38 Oklahoma Rose

Still working on the state flowers. Obviously this one is for the state of Oklahoma. I had a difficult time with this one. The background of the reference photo lent nothing to the composition. And kind of stole attention away from the rose so I changed it. Then I didn't like it either so I changed it again and so on and so on. I finally decided the sky as a background might work. I've not painted a lot of clouds or skys but gave it a wirl. I kind of like the way the blue in the sky plays off the pinks / and oranges int he flower.

I'm almost done with roses for a while as I'm running out of states that have roses as official flowers. Iowa and North Decota both have the same flower as their state flower so I don't know if I'll do two versions of the same flower or just one and call it good.

11" x 14" Oil On Canvas

37 - Cherokee Rose

Oil on Canvas - 11" x 14"

This painting took several weeks to complete. I can't even tell you how many layers of various color I painted very thinly.

I like the way it turned out, and even did something that I consider brave with it. On the website wetcanvas, there is an area I have often viewed, but also where I have never posted a painting. This area is called critque forum. I have a statement at the bottom of all my paintings that C&C (comments and critique) are always welcome, but few in wetcanvas post any critique. It is more like " well done" type thing. But in the Critique Forum they tell you what they really feel about your paintings. So I am feeling either brave or crazy and I am just not sure which. Time will tell. But I know if nobody tells me about a mistake, I can not correct it.

36 - Pink Tea Rose

This is one of my larger paintings 18" x 24" Lots and lots of very thin glazes...

35 - Blowing Kisses

I love this one...just wish I could get better photos of it! To me, it looks as if the rose is blowing kisses.

IT'S OFFICIAL! I'M IN A GALLERY!

Well I did it! I am now, as of this afternoon, in a gallery! Represented even! In November/December the plein air group I paint with had a show at the local art gallery. One of my 3 paintings sold. This spring the same art gallery had a spring flower show and I receieved an invitation, the only 2 paintings I put in it, sold. Sold within 2 hours of the show opening.

Since the last paintings sold we have been in discusions about my joining the gallery... Today I took my paintings in and watched them get hung on the wall...under the sign that has my name on it!

I only took in 4 paintings... I only had the 4 completely ready. I have several more almost ready, but working in oils, it takes a while to dry between layers... so as soon as I get more ready I can take them in.

Oh, and I was looking around at some of the other art/artist's work, and I realized something...I think I need to raise the price of my paintings. They were much lower than all of the other artists.

34 - A Red Red Rose

I've been working on this one for a couple of weeks...lots of layers...surprisingly very little red in the red red rose

12" x 16" Oil on canvas

33- plein air

Yesterday was the first painting day for the plein air group. It was a great day! Sun was shinning and it was warm! Ah! Warmth! I truly believe it is under-rated.

I live in Hancock County and we always paint items of interest from our county. This year we decided to focus on interesting subjects on highway 40 which runs right thought it.

We then decided to start our year right in the town were the plein air group is centered, the city of Greenfield. It is a beautiful old town. Many very cool old buildings and houses.

While the group was looking around and deciding what to paint, I was standing next to the local humane society. The cats are allowed to run around loose and several were laying around in windows and in front of the door. I couldn't resist! I had to paint it.

Unfortunately, we only paint from 9am to 12 pm and we talked and tried to decide where to paint for so long that I never got set up until about 10:30. I only got about an hour and 1/2 of painting in but I really love the painting... Love it so much, I'll do more cats in windows and doors and such!

oil on canvas, 11" x 14"