Randomness  oil   7x5

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Another one I painted with my student who is working on painting flowers. She brought in a few geraniums and a glass.  Couldn't have been more simple.  I love the suggestion of the petals and stems.  It's an idea of flower.  That appeals to me.  Not fussy.

The Window Box  oil  8x6
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The nasturtiums were in full bloom. Maybe I need a few nasturtium recipes for the cookbook.

Side by Side  6x6  oil

Summer light at midday with all things two by two-flowers, windows and chairs.

Patty's Gate  oil 6x6
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In the green thumb neighbor's backyard.  I wanted this little painting to not be about flowers but shapes of color.

Farmer's Market Saturday Morning   oil   6x6
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Saturday morning with the Oak Park Art League. The gladiolus were beautiful and the cast shadows caught my eye.

Present and Accounted For  oil   8x8.5
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Daffodils, jonquils, narcissus- they all refer to this beautiful flower floating in the nameless blue reaching for the light.  Very fun to paint-always a struggle painting the light white in the shadow. I'd like to paint this again but loosen up my edges.

Different Directions  oil  13 x 11
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I've been working on a series I call beet bondage.  Here's a preview- tied up, tied down, stretched, wound around itself- it's been fun.  I've barely scratched the surface. I'll post more in the coming months.

Curls of Light  oil  6x9
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This spring the ranunculus were gorgeous-so round, so full. The contrast of the black centers of the flowers make a good graphic focus. I particularly like the vase on this one-so abstract. I often like the way my vases are painted- I think it's because I'm not painting a thing, I'm painting reflections and transparency.  I wish I could bring the same non attachment to all parts of my paintings.

Bob's 'Barrow   oil  8x10
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Bob has an amazing garden, with rows and rows of sunflowers (that painting is still on the easel).  He also has these old wheelbarrows planted with red and pink and magenta.  Late in the day the sun was coming straight at me creating dark shapes against the lights of the grass.

Into the Clear Air  oil  7x5
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A friend's yard.  I was trying to capture the effect of the flowers against the dark foliage in the light, with the foreground in shadow. And there were light flowers in the foreground too, adding to the challenge.  It's the idea that the dark t-shirt in the light areas will be darker than the light colored newspaper in the dark.  Clear as mud?

Next spring and summer I'd like to do a series of "Other People's Gardens".  Did a few this summer and found it very satisfying. It's kind of a collaboration- their garden artistry and your painting.

Blue Glamour  oil 8x6
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I find the irises so compelling and so difficult to capture.  Perhaps it's the contrast between the light and the dark that makes it tricky. I like finding ways to express the lights in the shadow.

Gathering  oil 10x8
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In the backyard with my easel, with the lawn mower going in the background.

Star Burst  oil  6x8
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How much can I infer without directly stating it?  Sometimes I think I should do a painting and try to "nail" it.  And then paint another one and allow myself to abstract it.  I've even considered putting up two canvases side by side. After 25 years as a medical illustrator old habits die hard.  I'm very happy with the little purple flowers- merely inferred.

Straining Towards the Light oil  6x6
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The cone flowers or echinacea are simply gorgeous this year.  The petals remind me of floppy rabbit ears. I tried to paint them as though the ones closest were leaning in towards me, the ones further away leaning away. I'm going out daily this week to try and capture them.  They're pretty elusive.

Green Bottle   oil on cradled wooden box   8 5/8x7 7/8
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A shallow stage for these little white daisies and a dotty background.  I was in a band in the 90's called the "dotgals"- we played old time music (I was the guitar player).  So a dot background is always alluring to me.

 Feel the Delight oil 8x6
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Flowers in a jar- what could be more simple.  I'm always trying to maintain the looseness and it's not always easy, but this one makes me pretty happy.

Welcome Home oil 10x8
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I painted this one with a student. The light on the steps and the house in the late afternoon sun caught my eye and the flowers on the steps gave me a chance to play with some spots of color.  I talk to my students about painting shapes of color and value rather than "things".  It  particularly holds true when painting vegetation. I thought about calling this blog "It's Not About the Thing". I may still do that.

Some Scrap of Shadow  6x6 oil
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Another plein air from this week.  I've passed this house/bungalow many times in past 2 or 3 years.  It hit me as I drove by today that it was the perfect time to come and paint. Did you know that you can eat nasturtiums? Delicious in salads.

Green Energy  oil  6x6

Same garden different view from yesterday's post.  My friend and neighbor has a very green thumb. I've wandered over in the afternoon to paint for several days. The garden gate depending on the light is a wonderful graphic element.

Looking In  oil 8x6
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A little plein air in my neighbor's back yard. I love the mysterious window.