#164, "Common's Conversation", oil, 24" x 18"

A popular Langley cafe and used book store, The Commons, is the perfect place to begin my new series, "Langely Inside Out". All three of us at Studio 106 have been very industrious during this beginning of 2013. We crank up the music and get lost in our paintings, taking breaks only for a bit of critique or a quick lunch (during which time we talk about art and stare at our paintings and do more critique). At the end of the day we often pour a bit of wine and do more staring and talking. For me it is the perfect set up. The challenge in this painting was of values and of cools and warms. I wanted the cool outdoor light to come into the warmth of the room without cooling down the room. It is always surprising to me how dark the value of white wood can be when it is back lit. I cannot think "white woodwork", I have to think shape and value only. It took awhile, but I got it.The Ray for the Day is "Common's Conversation".

#163 "whatta Hoot!", acrylic, 6" x 6"

This playful acrylic painting was made from a photo I took in Mexico of an owl in a collection of folk art owned by a friend named Annie. Apologies to Annie and the owl, but I had to shorten the legs to make the owl fit on a 6" x 6" panel. I also added the little blue bird to make the composition more pleasing. I painted this to help cheer up a friend of mine who recently had surgery. She has a small collection of Oaxacan folk pieces, and I thought this would fit right in. It wasn't intended, but it looks like the blue bird of happiness is about to fly up Hooty's nose. This is a playful diversion from the series I have begun for my 2014 calendar which I am calling "Langley Inside Out", paintings of interior scenes from Langley buildings. I have completed 3 of those which will show up in the next few days. The Ray for the Day is "Whatta Hoot!".

#162 "Peter Piper Picked....", oil, 6" x 6"

 

We thought last night was Langley Art Walk, but then we discovered that the galleries were all taking the first half of January off so no one was open but Studio 106 and Whidbey Art Gallery. We had sent out our notices, so we got some food and wine and set it out and decided to paint, imagining there would be very few guests. We were painting away and people began to arrive. Much to our great surprise we had a full house most of the evening. Some guys started singing, Talia was there with her violin and she played. Many new people were there as well as our regulars. It was a full on party. Meanwhile, I started this painting, vowing I would mix each stroke separately, get the right value, put it down and not paint over it. Of course I wasn't able to continue all evening, so I went back today and finished. For the most part I stuck to my vow. I love how the colors are bouncing all over the place. The Ray for the Day is "Peter Piper Picked....".

#161 "It's a New Day!", oil, 6" x 6"

 

It's the first painting of the New Year!!! Happy New Year everyone! It feels like a brand new beginning to me and I can hardly wait to see what will fall out of my brush. This evening is Art Walk here in Langley and the theme for Studio 106 is New Beginnings. I love painting raw eggs and broken shells. You may see more of them here. So I need to get to the studio and meet my muse, and also clean Studio 106 up a bit for the evening visitors. Whatever your new beginnings are I wish you well with them. The Ray for the Day is "It's a New Day!!" (Somehow I want to add "Hooray!")

#160: "Persimmons in a Jar", oil 6" x 6"

The last posting of 2012. Even with all the Holiday festivities I managed to make one last little painting. Did you know that persimmons are really delicious when they are ripe? We had lots of them around the studio, so we got a chance to find out. I love the word "persimmons". The challenge in this painting was to paint glass. Again, if I had thought too much about glass it would not have been so successful. I thought about shape, color, value. Faye said "paint the persimmons and then put the jar around them". I did something like that. I love my color choices here. I painted the background several times before I came up with this. I'm happy with it. Happy New Year everyone. The Ray for the Day is "Persimmons in a Jar".

#159: "Cup 'o Cherries", 6"x6", oil

This one makes even my mouth water. Not just those luscious red orbs, but the thick juicy paint. Again, there was color bouncing all over the place especially on that white cup. Notice the Holiday color theme? Yep, red and green. Can't get away from it right now. This one and the last posting both sold at Art Walk last night. Yay! I really enjoyed piling the paint onto this little 6"x6" square. This blog may go quiet for a little while as I go off to all kinds of parties and gatherings and family events. Today I'll put up our tree. Happy Holidays everyone. The Ray for the Day is "Cup 'o Cherries." SOLD

#158: "It's All About the Cherries", 6" x 6" oil

It's interesting how the environment, season, mood effects my work. I somehow can't quit painting things that are red and green. Right now I am drawn to anything red. I reach for the red sweater, put on my red coat, eat the red pear, and can't seem to stay away from these gorgeous red cherries!! Studio 106 is filled with round, red fruits. We paint 'em and then we eat 'em! Happy Holiday Season everyone. Studio 106 is open tonight for Art Walk in case any of you are near enough to drop by. The Ray for the Day is "It's All About the Cherries."
SOLD