sweet chillies

Back from Arizona and my first two days were filled with battling the dandelions that moved in while I was gone. Yikes, they are a pesky bunch! Makes me ponder a condo. With the yard under control, it was nice to spend time sketching with my oils again. Rainy here in Maine so it was a still life in the studio. 

Every Day in May # 19—Walking Busta Seaweed

Sophie and I ran into this dog "Busta Seaweed" on our walk the other day. What a great name! Sophie liked him because they could see eye to eye, but he was at least twice as long. For Sophie, it is not always easy being small.

Favorite things—Every Day in May # 16

After a long, cold, dark Maine winter, spring is the most amazing experience. I am in awe of what happens to the landscape around me. You can almost hear things grow. 

the last snowfall

This was done from a photo of the last snow of our very long winter, which was only a few weeks ago. I used a limited palette of five colors including white. I don't miss the snow and cold, but I am always amazed at the beauty. Then I realize that right now I am wearing flip flops and how cool is that!

all gone

A quick oil sketch of another empty tube of white oil paint. I squeezed every bit of paint out of this one. I am amazed at how much white paint I go through...

little green apples

I managed to get the oil paints today and did this quick study of green apples in a green bowl. I'm not sure which pet stepped on the painting after I photographed it, but there were a couple of green paw prints on the floor leading from the painting. It's like that here...

flip flopped

I wanted to do a quick sketch of these sandals with the last of the paint on the palette. I got tired, impatient and frustrated, fiddling around and going back and forth. Spending way more time than they deserved. They say "Art is never finished, only abandoned" so I am moving on...

winter fruit

I haven't oil painted since last August, so I thought I would do a quick study of these very ripe pears before they get tossed. It's like learning all over again when so much time goes by between paintings. My technique is tight and stiff because of the lack of painting. Now that the paints are out, maybe I will be more committed...