Summer Garden

My trip to the garden store today was marvelous. In MN it is covered in snow and winter, here in AZ it's time to plant tomatoes, so we went to the nursery. It was a lovely day as we strolled up and down the isles of blooming plants. This put me in mind of this little painting that I had not finished. The colors of the blooms seemed too flat, and so I popped them up with some oil paint. What do you think?

I hope you enjoy a walk in the spring garden today no matter where you are.  

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Angel Wings Cyclamen

This little flower called to me from the window sill today.  The bright red and bright pink seemed to be just the thing to try with my new transparent oils......well, they still seem new to me.  

I love the way the light changes the Angel Wings petals, can you see it? To enter the auction and have it for your own click HERE to join the auction....and have a Happy Valentines Day!

Amber Pear

I'm back to pears today.  This one showed up on the counter this morning....how could I resist?  I love it's glowing color in the transparent oils, it's bumps and it's color!

It came off my brush easily, just for you.  If you'd like to have it just click HERE to participate in the auction.  It's fun!

Watch for more oils tomorrow!

Red Pepper

This pepper caught my eye today....and here it is. I have not painted this way in awhile and it was good to return to bright colors on black. These colors are very pleasing, but not as bright as the oils.  

Just a quick study on a warm day. The yard is calling....really, it's the rest of the roses that need a trim.

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Spring Blooms

I'm sitting here today in 85 degree temps thinking longingly of my garden back in MN. By the time it's 85 degrees there this is what I remember.  Here we have just trimmed back the roses and are putting in tomatoes. It is such a strange climate here. But sitting by my open window it's hard to complain.  I'm surrounded by oranges and hummingbirds.

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Painted Sky, Tall Grasses

I'm back into the tall grasses....and the painted sky. I'm searching for a sky that is not stain glass, but not quite natural to go with the fancy colored grasses. Hope you come along for the journey. 

I'm enjoying the colorful grasses, but I'm less than satisfied with the canvas board.  I'm finding that I like the flat surface of the gesso board that I usually use much more.  But this is what I had in this great size.  Maybe I'll try it again...I have one more this size.

If you want to join the auction for this piece just click HERE and enjoy it in your home.  See you tomorrow!

The storms are over...snow in MN and heavy rain in AZ. This tree has seen neither snow or rain....just rainbows. It's multi colors and stain glass effect are joyful... as if it knows that spring is not far away.

Again I'm playing with transparent oils to get this vibrant color....and having a lot of fun. This piece is sold so it will not appear on the auction this time. Let's see what comes tomorrow.

Spring Grasses

Spring Grasses

Grasses flowing on the prairie....under snow right now, but soon to be seen.  Their energy is visible.

This is another of my transparent oil paintings.  I am having a good time experimenting with the intense colors and the texture of oil.  I'm having less fun waiting for the oils to dry.  I have become so used to paintings drying immediately in acrylics.  The colors in the acrylics are dull compared to these.....and it is worth the wait.

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Glory in the Grasses

It is February 1st and I am beating the ground hog by a day. I am poking my head out to begin again to post and paint ALMOST daily.

This is my first post using transparent oils.  It is a new process that gives brighter truer colors in oil.  I have gone back to one of my favorite subjects, prairie grasses.  These were fun to paint, they look to me like they are having fun in the winds.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed painting them.  To have fun with the auction Click HERE.  See you tomorrow!

First Desert Landscape

 

 

This is my first Arizona landscape since moving here last October.  I don't know why it took me so long to get to it.  I guess I was a bit amazed that I actually lived here now among the mountains, hills, rocks, and so much flowering shrubs and trees!  It has taken me some time to get the feel for my surroundings.  I'm sure this is the first of many. This is acrylic on canvas board 8" x 8".  For more information, or to purchase or bid just click HERE.

I'm going to have to change my title to nearly daily painting for awhile.  Moving was a major change.  Moving the home stuff was all fine, but I'm having trouble with my studio space.  But it is all good, just takes me longer to find things......why do artists have so much stuff???

Thanks for hanging in there with me!
Kathy

Rambling Rose

This is the climbing rose that attaches itself to our back wall so that it can top the wall and show off for the neighbors.  The geckos love that wall too.  You can see them scrambling across the wall into the shade the rose provides. 

I'm told that it is especially lush this year.  I did  feed it and pruned it a bit in January, so I'm hoping I had a hand in its great season. Although we did have good rains, I suppose I can give nature some of the credit.

It is so good to be able to garden again.  The problem is, I'm on Minnesota seasonal time.  It's now the heat of summer when everything goes dormant and dries out, sort of like winter in Minnesota. But I'm busy planting pots full of blooms.  We'll see if there is enough shade to get them through.

Our move has made many changes in our lives, which makes it worth the time and energy we spent on it.  One thing I do know, it's feeling very good to be painting again.  If you would like more info on this painting, or any of my other work, just click  HERE

So for today it's roses, white roses.  It's always a great day for roses.

What will it be tomorrow I wonder?  We will find out together!

 

June Is Bustin' Out All Over!

  

 

Hello again! Here we are in Arizona.  Who would have thought that moving cross country at my age would be such a big deal.  I never thought that it would take me a year to get back to daily painting. When I began packing I thought I was taking only a short break. More on our transition to the Sun as we go.

So let's celebrate June with flowers!!  We all need a little more beauty in our lives........  This is back to my first love, abstract.  Hope you love it too! For more information about it click Here.

More tomorrow!

After Springs Rains

It's Friday again, and I've been down with the flu all week. That must be the reason that I have another whimsical painting. And of course it is apple blossoms again. Almost daily painting does not leave time for flu, or holidays, or wedding showers. CLICK HERE for more information about this painting.

