Three Lemons

Three Lemons on a Blue and White Dishtowel

{4" x 6" (10.2 x 15.2 cm) – oil on linen panel}

This painting is going home to a very special person, it was made especially for her after she shared with me that her favorite fruit were lemons. This painting was created in the late afternoon when the light coming in through the windows was touched with a golden sheen, making the lemons almost glow.

Do you have a special something you would like interpreted in paint? If so please feel free to contact me about your idea, contact [at] elizabethfloyd [dot] com.

Lemon & Lavender {a new daily painting} SOLD

Lemon & Lavender

{5" x 7" (12.7 x 17.8 cm) – oil on linen panel}

SOLD

Unframed painting: $100.00 starting bid + S&H

Sometimes for compositional interest I will pair items of complementary colors, as in this painting the yellow of the lemon with the purple of the lavender. By placing complementary colors together a visual vibration occurs heightening interest and actually enhancing the perception of each color.

A lot of things in everyday life are made up of complementary colros such as, red and green in Christmas decorations, and blue and orange stripes found on rugby shirts.

If you look around, I am sure you to will notice complementary color combinations in all areas of your life...

Autumn Marigolds {Bountiful Observations no. 36}

Autumn Marigolds

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

Available for purchase via Online Auction

Framed painting: $300.00 starting bid + S&H

Yesterday I came across a list of things that exemplify autumn. things like sweaters, falling leaves, crisp apples, and pumpkins. The only thing I felt was absent from the list were the flowers that also bloom prolifically in the fall.

To me, all the russet tones marigolds are an important part of autumn, as are the dense bushes of mums and asters.

So I think my list for fall would look something like this:

sweaters

walks in the woods

the fireplace

falling leaves

crisp dry air

pumpkins

crisp apples

scarves

hot stews and soups

roasted root vegetables

and

mums & marigolds

...what would you add to your list?

{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: Growing Roots in N. VA

{in the Northern Neck of VA}

I have lived in a lot of places. Before turning 18 I had already lived in three different states, and with those states I had lived in seven different cities. And the funny thing is, my parents were not in the military, they just moved and uprooted often.

So it is nice to reflect that in the last ten years my address has been in the same city. I like a settled in feeling, knowing I am growing roots, and beginning to really relate to an area.

{along King Street in Old Town Alexandria, my adopted hometown}

Northern Virginia has become my home.

And now that I have a daughter, this sense of growth and stability is even more important to me. I want her to benefit from the experience of growing up with childhood friends, a sense of connection to a community, and having one place in the world that is filled with memories from different eras of her young life.

{Naomi}

Because I feel strongly about this, on weekends we have been making a point to take Naomi out and about to see and explore the area.

{Steve & Naomi}

I hope you have a wonderful weekend and that you to enjoy the place you call home.

Liz

Marigold and Brown Bottle {a new daily painting}

Still Life with Marigold and Brown Bottle

{7" x 5" (17.8 x 12.7 cm) – oil on linen panel}

Available for purchase via Online Auction

Unframed painting: $100.00 starting bid + S&H

As an artist, I am inspired by the beauty found in the common objects that populate my life. I strive to share my sense of beauty by developing scenes that evoke emotion, spur a remembrance, and find a way to communicate an observed detail.

One of the pleasures related to creating a still-life painting is the opportunity it affords to slow down and really absorb, with intention, the objects in front of me. Providing the opportunity to appreciate and revel in the layers of contemplation that make up the experience of creating a piece of art.

My goal as an artist is to also share this experience with you, the viewer, creating paintings that cross over and maybe speak to you. Encouraging you to find a moment to be still, pause in the busy course of the day and feel the wonder and beauty in your life.

I hope this blog post inspires you to stop and notice something that strikes your fancy today.

Thanks for stopping in,

Liz

September Newsletter & Special Offer

This morning my September studio e-newsletter went out into in-boxes across the world. In this month's newsletter is the reveal of a new studio painting and information on a special offer on all my paintings sold via my website and etsy shop.

Check it out if you get a chance.

