Red Poppies (2011), 8 x 10"

Some close-ups:
SOLD

Two Miniatures

I have completed two miniature paintings of poppies. Both paintings are painted on 2.5 x 3 in. pieces of glass and will be sold framed (as shown). These adorable little paintings are perfect for displaying on a tabletop, desk, mantle, or bookshelf.


Pink Poppy is based on a photo by "bitmask" found on flickr.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hvc/2542773015/
Used under a creative commons license.

Two Miniatures: Field of Poppies II, and Bluebell Forest III

I completed two 4 x 6 inch miniature paintings today. This super-small size is new for me and I find it charming!
Both paintings are SOLD!

Bluebell Forest III is based on a photo by Herry Lawford found on flickr.com. Original photo found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/herry/3476179510/
Used under a creative commons license.

Pink Rose II (2010), 9 x 12"

Based on how popular my other pink rose painting was at the Downtown Festival of the Arts, I decided to paint another smaller (i.e. more affordable) pink rose. Seems as though roses are becoming somewhat of a specialty for me. They are not my favorite subject to paint, but I love how 3-dimensional they look on the canvas. My rose paintings are some of my best, I think.

I also think it is interesting to compare this recent painting with my very first rose painting. My technique has developed quite a bit; the petals are now more distinct--the whole image is more "in focus"-- and the brush strokes better convey depth in the painting.

SOLD.

This painting is based on a photo found on flickr.com and used under a Creative Commons Licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/). The photographer audreyjm529 has an entire album of amazing rose photos here.

Bluebell Forest II (2010), 6 x 12"

SOLD!

Available as a gicleé print--visit my etsy page.

This painting is based on a photo by Hardo Muller found on flickr.com. The original photo can be found here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hardo/3484789416/
Used under a creative commons license.

Commission: Yellow Roses (2010), 16 x 20"

This is a commissioned painting I completed back in March. The painting was an anniversary gift and the couple wanted it to feature yellow roses which were their wedding flower. I found the subject of yellow roses to be exceedingly difficult to paint! Yellow is such tricky color to work with, because the shadows so easily turn into a muddy brown color. Several times I had to scrape off a section of this painting because I felt it was turning into a brown rose painting. I'm convinced in the end they look like yellow roses. I also like the perspective of this painting--peering down at a bouquet. It captures all the intricate layering and depth of these beautiful flowers.

In action:

Poppy (2010), 5 x 7"

This tiny painting is just the cutest. It is painted on a canvas board and will be sold in a beautiful ornate frame (since there is no way to hang it unless it is framed). It will make its debut at the Champaign Downtown Festival of the Arts on Aug. 21.

Partially based on a photo by Jenny Downing found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenny-pics/
This photo used under a creative commons license. Original photo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenny-pics/468040317/sizes/l/in/set-72157604120407690/

SOLD!

Stargazer Lily (2010), 9 x 12"

Sold!

Bluebell Forest (2010), 8 x 10"

A fairytale-like scene--a forest carpeted in bluebells. I was desperately searching for a photo to paint when I unexpectedly came upon this scene. It was another one of those occasions when I began painting immediately after finding the perfect photo!

SOLD!

View my other two bluebell paintings here:
Bluebell forest II
Bluebell forest III

Tulip Magnolias (2010), 9 x 12"

Magnolias are another subject I have wanted to paint for a long time. I finally found just the right photo.

SOLD!

Partially based on a photo by Filipe Fortes found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/fortes/
Photo used under a creative commons license. Original photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fortes/3528464208/
http://fortes.com/

Tulips (2010), 10 x 20"

For sale at my Etsy site.

Irises II (2010), 12 x 16"

THIS PAINTING HAS BEEN STOLEN. Please contact me if you see it anywhere.One of those tedious subjects I mentioned... :-) Based on a photo taken by my sister. This painting is currently hanging in my apartment. At times it looks so real--practically like looking out a window .

Field of Ranunculus (2010), 8 x 10"

I have a folder of "painting ideas" on my computer, and this painting comes from one of those photos. This was a really spontaneous painting, and finished rather quickly. I often do these small, quick-type paintings between really tedious, complicated subjects. I love how this one turned out.

SOLD!

Partially based on a photo by Erin Pettigrew found at http://www.flickr.com/photos/superfem/
Photo used under a creative commons license. Original photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/superfem/545345047/

Pink Rose (2010), 18 x 24"

This GIANT rose is based on a photo found on flickr.com and used under a Creative Commons Licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/). The photographer audreyjm529 has an entire album of amazing rose photos.

For sale at my ugallery site.

Irises (2010), 11 x 14"

I've been wanting to paint irises for a while. Not quite Van Gogh, but still pretty nice!

SOLD!

Water Lily, Allerton Park, IL (2009), 9 x 12"

This is my second water lily painting. I really like this subject. The rather odd color of the water is a reflection of the gray sky the day the original photo was taken.

Orchid (2009), 5 x 7"

The background for this painting was originally black, but I decided that it looked too flat. I outlined the flower in teal blue and faded that to black instead. I think the contrast of the teal outline and magenta in the petals highlights the flower better. Plus, there is a feeling of depth in the painting now.

Water Lily, Lake of the Woods Park, Mahomet, IL (2009), 16 x 20"

Though I am pleased with the finished painting, I struggled with the textures in this one. The problem is that lily pads are flat! I brought out what little variations in color and texture they had, and I think the result is convincing. The water in the photo was also mirror still, so I added a wave-like texture. This helps with the perception of the reflections (under the petals on the lily especially).

Field of Poppies (2009), 16 x 20"

This painting was a real challenge. Painting the stems and grass was tedious and extremely time-consuming. I love the depth of this painting--how the poppies fade into the distance.

(Painting based on a photo by Mike Warren, found on flickr.com:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikewarren/18962691/
Photo used under a Creative Commons License:
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en)

SOLD

Sunflower, Meadowbrook Prairie Organic Garden, Urbana, IL, 10 x 14"

Every painting presents a new challenge. Here, the sunflower seeds were especially difficult. I chose to only suggest their spiraling pattern and not to focus on depicting individual seeds.

SOLD! Available as a gicleé print--visit my etsy shop.