'Tomatoes and Pan'

10" x 12"

oil on board

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I painted 'Tomatoes and Pan' this afternoon. It took approximately two and a half hours to complete. I imposed a time limit again and didn't go over it and I'm happy with the result. It's certainly not overworked and that's the way it's going to stay, and to make sure, the things have been put away and the tomatoes will be eaten within an hour! 

'Pots with Pear in Dish'

10" x 12"

oil on board

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I set a strict time limit for this painting. I didn't want to spend too much time on any one part and end up putting in too much information and subsequently tightening up. My time limit was two hours which was easy to set as two hours was the only amount of time I had to work so I couldn't go beyond it even if I wanted to...this seemed a good plan. All went well and I was just giving myself a pat on the back for achieving what I'd set out to do when I realised I'd left out the reflection of the blue and white pot! Duh...! That was yesterday afternoon. Today I painted in the weird and distorted abstract reflection and strengthened some of the values. 

I don't think it's important what objects you paint, the importance lies in the way in which the light falls on them. Sometimes you can suddenly notice something that you've passed many times previously which had stayed invisible until that moment just because the light is falling on it in a different way. Changing light alters our perception of what is around us and provides an opportunity to translate that visual excitement into paint. Sometimes I feel very privileged and lucky being an artist.

'Mushroom Study'

6" x 6" 

oil on board

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I enjoyed painting this little mushroom study this afternoon. I knew I only had a limited amount of time so I chose a simple subject for a quick study. It does look very 'mushroomy' so I'm happy with it :) I used a warm orange for the ground colour and then worked over with a palette of burnt sienna, yellow ochre, ultramarine and titanium white which were enough colours to mix a range of warm and cool greys - warm greys for the mushrooms and cool greys for the cloth.

'Tomatoes and Garlic on a Blue Cloth'

'Tomatoes and Garlic on a Blue Cloth'

8" x 8"

oil on board

SOLD

I painted the majority of this piece on Monday and applied the finishing brushstrokes this afternoon.  I like the freshness of the cool blue of the cloth against the bright warm red of the tomatoes. I'm reminded of summer when I look at this painting...and...that spring is just around the corner...can't wait! Here's to a sunny summer this year! :) 

Paintings with cherries!

'Jug with Lemons and Cherries'

12" x 16"

oil on stretched canvas

This afternoon I've been busy adding cherries to these three paintings! Have a look and see what you think. In the painting above 'Jug with Lemons and Cherries' I'm happy that the composition is now complete both in terms of space and of colour.  

'Green Apple with Jug'

6" x 6"

oil on  board

In 'Green Apple with Jug' the cherry becomes a compelling focal point. And along with the two red leaves, it creates a triangle in space which again leads to a stronger composition. 

'Delicious Biscotti'

8" x 8"

oil on board

Before I added the cherries to 'Delicious Biscotti',  the biscotti looked a little lonely and were crying out for something to sit next to them! However, now I'm glad to say, all is well, and again I feel the composition is complete.