My First Showing!

I stepped out of my comfort zone and decided to show some of my paintings for the first time at a local art show and fall festival. It was fun to meet local artists and help with the show. Everyone was so nice and I received some compliments on my work, which feels so good! AND...I sold 4 paintings! I am so excited that people liked my work well enough to take it home! I am thrilled! Here are some photos of my work hanging at the show...

8" x 10" oil on canvas

Here is another painting in the lemons series! It was nice to finally have some sun yesterday, so the shadows were great. I painted this in the dining room with the direct sun hitting the lemon and white tablecloth.

5" x 7" oil

Another view of the Meyer lemons on the blue plate here, this time from above. Again I focused on the composition and tried to stay loose with bolder brushstrokes. I am enjoying working with the lemons and am learning as I go!

Lemon Series

3 Lemons on a Blue Plate 8" x 10" oil on canvas

More lemons from my mom's tree. These are on a dark blue Fiesta plate and a cloth. In this painting, I tried to be more loose and "painterly," that is, bolder brushstrokes and less refining. I had a hard time with such restraint, but it was fun and I am happy with the result. I decided to tone down the highlights on the 2 rear lemons and I think it helps bring out the front lemon.

Finally Finished Photos

Here, finally, are photos of the new studio complete with cool furnishings!

One of my work stations, looking very clean and neat (for the photos only)

Treacherous stairs with new handrail and a Bonnie Peterson from 1975

Ted's chair with a warm spot for feet (it was supposed to be my chair by the way...)

Cool sofa, cooler table made by Ted, even cooler lamp made by Ted (that Ted!) and my cabinet for stashing art supplies and a really cool fishy vase on the wall.

Cool lights retrofitted by me.

Bookshelf with a Bella basket by Ted's aunt Margie on top with lighting designes specifically to highlight the basket (but not showing up in photos).

So there you have it. I have to admit to still painting in the kitchen right by the wood stove when it is really cold out. But I love the studio!

5" x 7" oil on canvas panel

This is one of my mom's lemons from her tree. I crammed some into my carry-on to bring home. A friend commissioned a lemon painting after I gave her one of the delicious lemons - Meyer of course! Painting is a little slow right now as we have several visitors and I have work to finish. But my mom just mailed a box of lemons, so I'll have many to paint over the next month! I am planning to do a series of lemon paintings, and also experiment with different styles and compositions. I'll have to force myself to feel free to experiment and play around, but since I love lemons, I think they will be a good subject for this.