TamandaArt

Finally naming it! Thank you to those on social media that gave suggestions!  I am going to name it Algonquin Breeze .  (The photo references were from Algonquin Provincial Park.) Algonquin Breeze (19-08) 36" x 24" oil on canvas  (gallery canvas) This one will be available in prints for the summer.

Here's something fun! I've been clicking away with my camera all year and haven't used any as references so far. I've still been using last years. This one I finally got to use. I actually like how the green from the daisy matches the background. I think this one qualifies for the big bloom collection.  What do you think? "Celebration" (19-40) 12" by 12" oil on canvas Click to Buy

Ok I am done!!! This one did take longer but I really like it's energy! And done!!! Now what do I call it???

Okay, so I managed to finish this one up yesterday. Yay!  Here's the really rough drawing I started with.  I had stopped here that first day unsure if I was finished or not. When the entire surface is wet I am always afraid everything will just become mud. I think by waiting, I added more dimension to it, and a few more colours.  "Soft Light" (19-35) Vintage Series 10" x 8" oil on canvas Click to Buy

It has been a while since I put anything up here and I try to be consistent but that isn't the case is it? March Break took one of those weeks from me and then last week I painted non stop.  I have things on the go, honestly... See this mess.  It's all mine in the making. I actually have too much on the go and this morning I spent lecturing myself and trying to give myself focus. Time will tell if I listen.  Hopefully I will be able to finish at least three this week because I really want to start on some gerbera daisies soon.  I'm finishing up this one today. So hopefully that gets me motivated.

This painting is my most recent.  It's my second attempt at painting big blooms on a larger canvas. Although it's not enormous, it's certainly larger than my usual little studies.  (19-28) End of Season oil on canvas (gallery) 18 x 24 x 1.5 Big Bloom Collection  I took this photo from a garden in the neighborhood (this garden is always immaculate) last year, since it's peonies I am guessing it would be May or June. Probably June. I have wanted to paint it but there are so many blooms and petals that it has intimidated me. So I decided to crop the picture. This cropped photo reference was still intimidating but not enough to deter me. I blacked out the background just to see what it would look like.  My first attempt gave me a composition that worked but not the background colour (I was thinking that it would match what was the dirt colour in photograph - hated it!) So I changed the background as fast as I could.  ...

Here is another process focus and this one is for 'Vintage Winter'. One day I'll actually make a video but not yet. Maybe on a smaller piece, I really don't paint all that fast. I like taking these process photos because they help me explain how I paint.  The rough-in drawing is vital. If you mess up proportion or the composition, you are forever trying to fix it. It is easier if you just take the time and do it right first.  The background, for me, comes next. At least on a traditional still life. These backgrounds are usually just colour, blended or just a simple variation but they aren't usually involved with the foreground except to match or compliment in color. Think throw pillows to wall colour. When copying straight from a photo or live source (which I never do with flowers-they move!) it's pretty straight forward. Mixing the right colours first, then trying to apply them to the right areas. I've been doing this for a few years a...