Four Orange Slices and Black Cup

I've painted this cup many times.  This painting is a monochromatic color scheme with colors from saturated orange to black.  I like the reflections of the saturated oranges in the shiny black cup.  On my ETSY store.

Springtime is Studio Tour Time

Still life of limes in a silver bowl on a pink tabletop.  This one will be at the VIVA Spring Studio Tour
First two weekends of May, the 4th & 5th and the 11th & 12th, from 10am to 5pm.  I'll be at Dockton Pottery- all the way down in Dockton, Stop # 23 on the tour, 25913 99th Ave SW on Vashon Island.  You need this painting! 

Blue Cup and Oranges on Mirror

The cup is so dark it's barely blue, mostly black, and the oranges are a bright high key complement.  I like the color of the background gray, there's a little yellow in it - it almost has a greenish cast.  I also like the slight orange reflection on the left side of the cup. 

Yellow Black White Cup Stack

Because the yellows are mostly in shadow, I had to make a dark yellow. I added yellow ochre and raw sienna. I also add black (turns the mixture green), or just a little bit of dioxazine purple.  There were a lot of reflections in this pile of dishes and by keeping the colors minimal I was able to throw yellow light into the shadows. 

Oranges in a Silver Bowl

A simple composition of warm oranges against a cool green background with a cool silver bowl.    This painting doesn't have unequal (dynamic) divisions of space - the edge of the tabletop divides the panel in half and the bowl is centered on the page.  But still it is interesting because of all the reflections and shadows. 

Night Ferry on the Vashon Run SOLD

Another version of a night ferry painting  (the other was Night Ferry near the dock).  One of the double-decker boats on the run between Vashon Fauntleroy and Southworth.  This is a twilight moment when the sun has set, but there is still light in the sky and the water is still lighter than the distant shore.  I like the multiple sources of light and the reflections in the water broken by ripples.  This one will be in the Vashon Island Artist Studio Tour at Plum Lodge Painters,  14210 SW Reddings Beach Rd, Vashon WA 98070, during the first two weekends of December.  You're invited.  

Sweet Cherries and Gold Background

I like this simple compositions, it presents plenty of challenges for me.  I especially like the color of the reflections in the cherries.  I mixed white into the dark cherry color to get a lovely purple tone which my brain interprets as a white reflection.  I like the poses of the stems, they seem conversational.  Painted from a still life I set up in my studio. 

Dark Cherries on Gray

Cherry season is here!  One of my favorite subjects.  The composition is simple with uneven divisions of lights and dark.   I've also kept the colors harmonious; neutral grays with just enough red to make the gray interesting.  And I placed the cherries in an asymmetrical pattern, with just a suggestion of reflections underneath.  I hope cherry season lasts a while,  these are fun!

Blue Harbor and Sailboats

A view of sailboats at anchor on a sunny day in Quartermaster Harbor on Vashon Island.  The dark green hills are reflected in the water and sunlight bounces off the white decks.  I like the overall light and the saturated colors.  (Every now and then it's fund to use the colors undiluted.)  Painted from photos I took on location.   This painting will be in a show at Bainbridge Arts and Crafts in Winslow Washington in September 2014.  Click here to send me your post office mailing address if you'd like me to add you to my postcard mailing list for the show.  (The mailing list will be used for show postcards only)

Lime, Lime Slices and SilverBowl

I'm experimenting with deep shadows and top lighting.  I like the way the silver bowl melts into the shadows. 6" x 6"
On my Etsy store.

Stiped Towel and Orange Slices

This is a slightly larger piece, so I thought I'd try some pattern.   I found a piece of blue and white striped towel and kept the colors simple, everything blue or white except for the orange slices.  I  subdued the reflections in the dark blue vase and the coffee cup because the striped pattern was taking over. I also lightened the fabric to reduce the contrast and simplify the painting.  A fun exercise.