Watcher on the Marsh 3" x 3" oil on masonite $45

Here's the second of the rural Michigan paintings. I've finished seven now and waiting for them to dry so that I can post them is excruciating. I'm anxious for you to see them. There are two that I want to use as a springboard for larger (perhaps sofa-size) paintings.

I have looked at my work on computer screens other than my own recently and was shocked to see that the images were cloudy looking, not at all as they really are or how they appear on my own screen. Perhaps that's because I use my scanner like a camera. That's why I have to wait until they dry before I post them. When I figure out how to make sure the images you see more closely fit reality, I'll replace the whole website with better images.

Contact me at jandale@jandalefineart.com or call 313-581-1342

Committee Meeting (Oil, in progress)

Each panel is 3" square and could be displayed as a 6" x 6" set or as a group of four smaller paintings.

I was going to elaborate on why I chose this title, but I think it best to let the viewer draw from it whatever meaning evokes personal memories.
I hope to have it finished by the end of this week.

Contact me; jandale@jandalefineart.com or call 313-581-1342

"Family Night" Finished

12 x 12" oil on masonite panel

Donated to Mrs. Simoni's 4th Grade class.

Here it is. Now I need to find some chessmen to go with it. Leave a comment or ask a question. I love dialogue.

"Family Night" 12 x 12" oil in progress

Chess is one of those games that a person either really loves or really doesn't. I love Chess. I love watching other people play it. I love the idea of it even though I'm no good at it. My brother George ruined it forever for me when at the age of 10 he beat the ever-living socks off me six times in rapid succession. When I became a foster mom I thought, 'ahah! now I might just have a shot..' But beating a five year old just doesn't quite carry the thrill of victory...especially when you authored their agony of defeat. And even that was short lived. By the time Damean was seven, he had learned the game...which again led to my utter demise.
I decided to make fun of Chess in this Trompe L'Oeil chess board. I only scanned a portion of it because I'm not finished. When it is done and several coats of protective varnish have been applied, it will be an actual functioning chess board.

Notice that there are three figures. The King and Queen are lying down pell-mell and the little pawn is still standing...which is exactly what used to happen by the end of our own family nights. Of course, no game night is complete without coconut macaroons and coffee.

ANNA; finished!

private collection

There comes a time when an artist knows that to add just one more brush stroke will kill a painting. For "Anna", that time is now. What made me decide this? First, I couldn't think where to continue. That's usually the first indication that one should stop. The second, and most compelling reason is that three people who know Anna, gasped upon seeing the painting as it sat drying on the easel and said, "Is that Anna _____!?" Now I could paint in the gingham pattern in her dress, but I sense that it would distract from her sweet face. I think that simplicity serves this subject best.

So here's Anna, the girl who is always in one of three states; on the go, poised to go, or (as in this painting), having paused for a nano-second from being on the go!

Work In Progress (New Red Dress)

I have been working on a series of child portraits for the last week and a half. You can view the sketches that they are from at Paily Painting Watcher. These will all be rather small; 8 x 10" mostly. I like to tell a story with my models. The exuberant hug and the pretty dress suggested a story of a little girl's gratitude for her new home-sewn dress. Working this small presents some challenges. Getting a likeness on a head that measures one inch square is tricky to say the least. Most portrait artists I know work life size for this reason. But here, I am trying to force myself to simplify, and an exact likeness is not the main goal. The work is more illustration than portraiture. Keep watching. I'll have it done soon.

A visitor most welcome

daily painting #37

3x3" oil on gessoed masonite unframed

SOLD

My Dad and one of my sisters live right next door to one another, in Kingsport, Tennessee. I had the pleasure last week of rising early each morning and watching six hummingbirds feed at a flaming Mimosa tree which grew at the common fence which separated the two yards. Obviously, I could not work from life this time. The tiny visitors flitted too fast to capture. I had to use a combination of quick sketches, photo references, and my previous knowledge of hummingbirds. They feed about 4-5 times every hour of daylight. These appeared to be of the ruby-throated variety, but I couldn't get close enough to tell for certain. Next time I go, I plan to take a better camera with a quick zoom...and of course my field glasses.

Peppermint Oil

daily painting #31
aprx. 2x3" oil on canvas
$85, $5 shipping

I love to cook. My husband loves to eat what I cook. Life is good. But there is one thing that absolutely sends him running for the fork drawer. That... is peppermint. I keep a bottle on of peppermint oil in the cupboard always. I put it in brownies and in any other thing that seems compatible with it. I get bored, but he never does. I've decided to play an April Fools-in-July trick. I plan to put a drop of the peppy flavoring on the bottom of the oven and turn the thing on for a few minutes....say..a half hour before he's due home. We have lately cut back on sweets, so treats taste especially goood when I do make them. When he sniffs the air and asks what I made, I will feign confusion. As I envision the crestfallen look on his face, I realize that I can't do it. It's just too cruel.

