Painted on a Rainy Day

Today has been wall to wall rain and I love it. I love the sound of rain, I love walking out with a umbrella looking at the puddles and reflections. I love the raindrops on the plants and windows. I have yet to paint an urban scene with people and umbrellas and all, but its  one of my dreams to do so, one day.

Painted on a Rainy Day
oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

This painting is however nothing to do with the rain, but adds to the joy of hearing the rain in the background.

Letting Go

In my experience I have found that the minute I let go of all expectations, things happen, good things happen. So I'm trying to apply that principle to painting. Just having fun, enjoying the experience of letting go.

Letting Go
oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

Letting Go II
oil on oil paper
10" x8"
 

Letting Go
oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

Thank God for Friends

I dedicate these paintings to a dear friend who not only let me bend her ear yesterday, she  also gave me a gorgeous tube of Schmincke Atrament Black. Its a wonderful greeny black and I've had fun using it today.

Thank God for Friends
oil on oil paper
8"x10"

Thank God for Friends
oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

Thank God for Friends
oil on oil paper
8"x 10"

Sunset

Sunset
oil on oil paper
10" x 8"

When I admire the wonders of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in the worship of the creator.

Mahatma Gandhi

Heatwave II

Sometimes its good return to the familiar, my favourite glass jar, which I've painted countless times. However I have kept it to minimum and broad brushstrokes.

Heatwave II
oil on box canvas
40cmx40cm

Open to Ideas

Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.

Quote by George Bernard Shaw

This quote sums up this new painting. I have been trying to leave the safe shore of realism and explore a mix of what is real and imagination and heading towards some abstraction, its an exciting prospect. :  )
I have been painting small for so long I thought that going larger would be hard but actually its  liberating to have more room to move the paint around.

Open to Ideas
oil on box canvas
40cmx40cm

Heatwave

I bought this bunch of gladioli last week and have been watching each flower open. I desperately wanted to paint each stage, but lots of things have been happening. Kittens with stuck hairballs, daughter getting engaged, you know everyday things. :  )

After all the excitement I've finally found time to settle down and paint.

Heatwave
oil on stretched canvas 40cmx40cm

Nostalgia

I've been listening to Bruce Springsteen's Dancing in the Dark. I was a teenager when that song came out and I dreamed of being  the girl that was pulled out of the crowd to dance with the Boss!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=129kuDCQtHs

Nostalgia
oil on oil paper
8" x 10"

Lift

Ever get that feeling when your spirits lift? It happens every time I paint.

Lift
Oil on oil paper
10" x 8"

Poppy Field

Its been nearly a month since my last post, sometimes you have to step back in order to see the bigger picture and I now feeling much better about where my art is going. I'm excited to keep trying different styles and subjects.

Poppy Field
oil on oil paper
10" x 8"