My Dad used to refer to this flower as a “fried egg” and it would annoy his Aunt Mary to no end! As a kid, I didn’t understand their low-key teasing; as an adult, I get it. (Isn’t that the case with much of life??) This is a sold piece, but I wanted to share it with you because these flowers are so doggone gorgeous!
Because my website is still non-functional and there are folks who might want to see which paintings are available, this posting will consist entirely of paintings of The Big Trees, Sequoia Gigantea, Redwoods.
Just the facts: A few little tidbits about all the names: “The Big Trees” was how we referred to them when I was growing up in the flatlands of Tulare County. When I attended Redwood High School, our newspaper was called “The Sequoia Gigantea”. The coastal redwoods of California are also Sequoias, but their last name is Sempervirens and they are the tallest trees; the Gigantea are the largest by volume.
Viewing info: These are just thumbnail-sized photos so that your ‘puter doesn’t get overwhelmed – click on each picture to make it grow.
Shopping info: You can see the Paypal Buy Now buttons beneath each painting. if you live close by, I will refund the shipping. If you live far, shipping on the Generals Highway is free as an added incentive.
Sunny Sequoias XVI – 8×10″ – oil on wrapped canvas – $90
Sunny Sequoias XV– 10×8″ – oil on wrapped canvas – $90
Sunny Sequoias XVII – 16×12″ – oil on wrapped canvas – $225
Sunny Sequoias IIXX – 10×10″ – oil on wrapped canvas – $120
Tunnel Log III – 10×10″ – oil on wrapped canvas – $120
Generals Highway – 16×20″ – oil on canvas in rustic wooden frame – $350
This was a new experience in several ways:
1. Green apples are a brand new subject.
2. Instead of having a photo on paper, I worked from the photograph on my computer screen.
3. The real apple was present so I could check the accuracy of the color.
Kind of weird how that shadow made a slash through the beginning painting – yeah, I know it is ugly at this stage, but a slash??
If the nice lady with impeccable taste wants a green apple painting, perhaps others of similarly impeccable taste might want a green apple painting. Besides, if I’m going to paint one little green apple, might as well paint three. (and a grape cluster)
2 comments I hear from people over and over are “I’m out of wall space” and “I’m trying to be careful with money”. Here are my responses to the first: “You can rotate your art” or “Look! Small paintings on little easels look nice on a bookshelf, lamp table or fireplace mantel!” To the second, “Look at these little bitty paintings, hand-painted ornaments and packages of cards – all $20 or less!”
Here are a few more 4×6 oranges in progress – they sit on easels and are $30 each
And these little bitty paintings are $15 each:
So are these ornaments:
In a perfect world, an artist would make art with her favorite medium of her favorite subjects when she felt like it. When it was almost finished, people would be clamoring to buy it, and she would rejoice in a sure sale. Dream on, Toots! In reality, if an artist wants to earn a living, she has to make art with the medium that sells best, choose subjects that people love, and be in touch with those people. In addition to making art, an artist has to be able to do a zillion other things. Want cards? Better learn what the best sizes are, where to have them printed, how many to order in quantities that might sell, how to package and where to find the materials, and how to price both resale and retail. Want to teach? Better be able to find, connect with and keep students. (Plus have a place, materials, a plan, and the flexibility of a pre-teen gymnast!) Need more than some paintings, cards and a few students? Better research the world of art and retail to find out what people are buying, gather seeds of information to create something new, practice like crazy, actually make art, and at the same time, learn how to market it. Need places to sell your work? Better get out there and discover shows, shops, galleries and other venues for promoting your work. Want commissions? Better meet people, listen to their wishes, have a price list, know how long it might take and have some samples to show.
Have a look at a recent commissioned piece:
This was fun to paint – new subject, new colors to mix, neat-o square shape, and a happy customer awaits!
Today I added a bit more to this painting:
Can you see any difference?? (last shown on October 29)
Been thinking about this subject lately. A month or so ago, I showed a few of my paintings to a gallery owner. For the first time in my painting career, I was told that my paintings don’t have enough detail, that they look as if done plein air. That is French lingo for on site, which translates into “I’m painting as fast as possible because the light won’t hold still and I can’t possibly be careful at this crazy pace”. Exclamation of Surprise! I LOVE detail! I am a pencil artist, first, last, always! Can’t help it – pencil and the detail possible with that humble instrument have held my attention since 6th grade. So, I don’t have enough detail, eh? Here is my conclusion: my style is still sort of mushy. I don’t mean my paintings are mushy, but that I haven’t settled on the best way to paint. By “best”, I don’t mean best selling, most award-winning, or if I were in school, the highest grade grabbing style. The evaluation and valuation of art is very subjective, and “best” is defined by the viewer, whether a judge, a gallery owner, the artist, or most importantly to me, a customer. As I achieve greater proficiency with paint, brushes, and canvas, I’m hoping that my true style emerges. It will be defined by several things – the subject matter, the level of detail, the way I use light and color, the texture of the paint. My goal is this: to consistently create the most consistently beautiful paintings . Yes, consistent – constant, regular, uniform, steady, undeviating, dependable, reliable. Why? So that people can always recognize my work as mine!
First, the shapes get blocked in, scribbled, just a first coat of the thin color.
Next, another of paint gets added to the background with more attention paid to the correct colors and textures. This only has the far hills covered – my attention span seems a bit limited here!
Now I am seriously out of order. For some reason, I felt “led” to do the foreground details. It’s my painting and I’ll do it the way I want! Besides, I intend to detail this particular painting right to the very edge of photographic realism. Do I have the skill? That remains to be seen, because lately I haven’t pushed a painting to that degree. This brings me to my next subject – style!
Kind of terrible looking with only one layer! Terrible, but with hope.
When all this new background dries, I’ll start on the large sycamore tree.
