Wednesday, December 31, 2014

POSSIBILITIES

"Possibilities"  Original oil painting, unframed, 6" X 6"
SOLD!

There is nothing like looking at the clock in the studio at 6pm on Dec. 31st and realizing there is a painting due the next morning for Leslie Saeta's "30 Paintings in 30 Days" Challenge!  Well, I did have 5 panels prepared and a few more partially prepared, so I have a few days to flesh them out.  Meanwhile, I hadn't even looked at my reference materials to begin to choose one painting, let alone 30!

New beginnings for the new year seemed to say........"eggs".  Eggs are a new beginning, whether as life or as breakfast, so........eggs it is then!  "Possibilities" was painted in quick time, but I am very happy with the result.  There was a lot of play back and forth between brush and palette knife and between warms and cools to find a balance I could love.

Tomorrow I must spend some time prepping the rest of my panels.  Don't you think that might be a good idea?!

Thursday, January 30, 2014

JETS

"Jets"  Original oil painting, unframed, 6" X 6"
For purchase information, please visit my daily painting website HERE

I love most things vintage, and shoes are no exception.  I think there is a certain amount of character that comes with love, use and age that appeals to a broad range of people.  It's a nostalgia thing.  You know.....like your favorite childhood toy that your Mom saved for you to give to your own child, or the baseball glove your Dad gave you for that A on your report card and you kept.  Those are things that pull at my heartstrings.  These items have a story...

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

FIVESIES

"Fivesies"  Original oil painting, unframed, 6" X 6"
For purchase information, please visit my daily painting website HERE

Remember these?  I sure do.  We didn't have a gym for PE class when I was in high school.  Living in a small town and going to an all girls school, our physical education teacher was challenged for activities for us when the weather was bad and we couldn't go outside to play volleyball or do *yuck* calisthenics.  So on rainy days, we learned to play bridge, square danced and had Jacks tournaments.  I was never very good at this "sport" but my best friend was a pro!  Thanks for the memories, Joyce  :)

Monday, January 27, 2014

HI-YO SILVER!

"Hi-Yo Silver"  Original oil painting, unframed, 6" X 6"
For purchase information, please visit my daily painting website HERE

More accurate color on the link above......grrrrrrrrrrrr @ Blogger again!

I love the look of this little silver horse, a little stylized statue, which charmed me when I saw it.  This is a play with values to create the look of metal.  The dramatic blue background seems to work well for me.  I toned with red for this one, and the color accentuates the forms in what might otherwise have been a tighter, less playful painting.  I enjoy playful, don't you?

Sunday, January 26, 2014

PLUM TUCKERED OUT

"Plum Tuckered Out"  Original oil painting, unframed, 6" X 6"
To purchase on my Dailypaintworks auction, click HERE

I can't remember where I got this photo...probably online somewhere.  There are plenty of free photo sites where artists can download images from which to paint, so this one could have been pulled from one of those, or even several.  I often piece photos together for a painting.

We have been thinking "garden" lately, and I am anxious to get started planting this year.  We have a wonderful camp stove to use to can outside, since the Florida heat comes quickly in Spring.  At the top of my list to can are tomatoes and green beans, our favorites!  So, plum tomatoes are definitely a must.  Canning can be exhausting, but is so rewarding.

Saturday, January 25, 2014

HONEYBELL

"Honeybell"  Original oil painting, unframed, 6" X 6"
For purchase information, please contact me at:  bryantstudio@gmail.com

Wet paintings don't make the best photos, so pardon this glossy image.  I don't know why Blogger doesn't allow the same resolution all the time, but there it is........  You will find a better image at the auction link above, and even that one is not perfect.  It must have something to do with the brilliant colors against the dark background.

It's citrus season, reminding me of how our good friend Margaret loved her honeybell tree.  When these sweet gems ripened, she would take the lawn chair out, park it under the tree, and eat her fill daily.  She did often share with us, but you could count on her to make a huge dent in the crop!

Friday, January 24, 2014

BLUE GLASS AND ANJOU

"Blue Glass and Anjou"  Original oil painting, unframed, 6" X 6"
For purchase information, please visit my daily painting website HERE

Glass always appeals to me as a reference for still life.  There is a sense of something alive in the reflections that draws me in every time.  This little jar, whose lid was broken long ago, called to me today...

