Stylish Year-Round

Stylish Year-Round

Acrylic on Board

9x12

Painting #36 - Well, white patent boots are difficult to paint - or maybe its the medium I'm using. I find acrylic paint so difficult to blend - especially in Calgary's dry climate. My paint dries immediately after it hits the board. Next painting I will try using a glazing gel - I'll let you know how it goes. I had fun with the background in this painting - the red is so lovely and rich. I really like the circles in my foreground as well - I'm not sure how they found their way in there - I almost want to name them!

Green Patent Bootlets

Green Patent Heels

Acrylic on Board

5x7

Painting #35 - I thought I'd have a little fun with the background - I love swirls and they appear often in my work. The patent was a challenge. I find it interesting that one pair of patent shoes can be so much more difficult - or easier, than another pair. Perhaps its my lack of experience painting this material? My closet is full of patent so I'll be getting plenty more experience!

Waiting for a Night Out

Waiting for a Night Out

Acrylic on Board

5x7

Painting #34 - I bought these shoes within a half an hour of my first visit to New York City - and we explored the night life together! They are easier to wear than they are to paint. Despite my efforts, this painting does not show the true beauty of the shoes.

Purple Magic

Purple Magic

Acrylic on Board

5x7

Painting #33 - These shoes were a bit tricky to paint - there was a lot of shine and subtle patterns. I like the composition and the positioning of the shoe laces. I wish that I would have put a few more washes over the shoes so my values would have blended more smoothly.

In a Hurry

In a Hurry

Acrylic on Board

5x7

Painting #32 - Well, its the start of another school year and I must admit that I'm having difficulty painting daily. However, celebrate small successes - right? When I was typing out the name of this painting I noticed how in line the title was with what was going on in my life. During these past few weeks as I get to know almost 200 new students I feel as if I'm always "In a Hurry." I think the painting strokes in this paint reflect that I'm feeling rushed - it was a big step for me to leave them this way and not go back in and tighten everything.

Red Patent Shoes

Red Patent Shoes

Acrylic on Board

5x7

Painting #31 - I'm back - I needed a short break after my 30 in 30 and then I wanted to work on some larger paintings. I'm happy with these shoes. I thought achieving the shiny look of the patent leather would be more difficult than it was, however, this painting was just like all others. When I find the slight value shifts in my painting subjects I achieve a greater level of realism.

Nectarine

Nectarine

Acrylic on Canvas

5x5

Painting #30 - I did it, 30 paintings in 30 days. I wish my last painting would have been a master piece... I need say no more! Oh well, on a positive note... I think the background colour compliments the nectarine. What have a learned by the 30 in 30 process? That it takes commitment and a disciplined focus to accomplish this goal. In addition, I learned the value in painting regularly. Painting is a skill - its like learning to play the piano. I will never improve if I do not put in the time.

Half a Pear

Half a Pear

Acrylic on Canvas

5x5

Painting #29 - Almost there!! Who knew the inside of a pear was so interesting? I like this painting - its simple but yet can hold a viewer's interest.

Yellow Pepper

Yellow Pepper

Acrylic on Canvas

5x5

Painting #28 - I'm not seeing the slight value shifts in the pepper that I need to achieve a more realistic form. Perhaps I need to use more dramatic lighting?

Cucumber Slices

Cucumber Slices

Acrylic on Canvas

5x5

Painting #27 - I think the background colour compliments the cucumber. I don't think I achieved the true colour of the cucumber's flesh.

Half a Lime

Half a Lime

Acrylic on Canvas

5x5

Painting #26 - Lots of effort trying to achieve the correct green for the lime. Believe it or not it was a combination of magenta and light green and thus, I chose to repeat the magenta in the background.

Penny Candy

Penny Candy

Acrylic on Canvas

5x5

Painting #25 - First time painting a plastic bag. I need further practice. The bag also looks like its floating - a bit of a shadow on the bottom of the bag should solve that problem.

Is Life a Bowl of Cherries?

Is Life a Bowl of Cherries?

Acrylic on Canvas

8x10

Painting #24 - I like the composition and the light on the cherries in the foreground. I wish the edge of my bowl was a tad bit stronger - it wobbles a bit.

Stack of Caramels

Stack of Caramels

Acrylic on Canvas

5x5

Painting # 23 - This painting was surprisingly easy. It was the first time I painted cellophane - a few strokes and it worked! I wish I had placed more caramels in the composition.

Cross-Section of an Apple

Cross-Section of an Apple

Acrylic on Canvas

5x5

Painting # 22 - That little section in the middle was difficult to paint - I had trouble achieving the depth of the "seed holder". Is there a name for that piece of the apple? I think the flesh of the apple may be too white.

Half a Tomato

Half a Tomato

Acrylic on Canvas

5x5

Painting #21 - I have discovered that I like painting the "insides" of things - which would make for a very interesting series. Just think - the insides of people - thoughts, feelings, ideas - are much more interesting than the outsides of people. And then there's food - you be the judge - isn't the inside of this tomato more interesting than the outside (see painting #19)?

Raw Egg

Raw Egg

Acrylic on Canvas

5x5

Painting #20 - Silly me thought I'd try a raw egg. Not bad for my first one ever but I have too much purple in my egg shells.

Green Onion and Tomatoes

Green Onion and Tomatoes

Acrylic on Canvas

5x5

Painting #19 - I struggled to achieve the colour and the texture of the green onion. The tomatoes came quickly. Over all, I'm happy with this painting. I think the complimentary colours make the composition strong - perhaps a rectangle canvas would make it stronger.

Summer Strawberries

Summer Strawberries

Acrylic on Canvas

5x5

Painting #18 - I enjoyed painting these strawberries - the process was definitely an exercise in problem solving. The big question was, "How will I achieve the texture without painting every single detail?" Kristina Steinbring and I were on our annual painting trip and I am thankful for her input.

Banana for Two

Banana for Two

Acrylic on Canvas

5x5

Painting #17 - I cannot believe how difficult it was for me to get the perspective on the bottom half of the banana, however, I finally achieved it. I could have worked on my shadows a bit more.