Oasis (in progress) & Perseverance (again): February 24, 2010

"Perseverance" really is done this time. I have been looking at it for awhile and just was not completely satisfied with how dark it was. I wanted the leaves to pop more than they were so I brightened them up and also worked on the flowers which are now 100 percent better.
My next painting is "Oasis", another rock and plant painting, the same size as "Perseverance", 20"x30", and also in oil. I started with an acrylic under painting just to cover up all the white. Unlike "Perseverance", I drew in the plant shapes at the beginning. I'm hoping this will make things move along more smoothly.

Perseverance (more complete): February 12, 2010

"Perseverance" is really done now! With painting, you never know when it's completely finished. Some minor changes were made after my biggest critic, my husband, gave his recommendations. Once I altered the lower dry stems (roots) and darkened one of the rocks, he said, "That's it. Don't change anything else."

Perseverance (complete): February 10-11, 2010

"Perseverance" is finished! This is a 20"x30" oil painting on stretched canvas. It's amazing that plants can take root in the most unlikely places such as this rock wall. That's why I call this "Perseverance". It persevered and has grown into a healthy plant.

Perseverance (in progress); February 8, 2010

The negative space between the leaves has been put in.

Perseverance (in progress): February 6, 2010

All the green leaves have been put into the painting.

Perseverance (in progress): February 2, 2010

More greenery has been added.

Perseverance (in progress): February 1, 2010

The lichen was put in yesterday and some of the plant was painted in during the oil painting class. At the beginning of the class, the instructor, Mike Mickelson, our local high school art teacher, does a critique of our artwork. There are 11-12 artists taking the class. It's very inspiring to see the skill level of the artists and interesting to see what subject matters they choose to paint. After Mr. Mickelson imparts some of his wealth of artistic knowledge, we paint for the remainder of the time.

Perseverance (in progress) and Sentinel: January 30, 2010

I did some minor changes to "Sentinel", mostly to the raven as well as some highlights on the tree. The main shapes of the rocks in "Perseverance" are done. The next step is to add lichen to the rocks.

Sentinel (complete): January 29, 2010

The name has been changed for this painting from "Reverie" to "Sentinel". This is an 8"x10" oil painting on stretched canvas.

Reverie (in progress): January 25, 2010

This was started during an adult education intermediate oil painting class. It is 8"x10" and of course not finished. The raven will not be hovering in the air once this is finished.

Perseverance (in progress): January 25, 2010

More rocks have been added. Isn't this exciting?! It's like watching rocks grow! You need 'perseverance' to watch the progress of rocks being painted.

Perseverance (in progress): January 23, 2010

The background rocks have been partially painted in. I'm working from left to right to keep my hands out of the wet paint.

Perseverance (in progress): January 21, 2010

This is the beginning of a 20"x30" oil painting.

Nina & Julio: October 13, 2009

"Nina & Julio" is a 5"x7" oil painting on stretched canvas. This was a fun one to paint because there is more of a sense of place compared to a lot of my pet portraits.

Homeslice (finished): October 12, 2009

"Homeslice" is finished (pending client's approval, of course). This is an 8"x10" oil painting on stretched canvas.

Just for fun, I am showing the reference photo from which I painted "Homeslice".

Homeslice (nearly complete): October 10, 2009

"Homeslice" is near completion. He needs his whiskers and a little more touching up and then he'll be ready to hang.

Homeslice (in progress): October 9, 2009

Homeslice's haunches have been painted in along with the lower portion of his front legs.

Homeslice (in progress): October 7, 2009

This is the beginning of "Homeslice", an 8"x10" oil painting.

Harley (finished): September 17, 2008

"Harley" is complete! This is an 11"x14" oil on stretched canvas. I'm including a close-up detailed image of the painting.

Harley (progress): January 12, 2008

"Harley" is just about complete. It will need minor tweaking and must meet with the approval of my client.