Christmas Trees

An 11x14 oil Christmas Tree painting. I primed the canvas first with broad brush strokes of various color. Let that dry. Then painted the Christmas trees in. Makes for a nice festive look! The background color was applied randomly and I like how it turned out. This scene reminds me of outings to the Christmas tree lots to choose the perfect tree. Nice memories! I still have the 16x20 of "Charles' Birthday Bouquet" on my easel. Have not finished it yet. Thought I would go ahead and post another Holiday painting in the meantime.

Hebrews 10:24
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging on another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Momma Cat with her kitten

An 8x8 oil I just finished last night. Could not resist the coloring of the momma and kitten along with their beautiful green eyes. The little snuggle the kitten is doing is great too! Felt I just had to paint in the green background to bring out the green in the eyes. Thank you for looking. I have a 16x20 canvas on my easel now...doing a painting of a Birthday bouquet that our son, Charles sent me. Beautiful fall colors. Will post it next.

Lamentations 3:24
"The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him...."

Mango...Mango...Mango

A 16x20 oil that I completed for a challenge by Daily Paintworks. The challenge was to divide a canvas in individual squares. Paint the same object in each square. Limiting your time to paint to 10 minutes a square. I changed the drape color for each mango square. Did it randomly. Then just started to paint! Listened to the timer go in the background. The loud DING startling me every time! I have it framed in a dark cherry wood contemporary frame. It makes the color in this painting pop! This one was fun to do. Thank you for looking!

James 1:22-25
"Do not merely read the Bible, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says...Whoever looks intently into the Bible that gives freedom, and continues in it - not forgetting what they have read, but doing it - they will be blessed in what they do."

Hanging Christmas Ornaments

An 11x14 oil, holiday painting, using a canvas that I primed first with fun jewel colors using broad strokes and blending a little. Let that dry. Then I painted the Christmas ornaments hanging from delicate chains. The fun part was reflecting the different colors in the chains and in the individual ornaments. You know, it doesn't take much to make me smile! I really like the slice of the pretty pink ornament at the top of this painting. Like I said....It doesn't take much. Enjoy...thank you for looking!

Hebrews 13:6
"So we say with confidence, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?"

Snowflake

My interpretation of a snowflake! A 12x12 oil I finished a couple of days ago and kept forgetting to photograph it and post. Nice and wintry looking with one of my favorite colors as a background. I might do a Santa Claus next! Right now I have a Momma Cat and her kitten on my easel. It is sketched in...not sure I have enough energy to paint this evening. Had to work today and have another full day tomorrow. Arrgg! I hate these on call weekends! But this too will pass. Enjoy this Snowflake painting. It was fun to do. Used alot of texture and layering of paint, using the white and blue to give it depth. Thank you for looking.

James 1:16-17
"Don't be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters, every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

Late Fall # 2

An 8x8 oil I started out at Kingfisher Park a few days ago and just finished here in my studio. Wanted to capture the crisp cool air of that day and the since of piles and piles of colorful leaves just fallen from the trees to the ground. Fall is my favorite time of year! It was a pretty day with wonderful pathways to walk and the distant soft colors at the horizon. My painting buddy and I are committed to try and paint outdoors at least once a month. I am really loving it! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Hebrews 13:1-2
"Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it."

Late Fall

This is an 8x8 oil I did yesterday at Kingfisher Park. My Plein Air Buddy and I went out together for the first time to paint. We plan on going out at least once a month. It was great...a little windy..but nice cool crisp air. The day started out a little cloudy with filtered light. I think this is why my painting is a little muted and soft looking. A few yellow leaves still clinging to these three trees. The sky was a clear blue with the distance blurring to a soft green/grey color. This is my third time to try Plein Air Painting. I am surprised at how one can arrive at a spot and a certain view or scene jumps out to be painted. At least that is how it works for me! Loved the fresh air and conversation with my painting buddy! Thanks for looking! Happy painting!

Romans 14:19
"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification"

Four Roses

This is a 12x12 oil I completed this past summer. Somehow, I did not ever get this one posted. I had it in my show last weekend and a nice young lady bought it! She is giving it as a Christmas present to a beloved family member. This will be a special gift. This family member was at the Art Show too and really liked it....but did not spend the money for herself. I don't think that she has ever purchased an original oil painting before.  The young lady came back alone and bought it. She asked that I frame it, so I found a wonderful frame on line. I use pictureframe.com. I have found that they have high quality frames and the company is careful in packing and shipping to ensure no damage. I order the 12x12 the 6x6 and 8x8  frames. I can't find them around here in Oklahoma. I asked my husband to try and make some frames in these odd sizes....but that did not work out. I thought it would be easy! Not! We may try again in the future. We'll see. Thank you for looking! Enjoy!

Ephesians 5:1-2
"Follow God's example. therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

Art Show Panels

Whew! Did an Art show yesterday. As promised, here is an image of the boothe my husband, sister and I put together. You can see the black panels with the narrow ledges to display both framed and unframed canvas boards as well as boxes of note cards my sister made from my paintings. My sister also made up some note cards from her vast photography images she has shot over the years. My husband made the panels. He did a fantastic job! I can always just describe what I want and he figures out how to make it! The show panels were made from sheets of masonite and thick molding to create the ledges. We used high gloss spay paint to finish them off. My sister came up with the idea to use the clamp on lights to direct some great lighting to the paintings and cards. I think the lights added alot of sparkle. I learned from my first Art show back in May of this year to keep the display simple and clutter free. I think we achieved that! We had lots of traffic. Talked with alot of friends and met many new people...young aspiring Artists, adult Artists as well as folks that appreciate Art.

