TamandaArt

I've been working on a lot of larger pieces lately and what I like working on that scale is that it loosens up my brushstrokes. It also has me standing more and for some reason this makes the paint flow for me. Sitting is for detail work. Below was a sitter but I think I was able to loosen up my strokes because of the larger works I worked on before it. I'm hoping so anyway.  Floral 099 6" by 6" oil on canvas board Click to Buy Next week I'll be in British Columbia, hopefully taking lots of photographs for landscapes and seascapes in the near future. I wish I had time to paint plein air but alas, it's only for a week. 

I love making art.  After waking up I can't wait to get started. Unfortunately, kids, lunches, dogs and buses all come first. Once I've pushed my husband out the front door, it's my time.  Occasionally I make a piece I really love and Floral 053 was one of them (Also named Floral 52-not sure why I had such a discrepancy with this.) Recently this piece sold. Bittersweet yes. I'm glad that someone gets it but saying goodbye to one of my art babies is hard. It's off to better weather in New Mexico. Goodbye little one.  Just so you guys know, I had to let my seventeen year old daughter go to her school trip in Dominican Republic at March Break. I had a hard time letting her go too. Although she did come back (tanned and happy). All my babies off on their little adventures.

This one took me a few days to finish but I finally got it done. Bloom 098 Oil Painting oil on canvas  14" by 11" SOLD The Painted Edge can be seen on the sides. Although the colour is off because photo was taken in a dark hall, you can see edges here.

On Friday I painted these sunflowers. I mostly paint of canvas board but I have purchased some stretched canvases and I'm trying to paint slightly larger pieces and loosen up my brushstrokes. What I really like about stretched canvases are the edges. If you look at the sides, you can see that I continue the painting. Sunflowers 097 9" by 12" canvas stretched Click To Buy  By painting the edges, if you don't frame it right away, you can still hang it on the wall. It's already decorated. Although, if you change your mind, It's not a big deal if you cover it up. 

I know many artists like to listen to music while they paint but I like to listen to audiobooks. I borrow from the library and its usually great but today I was three quarters through when it expired on me (my fault). When I went back in to borrow it, I had to place a hold. So I'll have to wait a week to find out what happened.  Blue Hydrangea 096 oil on canvas board 8" by 8" Click to Buy   Whenever I look at a painting I can always remember what book I was listening to. In some ways I self title them that way. This one will always be split into two but I got it finished anyway.  Not to advertise but I realize if I don't say it's a cliff hanger -  Sara Gruen - At the Water's Edge (interrupted- don't tell me how it ends) Sara Gruen - Water For Elephants

The weather still refuses to become spring. I'm trying to ignore it. Floral Fiesta 095 oil on canvas board 5" by 7" Click to Buy

Last week I didn't have a lot of luck finishing much. I was trying a few different things and working on some larger pieces, none of which are close to finished. So this one I was able to finish to put up here. Hope it brightens your day.  Ranunculus Mix 094 7" by 5" oil on canvas panel Click to buy