Happy Halloween! & some art with cats

Happy Halloween!

What symbolizes Halloween to you most?  For me, a lot of imagery comes to mind, but most of all, I think of black cats.  

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And how some people are frightened of them.  I found this out during Halloween when I was in first grade.

That Halloween afternoon we had a babysitter taking care of me and my siblings, and she just about jumped out of her skin that afternoon when Blacky, our family cat, came inside and crossed her path.

Since that afternoon, I associate black cats with Halloween.

Petunias I - First of a Triptych {Bountiful Observations no. 40}

Petunias I

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

Click to purchase

Framed painting: $400.00 starting bid + S&H

The first of three, inspired as the fictitious centerpieces of a table set for tea with friends.

This painting began when the DC region was experiencing warm and sunny days, so much so that my petunias were thriving!  They were so beautiful, they deserved to be the focus of more paintings before the first frost occured.

I was drawn to their varying pinks and how they paired with the colorful and whimsical vases and bowls I have from the store Anthropologie.

Anthropologie has the wonderful aesthetic of combining vintage one-of-a-kind items with a colorful and hip feeling.  I just love going into their store and browsing, inspiration abounds, especially in the house goods section!

{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.

Leaves Falling

On Wednesday afternoon I was taking a small break when I noticed how bright and beautiful it was outside.  There was a slight rustle of air, a breath of breeze, and a soft cascade of leaves falling.

I tried to capture it in video to share this magic moment with you.

Have a happy weekend,
Liz

Two Rose Hips {a new daily painting}

Two Rose Hips

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

Click to purchase

Unframed painting: $100.00 starting bid + S&H

Did you know that only certain roses will develop rose hips after they bloom?

The three types of roses in my garden do not produce them, so I am looking to add a new rose that will form rose hips after they bloom. If you know of a specific rose that does this and you admire their blooms please share. Because this is the perfect time to plant roses, along with bulbs for the spring.

Thanks,
Liz

Work in Progress: Petunias Triptych {Bountiful Observations Series}

{what is on the easel and the current setup}

Have you ever started a project, and once you were in the middle of it you realized it would require a LOT more time to complete? This happened to me last week when I began to work on the next painting in the Bountiful Observations series.

The DC region has been having such warm weather that my petunias have just been fantastic, and I wanted to paint them before a freeze occurs and kills them off. So instead of setting up one composition for a single painting, I was inspired to create three setups. All coordinated around three vases and some bowls I have from the cool shop, Anthropologie.

The first two paintings of the triptych are in different stages, somewhat near completion but not quite. And the third painting has been blocked in but I am still not satisfied, so will probably tweak it some more as this week progresses.

Next Monday I hope to have the first of this series ready to offer. So please stay tuned...

Everyday Matters

It is my personal belief that all aspects of the day have the power to enchant and inspire appreciation in some way or form.  Life is full of beautiful moments, times to pause and savor.

I believe in finding the remarkable in the ordinary.  This makes life more interesting, and it also expands my sense of appreciation in what I have.

By making everyday matter, I feel as if these little moments that encourage me to slow down and observe with greater intention also encourage me to value life more.

I hope this sentiment resonates with you also...

Have a happy weekend!
Liz

instagram: efloydstudio

Figs no. 2 {a daily painting} SOLD

Figs no. 2

{6" x 5" (15.2 x 12.7 cm) – oil on linen panel}

SOLD

It is always my goal to be a little bit ahead, so for the weeks where all sorts of things come up and it becomes more difficult to complete a painting, hopefully I will still have something new to post and share.

This painting sold at an arts festival "Arts on the Avenue" held Oct 6th, nearby in Alexandria's neighborhood of Del Ray.  During the festival, I displayed most of my extra supply of paintings and to my good luck, many of them sold.

This extra supply has been especially helpful, because last week I did not get to paint except for one afternoon, and I ended up having to scrape that painting down, because I had to make an emergency visit to the vet for my kitty, Slim.

{Slim lounging on the couch in better days...}

She had been suffering from an eye infection that got significantly worse at the end of last week.  It was a busy weekend tending to Slim and making sure she was comfortable.  Yesterday, Slim had a consultation with a Veterinarian Ophthalmologist {thank goodness they exist and we have them in the region} and we are now on a regime of medicine, drops, and pain killers.  Hopefully our little lady will begin to feel better soon.

