur Studio!  Suzanne, please email me your address so I can mail them to you!

Thanks to everyone who shared their favorite summertime activity.  My favorites include going for a swim and hanging out in the back yard with friends and good food and drink.

Pansies and Jug {Bountiful Observations no. 25}

Pansies and Jug

{8" x 8" (20.3 x 20.3 cm) – oil on canvas panel}
Sold

Framed painting: $300.00 starting bid + S&H

What feelings do you have when being creative? I often feel a sense of wonder and admiration of whatever I am contemplating, knowing that i am trying to build something new, trying to invent a new way, or just trying to face a new solution to an old problem. One of the things I like most when I am in a creative mood is that I also feel more one with myself, as if I am listening to my inner self with more intention and allowing ideas to grow that maybe before I would stop because I thought they were silly or maybe foolish.

Instead when feeling creative, I am filled with a carefree attitude towards the world, excited to develop new ideas, and enthusiastic to expand on a known concept, and trail blaze a new path.

If ever you need to face a challenge with a creative sense, look for what you admire in it, face it with the child-like attitude of wonder and begin to listen to what interests you. This may lead you into a new frame of mind, and soon you will be inventing and developing new ideas...

{14" x 14" (35.6 x 35.6 cm) with frame}

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This is a painting from my Bountiful Observations series, with 25% of the net proceeds of each sale being donated to the American Horticultural Society.

Friday Inspiration: George Bellows @ NGA

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I had always been aware of the graphically strong paintings of boxers by George Bellows, but I did not know that these masciline scenes of strength and violence were only a small part of his portfolio. This point of view changed on Monday when I had a change to visit the special exhibit of George Bellows at the NGA in Washington, DC.

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The exhibit brings together the different genres of Bellows work, all in one place, where it is possible to move from room to room, being delighted and surprised by his mastery of all subjects, be they be landscapes or figurative work. Bellows as a student of Robert Henri and was influenced by Henri’s belief that art should be a reflection of the times, that imitation of nature is not the goal instead the artist should strive to express the idea that captured his imagination.

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Each man must take the material that he finds at hand, see that in it there are the big truths of life, the fundamentally big forces, and then express in his art whatever is the cause of his pleasure. ~Robert Henri

In the first room of the exhibition that are several drawings and early paintings that depict different gritty street scenes fo New York city in the early 19th century. Then you move into a room dedicated to landscapes, all compositionally strong, while also recording the rapidly changing environment of NYC. I think the most vivid representation of the changing times are the series on the excavation of Penn Station.

the Penn Station excavation

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Later in the exhibition a softer side is presented in his portraits of women and his family.

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Overall I was struck by the versatility of his skills and the ability to adapt his technique depending on what he was striving to convey. Despite this variation of application there is a unifying theme in all of his work, a sense of emotive reaction to the world around him. He seemed to FEEL his subject. The energy and desire to convey his thoughts are present in each piece.

You will never draw the sense of a thing unless you are feeling it at the time you work. ~Robert Henri

I came away from the show inspired to think more about how I can impart the energy and emotion I feel towards a particular scene. And I hope this post inspires you to look around your world and think about how all the aspects of it add color and interest to your life.

First Day of Summer

Happy first day of summer!  

My favorite time of year, and in celebration of the first day of summer I am giving away a set of 5 note cards of my Dandelions painting.

Leave me a comment, and tell me what is your favorite summer activity.

I will pick a random winner on Monday, June 25th.

Nasturtiums {a new small floral painting}

Nasturtiums

{6" x 6" (15.2 x 15.2 cm) – oil on gessoed panel}

Click to purchase

Framed painting: $225.00 + S&H

I am sometimes inspired to explore and experiment with paint handling techniques. I liken it to choosing to drive home by a new route and learning something new about the community I live in, maybe I get to see some beautiful gardens, or learn about a park, or even realize that this new route is better than the way I have always gone before.

For this painting, I decided to try working on a gessoed masonite panel, which has a slippery smooth surface versus the rough “toothy” linen surface I typically favor. Working on this smooth surface was much like trying to spread whipped butter across a glass plate, a challenge but a fun experience because I was able to accomplish a juicy lush paint finish that is not possible when working on linen. So I think trying this again will be a good idea to see how far I can push this technique.

Do you ever mix it up? I hope this inspires you to try something new. Sometimes a change brings about some wonderful results…

{here is the painting framed}

Roses & Wild Blackberries {Bountiful Observations no. 24}

Roses & Wild Blackberries

{8" x 8" (20.3 x 20.3 cm) – oil on canvas panel}

Click to purchase

Framed painting: $400.00 + S&H

Do you like wild blackberries? For me, wild blackberries remind me of summers during my middle school years, harvesting ripe, sticky and sweet berries from wild bushes in the empty lot next to our home. I think of my fingers turning purple from the overripe berries bursting and more berries being eaten than gathered, hoping to have enough to make a blackberry cobbler or maybe some preserves.

The blackberries in this painting were harvested from a little stretch of abandoned land along my morning walk. It was a gift of beauty and remembrances.

I paired the blackberries with more Queen Elizabeth roses from my garden in an atlas e-z seal canning jar, celebrating the abundance this season is already providing.

{14" x 14" (35.6 x 35.6 cm) with frame}

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This is a painting from my Bountiful Observations series, with 25% of the net proceeds of each sale being donated to the American Horticultural Society.