If you are not a subscriber, please consider signing up here and go and read this month's edition.

Sunflowers and Lemons {Bountiful Observations no. 35}

Harmony in Yellow
Still Life with Sunflowers and Lemons

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

SOLD

Framed painting: $300.00 + S&H

It seems to me that sunflowers are the most open and friendly of flowers, with their broad faces following the sun across the sky and how when they are bunched together, they just seem gathered as if in a group in pleasant conversation. Like ladies on a school day morning visiting after dropping off the kids.

Funny how some images will pop into the mind's eye.

However, I like it that connections are made and that looking at a sunflower reminds me of friends and acquaintances, creating a sense of familiarity in my life, and inspiring me to take notice of it. Painting a scene asks the same thing of me, to be more aware. And by actively raising my awareness, I feel as if my world becomes larger and more colorful.

This is an idea I hold true, that art inspires greater engagement in the world we live in.

Have a glorious day, my friend, and thank you for being a part of it.

{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: Early Evening Light

I love this time of year because the quality of light in the early evening is so golden and rich. If you have a chance, take a moment to admire how the low sun is shining golden light on everything.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Liz

Zinnias & Saying Hello

{Zinnias}

this 6" x 4 " painting is on its way to a new home

Hello,

Are you finding your stride now that we are near the middle of September? I always find September to be a hectic month, mentally and physically because in all areas of life things seem to be revving up in anticipation to the holiday season.

September is also a special month to me because it was in September six years ago that I took my first oil painting class and five years ago that I began this blog.

Next week I am planning some special blog posts and I will be sending out a special offer to those who subscribe to my email updates. So if you are interested in receiving this special edition of my monthly studio news, please consider signing up.

Thank you truly for your support and encouragement all these years,

Liz

Tomato & Shelling Beans {a new daily painting}

Tomato and Shelling Beans

{5" x 7" (12.7 x 17.8 cm) – oil on linen panel}

Available for purchase via Online Auction

Unframed painting: $100.00 starting bid + S&H

These are also from my garden, the tomatoes have been somewhat successful this year, and to my surprise the Italian shelling beans have really begun to produce in the last few weeks. For the majority of the season they were looking kinda beaten down and puny.

I am looking forward to using these shelling beans in a new recipe I got from a new cookbook I purchased over Labor Day weekend, the Art of Simple Food. This cookbook is for those who like to read cookbooks...

Which I admit I LOVE doing. Before Naomi came into my life, I would often spend a Saturday or Sunday morning reading through one of my cookbooks, just reading different recipes and thinking about how I could incorporate an interesting recipe into our diet.

I thought those days were gone, but lately I have been doing it again, this time looking for recipes that will work for Naomi's diet {the poor dear has terrible food allergies} as well as explore new flavors and combinations for the adults in the house...

Watermelon {Bountiful Observations no. 34}

Sliced Watermelon

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

Framed painting: $300.00 + S&H

Have you noticed any signs of the changing seasons?  This past week I began to notice some, like acorns littering the sidewalks and longer shadows earlier in the evening.

Then I also began to notice that the watermelon in the garden had also quit growing in size.  The days were no longer getting hot enough to make a difference.  This watermelon was brought inside and sliced open, but before I cut it up to eat, I fell in love with the beauty of the red flesh surrounded by the light rind and green skin.

So into the studio it came...

{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.

Peach {a new daily painting}

Peach and Bowl

{5" x 7" (12.7 x 17.8 cm) – oil on linen panel}

SOLD

Unframed painting: $100.00 + S&H

Five years ago this month I began my blog, and it all began with the desire to share my journey and to grow as an artist. And I just wanted to say how much I appreciate you stopping in and reading my blog.

Thank you!

Liz

Hydrangea & Crab Apples {Bountiful Observations no. 33} SOLD

Wishing you, your friends, and family a wonderful Labor Day holiday today!

Still Life with Crab Apples, Hydrangea, and Canning Jar

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

SOLD

Framed painting: $300.00 starting bid + S&H

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

.............................................................................

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.