Ripening

daily painting #32
3 x 3" oil on masonite
$85, $5 shipping

My husband and I went blueberry picking near Grand Rapids, the home of my sister Lois. We brought back 11lbs of blueberries..about enough to last a few weeks.

I had difficulty getting a good shot of the mixed bunch with the digital camera. But I'll post it as soon as I get it figured out.

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.

Most Valuable Player

daily painting #30

3x3" oil on canvas
Private collection NFS

One either loves chess or loathes it, but folks are rarely ambivalent. My brother, George, used to go for the throat! Perhaps that's why when I played Stratigo with my nephew, Damean, I didn't just "let" him win. When he finally beat me at the age of 9, he did it on his own steam. The wild jig he performed upon finding my flag rivaled River Dance's most lively number. Damean, if you come across this, I love ya, man!

'Yanny'

Eggplant Slices

daily painting #29

3x3" oil on canvas

$85, $5 shipping

I normally do not post on Sunday, but these were just too much fun. I don't really like eggplant (too slippery), but they are too interesting not to paint.

Crystal Bell

daily painting#28
4 x 6" oil on canvas
$125 + $5 shipping

A really sensible artist would begin an exploration of glass with a simple straight-sided and empty juice glass. Then, she/he would progress with ever increasing complexity. But NOOOooooooooo...I had to just jump right in there with a tiny crystal bell that defied me to mentallty freeze its flickering shapes! I know, I know....and I really really tried to do this in one sitting like most of the rest, but it just didn't happen. In the days before I discovered the painting a day concept, I might have abandoned the thing before I gave it a second chance. But now? All I can say is thank you to Duane Keiser and all the other first runners in this daily painting marathon. Incidentally, check out Duane's Topophilia Project..inspiring!

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!

Oops!

daily painting # 26

3 x 3" oil on canson paper

Click to bid.

This was the fridge preserved half left over from the previous three paintings. It's a little more dried out and old looking. Not as pretty as #24, but good for study.

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

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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.

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.

Candle in a Jar

daily painting #12 June 16

6 x 6" oil on canvas mounted on beveled wood

price: $135

This is my husband's favorite to date. Candles, next to God, may be the reason we still share a happy life after 25+ years together. He has been enormously supportive of and patient with my various artistic exploits.

Cobalt Blue Vessel

daily painting #13 created June 19

6 x 6" oil on canvas mounted on beveled wood

price: $135

I found this beautiful piece at a local resale shop called Value Village (lovingly dubbed "Vee Vee's" when I want to sound auspicious). It has no maker's mark. I wish I could find the artist and view more of his/her work. I'm sure I'll paint it again, perhaps embracing flowers.

Mops

daily painting # 8 created June 7

3 x 3" oil on canvas

price: $85

I wanted to experiment with green backgrounds, and cast shadows. I like these brushes, but my favorite ones were busy painting these.