Friday Inspiration: Brilliant Light

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Hello,

I wanted to end the week with these paintings by Abbott Fuller Graves.  The artist was masterful at capturing the quality of brilliant sunlight.  I especially love the above painting with all the hollyhocks and how the light shining through the flower petals creates a dappled effect of intense color and highlight.

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And this second painting with a view of roses in a back garden and a cat perched high on the lean-to shed is magical, I feel like I have been taken away to another time and place.  Somewhere I have never been but at the same time I feel as if it could be my home.

I hope you have a magical weekend filled with sunny vistas and cheerful scenes.

Thank you for stopping by and reading,

Liz

Posy of Flowers {a new small floral painting}

Posy of Flowers in a Spice Jar

{8" x 6" (20.3 x 15.2 cm)) – oil on linen panel}

Click to purchase

Framed painting: $275.00 + S&H

I captured this composition and was enamored by the way each flower had its own distinct form and how the tangle of stems interplayed with the reflections on the glass jar. I love the strong vertical highlights, how the color shifts from a warm white to a cool white all within the same area of white, providing a sense of the outside beyond.

If you get a chance today, stop and observe how the light from a nearby window is reflected in your water glass, see how the light sparkles and plays on the hard surface. Painting is all about the surprise and wonder seen in such moments, captured and conveyed so these instances of insight are not lost but shared and treasured.

One of the joys of being an artist is the opportunity to share the part of me that responds to the world through creativity. My hope is that my work speaks to you as well, encouraging you to absorb the world around you with enthusiasm and inspiration.

This morning my June studio e-newsletter went out into in-boxes across the world. I view these newsletters as an opportunity to give you a sneak peak into the inner workings of my artwork. If you are not a subscriber, please consider signing up here and go and read this month's edition.

Queen Elizabeth Roses {Bountiful Observations no. 23}

Queen Elizabeth Roses

{8" x 8" (20.3 x 20.3 cm) – oil on canvas panel}
Sold

Framed painting: $300.00 + S&H

In celebration of the Diamond Jubilee, this week's Bountiful Observations painting is of a bunch of Queen Elizabeth roses in a pewter mug.

I first got swept into the excitement of the festivities by reading about it on Vicki Archer's blog "French Essence". Then I began to find posts about it all over the blogosphere, one of my favorite posts covering the celebration was by Meg Fielding of Pigtown Design which covered the concert. In her blog post she also included the "Queen's" {aka Elizabeth Windsor} tweets!

Did you get swept up in the celebrations?

{14" x 14" (35.6 x 35.6 cm) with frame}

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This is a painting from my Bountiful Observations series, with 25% of the net proceeds of each sale being donated to the American Horticultural Society.

Friday Inspiration: Beautiful Flowers & Wanderings

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Good Afternoon,

Are you in need of a visual pause?  Want to escape to a different place, just for a minute?  Then take a moment to visit Today's Wanderings, and wander down a path, stop and smell some flowers, or just enjoy a calm afternoon.

Have a wonderful and relaxing weekend,

Liz

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Purple Irises {a new daily painting}

Irises

{8" x 6" (20.3 x 15.2 cm)) – oil on linen panel}

Available for purchase via Online Auction

Unframed painting: $150.00 starting bid + S&H

This painting was completed on a beautiful sunny afternoon, at the end of the day when the light was fading but the golden sheen was still present. I like how the dark purple petals are almost a blue-black in places.

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And I want to give a shout out to Lenny Campello, who I met this weekend at the Meet the Artist's Night at Artomatic, and for the nice review of my still-life paintings on display {scroll down to the heading Best Flower Art} and other artists displaying in this year's Artomatic.

Mixed Bouquet of Flowers {Bountiful Observations no. 22}

Mixed Bouquet

{8" x 8" (20.3 x 20.3 cm) – oil on canvas panel}

SOLD

Framed painting: $300.00 starting bid + S&H

These were from a bouquet I picked up at the Old Town farmer's market. I love the variety of flowers available and it is difficult not walking away with too many flowers. I was disciplined and thoroughly enjoyed having these colorful blooms in my house this week. In fact a few flowers are still holding their own!

{14" x 14" (35.6 x 35.6 cm) with frame}

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This is a painting from my Bountiful Observations series, with 25% of the net proceeds of each sale being donated to the American Horticultural Society.

Back online, just experiencing technical difficulties...

{Shelves in the studio with this year's Mother's Day cards from Naomi and S.}

Hello,

I just wanted to pop in and say hello, and this week's Bountiful Observation painting will be posted later today. Please stay tuned!

{here is my computer saga if you are interested}

Last week was a hard week because my computer totally imploded over the holiday weekend, ie. everything on the hard drive was lost!

Then it took longer than expected to have the computer delivered, so I lost a few days waiting for it to arrive. Most of my files have been able to be recovered because I had been using carbonite to back up my computer, though I have since learned that this sortof covers you but it is not perfect... Because carbonite had a glitch in the restore process and so only a portion of my files made it onto the new computer. My files are now a REAL mess and windows 7 seems to be locking some of my files and I have yet to figure out why as administer to my computer I still do not have the right to unlock them...

Today, marks the fourth day of trying to get my life back into this new computer. I have hit several road bumps, and today I am really feeling them, everything that was routine on my old computer is not on this new one.

I am looking forward to the end of this phase.

See you soon,

Liz