Once Upon A Midday Deary 6"x6" oil

This was not so much a value study as it is a painting the emphasizes the mid  values.  I was swimming and looked out the window and this is what I saw.  Everything was bathed in shades of gray with the background completely washed out in fog. I punched up the foreground trees to a darker value to show a contrast.  I painted this from memory, so it is pretty much made up and I didn't want it to be about details, but rather shapes and design.  I can see pushing this to a more abstract level.

VT Values 6"x6" oil

This is another values study using transparent oxide brown, Caribbean blue, and white.  It is of a local covered bridge that was washed out in Hurricane Irene, but has since been rebuilt.

Rufus oil 6"x6"

This was a fun value study because I was able to stay really loose with my brushwork.  I used Transparent red medium, white and indigo on this one.  I am going to go back in and change the colors and values a little, but I wanted to try and stick with 3 values for this, but not have it look like puzzle pieces.
NFS

Reader oil 6"x6"

I have been really interested in value lately and I decided to do some value studies.   This also gave me a reason to use my Torrid Gray.  I am trying to keep it to 3 or 4 values (light, medium and dark).  This really helps to reveal the composition or design of the piece and helps me to see where something needs to be darker or lighter (usually darker).
NFS

Grandson 6"x6" oil

This is a commission for a very happy grandma.  SOLD

Drama 6"x6" oil

Last year our area was slammed by hurricane Irene.  We were concerned that Sandy would get us also, but there was little damage here, however we got some spectacular weather in the form of fast moving clouds, changing skies, and ominously beautiful rainbows in the north that were long lasting and HUGE.  This painting is a DPW challenge that really emphasizes the drama of the sky.  I have been doing value studies lately and tried doing that with this painting, using limited colors, but I just had to cut loose and go with the brilliance of the yellows and oranges against the blue background.
SOLD

Yum! 4"x4" oil

This is the last of my bakery pieces....pumpkin pie...it is that time of year!

Shirley Fachilla was the winner of my drawing for the boat painting.  She is a very good impressionistic artist from Tennessee.  Her blog is:  http://sometimesapainting.blogspot.com/
Thank you to everyone who commented, via email, facebook or my blog.

Happy Halloween! 8"x8" oil

Jack Frost is on-call this evening so he is enjoying a semi-sunny Halloween day in the meantime. I also have submitted a few paintings to the Hurricane Sandy Fundraiser through DPW along with a lot of other artists.  Click on the widget below to see the paintings available.

Finishing Touches 4"x4" oil

The artist at work!

Forever Friends 8"x8" oil

This is a commission for a graduation presents from one graduate to her friend.  Lovely idea I think.
SOLD

Coming to a close!  I am giving away the following painting at the end of Oct. to one of the blog followers who makes a comment on my blog this month.

Upstaging 4"x4" oil

I think those strawberries look pretty darn good!  Who eats spice/caramel cake with strawberries?
SOLD

Breakfast of Champions 4"x4" oil

Pistachio muffin...not really the breakfast of champions, but they taste pretty yummy.

Think...Antioxidants 4"x4" oil

Antioxidants are suppose to be good for you!  Unfortunately, milk seems to mitigate the benefits.  So, drink coffee with it!

Also: remember I am giving away the following painting at the end of Oct. to one of the blog followers who makes a comment on my blog this month.

Chef 4"x4" oil on canvas

I love all the abstract qualities of this.  The chefs at the Food Festival were real artists in taste and presentation.  My neice is a pastry chef.....I wish I lived closer to her!

"Enjoy the Party" 4"x4" oil

I felt like I was smearing icing while I was painting this!

Tarts 4"x4" oil

Nuts and fruit and chocolate and custard....what's not to like?

Also: remember I am giving away the following painting at the end of Oct. to one of the blog followers who makes a comment on my blog this month.

Carrot Cake 4"x4" oil

I went to a food show and walked around taking pictures of all the beautiful pastries and didn't even try a bite!  I realized that just staring at these luscious looking confections satisfied me, so I am going to use this method to keep myself calorie accountable!  Carrot cake is just so Autumn to me, even though you always see it at Easter.  I give a lot of credit to artists that perfect painting these things...it is harder than I thought.

Americana Autumn 6"x6" oil

It has been a stunning autumn in New England.

Hay Fox! 6"x6" oil on canvas

I really like this sculpture because it is all moulded hay that has been painted and it has a very sculptural look.  I have decided that I need to tone down my color palette for these as the more saturated colors give them even more of that cartoonish look.  This sculpture is really huge!

Hay Turkey! oil on panel 7"x7"

 This hay sculpture was sponsored by the Vermont Gift and Garden Shop on Route 4 in Mendon.  They also did an albino tiger that is pretty cool.  I liked the angle of this one because of the good view of mountains. 

Hay Dog! oil on canvas 6"x6"

In Killington each fall there is an event that features lots of hay sculptures sponsored by local businesses.  They are pretty impressive, if also kitch and corny.  I decided to paint them this year.  I am wondering how to do it without them looking so cartoonish....we will see over the next few days.

P.S. Remember I am giving away a painting at the end of Oct. to someone who leaves a comment on my blog.

Autumn Still Life 6"x6" oil on canvas

Painting is so much fun.  Being in Vermont in the fall is an inspiration.

Beach Patrol 6"x6" oil on canvas

The seagulls act like they are collecting a beach tax from sunbathers.  They will stick around and steal something unless they get a better offer.

Also: remember I am giving away the following painting at the end of Oct. to one of the blog followers who makes a comment on my blog this month.

It's a Beautiful Morning 10"x4.5" oil on panel

This is a seriously beautiful place!

Also: remember I am giving away the following painting at the end of Oct. to one of the blog followers who makes a comment on my blog this month.

The Knob 7"x7" oil on panel

The orange in this image is a bit brighter than the painting.  It was painted from a photo from my summer adventures with my friends.  I can't seem to get away from the water, but autumn is here and I am trying to embrace its beauty. 

Also: remember I am giving away the following painting at the end of Oct. to one of the blog followers who makes a comment on my blog this month.