Derby Paintings

"Mint Julep", Watercolor on Arches Paper, 7" x 10"

The above piece is part of the Kentucky Derby series I painted for a display (and yes, they are for sale) at Star Provisions, a fantastic gourmet shop that is every foodie and creatively inclined person's dream. Obviously, when given the opportunity to work with them I jumped at the chance.

I have touched on this a little before, what I love most about this series is it's ability to be such a personal piece of work. The small size, the light application of paint, the charcoal markings that allow my artist's hand to be visible, allow for a sense that the particular piece of art was made for the viewer, and the viewer alone. Not to mention, the work is relatively inexpensive, which I love. While this might sound ostentatious coming from an artist whose normal medium is frequently the most expensive, I try to have work that everyone can afford. Art is not for a certain class, and art also does not have to be outrageously priced. I think some of the best work is made with found pieces, which goes back to my love of art of the everyday, and the simplicity of that practice.

If you enjoy the series, there are more pieces available at Star Provisions starting next week. I have posted the link below.

Composition Thoughts Part II

"With Lime", oil on canvas, 36" x 36"

I couldn't let all of those gorgeous limes go to waste, so my studio is currently being taken over by paintings of limes. I am very attracted to them for many reasons, but in order to keep my viewers engaged I feel an obligation to offer a different composition each time.

Above is a lime painting with a composition (dare I say it?) I am rather proud to show. Attempting to stay away from my tried and true, singular cropped views (still following? My apologies for the doozy of run-on adjectives), I opted for a way to show more space on the canvas, but also to allow the canvas to not seem as copious as most 3 feet by 3 feet canvases do. My original sketch (let's not be fooled here, there were no sketches on notebooks, just on the actual canvas) held three lime wedges, but due to space issues and my goal to allow for more of it, I went with just two. The end result, obviously, is above.

Add some lime: $500.00 (+tax and shipping) SOLD

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Limeade

"Set of Limes", oil on canvas, four 8" x 10" canvases

Another request from the "Forbidden Fruit" show was a series of lime pieces. I was happy to oblige, and the result is seen above. The small studies once again beg for a home on the coast, evoking summer with their cheery disposition and color palette. These will be available for sale in Bella Cucina starting next week, along with larger studies of limes to follow.

As much as I love the precious quality of small paintings, especially when grouped together, I am eager to paint REALLY large... 5ft and up. For some reason, something as common as a lime seems to take on an entirely different role when it's is taken out of it's comfort zone. When enlarged, I get the sense that the fruit seems to take on an almost humanistic quality, with more presence on the canvas and opportunity to abstract the subject.

My next show I am leaning towards larger than life pieces. Will post them soon for y'all's preview.

$85.00 each (+ tax and shipping) SOLD

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Easy Mood

"Cantaloupe", oil on canvas, 22" x 28"

Another example of how moods can effect work, I've been in a sleepy-easy-no worries kind of mood for the past week ( I have no reason for this, with the millions of deadlines quickly approaching) and the mood I believe has reached it's peak this morning. I awoke content to great the morning, knowing that I have a weekend free to be in my studio for as long as I want.

I am usually inclined to paint a palette that pops! but this easy muted cantaloupe I'm enjoying for it's peaceful nature. Much like yesterday's watermelon it evokes Summer, but I think it really calls to the laziness of long Summer days, more so than the outside activities that Summer leans towards.

Have a slice: $400.00 + shipping

Rushing the Season

"True American Summer", oil on canvas, 24" x 24"

Don't worry dear bloggers, I am not wearing white shoes just yet. However, when painting this piece I can't help but think of lazy summer afternoons on Mobile Bay and the beloved 4th of July at my grandparents' house, and it's only the first week of Spring.

This piece was actually commissioned by grandfather, for his bay house, which is only fitting with the 4th of July scenario and the shades of green (yes, the love of green is a family thing- we might not all love the same shade, but green seems to be the majority's favorite color).

I was little hesitant to paint this one however, because I felt it was a little too typical. However, as my roommate and I nibbled on watermelon slices to give the composition a little more umph, I realized that even a true americana stereotype can have some edge.. and will look perfect over the bay.

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The Artist's Hand

"Not just for Rabbits", oil on canvas, 12" x 12"

Initial Layout Sketch of "Not Just for Rabbits"

In conversation with a friend yesterday, he mentioned what he enjoyed most about original work was seeing the artist's hand. Today art is so mass produced or screen printed (I'm not knocking the art of screen print, for the record. Love the graphics that often are the result) that the personal touch of the artist, what makes their work their own, is often lost.

