Seated Nude

 

oil on panel, 20" x 20"

This is the more or less final version of a painting I've been working on that I've gotten guidance with from a great painter, Jacob Dhein.  I had seven sessions with it, each one clocking in at about two hours.  So, about 14 hours spent on this painting, which is more than I usually spend on any single painting.  I was trying to incorporate more abstract elements and I am happy with the result.

Letting Off Steam

 

oil on panel, 12" x 12"

This industrial urban scene intrigued me for its colors and overall composition.

At the Kasbah

 

oil on canvasboard, 8" x 8"

Just a little palette knife landscape study in between larger paintings that are conuming my attention lately.

Floral Abstract of 10-10-2024

oil on canvasboard, 8" x 8"

Here's another in my series of floral abstract studies done with a palette knife.  This one recalls for me a memory of seeing bougainvillea against a white stucco garden wall.

Note to Self

 

acrylic on canvas, 24" x 24"

This abstract painting is no more, as I painted over it but took a photo beforehand.  Unfortunately, I failed to step away before lunging in again.  Often that's a mistake, and it was here, because I now see merit in what I had done.  Not that this would have been its final incarnation, but having fresh eyes definitely makes a difference.  Note to self:  if you're not entirely happy with what you've done, always step away before destroying the work.

Absracted Landscape of 9-28-2024

oil on canvasboard, 8" x 10"

Just a quick little palette knife landscape study.  I took about an hour to bang this out, most of the time talking on the phone while painting, which isn't always a bad thing.  

Greenhead with Violet Bird

oil on canvasboard, 14" x 11"

This is the sixth quick-sketch palette knife portrait painting I've done pairing women with updo hairstyles and indeterminate little birds.  I've tried to set a time limit of 2 hours to complete them, but a few went over that limit.  I got halfway through this one then had to abandon it for days, which made it hard to complete the way I wanted to, working wet on wet.

Abstract of 9-11-2024

 

oil on canvasboard, 8" x 8"

Only had about an hour today to myself, so I snuck over to the studio and pushed some paint around.

Abstract of 9-8-2024

 

oil on canvasboard, 8" x 8"

Adding another to this series of abstract studies.  I see a pattern emerging.  These are good little exercises for me during times like this where I have so little time to get stuck into art-making.  I find it just too frustrating to start a larger piece and then have to abandon it for days at a time.  Much more satisfying to do something I can stick with from start to finish, or almost finish.

Abstract of 8-30-2024

 

oil on canvasboard, 8" x 10"

What it is.  Gonna keep going with this.

Abstract of 8-29-2024

oil on canvasboard, 8" x 8"

Yet another abstract here.  I'm painting and posting these little pieces while I tend to my dog's moment-to-moment needs as she enters the final phase of her life, which swallows up my time.  These freeform pieces are informative to me, though, as they follow a subconscious pattern.  And it's fun to just play with color with no thought given to outcome.

Abstract of 8-26-2024

 

oil on canvasboard, 8" x 8"

Another little abstract ditty here.

Floral Abstract of 8-17-2024

 

oil on canvasboard, 8" x 8"

This little freeform ditty was inspired by admiring a neighbor's garden this morning that contained multiple stalks of gorgeous Mexican sunflowers.  

Wild Things

oil on panel, 20" x 20"

A flower painting which looks like the end of summer to me.  I'm already mourning the imminent loss.

Floral Abstract of 8-8-2024

oil on canvasboad, 8" x 10"

Another to add to my series of floral abstracts using palette knife and other tools but no brushes.

Blackhead with Magenta Bird

 

oil on canvasboard, 14" x 11"

Yet another in a series of female portraits paired with little birds.  Again, I went over my time limit of 2 hours with this one, which clocked in at 2.5 hours.  These portraits are mostly done with a palette knife, eliminating the possibility of refined detail work.

Abstracted Landscape of 8-4-2024

 

oil on canvasboard, 8" x 8"

It is what it is.

Abstract of 7-31-2024

 

oil on canvasboard, 8" x 10"

I started with the idea of painting a deconstructed American flag, and this is what I ended up with.

Floral Abstract of 7-29-2024

 

oil on canvasboard, 8" x 8"

Another floral abstract, this one pays homage to one of my favorite flowers, the Mexican evening primrose, that grows like wild in my garden.

Abstract of 7-24-2024

 

oil on canvasboard, 10" x 8"

Another little abstract ditty.

Yellowhead with Orange Bird

oil on canvasboard, 14" x 11"

This is another portrait in the series done mostly with a palette knife.  I broke my own rule with this one of keeping to 2 hours tops to do it.  Took me close to 3 hours.

Abstracted Landscape of 7-22-2024

oil on canvasboard, 8" x 10"

In the meantime, here's another quickie palette knife imaginary landscape ditty.

Deconstructed Portrait

 

acrylic on canvas, 24" x 24"

This abstract piece was a release for me from the constraints of portrait painting.  Now I can go do another portait.  Ah!

Abstract of 7-18-2024

 

oil on canvasboard, 10" x 8"

This one was fun.

Abstract of 7-13-2024

oil on canvasboard, 8" x 10

Another little experiment.  The more I look at it, the more I like it.

Two Palms

 

oil on canvasboard, 8" x 10"

This little number started out as an abstracted flower painting.  I can still see the yellow echinacea in it that I was thinking of when I painted it.  

Pinkhead with Green Bird

oil on canvasboard, 14" x 11"

Here's the next in a series I've been doing pairing women with birds in portrait format.  I limit these exercises to 2 hours, tops.  This one took the full 2 hours.

In the Deep Blue

oil on canvas, 20" x 20"

I quite like this simple painting of a little pink fish.  I can get lost in it.

Abstract of 7-8-2024

 

oil on canvasboard, 8" x 10"

Another little abstract piece.

Japanese Paradise Flycatcher

oil on panel, 6" x 6"

Such a big name for such a little bird!  An exotic, beautiful bird with irridescent flashes of ultramarine blue, purple, plum, crimson, and magenta.

Floral Abstract of 6-30-2024

oil on canvasboard, 8" x 10"

Here's another experimental floral abstract piece using a palette knife and wax medium to help create more textural effects.