Thursday, January 23, 2014

CHINESE DRAGON TEAPOT

"Chinese Dragon Teapot"  Original oil painting, unframed, 6" X 6"
For purchase information, please visit my daily painting website HERE

In my spare time (what is that, anyway??), I enjoy browsing the flea market and sometimes a yard sale or two.  Over the years I have found the coolest items for very little money.  It's funny, but I never collected anything until I began painting.  Now, everything is a "model" and I enjoy each of my treasures!

Monday, January 20, 2014

DOCKSIDE

"Dockside"  Original oil painting, unframed, 6" X 6"
SOLD!

Today I jumped into a small palette knife painting.  I have always felt that the reference tells me how it wants to be painted.....what media, what technique and size.  I considered this technique to be just the trick for the choppiness of knife work.  I wish, however, it had spoken louder when it told me the size.  6" X 6" is not the easiest when it comes to wielding a palette knife and juicy paint!  I enjoyed painting this, despite the frustrations of thicker paint and difficult transitions.

Sunday, January 19, 2014

WAITING....

"Waiting..."  Original oil painting, unframed, 6" X6"
For purchase information, please visit my daily painting website HERE

There are cat people and there are dog people.  I have always preferred dogs, although right now I am a cat owner.  I prefer small dogs, but I do love the elegance of a long-legged dog like this dalmatian.  I have an opportunity to see all manner of dogs at art shows and public places, and since I keep a camera with me most times, it's fun to snap shots of them for painting.

Friday, January 17, 2014

KITCHEN STILL LIFE

"Kitchen Still Life"  Original oil painting, unframed,  6" X 6"
For purchase information, please contact me at:  bryantstudio@gmail.com

Again, the photo did not upload correctly and this is way too bright, even after adjustments.  Please go to my Dailypaintworks auction page to see the correct image.  Thanks!

I love the challenge of painting metals.  I think I am finally getting the knack of getting the darks dark enough.  I have to force myself to go darker than I think I should, and put in something really bright as a counter balance in the composition.  I love orange season, and we have plenty on the tree still, so they seemed to be the perfect choice for the blues in the silver pitcher.


Thursday, January 16, 2014

FAVORITE SCENT

"Favorite Scent"  Original oil painting, unframed, 6" X6"
For purchase information, please visit my daily painiting website HERE

Every woman has one.....a favorite scent.  Mine happens to be Sand and Sable.  I am partial to delicate floral scents, and love those that remind me of gardenias and jasmine.  My granddaughter is the clever one.....she uses peppermint and other essential oils as her scent!

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

WICKER AND GINGERBREAD

Wicker and Gingerbread,  Original oil painting, unframed, 6" X 6"
For purchase information, please contact me at:  bryantstudio@gmail.com

While driving around a new area, I spotted the backside of this old cracker house, with its interesting shed and lean to.  I snapped several photos over the high fence and then we went around the block to get front views for painting.  I just loved this little vignette of the larger picture.  Intimate and inviting, and mostly shadowed by huge oaks, I just had to paint it.

Monday, January 13, 2014

FLAMING BIRD

"Flaming Bird"  Original oil painting, unframed, 6" X 6"
For purchase information, please contact me at:  bryantstudio@gmail.com

Another flower........hmmm.  Well, I do love the drama of this brilliant bird of paradise.  We have lots of these blooming in the church flower beds and I always love being greeted by them in the mornings when the light is bright and clear.

Sunday, January 12, 2014

ROCHESTER

"Rochester"  Original oil painting, unframed, 6" X 6"
To purchase through my Dailypaintworks auction, click HERE

Anyone who knows me, knows it's not too strange for me to paint yet another rooster or chicken.  Like painting people, I am just drawn to them.  Sometimes I paint full bodies, other times, heads, but the variety of shapes, colors and postures always has me coming back to paint more!

Friday, January 10, 2014

MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB

"Mary Had a Little Lamb"  Original oil painting, 6" X6"
SOLD!

