Better

 The repaint is going well, but next session on this one I want to add a shadow area to the legs.

                        Light And Shadow, © 2021, work in progress (click on image for larger view)   

That Darned Rug

I'm trying different muted colors on the rug. The different pattern blocks require all sorts of things: beiges, off-whites, ochres, pale violets and browns, some blacks and reds here and there. It's moving forward, but I'm still not happy with it.

                                            Baby Needs Shoes, © 2021, work in progress (click on image for larger view)  

 

Les Fleurs

I figured out a way to approach the rose blossoms: GO SLOWLY. And use big, flat brushes.  I'm studying how each petal looks in terms of color, temperature, and the way it turns in space. Oh, and I discovered a tube of Cool White in the box of new paint, and it's perfect for adding highlights to the petals.

                        Somerville Roses, © 2021, work in progress (click on image for larger view)  

A Pink Palette, and Some News

Today I wanted to move forward on a very small piece that I started years ago; because I have multiple shows coming up in the fall, I need to avoid entering the same piece in more than one. There are two small works exhibits in the latter part of the year, so I need a couple of strong paintings for them. In this one, I concentrated on the facial tones, and then when I moved on to the last little Postcard, I was able to use the same palette. 

The news is that Evening Star Cafe has won an honorable mention in the Gallery Underground "Magic of The Ordinary" national show.

                        Expectation III, © 2021, work in progress (click on image for larger view)   

 

                 Postcard #15, Tidal Basin,  © 2021, work in progress (click on image for larger view)  

 

And Some Faces

There was some happy work today; I felt like I was finally in harmony with the Universe as I painted some faces. When it goes well, I just want to paint all afternoon. But now it's time to clean the brushes!

                 Straight Ahead,  © 2021, work in progress (click on image for larger view)  

Some Paintings Never Get Finished

 I thought this one was done, but over the past several weeks the woman's legs have been bothering me, so I repainted them today. And over the weekend, I added some pastel color to the sidewalk and the shadows. It's subtle, but it gives a little more life to the piece. Still not happy with the skirt...

                                   
                                 Light And Shadow,  © 2021 (click on image for larger view)  

Back Again

 Had an extended visit with family; always welcome, but difficult to paint while cooking, socializing, and taking trips to local sights. This visit, like the previous one in early June, included the National Gallery, and I got to see and learn a lot again.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch— still trying to find my way around painting boughs of foliage without it just looking like a big sorry mess. Not sure of any success, but I plug along.

                                    Resting Place,  © 2021, work in progress (click on image for larger view)

 

A Bad Start To The Week

 I cannot paint foliage correctly. This morning's work ended up being a muddy mess that I had to wipe off with a rag; I took a break and went back to it and painted the trees at upper left a luminous yellow color, but the actual scene has a lot of orange, red, and green. I just can't capture the mass of the boughs. Maybe I should leave it like this.

                               Resting Place,  © 2021, work in progress (click on image for larger view) 

Moving on, I worked the foreground on the painting below, and at least had some meager success there.

               Variations On A Theme 2a,  © 2021, work in progress (click on image for larger view)   

Not Feeling It

 Is it the dog days of Summer? Or what? I just can't get a rhythm going. And God help me if I ever try to paint a piece that has a doily in it; a surefire energy drain.

               Chocolate Mousse,  © 2021, work in progress (click on image for larger view)