Baladi Grapes

daily painting #27

4 x 6" oil on canvas

SOLD

These grapes are painted actual size. Yes, they are this tiny.

A very special thanks to my grocers at Chase and Greenland Markets in Dearborn, Michigan for supplying me with the luscious fruits that have been the subjects for my most recent paintings. They carry an amazing variety of things not found at larger chains. When I got these teensy pearl-like grapes home, I asked one of my neighbors what "baladi" meant. What a delight for this old farmgirl when he told me it meant that the store bought them locally from someone growing the grapes in their own backyard. Baladi literally means home-grown. My neighbor pointed upward and, sure enough, there was a grape arbor over his carport. He invited me to have some when they ripen. How sweet!

Orange Slices

daily painting #24

3 x 3" oil on canson paper

click here to bid

As you can see, this week is all about oranges. Thank you for visiting. Keep watching.

Orange Reflections

daily painting # 23

3 x 3" oil on Canson paper

Click to bid.

I'm working on more accurate reflections and experimenting with oil paint on paper. I like the smooth texture. It's less rough than canvas.

Olive Oil

daily painting #22 completed July 8

6 x 6" oil on canvas on beveled wood

$130

Fresh olives and raw almonds are some of the many abundant treats available on the East end of Dearborn, Michigan. I never knew there were so very many varieties of olives or how delightfully pungent the flavor of fresh parsley. This painting represents one of my healthier shopping forays. The jug holds olive oil (not in the jar it came in). The dark background represents the enjoyment of nourishment together when the day's work is done.

Grandpa George

aprx 14 x 11 Not For Sale completed May 30

Now that I have my daily works posted up to this point (though pitifully out of sequence) I will begin to post as often as I have a piece that is dry enough to scan. Soon, I hope to set up a site that features my larger works. Just for fun, here is a study I have done for a larger painting. It is of my Brother, George and his grand-daughter on the shore. I borrowed the photo several years ago and tried to do this same painting first in watercolor, then colored pencil, and then in acrylics. It just never seemed right. About three months ago, I began to experiment with oil paints. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh! I think I'm home. Since I had been graciously asked to return the photo, I only had the black and white blow-ups I copied for value study to work from. The final larger painting, (about half finished) will have a darker sky and a more sunlit shore.

Apple

daily painting #7 created June 6

4 x 4" oil on canvas

price: $85

What can I say? I love apples. They remind me of falling leaves and chilly walks in Apple Charlie's Orchard.

Teacup

daily painting #9 created June 8

3.75 x 3.75 oil on canvas

price: $85

I started a collection of teacups years ago, but I keep giving them away when they are admired. This happens to be one of only three remaining. I keep it because it was a gift from a dear friend and I couldn't bear to have her visit and find it missing.

Bowl of Cherries

Daily painting #18 June 27

6" diameter oil on canvas on beveled wood

price: $135

My husband and I found a cherry orchard hidden deep in a hollow while we were driving a few summers ago. We can't find it now. It was about the most enchanting place I've ever been to. Dragonflies with gold lace wings flitted amongst the trees as we picked ripe juicy cherries for pennies a pound. We only happened on it because of the hand lettered corrugated cardboard signs meekly pointing in its general direction. If I ever find it again, I'll ask for permission to do some plein aire painting there.

Lone Cherry

Daily Painting #19 June 29

2 x 4" oil on canvas on beveled wood

price: $95

The play of light on a single cherry is fascinating. The color is so dark red as to appear black. If I moved my position at all, I lost the shadow and highlight shapes. To date, it is my best fruit painting. The little fritz at the end of the stem happened by accident. I had the piece tilted up and it tipped forward on its face. When I picked it up, the paint at the end of the stem was spattered. I decided I liked it that way.

Green Grapes

daily painting #17 created June 26

4" diameter oil on canvas mounted on beveled wood

price: $110

Again, I find inspiration at my favorite fruit market. They almost look like a tricycle. That was unintentional, but I like it.

Strawberries

daily painting #15 created June 22

4" diameter oil on canvas mounted to beveled wood

price: $110

I can't tell you how many hours my siblings and I spent picking wild strawberries in the field behind our childhood home in Huron Township. Though I bought these at my favorite fruit market, they brought to mind many a happy berry picking hour with Kate, Phyllis, and George.

Apricots

daily painting # 16

4" diameter oil on canvas mounted on beveled wood

price: $110

I went to the local fruit market and found perfect apricots that were as delicious as they were pretty. I have yet to capture the true color of apricots. It eluded me hour by hour and I finally had to finish or die trying. Eventually I'll get it right.