Ok, I admit it.......I pirated this photo off the page of a facebook friend, Ellen Smith Hogan.  She appears to have a wonderful life on a small homestead in Florida, some miles north of where I live.  I enjoy her conversations about her daily life and the recipes she shares are mouth-watering.  You must check out her beautiful yarns!  Oh my!  ...makes me want to take up some kind of needlework!  

One day I may meet her and get my OWN photos of her enchanted little world.  Meanwhile, cheers to YOU Ellen, for being a good sport!  

Thursday, January 9, 2014

BEACH DAY

"Beach Day"  Original oil painting, unframed 6" X 6"
For purchase information, please contact me at:  bryantstudio@gmail.com

How can I resist a portrait now and then?  Well, I can't, of course.  It's what I love painting the most and I am drawn back to faces over and over.  I am always on the lookout for good faces and figures and great poses.  I do especially enjoy painting children.  I snapped this photo about 20 years ago and have painted her more than once.  I just love the hair and the shadows and the freshness of her expression.  I also enjoy the volumes of hair on this little one.....such fun!

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

PEACE

"Rose Aglow"  Original oil painting, unframed 6" X 6"
For purchase information, please contact me at:  bryantstudio@gmail.com

Flowers are always the ultimate challenge for me.  I have been painting portraits for a number of years, but you want to commission a flower?  ...not really interested!  I may eventually change my mind though.  I am always up for a challenge and they always challenge me in a BIG way... plus, their natural beauty is unsurpassed, when you really examine their structure and delicacy.

The element that appeals to me most in the flower is not the structure, but the luminous quality of light as it glows through the translucent petals.  I will persevere!

Sunday, January 5, 2014

I THINK I SMELL MORE SNOW!

"I Think I Smell More Snow!"  Original oil painting, unframed, 6" X 6"
SOLD!

Painting is all about fun for me.  I paint because I love painting and I do enjoy it......MOST of the time.  This one was just plain fun.  I liked the grouping, and the lighting and I pumped up the color differences to enhance the playful nature of the piece.  It's not everybody's taste, but I definitely had a blast painting it and I love brilliant colors.......they just spell F U N!  Apologies to my Northern friends who are being deluged with snow right now, but if you gotta have it, you may as well smile!

Saturday, January 4, 2014

DON'T DISTRACT THE ARTIST!

"Don't Distract the Artist!"  Original oil painting, 6" X 6" unframed
NFS  For print information, please contact me at:  bryantstudio@gmail.com


Often, even though they are "stand alone" paintings, my daily paintings, created on a smaller more affordable scale, are studies for larger paintings.  I have taught this idea to students, addressed it through carefully planned exhibits, and wholly recommend the practice.  It's not a unique concept, but I do love the freedom it gives me.....rather than facing a 24X30 canvas, a smaller 6X6 to work out ideas seems to me much more appealing.  I knew this was a winner when I snapped the photo, so I expect to paint her again on a larger scale at some near future date.  I hope you love her as much as I do!

Friday, January 3, 2014

FRESH PEACHES

"Fresh Peaches"  Original oil painting, unframed 6" X 6"
For purchase information, please contact me at:  bryantstudio@gmail.com

I painted this little gem today with all my northern friends in mind, during this cold, COLD winter storm.  Fresh peaches always make me think of Summer!  I'm thinking of you just as you are thinking of warmer days to come!

DERELICT

"Derelict"  Original oil painting, 6" X 6", unframed
For purchase information, please contact me at:  bryantstudio@gmail.com

I found this barn on a backroad in Ky.  There are so many barns everywhere, but I loved the derelict look of this one with its freshly mown hay field nearly skirting up against it.  The farmer let me walk around and take all the reference photos I wanted on his farm and even offered for me to pick some Queen Anne cherries to bake a pie or two, so I did!

Thursday, January 2, 2014

ORCHARD FRESH


"Orchard Fresh"  Original oil painting, unframed, 6" X 6"
For purchase information, please contact me at:  bryantstudio@gmail.com

This is my first painting for 2014, playing around with a tonalist quality.  Pears are such fun subjects because of their almost comical bulging shapes, with surprising flat areas and subtle shading.  They always make me think of clowns!
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