On my easel...new butterfly in progress

This painting is slightly larger than the recent ones I have painted - this one is 14"x18".  I am enjoying the slightly larger canvas. It felt like this butterfly just needed more space to spread out.

Hoping to have a lot of fun with the shadows in this torn beauty.

Another view of monarch butterfly painting in the works

Here is another shot of a work in progress that I took about a week before I felt the painting was done. In fact, I just finished this painting two nights ago.  Sometimes it is hard to know when a painting is "done," but I knew at the time that I took this photo that there was still a lot of work to be done! I will be posting the finished painting's image on my website and blog soon.

In progress -

The past few weeks, I've gotten a bit obsessed with butterflies. Perhaps because with the turn in weather, I'm seeing less and less of them. It seems like just yesterday that I was watching so many of the last few summer butterflies dancing across the skies. Alas, winter is coming. Here are two new paintings on my easel, in the beginning stages -

titles: unnamed (in progress)

Nest in the Works

New painting in the works!

Well, I have begun work on three new nest paintings.  Perhaps I've been inspired by all of the bird activity around the property today - lately, I have seen Indigo Buntings, Kingfishers, Cardinals, Goldfinches, Rose Breasted Grossbeaks, and more!  There is a new nest on one of the logs on the porch, and I can't wait to see little babies soon!

Images of 3 paintings in progress

Perhaps the gray dreary weather, with the persistent rain and cold winds, is inspiring me to create some color.  Below are a selection of images I have taken over these days spent at the easel.   All of the paintings shown below are still in progress, so please do check back for updates as they become more fleshed out.

 

 

More details taking shape

Since the last photo taken, I have spent time working on calming down the background.  I know I am attempting to do something more vibrant and patterned in this piece, but I still want to maintain the feeling of calm, and I don't want this painting to be chaotic.  I also started fleshing out the butterfly on the right hand side a little more, and adding detail to the wings on the bottom swallowtail.  Those tiny dots are a lot of fun!

In Progress

This is the second time I have worked on this painting.  Soon, I'll go back and add more and more layers of color and detail.  More photos to come as this one progresses

Progress on the conch shell painting

 ~ in progress ~

What I am working on this morning...

~ in progress ~

Painting Blades of Grass

Still hard at work painting the green pasture this cow calls home.  Here is an updated photo showing the progress:

To see more completed work from the Rural Meditation series, visit this link.  Works from this series are currently on display at ArtSource Fine Art in Raleigh, NC.

Beginning stages of a new Rural Meditation

Here is one of the first photos of a new painting I am working on.  This is another from my Rural Meditation series, and I am going to take a photo of each stage of the process to make into a slideshow (hopefully!).

Busy, Busy, Busy (Thankfully: Productive too!)

Things have been steadily chugging along in my studio lately.  I don't know if it is the beautiful spring weather that has been adding a creative wind to my lungs or what  (somehow I doubt this... considering my new Claritin regime!).   I think what has happened is that I am finding myself incredibly inspired by those around me and in the creative world.   Spending time at the recent opening, on March 11th, at ArtSource Fine Art in Raleigh was so much fun.  Seeing old friends and new artwork has added more grease to my wheels and stirred me to paint.  Here are a few images I took in my studio today:

Above: I'm working on new small Contemplations as well as several larger paintings in an as-of-yet-unnamed series.  These paintings are all in various stages of completion.  Sometimes it is hard to know when they're done!

Above: a reclining figurative piece that still has a long way to go...

Above: Pictures of new works in progress, including one from my Avian series in the top right hand corner of the photo.

I usually work on several pieces at once, finding that the medium of oil paint forces me to slow down and take breaks even when I want to continue.  Each layer has to suitably dry before I can add a new one, so when that happens... on to the next!  It's actually very refreshing and allows for a mental break of sorts.  If I'm working on an especially repetitive detail or pattern, working on a broader application of paint on another painting helps to loosen my tension and paint more freely.

Hours and hours painting the sisal rug

The cold weather is still outside these days, so it is fitting that I seem to be spending a lot of my time painting blankets and heavy rugs.  Hours and hours have been spent working on a large 30"x40" figurative piece, and I have spent the last few sessions focusing on the sisal rug (shown above).   I call it an exercise in patience!  Slowly but surely, though, the rug starts to take shape and will eventually come together.  

Little Cows, Coming into Focus

The cow painting is coming along...

Here is a recent photo of one of their faces that I am working on:

above: detail of work in progress

In Progress... moon snail

I am working on a series of small oil paintings.  "Contemplations" is what I am going to call this series.  The photograph below is an 8"x10" painting of a rather large moon snail shell that I found on Masonboro Island near Wrightsville Beach, NC.  This shell feels so lovely in the palm of my hand!  I will be sure to post the finished painting once it is complete.

Still Lifes Coming Along

Here is another photo of two works in progress. You can see the changes from photos I took a while back.

Two Still Lifes in Progress

Coming along.... I am really starting to have fun with these two paintings.  They're oils measuring 20"x20" and I am especially enjoying working on the one with the parakeet in it.  A screen print by artist and friend Kacie Rushton, her print features a parakeet and was made on an antique book page.  She and her fiance, photographer JP Corr III, owned the model - a sweet little budgie named Buster who recently passed away.  Her print is so colorful and his expression so inquisitive - I couldn't stay away from using it in a painting!