Fence Post Cactus II.

The Beginning of the Second Canvas

 You recall I am painting a triptych (three canvases that will hang together) of Fence Post Cactus, or plants that look or fit that general description, and that I completed the first canvas.  So now, here is the beginning of the second canvas.

It's a Browningia hertlingiana....quite a mouth full.  These magnificent plants which live in the dry valleys of Peru grow to 33 feet tall.  Substantial.  I particularly like the faceted look of the plant parts;  like little jewels.

This Browningia hertlingiana has wickedly spiky, sharply pointed, long thorns to protect those little jewels.

It is a slow process to brush on each thorn, but it is rewarding to see the plant come to life on the canvas.  First the thorns go on and secondly the shadows they cast. After the addition of a few minor high lights,  it will be time to begin the third canvas.  

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More Holiday Art

It's A Holly Jolly Christmas

As promised, the second inspiration.  It's a long story, but I will attempt to shorten.  For years, since I was a very young girl, I have drawn and painted holly.  In fact, for my very first commission ever I created baker's dough, clay wreaths with holly leaves and berries (I was 13, and that is a completely different and long story).  Almost always I used three leaves and three berries which would show up on homemade gift tags, note cards, decoration on stationery.  It was just a way to add a little holiday color to what ever I was doing, not art, just decoration.  Doodles, almost.  I never thought of painting this subject.

A couple weeks ago while listening to Holiday music the notes and words to Holly Jolly Christmas filled the air.  The snow wasn't falling, in fact it was very dry outside, not much snow on the ground, and the thought of painting more snowmen just wasn't going anywhere.  While the music played I was standing at the kitchen sink looking out through the window at a large, lush holly bush which is covered with brilliant red berries.  Hmmmm......

The palette from my most recent Desert Plant painting was filled with simple, basic, primary colors...perfect for Holly.  I ran into the studio, picked up the brush, grabbed a small canvas and started painting.  

Inspired by a song, a bush, and previous doodles.  It's a great time of year, and though there might not be snow, we can still have a Holly Jolly Christmas.  

Have a holly, jolly Christmas;

It's the best time of the year

I don't know if there'll be snow

but have a cup of cheer

Have a holly, jolly Christmas;

And when you walk down the street

Say Hello to friends you know

and everyone you meet.

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Prickly Pear Painting

A Chilly Week In The Desert

Oh my.  The entire country is COLD.  To be expected in December?  Yes, but here in the studio, I continue to visualize the warm desert and work on this Prickly Pear painting.  All the paddles are in though there will be more shadowing eventually.  The time has come to work on the fantasy flower.

Most of the flower has been laid in, however I realize I would like to add one more petal, so I am leaving the computer, returning to the easel.

When an artist puts a brush in her hand, sometimes unexpected changes occur.  So from the image above to the image below, the addition of a couple petals, not just one.  It was a intuitively visual necessity. 

While working on the petals I thought I would add in the stamen and pistol parts of the flower after a slight adjustment to the base under the blossom.  The flower didn't look balanced without this change.

That's it for now.  Check back to see the painting as it comes to conclusion.  My goal is to complete it this week.  Then these cold temps will inspire Holiday themed work.   At least being cold is a type of inspiration.

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Thankful For Art

The essence of all beautiful art, all great art, is gratitude.
Friedrich Nietzsche 

We have passed through Thanksgiving in the U.S. when we spend time thinking about situations and people surrounding us that bring us joy, happiness, and thoughtfulness.  We then give thanks and express our gratitude.  Those of us who create acknowledge our passion, desire, and ability to make something where there was nothing before.  As artists we also realize and honor the torment under which we live, well, maybe.  Personally I am comfortable, sometimes, and greatful for the torment.  If it weren't for this torment I might not take the time to create.

The constant torment of what to create, how to create, when to spend the time, questioning the result, desiring acceptance of the work.  The questions go on and on, endless in fact.  Everyone who is successful conquering the torment has embraced it, used it to push their work forward and knows it will return over and over again.  It's the plight of the artist, but one for which we should all be thankful for it is a tool and part of who we are and part of our ability to create.  

beginning the background on my newest painting

the background painted in with high and low lights and a great deal of movement

the prickly pear paddles begin to appear

close up brushing the pigment onto the canvas

the painting as of today....loads more to do

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Painting Give Away.

It's Time for my Annual Little Painting Give Away !!!!  And this is it:

More Olives

7" x 5"

To qualify for the Give Away get someone else to 'like' my Artist's Facebook page.  If you  Click Here you will go to that page.  And then do one more thing:  send me a message from my Artist's Facebook page telling me who you had 'like' my page, OR, Click Here to send me an e-mail message telling me who you had 'like' my page.  Then you are entered in the blind drawing which will take place tomorrow, Friday evening.  Notification of the winner will be Saturday.   Pretty Simple.

Now a bit about the painting.....  Inspired by a frosty gin martini filled with pimento stuffed olives.... for some a tasty adult beverage.  This painting is acrylic on a canvas board and sits beautifully in a small easel on a counter top or shelf.  It could be a decorative addition to a bar area that brings color and whimsy to the area.  You could keep it for yourself or gift it to a martini loving friend, so do these two simple steps and get yourself entered in the Give Away.

I am honored that a martini drinking gent I know has seen my cocktail paintings and wrote the following sonnet in honor of these works:

Ode To The Olive

Oh, but the magical olive tree what a gift it has given, especially to me.

A more perfect romance the world has yet to see

For in the morn we make magical love with color and brush

And in the evening I turn into the olive's adoring lush.

                                                           Gary Bird

Don't delay...enter today, and this colorful little painting may just be yours!

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Mural Painting

Giving Time to Help Another Painter

Even though I have a canvas on my easel, I took a few hours today to help a fellow artist work on her mural at Kings Beach Elementary School.  The design is based on a Shel Silverstein poem which deals with seeing things from a different point of view, hence the school bus in the clouds and the upside down tree.  There is more work to be done, children to be added, details here and there, but you get the idea.  I worked on the clouds and the tree greenery....such fun!

Some of the students have had the opportunity to be involved with the project giving them a sense of ownership and exposure to art.  That's a darn good thing since so many art programs have been removed from our schools.  And the whole idea of seeing your world from a different perspective is a inspiring thought for young children.  This is why I was very happy to give some time to this project.