I am hopeful that this week will see marked improvement in Slim and that I will also snatch some productive hours in the studio... I have since lost my cushion and now need to scramble some!

And, if you are a cat person, please send positive thoughts towards my little kitty.  She is SO very special.

Autumnal Colors {Bountiful Observations no. 39}

Autumn’s Dawn

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

NFS - Collection of the Artist

This year I am learning to look at everything that marks the changing of the season, the leaves, the berries, and colors.

Before this year, I had never noticed the yellowish berries from a weed. They come from a silver-leaf nightshade plant, horsenettle, and because it has beautiful purple flowers I had allowed it to grow in my garden. During the summer I never got around to painting the flowers, so the berries have been a happy surprise and I loved how they added a bit of color to this composition.

Have you noticed anything new this year that marks the changing season?

UPDATE:  Steve and I decided to keep this painting in our collection, we tend to select one painting a year to keep in our private collection.  This way we also get to keep some of the best paintings for our own enjoyment also.

{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.

Naomi's Creative Station

Since June of this year, Naomi will express interest in drawing with crayons, (sometimes interspersed with chewing on the crayons, which makes me take them away for a bit...) and up until last month she would draw in her sketch book on the floor next to my desk.

{Naomi's sketch book}

Then at the end of August Courtney of a Thoughtful Place posted a round up of kid friendly spaces, and second image in her post sent me to Ikea to find the perfect "Lack"  table that would function as Naomi's work table.

Naomi now has her own spot, where she can sit and color. At all times there is a box that keeps her crayons and other bits, like the pine cone she picked up on a walk, and a sketch book on the table. I also hang drawings she does while at her babysitter's home.

It is so rewarding how sometimes I will hear ruffling of paper or some other small sound, and when I come to investigate, I find her sitting at her table, deep in concentration and intent on what is in front of her.

Heirloom Apple {a daily painting}

Heirloom Apple

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

SOLD

Painting a still life is an opportunity to celebrate the fleeting quality of life by taking the time to slow down and absorb the qualities of the object in front of me. I love how when working on a particular painting, at that moment, I am totally in the present. My senses are focused on the goal of understanding what I see, and deciding how I want to convey my impressions in paint.

Hopefully sharing my sense of wonder and delight along the way, and inspiring you to occasionally slow down and absorb what it is you see and have in your life.

Heirloom Apples {Bountiful Observations no. 38} SOLD

Heirloom Apples

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

SOLD

Hello,

I am getting a late start this week, running behind a bit, and trying to catch my breadth after a VERY busy weekend. Saturday's Art on the Avenue arts festival was a lot of fun. Thank you to everyone who came out and introduced themselves, it was fun getting to meet everyone in person.

Another fun aspect of the arts festival is that this painting of the apples was purchased by a nice couple first thing in the morning. I hope they enjoy owning it. These apples were picked at River Farm, they have an orchard of heirloom apples (the species has not been identified) of beautiful and tasty apples that make great cider and applesauce. Naomi and I dropped by one sunny morning and brought home about 10 apples, so far they have not made it into the kitchen because they are too lovely and I want to capture the simple beauty of these not quite perfect apples...

{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.

Art on the Avenue this Saturday!

Hello,

This Saturday I will have a booth set up with paintings (some never posted to the blog or website) during the Art on the Avenue Arts and Music Festival in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, VA.

If you are local please stop by and say hi! You will also get the opportunity to meet my daughter Naomi, she will be helping all day...  It would be great getting to meet any locals who I know via the internet...

Here's the info:

Art on the Avenue

Saturday, October 6th
10am to 6pm
Mount Vernon Avenue, Del Ray, Alexandria

Figs {a new daily painting}

Figs

{6" x 5" (15.2 x 12.7 cm) – oil on linen panel}

Available for purchase via Online Auction

Unframed painting: $100.00 starting bid + S&H

All days are full of possibilities and choices, with this painting I decided to keep the composition simple and play with color and temperature.  The purple of the figs, a neutral dark background edging cool in color temperature, and a warmed up yellowish foreground.

Nasturtiums {Bountiful Observations no. 37}

Nasturtiums

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

Framed painting: $300.00 starting bid + S&H

The summer flowers are beginning to fade now that we are entering October. For this painting I gathered every nasturtium and bachelor button in the garden.

{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.