Still Exploring the Color ORANGE

SPRING POPPIES  6x6  oils

APRIL 11th  Monday
Last week we took a 3 day trip to Monterey, CA and the coast.  I was amazed to see all the California poppies in bloom on the hill sides and even in downtown Carmel and Monterey!  Well naturally, I had to take photos! After all, they are ORANGE!  I was so surprised how difficult poppies are to paint and they are made up of such a variation of oranges and yellows.  Capturing the various shadows and changes in color was a challenge.  

< Here is my first effort.  I worked in water mixable oils on an ampersand gesso panel.  DAILY PAINTING # 29

SPREAD A LITTLE SUNSHINE

< Here is my 2nd effort.   I am worried that my paintings will not be dry in time for my Open Studio April 23 & 24th, so I thought I would try acrylics this time.  Wow!  What a difference!  I have not worked in acrylics in a number of years and found it quite a challenge.  The colors change as they dry, blending is more difficult and making puddles of color doesn't work because they dry so quickly.  But I worked on.
DAILY PAINTING #30    6x6 acrylics on ampersand gesso panel

CALIFORNIA GOLD   6x6 acrylics

< Second try at acrylics. I am slowly learning to manage acrylics and remembering from my work with them years ago.  I realize that I could use some new brushes,  I don't want to use my oil brushes and the ones I have are just too soft.  And I am struggling with the transparency of acrylics too.  But I do think this one is a little better.  
DAILY PAINTING #31

CARMEL POPPIES  4X6 acrylics

< So now I am getting a little more confident in acrylics.... well just a little.  This time I tried a smaller painting... just 4" x 6" on gessoed watercolor paper.  I found these poppies growing near the Carmel River in front of a house.  So cheerful to see them!
DAILY PAINTING #32





I can't believe I have painted 32 paintings now!  Great practice!
These little guys will be available for sale at my Open Studio.  
6x6s are $100 without a frame / $125 with a floater frame.  
4x6s are matted to fit an 8" x 10" frame and are $45 each.  
Believe me, they look better in person!  Come on by and check them out!

I am often asked "How long did it take you to paint that?"
My answer is simple: 
"After 50 years of practice, it took me 3 hours to paint this small painting." 

Still Getting Ready for Open Studio

APRIL 7th
 The last few days have been filled with painting and getting my studio presentable for the public.  Only 16 days left to get things in order.  Open Studio Tour is April 23 & 24th and I hope some of you will be able to stop by and see my new work.  

I am still focusing on my Daily Paintings.  I now have the first 6 framed and I like the way they turned out.  I used a floating frame type.  

Won't they look good on a wall together?

And I have been continuing my exploration of the color orange.  What a wonderful color!  It is fun to look for things that are orange.  My rose flowers are now in full bloom and the peachy orange ones are wonderful.  I just wish I could remember the name of that rose.  

First Spring Rose   6x6

< Here is the first rose that opened.  I put it into a pretty glass vase and of course my little owl had to get into the act.   So many colors of orange in this flower! 

Just Peachy   6x6

So now for a close up!  Lovely flower!  Such fun to see all the colors of orange!  

Pretty in Orange   6x6

<  This rose is very orange!  But with so many variations!  The golden yellows and soft pinks add to the vibrancy of this rose!  

Peek-A-Boo    6x6

And in this one my little Mexican owl had to get into the picture!  I call this one "Peek-A-Boo!"   

I can't wait to frame up these rose beauties!  

Come to my Open Studio and see them!