Blessings

8"x10" oil

Frequently people (especially beginning artists) ask the question, "When do you know when the painting is finished."  I don't really have a good answer for this, but I am sure someone does.  For me, the answer is frequently, "stop before you mess it up!"  This painting was like that.  It just came very easy and quickly and I felt really happy painting it.  How could I not?  She was smiling her contagious smile at me the whole time!  There are things I could refine about this, but I just wanted to keep the spontaneity of  it and the fresh strokes.
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A Mother's Joy

8"x8" oil

I needed a change from painting still life paintings so I decided to do a series of portraits of children.  They are adorable, don't you agree?  That makes them especially fun to paint.  I haven't been able to paint as much lately because life and other responsibilities keep getting the better of me.  I am busy working on the annual fundraiser for the Carving Studio, which is very time consuming, but rewarding as well. And, the best distraction in my life, my grandkids, are another excuse!

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A Face to Love

8'x10" oil

Happy Valentine's Day!  We are so fortunate to be surrounded by family and friends that we can share our celebration of love.  My husband and I met on Valentine's Day 28 years ago, so this holiday is always special for us.  However, I can't help but think about all the children in the world that need to be taken care of and loved who aren't because they are in sad circumstances.  So I am dedicating this painting to all of you little ones who deserve better.

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Sweet and Healthy - Pineapple Heart

6"x6" oil

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Abstract Flower

8"x10" oil

I had a need to do something really loose and leaning towards the abstract,  I decided to do flowers using the dark background I have been using in the still life paintings I have been doing.  Then using both a brush and a palette knife, with thick and thin paint, I just let myself go with it.  I really like the suggestion of the flowers without defining them.  It was a good exercise.

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Still Life 8

8"x8" oil

We are snowed in today so this is a cheerful image to stare at for a few hours.  I don't think this photo does it justice.  The contrast is not enough.  I keep complaining about my photos so I guess I am going to have to get someone to tutor me on how to get the best ones I can.  I used smaller brushes on this painting and it is evident to me in the finished product...not so much fussy, as more precise.  I think it is a nice effect, but I really like loads of paint and juicy brushwork.  These still life paintings are from a video course by Daniel Edmondson.  He is very generous in responding with video critiques which are quite helpful.  This is the first time I have done something like this and I recommend it, especially if you need to jump-start a new series of paintings.  It reminds me of the important basics.  I am getting close to the end, so I need to figure out what to paint next.  My husband has been looking at these and his comment is always the same, "I think you are a portrait painter."  My son says, "It looks like fruit and flowers and stuff," but he doesn't use the word 'stuff.'  I am not getting a lot of encouragement from the home front, so I hope some of my friends in cyberspace like it better!

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Still Life 7

8"x10" oil

What I like about this one is that it is based real stuff (flowers, vase, apples and stuff like that) but the brushwork is leaning towards the abstract and I find that exciting!

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Still Life 6

oil 8"x10"

Sometimes they come easy....sometimes not so much!  This photo doesn't really show the subtleties in the colors of the yellows or the blueish touches.  I think I am learning a lot though.

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Still Life 5

8"x10" oil

I have seen a lot of martini glass paintings and have wanted to do one for a while, but did not imagine it would be a pear and grape martini!

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Still Life 4

8"x10" oil

I got my mom's favorite painting smock.  She made it to suit her and sewed pockets at angles on it.  It is made from fabric that has pansies all over it, so I was thinking of her as I painted this.  I am sure the fabric came from something else that she repurposed.  My mom could have been an inventor because she was always figuring out how to do things better, using what she already had.  Instead, she was a really great mom, grandma, greatgrandma, and a very good artist.  This still life was actually in cool light and all the colors were cool, but it was a snowy day and I decided to make it warm.  I think I might have overdone it with the bowl, but sometimes it is so much fun doing the little squigglies that it is hard to quit!

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Still Life 3

 8"x10" oil

This still life was a bit of a challenge.  The one I did 2 days ago was nice and loose with exciting brushwork but I am finding that I am getting tighter as I go.  I had to go back and work on loosing it up.

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 I also changed the background of yesterday's painting and like it more.

Still Life 2

The colors aren't quite right on this photo.  I took several different shots, but  I keep coming up with the blues too blue and reds too similar.  It is a fun carnival of colors.  Today is a very cold and snowy day so everything is in shades of whitish gray.  I wonder how my choice of colors in painting is influenced by that?

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Still Life 1

8"x10" oil

I'm back!  I usually don't have a problem getting back to painting if I have been away for a while, but this time was different.  I was afraid or something.  I couldn't just go put paint to the board.  So, I pulled out an on-line painting course I had purchased a long time ago.  I watched the video and used the photo of this still life for reference, and I liked how it turned out.  It is different from what I have been doing, but it got me going and I like the results.  What do you think?
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Springtime Hug by JHOsgood

14"x18" acrylic by JHOsgood

I went to visit my mom before Christmas.  She passed away shortly after Christmas and I remained in NC for about 3 weeks.  Today is the first day I have painted since I left.  This is pretty unusual for me, but then it has been a life altering time.  This is a painting my mom did a long time ago for my daughter.  My mom painted almost everyday for many, many years.  She was going to add the little boys (her great grandsons) to this painting, but didn't get to it before she passed, so I did it today.  I tried to infuse my contribution with her spirit and method for painting, and it was a good moment.

A Treat for You

 
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Skiing With Daddy - written by Randy Zimmerman

Daddy taught me how to ski,

So nice together, just him and me,

And Daddy says my skiing’s supreme.

He said I’m the best he has ever seen!

But Daddy cannot ski so well;

I think a zillion times he fell!

He’s funny when he takes a spill,

Like a white tornado tumbling down the hill!

It’s fun to ski with Daddy, even when it’s cold,

For after skiing there’s a treat, where skier’s food is sold.

Now some foods are really great and some are really awful,

But there’s nothing better after skiing than a chocolate covered waffle!

From Me to You

I hope that 2014 is the happiest, healthiest and best yet for you!

Happy New Year!

Seasonal Imagery

Do you know which artist I modeled this after?  His name is in the painting.

Sticks and Stones

It's Been a Good Run!