Three Apricots {a daily painting}

Three Apricots – 4" x 6" (10.2 x 15.25 cm) – Oil Canvas Panel

This summer apricots are my personal project to figure out how to paint them in a painterly and convincing manner. I am drawn to the pale orange/yellow and how the fuzzy, matte finish will sometimes catch light in places contrary to the way shade and shadow fall on spherical shapes under normal conditions.

Lemon and Lavender {a daily painting}

Lemon and Lavender – 4" x 6" (10.2 x 15.25 cm) – Oil Canvas Panel
SOLD

Hello,

Lately I have been beat by the end of the day. I so enjoy writing about the creative process and what I have been focusing on, though recently I have been mentally too tired to articulate what has been going on in my brain while painting. I think this is because I am currently juggling several different projects while also striving to maintain frequent postings of “daily paintings”. In the future there may be times when I only post an image and basic information about the daily painting. When my verbal side of the brain is in sync, I will share more with you about the process.

Today’s painting was started on Thursday, but the light faded before completing it. This afternoon, I changed the setup slightly and started over. I think having a few days to contemplate it helped out, deciding to lighten the foreground some and capturing the lavender in a more impressionistic method rather than being too literal in copying reality. I also made the entire painting more high key in value, to emphasize the feeling of summer and sunshine, two things that lavender and lemons remind me of.

Have a nice evening, and thanks for stopping by, Liz

Friday Inspiration: Summertime and Links

{studio window sill}

Hello ~

The week has been a blur, whizzing by with time painting and events ending. On Sunday, Artomatic closed and this week has been focused on trying to get some of my wall taken down and also scheduling and re-scheduling a time to volunteer during de-installation.

Summer has also been in full swing this week, with beautiful weather. Several artists have been recording their impressions of different summer activities. Here are a few of the images and posts that I wanted to share this morning.

1) the echoes group on flickr, 2) the noticing project, 3) Susan Abbott's Provence watercolors, 4) Ambera's clouds, 5) Isabel's 4th of July experience in the mountains.

Have a nice weekend, Liz

Three Olives {a daily painting}

Three Olives – 4" x 6" (10.2 x 15.25 cm) – Oil Canvas Panel
SOLD

Apricots in a Rice Bowl Still Life

Apricots in a Rice Bowl – 8" x 8" (20.3 x 20.3 cm)
SOLD

Hello ~

I just finished this painting! Sometimes I get so excited when a painting is completed, immediately I photograph it and start blogging about it, this is one of those times. I worked with the square format again, I like its specific form and how it lends itself to compact composition.

Have a wonderful afternoon; I am going to start work on a new painting!

Liz

Bing Cherry {a daily painting}

Bing Cherry – 4" x 6" (10.2 x 15.25 cm) – Oil Canvas Panel

Healthy and fresh looking bing cherries were on sale for 2.99/lb which is the only time I will buy them. Here in DC cherries tend to look a little sad and beat up, so this was a special treat. We ate them with everything and I only got this painting out of the whole bunch.

Hope you had a nice Independence Day! Liz

Apple Half {a daily painting}

Apple Half – 6" x 6" (15.25 x 15.25 cm) – Oil on Gessoed Panel
SOLD

This painting was completed on a gessoed masonite panel with some texture on the ground, I think it lends a rustic sensibility, almost folkish in style. Just another aspect of investigation.

The holiday weekend went by so fast; I hope it was a good one for you, your family, and your friends.

Friday Inspiration

Hello my friends!

Have a wonderful holiday weekend and happy 4th of July!

{Randomness on my studio desk }

Before signing off for the weekend here are a few links I wanted to share with you...

} Ester's blog is always full of beautiful drawings, and this red magnolia

} Susan Abbot's watercolors are always so clear and bright, and this one of her current trip to France is bright and sunny

} Linnea's recent trip to South America makes me want to visit there soon! She shared her legs of the trip in seven installments {1} {2} {3} {4} {5} {6} & {7}

} I also came across this post about writing and creativity, I am glad others believe it takes time to be creative :)

Clementines in a Bowl {a daily painting}

Clementines in a Bowl – 5" x 7" (12.7 x 17.8 cm) – Oil Canvas Panel
SOLD

It has been a busy day. My love has been under the weather, so some time has been dedicated to his comfort while also spending time in the studio. I have been outfitting a cigar box pochade, much like the ones Fawzan Barrage showed in this video. Today I dropped by a cigar shop in the middle of the day and was surprised to see about ten men hanging out smoking cigars and gossiping about the news. I had no idea cigar shops had such regular clientele and doubled as social clubs. It was fun learning about this whole new avenue of life and society.

Have a wonderful evening. Liz

Apricots & Mug {a daily painting}

Apricots & Mug – 6" x 6" (15.25 x 15.25 cm) – Oil Canvas Panel

I am still focusing some time and thought on how to capture apricots; it is a joy to figuring out how to convey the soft texture and creamy colors. There is still more to learn and gain through experience, but it is pleasant how being creative can fill me up like nothing else can.