"say cheese"

I really love all my "stuff" that I have bought for my studio. Paints, brushes, even solvents are exciting to buy. Its a little weird, but it is my candy store. Some people like buying shoes, (actually I do as well), handbags, (well, me too), gourmet food ingredients in little bottles, (I really like doing that too), car shopping, (nah), sporting goods, (sort of), craft store shopping, (been there, bought too much of that).  No, It is an art supply store that I can honestly say makes me the happiest. I just walk through the aisles and look over everything and think, "oh if I could buy that right now, it would bring me such joy"! Is there a reality show for art supply pack rats, hoarders? 

in one of my many jars

I was really frustrated yesterday trying to figure out what to paint, when I looked around and saw my  collection of jars. I must have hundreds of recycled glass vessels that I simply cannot throw away. I kinda have a thing for them, I can usually remember what was in them, and they become a little special. I have some jars that had been filled with things like lemon curd, fig or apricot jam, mango chutney, mustards or mint sauce, and these were from when I lived in England, so they became especially precious to me. YES, I actually moved them across the Atlantic ocean to be here with me in Denver, and now they have a new use in my studio. SO, here is a larger jar that had once housed some yummy spicy Garlic Fra Diavolo sauce. NOW, it holds some of my precious brushes. 

Derbyshire, be still

Another view of Derbyshire, UK. I have so many photographs of this view, but I really cannot wait to paint here again in person. There was such a peace in my heart when I was here, it was like magic. I am working currently on another view of the UK, a larger piece. It is a view of Wales and I am so excited to be working on this. My friend has commissioned me to paint a scene from her husbands, cousins land. The photo she has selected has many sheep wandering along the slopes of the land, they look like lithe white blobs, hopefully they will resister as sheep. Wish me luck.

Good for you, Garlic

Oil on Gesso Board, 6x6, Still life

There is always raw garlic lying around my pantry. I love to cook with it. Lately I have had this thing for roasted garlic and goats cheese on a crusty baguette. My mother says you should consume garlic daily to stay well. I believe she is right. Good advise from Mom as always. So, I will paint it and eat it. 

I'm working on my website. I cannot decide between using Weebly or FASO for building my site.  I like the idea of FASO, (FIne Art Studio Online), it is designed with artists in mind of course, but Weebly seems to have so many great options for a good looking site, so the artist in me cannot make up her mind. I just want to get going and move on to doing a facebook fan page. That is next in my agenda. I would appreciate any input or opinions about building a nice place to hang your hat on the web,,,,,anyone?

lemony

6x6, Oil on Gessoboard, Lemons

I really am having this thing with Lemons. They are just so lemony and fresh and good for you, right? Also, I am also a bit obsessed with trying to get this right. I have 3 different tubes of yellow paint that I am experimenting with.  A Cadmium yellow lemon pure from Utrecht Artists colors, a Cadmium Yellow Medium Hue from Jackson's oil paints form the United Kingdom, left over from my studio purchases there, and a Winton Cad yellow hue from another purchase in England. (I had ordered a Cad Yellow pure from Utrecht, and a Burnt Umber came instead. Utrecht handled the mistake by apologizing and sending out the correct tube straight away and allowed me to keep the Burnt Umber for free. Utrecht is awesome with customer service!)  Yellows are incredibly vast  in intensity and color. Attempting to get the correct saturation that I am seeking is a great learning experience. I find that some are more red, some more blue, it's wild. So, I'm thinking that these lemons are quite lemony.

Lemons

Lemons

6x6, Oil on Gesso Board, Still life, 

I think that I will be painting lemons for the nest few days. What is the saying, "when life gives you lemons"... I will paint lemons

onion and garlic

6x6", Oil on Gesso board

Here is a little study of an onion and some garlic.

 I made Chili today from a recipe that I got years ago. It was from Katie Lee Joel during one of her appearances on the Today Show. Remember when she was the first sidekick host of Top Chef, yep first season. I think she has changed her name since then as well as having Padma replace her spot on the show. Well,  It is by far the best chili recipe that I have ever made. Follow the instructions to the letter and make sure you try it first before you alter it, you will not be disappointed at all, it is healthy and hearty and a true crowd pleaser. Perfect for a large group. Don't forget all the toppings! 

portrait of a Pepper

Here is a portrait of a Red Pepper, A very cooperative subject, though challenging with all the nuances of" blue red" and "yellow red" etc. I think I will be painting another pepper soon, a different one, as I used this one for a very good recipe I found for "Peperonata", an sicilian pepper relish of sorts with garlic, tomatoes, onions,  and olive oil,  delicious on crostini or over fish. So, soon, look for another bright and shiny pepper painted by me and then eaten again.