More paint - it’s always the answer….

 

I just like putting paint on paper. I really should be an oil painter where you can build up textures. Seems too messy tho….i just like adding more colors and shapes to see what happpens. I significantly darkened the background in the flower painting and gave it a few highlights. I have these figs an orange bowl at home andijust love the color contrast.

Servant's Quarters at Balmoral Castle - Payne's Gray monochrome

Le très grand spectacle

Kindly Uncle Ken at the prestigious Renaissance Center Christmas in July Art Fair.  

Mostly sold the 5x7's at a double sawbuck.  A few 9x12's at 35.  Once again none of the 18x24's.  How can anybody not want to take that tiger home?  The problem is people don't have fireplaces anymore.  Wouldn't he look great above an ornately carved fireplace?

Pat wanted to know how they were matted, got them all from Amazon, pretty cheap.

Go To Church? Shop? Sit In The Garden!

 4th Presbyterian Church view looking north east. 

Non-stop Begonia. Used Alizarin and Hookers Green for the darkest leaves and Daniel Smith Mayan Blue Genuine for the blue ones. 

July 25, 2026 — Elaine O.

I'm very attracted to contre jour scenes...and then I struggle with the darks. Here's one I'm determined to get right. This is the first color/value study. I still think I can heighten the value contrast but I'm okay with the colors and I'm ready to try again. This time, I'll be pulling out to include more of the subject than just his head and shoulders.

Class Photo — Summer 2026

You know how it is in summer—some people are on vacation, one is under the weather, but we still make a good showing (complete with blooming plant), don't we?

Apocalyptic Beauty….

 

Well, this turned out a little more dramatic than I intended, but I like the darks and lights on the garden. The sky kind of got away from me and that tree looks more like an incoming explosion…doesn’t help that the Subaru Outback turned into a Tesla truck. It’s 5x7 and believe it or not, I gave to my friend as a birthday card! (She took the original source photo. ) War of the Worlds in Racine WI!

Three Little Pics

These are all 5x7,  The size just seems to suit me lately.
 

July 18, 2026 — Elaine O.

I ran across an old photo that intrigues me. It's small, with faded color and contrast but I love it. So I started by zeroing in on just a small part to get more familiar with the shapes. For now, this is very light and tentative; I will be adding the deep shadows that are part of the attraction for me. But for now, I'm still looking and thinking about a final color palette and values...and how much of the original snapshot to include. 

10" x 14"

Buckle up—I think this is going to be a series, so get used to it!

Matt - art therapy