 These apple blossoms have been very useful. I have been testing different painting styles, and ways to apply the acrylic paint. I'm learning how to blend color and keep the colors clear with the acrylic, which isn't a simple task. The acrylic likes to blend, much easier than the oil paint that I'm used to working.

So for today its bright green rain clouds and deep rose blossoms.  Sounds like a fun change to me.

Blessings on your day.
Kathy

Raspberry Swirl

I've had a breakthrough! You know how that happens, I'm sure. Out of the blue you realize that...all along...you could have been doing "it" so much better.

I have been working along...almost daily....painting flowers and pears, when I could have been painting a cupcake a day....and eating it too. So here is my first cupcake. CLICK HERE for more about this painting...it could be yours...ready to hang!

Now all I have to do is put some very artistic reason behind this new practice. Something very high minded to hide my excess!!

So today it's cupcakes. Shouldn't everyday be cupcake day. Aren't breakthroughs fun!

Blessings on your day.
Kathy

Hillside Blossoms

After a time away, I'm returning to blossoms. The crabapple trees have bloomed in many shades of color. The grass has greened and it seems like my perennials are bursting forth from the damp ground in full flower. They are trying to make up for lost time I think. CLICK HERE for more information on this painting.

The colors of spring are all around us...finally.  It seems to me, the shades of green this year are unlimited.  I don't think I can remember more variety.

Our ancient red pine trees, that line up just outside our door, are ready to dust everything in puffs of red pollen. I was surprised to see this happen our first year here, it seemed rather magical. But now I know I have to keep my windows closed while the red clouds are floating by. It takes the magic away somehow. Isn't that a shame, and a statement on adulthood.

So, for today it is greens and blossoms. And of course the dandelions are in full bloom. Time to sit in the grass and make a chain.

Blessings on your day.
Kathy

Cherry Blossoms

Today is all about having some fun and trying new ways to see these trees. 

I'm surprised...as I am each year...at how quickly they burst into flower. So I took it a bit further and had some of the petals already falling.  For more information on this painting, or to make it yours
CLICK HERE

Hurry...they won't be around for long. Now is your window of opportunity. Standing in the blossoms is a religious experience. If that is too radical an idea, try lying underneath one of these wonderful trees.

The weather will be perfect for achieving your goal...and we even have a long weekend to give you plenty of time. Take a friend...take a picture...let me know if you did it!!

Blossom blessings on your day.

Kathy

Spring Branch

Today's painting began as a focus on the branching form and dappled light that you get with a blossom tree and full sunshine.  Then my brush took over and we got blossoms again.  I'm going to try to curb it's enthusiasm in the future.  For more information please CLICK HERE.....and  also, remember to add your name to the email spot at the top of this page to receive this in your inbox.

But this is just as I remember, do you suppose it was painted by my subconscious?  I used to sit under a tree very much like this one at the corner of my Grandfather's garden at home.  This special tree was sent by a distant relative...distant in that she lived in California...and bore her name as long as we lived there. 

It became the Elsie tree, and held the corner of the garden.  It was placed so that her shade would not shade the garden....that precious soil for planting flowers, and strawberries, and beans, and peas.  But the shade did allow a young girl to lay in the grass and enjoy the shade.

So for today it is memories I guess.  Maybe that is one of the reasons that I am drawn to this subject.  Do you have garden memories today.....the sun is out and it's finally going to be warm.

Blessings on your day.

Kathy

Apple Branch

 

Another attempt at abstract apple blossoms today.  This one has larger areas of color that do not "stand" for foliage.  They just echo the branching of the tree and allow me to "play" with color.
Again they are on gold foil so they take on a persona in real life....and don't show well in their photos.  In case you are wondering why I keep doing these, they really are magical in person.


They are a welcome bright spot today as we get rain and dark skies.  It is particularly dark indoors today at our house.  I was sitting here for quite awhile before noticing that the light bulb had burned out in my favorite lamp... right next to me.  Good morning Monday!!!  For more information on this painting CLICK HERE....and to receive my email enter yours above.


So for today it is dreary rain outdoors, and bright colors indoors. Color is always a great thing to have in your life....and on your walls.

Blessings on your day.

Kathy

Uptown Blossoms

Apple blossoms again!  Today they are on a ground of black gesso and gold foil.  They just look dressier to me than the others.  I can see these blossoms hanging outside a gallery in New York City.  Dropping thier petals in the warm sidewalks. 

 I'd like to see them hanging inside the gallery, but don't think that will happen any time soon. To far to ship them...that sounds better.  For more information on this painting please CLICK HERE.....and enter your email above to receive these postings in you inbox.

So for today it is apple blossoms in the city.  Hope they add spice and shine to your Sunday!

Blessings on your day.

Kathy

Cheery Crabapple

Back to some abstract florals today and tomorrow.  I need a burst of color and movement to counter the cold, drab, non-movement in the weather.  I'm back to painting on a painted background and missing the shine of the gold underneath.  I'll be trying this on the gold soon.

This blog has been a surprise for me in many ways.  Today I'm being surprised at how closely my mood matches what is going on outdoors.  I know I'm moved by the natural world, just didn't know my emotions were so closely tied.  Retirement changes much.  I'm not out and about and doing three things at once.  I can be more easily moved without the clutter, I guess.

I'm still "trying on" may styles to use with the apple blossom theme.  Today's painting portrays the fun feeling I have standing in the trees.  I can almost smell the faint fragrance, can you? My goal is to have everyone standing in apple trees and crab apple trees by the time they bloom.  Watch as you are driving by an orchard.  I'll bet there will be a body standing close to a tree.  For more information about this painting CLICK HERE.

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So for today it is fun and cheer and fantasy.  Hope it lifts your spirits.....it certainly has mine.

Blessings on you day.

Kathy