Old Found Things

I love finding old relics

for my still life work.

Here's some cool new finds...

An old used oil can, brass keys,

my birds nest that you've seen before,

old books, and some quails eggs.

 

Here's how it begins...

a pencil study of the oil can I'm using..

 

 

preliminary drawings done...

transferred to the canvas..

and just put a grisaille and

then a light wash..

 

 

a few more touches... mostly to the details of the oil can...

  

some background work and detail...

 

 

  

details...details...

the keys are slowly evolving...

 

 

Phew!!! Done! 

  

 

 

Wildlife Work

This is an older drawing of mine...

but I'm working on a few wildlife pieces

now...some illustrative and some not...

Keep watching!!!

 

 

A New Pumpkin Painting

Well, here we are already in November...Wow!

So, I decided to try one more pumpkin for the season...

to keep me in the mood till Thanksgiving

and all that yummy pumpkin pie!

Here's the process...

 

 

started with the drapery...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and the final...

 

 

 

 

The Pumpkin King rises again!

 

So, I had to do something special for Halloween...

and this guy shows up every year for me...

so.. I thought I would submit him to Illustration Friday

for their "Entangled" theme this week and to Inktober's Facebook Page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Pumpkin for the Fall

 

Study of a Fall Pumpkin



Here's how it started...
 

The photo of the still life,

beside the initial drawing

which already has a thin

wash of color...

 

 

 

I really never meant to give this pumpkin this much of my time.
I decided to ignore the details of the surrounding material
and focus on the beauty of my subject.
Hum, now what will be it's fate!?

Happy Fall, Y'all!

Still Life #2 White Pitcher

White Pitcher


The Process:

So, since I decided to go a little larger for the new still life.

I've completed the drawing, transferred it to my canvas

and have completed an initial wash.

 

I'm still using the little wooden box that I found at an antique store

for my still life setups.  I wanted one that had wood with a warm glow.

I also bought the old book and little oil tin can, but the white pitcher

was an something I already had. The leaf was complements of the oak

outside my door.

 

Lots more work to do....
 

 

Day 3

moving forward.... continuing to build layers of paint
to create depth I focused on the pitcher...
really trying to keep in mind the light source,
the reflected shapes/colors,
and modeling the convex curve of the
pitchers shape as it turns away from the light.

I'm anxious to get that leaf going...
I hear fall calling me!

Day 5

details, details, details

working on the wood grain and more details...

 

final touches...

I worked on this painting about three weeks...
finished on September 28th...
My favorite part is the little red knot on the
top right corner of the wood box.
I'm ready to move on to the next project...
and ready for the fall...
my favorite time of the year!!!!
 

Birds Nest Still Life: for sale $50.00

Bird's Nest

The Process:

Well I decided to step back from my illustrative style

for a bit to sink my teeth into some still life work.

It was a bit spooky at first so I thought I'd better start

small. So here is the result and the process....

I wasn't really sure what to paint at first.

My ideas were bigger than my courage

when it got right down to it...

I spent a few days playing around with concepts,

but in the end...

I focused on this cute little birds nest one

of my biologist buddies (thanks Graham!)

gave to me. So here's what happened...

rough sketch.

got the basic shapes and values in...

working on the details....

down to the final stretch...

a step back... hum...a little more on the monochrome side of the fence, but it'll do...

a black frame maybe? I think I would have liked a blue egg in there...maybe next time?

That's where she stands right now, folks.

If you are interested in this little birds nest email me at samaraspring@hotmail.com 

Sales via paypal.

Paula Deen as Mrs. Claus

 This past Christmas, I had an idea for a painting. Mr. and Mrs. Claus. 

We'll the sketch turned out to look so much like Paula Deen, that I decided

to use her and her husband as my models. This was the result. 

However, I posted it on her website and it was shared so much that

eventually Paula herself saw it and loved enough to print it and

send me an autographed copy of my painting. (see below). 

What a wonderful gift! 

I'm hoping to sell prints and maybe cards of this on my etsy site soon.  If you are interested, email me at samaraspring@hotmail.com and I'll put you on the list.  I'll update everyone once I have that ready.

here's what she sent to me via snail mail...

Dorothy's Red Shoe from the "Wizard of Oz".

A commissioned work I received this summer...

One of the red shoes from the "Wizard of Oz".

 

The Patriot

 

Here's a quick journal glace. A doodle I did for

July 4th while watching a documentary on the

History channel on the American Revolution.

 

 

Fresh Ideas

Here's a new sketch sure to be seen on the canvas soon...here's a sneak peak...

this lil' church is one of my favorites in a small country town.

It's still an active church to this day with a little

congregation. In my draft sketch though...

I've taken it back to an older undefined date I believe.

 

"Sunday Morning"

Art Giveaway- Win one of My Original Watercolors!!!!

On my sister blog, Beautifulandblessed.com,
I'm giving away an Original Watercolor!!!

If you are interested, hop on over and find out how

you can sign up to win ONE of these!

Tell all your art loving friends!!!!

A Commissioned Portrait for Christmas

I received a commission for Christmas...

a watercolor of a lovely family!

Here's the result...

for details on ordering commissions

go to the commissions and portraits tab.

Fresh Paint

I'm currently working on a scarecrow for my favorite season, Fall!  This one began life as a watercolor and now currently as a grisaille underpainting...

FMWA 2011 Opening Night

Last Friday was wonderful! The show went really well with a good turn out. The FMWA museum went all out and had an acoustic guitarist, catered food that was yummy and a full bar! It was a beautiful night...here's some previews....

Florida Museum of Women Artists- 2011 Juried Show

I have been fortunate enough to be accepted in the 2011 Juried Show at the FLORIDA MUSEUM OF WOMEN ARTISTS in Deland, Florida. Along with many other talented women artists, I'll be at the opening this Friday from 5-7:00 p.m. I hope you'll stop by if you are in the area, or view the exhibit, which will be from Sept 10-October 23, 2011.  "American Summer", which is my depiction of a sunburned, rubenesque beauty jumping into a pool, is the accepted painting. I'm very honored.

Portrait Doodles

In attemt to do a PORTRAIT...

My friend has offered herself as my first

official VICTIM!

Here is the first, somewhat over done,

DOODLE...more to come!

A quick sketch

If you haven't noticed yet, MY SUBJECT INTERESTS ARE DIVERSE!

Regardless, I believe, no, I know, that drawing is at the heart of the matter!

If you don't spend time drawing and studying from life you will never fully evolve

as an artist, no matter your subject. I could be wrong, but I know many who agree.

Even I realize, it's time to start getting back to some life drawing classes!

I've been taking too long of a break! More to come, soon, I hope!

and below...one more sketch for a painting I'm starting....

NATURE

a tree study on natural toned recycled paper.

I love it's warmth!

Lil' Group Journal Peek

journal drawing

a potential painting?

santa claus is coming to town!

old country barn

Third Thursday's Gallery Hop - Om Lab's Featured Artist