Apple Shadows-8x16

Lately I've been experimenting doing a few paintings on linen that is mounted on a foam panel. It seems to be a softer feel than canvas and a delightful surface for subtle passages as well as detail. I am enjoying doing 8x16's which can be completed in a couple of hours, giving a nice reward in a relatively short period of time.

I like the lost and found edges here as well as the shadow shapes appearing in the background.

Fried Green Tomatoes

Well, I wanted to paint one more piece for the upcoming "Tomato Art Festival" in Nashville, August 13. Yes, that's right, there really is one.  A fun, tongue in cheek, piece seemed to be in order. Wow! Does that smell good, or what?
10x20, oil on canvas, gallery wrapped

Tomato Posse

The tomatoes formed a posse and went out to capture the outlaw eggplant. They have hemmed him in and the approaching sheriff will take him into custody. Wow! I feel so much safer.

oil on gallery wrapped canvas-16x16

Five Tomatoes-16x16

I seem to have more interest in doing still life subjects lately. I saw these tomatoes at the market yesterday and thought it would be fun to set up a still life and paint the subtle light effects and color variations. My wife had a tomato knife that I added to the composition which gave a nice spot of dark to an otherwise relatively high key painting. There are plenty of lost and found edges which I think helps to hold interest in a simple composition. The subject and the style is unusual for me which made it fun!

Hanging Basket

Loved the light/dark patterns here. Happy summer!

Oil on gallery wrapped canvas, 16x16.

Pear/Apple on Abstract Background

It seems I am always thinking about a new way to present a familiar subject. I had some abstract designs that I had done a while back and decided to make them "representative" by imposing a familiar subject, the pear and apple. I haven't seen this done and thought it would make an interesting approach.
Something different for the kitchen. Each is 10x10.

Arrangement in White

Sorry to have been away from my blog for many days. I have been busy painting for shows and considering new approaches to painting. I really feel like you can get in a rut by following the same procedures that you get comfortable with, even approaches that generally produce satisfactory results. When you have deadlines it is even more difficult to take the time to experiment in an effort to take your work to a new level. Anyway, that's where my thinking has been.
This floral still life was fun to do because of a free approach using some abstract elements and letting some of the paint run and drip. A very limited color palette and a strong light/dark design produced a bit of drama. It is 40x30.

Sweet and Savory

I recently attended an art workshop with master painter Quang Ho. Quang is a gifted artist and wonderful educator. I came away with a new appreciation and better understanding for ALL types of art.

While there I painted this still life of a pear and two onions on a mahogany dining table.  I wanted to do a simple, uncomplicated painting so I set up just three items. However, it turned out to be more difficult than I anticipated as I was dealing with both shadow and reflection. The room was lit only by the late afternoon sun. The painting is on a gessoed panel and is 11x14. I will keep this one as a remembrance of the experience.