Mojo, Staffordshire Bull Terrier

You've gotta love the smile on this guy.

This afternoon, after wiping a still life for a while, I decided to paint this adorable dog instead. And it went so well! I was so happy I was ready to dance my "good painting" dance (it closely resembles Snoopy's suppertime dance).

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Two Cups of Flower

As a change from my high key paintings I did this one with dark dominant. It's probably my least favorite type of composition and this is one of the few I've done that I really like. I've tried, unsuccessfully, to paint this little yellow flower before. I usually get too much detail in all the little petals, but somehow I pulled it off this time.


I've almost finished my deadly work schedule and by tomorrow afternoon I'll be back in the studio. I'm looking forward to it and dreading it in equal parts. Painting again after almost three weeks away is like pulling a cart with square wheels. A lot of effort for very little progress. I know if I keep at it, sooner or later the corners will wear off and it will roll smoothly, but the first week is so hard. So bear with me. I still have a few paintings I've held back, but once I've posted them I hope to have something decent to show you. If not, I'll just share the struggle. (Why should I be the only one to suffer?)


6x6 oil on Raymar canvas panel  
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Mimi, 6x6 pet portrait

It's been a while since I painted a pet, and I thought it was time. This precious little dog needs a barrette to keep her hair out of her eyes.

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King Orange

Actually, this may be a queen orange, I've never learned how to tell the difference. At this time of year in New Orleans, we start celebrating the coming Mardi Gras with King Cakes. They don't have oranges in them, but they have been on my mind. A lot! I must not be getting my minimum quota of King Cake.

6x6 oil on Raymar canvas panel
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The Duel

The cherries on the plate are preparing to have a duel, but I don't think their weapons are loaded. 


6x6 oil on Raymar canvas panel   
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Adventure

 

6x6 oil on Raymar canvas panel
Click here to buy $70

Life seems to finally be back to normal. I decided after Carol's workshop that I want/need to do more paintings using a light value as my dominant value. Most of my paintings have midtone dominant, perhaps because that is the easiest to do, but I want to experiment with more light tone dominate and use more neutrals. This one is my attempt to set up what is probably the hardest version (at least for me), light dominate, dark secondary and mid third.