Ephesians 4:2
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."

Daily Paintworks Carved Pumpkin Challenge

Just finished this 8x8 oil for this week's Daily Paintworks Challenge. Fun to do. I was aiming for a funny, happy Jack O Lantern! I don't do the scary stuff. These challenges are great to stretch us a little. Do subjects that we would not ordinarily do. At least this is true for me. Am getting ready for an Art show here in Kingfisher. My husband is building some great panels for my work. Not all of my paintings will be framed....so needed a system that would accommodate both framed and unframed. I may post a photo later to give you an idea of how it worked. Meanwhile...thanks for looking at this painting. Enjoy!

Ephesians 4:32
"Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

Christmas Ornament

An 8x8 oil I have just finished. Another one for my Christmas Ornament Series. I have noticed that I have been gravitating toward the more vintage looking ornaments. Interesting. I love this muted green color and decided to pair it with the rosy red on the ornament and back it up with the vibrant purples for the background. Fun to do! I just love Christmas. Hope you like this one.

Roman's 14:10
"You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God's judgement seat."

Beaver Lake

An 8x10 oil that I completed Plien Air last week at Euereka Springs. Set up on our cabin deck and this is the view. Early morning hour. Birds waking up and singing softly. Wonderful experience. I might add a couple of eagles that were flying around and a boat dock on the left. Have not had time to paint this week, going back to work. Plus am on call starting last night. Arhggg! I'll get it in! I'll paint some this evening I think. Yeah! We met some really nice artists/gallery owners in Eureka Springs. I would like to paint and own a gallery when I grow up!

2 Thessalonians 3:6
"In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from me."

Owl

Re posting this one in order to get it to show on Daily Paintworks "on line" gallery, You might check this site out. Shows lots of artist's work. Great variety. . Sorry for the repeat!

Beaver Lake. First Sign of Fall

An 8x8, oil I completed on site while at Eureka Springs this week. First time I have tried the "Plein Air" thing! After a close encounter with a giant spider and 3 curious geese...I wasn't sure the outdoor painting was for me! But things calmed down and I was able to enjoy painting in a peaceful, shaded area, listening to the birds, soft breeze and fresh air. You get the picture. This area of the lake was just across a little inlet and the blazing group of trees against the darker green trees with touches of red behind caught my eye. Don't know what they are, but they are trees that are the first to turn to their fall colors. I love the symmetry of this composition. There were also stands of slim grasses showing up on each side of this group of trees The day was bright and clear. Perfect lighting!

Psalm 115:14-15
"May the Lord cause you to flourish, both you and your children. May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."

Owl

I'm on a roll! 2nd post today! Just finished this one. I tell ya...Owls can be really scary looking! This guy had these bright orange eyes that just won't let you go. And of course that fall color of orange compelled  me to paint this owl. This was a fun one to do. I'm getting all the painting in that I can on the weekends. Can't seem to do much during the work week. Oh well.... Enjoy...thanks for looking!

Galations 6:1-2
"Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

Three Pears

8x10 Oil. These three beauties caught my eye with their beautiful muted fall colors. I am all about fall color these days! We are going on a trip soon to see all the fall foliage east of our great state of Oklahoma. So many years, we miss out on the fall color due to our erratic weather here. Either too hot/cold or too dry/wet! So this year we are packing the car, I'm packing my paints and a new little paint box that I can set a small canvas up in and paint on the go! This will be the first time I have tried that in years. I did this once maybe 10 years ago, but it was a big production with all my big equipment, easel etc etc... This time I am going small and light! I will let you know how it goes!

Philippians 4:13
"I can do all this through him who gives me strength."

Wagon Full of Pumpkins

An 8x10, Oil. Just love pumpkins! Have been working on getting ready for a couple of Art Shows and have had little time to paint. One is in Madill, Oklahoma, sponsored by the local Art Club, Oct 22nd. The other is here in Kingfisher, November 12th, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce.  Nice to get back to my easel. It is finally cooling off here in Oklahoma and feeling like the Fall Season. I have my Pumpkins and Mums on the front porch for decoration. Enjoy. Thank you for looking.

Galations 5:22-23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."

Vintage Christmas Ornament

An 8x8 oil. Wanted to achieve that old vintage look with this one. Again, brings back memories of all the ornaments we used to use on our Christmas tree when I was a child. For some reason I associate the soft moss greens in this background with Christmas's in the past too. I will probably do an ornament in those greens soon. I will think about it. Anyway...I love the purples and little touches of red and yellow in this one. Enjoy!

Philippians 4:8
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."

"Flip a Coin". Daily Paintworks, The Hand Challenge.

An 8x10, Oil I just finished for the Daily Paintworks...Hand Challenge. Great practice for skin tones! I kept playing with the colors for the skin and nails. I really couldn't tell you exactly what colors and amount of each color I eventually came up with.  I ended up mixing color in right on the canvas board. A dab of this and a little of that! Fun to do.

Galations 6:2
"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ"

Jana's Christmas Ornament

An 8x10 I just finished this evening. I photographed it inside with my light stand I use to paint at night. A little bit of a glare....but not too bad. This is my interpretation of a wonderful Christmas Ornament that my dear sister-in-law made for our family years ago. We hang it on our tree every year! I took a real close up photo of it last Christmas and then cropped it some more to get this composition. It is actually a quilted, fabric, stuffed ball ornament fashioned in a star pattern. Fun to do.

Proverb's 3:6
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."