Cherries, Cherries, Cherries - "Fiesta Cherries"

I'm back again (at least for a couple of days).  I'll be heading out on a two week trip to capture some scenes for future painting subjects.  I'll of course be posting the finished works here.   Please hang in there with me...  I plan to get back in full action (including posting every day) once I return ... August 1st.   Most of what I'm doing right now are small works that will be on display at a future exhibit (October 2011).  I'll post more about that as the time approaches.  I have a wonderful still life set up and ready to go when I return.  I think you'll like it...  

So... what have I been up to?  I've been painting Cherries!  One of our local stores had a sale of the most beautiful succulent cherries I've seen in a long while!  I just couldn't resist grabbing a handful and posing them...  I didn't capture the steps this time.  I know some of you really like seeing the steps so I promise to get back into the groove of doing that in August.  

"Fiesta Cherries":

"Fiesta Cherries" is on  6x6 linen.  The cherries are piled in the small bowl - typically found in the  center of a vintage Fiesta relish dish - in this case the piece represented is vintage turquoise blue.  
    

Jack "Surprise" Finished

This is a bit redundant since the finished piece is shown to the right of this blog; but, in case I should decide to change out the photo on the right,  I want to make sure the WIP is taken to the finished state.   I hope to get back on track this week.  I'll be posting the preliminary pics of my next work in the morning.

Jack "Surprise" WIP #4

Almost finished with Jack.  Added in the front decal and more wood grain effects.  The tongue and groove marks on the sides really added a realistic touch.  I played around with the highlights on his nose and forehead.  Since I'm "making" a new nose, I'm still not 100% satisfied with how it looks so I find myself returning to it to make minor adjustments every few minutes... (sometimes it's just hard to leave well enough a lone... :))

Jack "Surprise" WIP #3

I've let too many things distract me this month...  I'll soon be able to get back into the swing of things - so don't give up on me yet. :).   I promise to get back to my blog a day routine...

Had a wonderful exhibit opening at the Art Off the Square in Georgetown last Friday night.  A great turnout.  Guests and those out for a summer night stroll around the Georgetown courthouse  square stopped by for wine, ice cold punch and  hor dourves.  New exhibit openings occur each first Friday of the month hope you can join us sometime.

Here is the next in the work in progress pic of Jack "Surprise".    Wood detail has been added and more reflections over his head.  The brass latch was added - but the original is broken.  I'm going to paint it as I see it...

Here ya go...

I'm convinced I need to work on something like this soon.  But first I plan on painting something traditional.  I found  a really cool odd shaped frame (3" x 11.5");  I've stretched a custom canvas for it;  and,  have something in mind to do on it first.  

Jack "Surprise" WIP - 2

Part of the problem I had with Jack is the toy came to me with a crushed nose.  I had to re-invent his face and with those mischievous eyes... well  putting a nose  on him wasn't that easy.   Challenging but fun...

After his nose was in place, I worked on the top of the box which had a multitude of color in the shadows from his flesh color and red hat.  The image (decal) on the side was a bit tricky since it was at an angle so I relied on my PD (proportional divider) to help on getting it as close as I could..

Back from the Holiday Weekend -

Well, blogging is a lot of fun but as I've discovered - much work!   I am preparing for company and  also  for a new exhibit opening this Friday so I hope you won't mind if I post a previous work.  I've decided to post the WIP's for Jack "Surprise" shown in the right column.   Here's the first...

 

"Holes -2" finished

Here is the completed painting.   It has lots of patina in shades of turquoise, mauve, purple, green and topaz and various values of each of these.  I find it a lot of fun to paint items like this.  The winterberries and crab apples are no longer in season but I felt they added some interest and color to the foreground.

Size 12x16.  I have a custom frame already made for this one.  It has a bronze patina with flecks of turquoise green in it.  I think it will set off the color of this painting really well.   I'll post a pic of it framed when it's dry.