I have never been one to keep a sketch book (I currently have close to two bookshelves full of 1/4 filled sketchbooks that were forgotten a week after purchase), and usually dive into work. Many classically trained artists would cringe at this method, but I simply am to eager to get started on the actual painting.... or at least paint a study. However, I am drawn to the initial layout, and often want to keep that layout and go on to the final painting. I came to the realization yesterday that what I loved so much was that I could see my hand in my work- I could see all the marks that really only make sense to me, and to be honest am not quite sure how they come to exist on the canvas. I look at an object and go... and there is the sketch.

Above is my sketch of a cabbage, along with the image of the result. I enjoy them both, but am now striving to keep my "hand" more in my work.

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Isn't it Grand?

"All that Glitters", oil on canvas, 30" x 40"

Way back last Summer I borrowed every book the Fulton County Library had on French interiors, seduced by the intriguingly grand chandeliers that hung in almost every room. I was set on painting these elaborate sculptures, but was soon intimidated by the amount of perspective and detail that was required to pull off such a depiction. I abandoned the idea, and painted what I knew and loved, which of course is the work you have been viewing for the past couple of months.

However, last week I was requested to paint a commission for a dear patron who not only has a fabulous home, but a chandelier similar to the ones I so wanted to paint. She requested a certain color palette, with a loose abstract feel to the piece.

I simply couldn't help myself, and dived in once again to the chandelier genre. I feel that the piece was a success, not just because of the final product, but because I allowed myself to not worry about the details; I kept it loose and painted fast, to allow the often stationary object to have some energy. I'm considering a smaller body of work that continues this journey, possibly with a louder palette. We shall see.

To Bring Out Your Green

"Cherries", Oil on Canvas, 16" x 16"

I have to admit, I attempted to make this a witty post and try to tie the cherry subject and St.Patrick's Day together. Alas, Google only gave me recipes for cherry pie and trivia on Michigan (the state is the leading producer of cherries in the United States by 75%, just in case you were wondering).

I'm not quite sure what draws me to cherries. It could be the fact that they are often accompanied by whipped cream and hot fudge, their overly cheery color, or better yet the fact that they invoke some 1950's red nail polish color that I am always tempted to use (on the rare occasion I am not covered in paint). Regardless, this painting makes me happy, and has inspired me to do a bunch of little 8" x 10"s to be sold on Etsy (shameless plug).

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all.

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Loving some Red

"Georgia meets Alabama", oil on canvas, 24" x 24"

Over the past weekend I had several conversations about why people are drawn to certain subjects and colors. Is it the feeling that we get from these subjects? Is it the environment we grew up in? Is it the overall look that we are trying to achieve for our home/lives? Better yet, is it our preferred escape from our everyday lives that we respond? It's something to consider, but it's also something that I doubt there is any true scientific reason (however, would be interested to know if there is a study- someone contact me if you have a clue).

The above painting is in response to an overwhelming amount of feedback towards the color red- so many people wanted to see more of it! I have been trying to embrace it more in my work, to the point that I think my roommates are beginning to get overly suspicious of the large amounts of peaches, cherries, and watermelons I'm keeping in our dining room until I am ready to paint them. Don't worry girls, will be painting and sharing them soon!

$400.00 (+ tax and shipping)

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My first love will always be Oil

"Tomato", watercolor on paper, 4" x 6"

Have no fear, I am not drastically changing my medium! While it is common after a show (Thanks again to all who came to Forbidden Fruit; it was truly fabulous getting the opportunity to show you my work) for an artist to want to be entirely finished with a certain subject (there is a definite emptiness once every one leaves, which an "On with the new!" feeling inevitably follows), I felt the opposite, wanting to go even deeper into the subject of everyday, of delicate fruit and the twisting of color, especially with all the inspiring feedback I was given.

However, the above piece is a quick study to be sold in a few shops around Atlanta, and on Etsy. I learned how to paint using watercolor, and find that the ease and delicacy of the medium (not to mention it's usual inexpensive nature) to have a certain charm that can not be denied, especially when the subject is edited and framed in a clean, beautiful way. This tomato piece is one of many fruit and vegetable studies, honoring in particular some of the new spring flavors of Bella Cucina, a little italian food shop in Virginia Highland. I'm also researching vintage seed packets to duplicate. I think these would be perfect in a kitchen, and great for a small hostess, birthday, or wedding gift. They, along with this gorgeous weather, are getting me very excited for Spring!