Go Bigger with Auditions

Using canvases with an aspect ratio that lets me easily scale up is a practice that helps me audition ideas for larger works.  I painted several little 4x5 inch paintings that are great for determining color and design.  These little paintings are fun and quick to do and gives me plenty of options when I want to go bigger.  A 4x5 scales up well to an 8x10, 16x20, or 32x40 inch painting.  I couldn't decide which  worked best, so I'm posting two of them.  You can see them in my Etsy Shop.  Click here to see the first one that I call "Field Light".  It has already SOLD, but the second one that I call "Dawn." is still available.  Both began with an under painting of Alizarin Crimson.  I love the warmth provided by the under painting.  I haven't decided yet whether to go bigger with these little ideas, so I will keep auditioning with my little paintings.  Visit here or here or here to see more of my small landscape auditions and a few slightly larger paintings.

Hope you like my little auditions and will stop by again soon.  Original and fine art reproductions of my larger paintings are available on my website.

Photographing Art

When I photograph my paintings, I try to use natural light.  The best is a cloudy, overcast day.  The trouble is that this time of year it is hard to find just the right day.  It has been two weeks since the light has worked for me.  It has either been pouring rain, windy, or bright and sunny.  A nice overcast day was a long time coming.  Fortunately, the weather cooperated yesterday and I was able to capture the images of a dozen little paintings.  This painting is an original oil painting on a canvas panel, sized 4x5 inches.  It has already SOLD, but you can find more little paintings in my Etsy shop.  Please visit to see all of my little tropical fruit paintings and still life paintings.

Little Green Bird

Green feathers and a startled eye attracted me to this little creature.  He's SOLD and has found new home, but you can view some of my other original paintings of birds and animals that are for sale by clicking here.  If you are interested in purchasing a print of this painting please visit here to view prices and size availability.

Little Blue and White

He's just a little blue and white bird.  I'm not sure what kind, but he was a delight to paint.  On a 4x5 inch canvas he was looking for a new home where he could get out of the cold and found one right away.  This painting has already SOLD, but there are more original paintings of animals and birds available in my Etsy Shop.   If you would like to purchase a print of this painting, please visit this link at my gallery of reproduction art.

Bunny Thoughts

Here is number two in my little bunny portrait series.  I like this cute little Dutch Rabbit.  He looks a bit startled and is thinking about whether he should stand still or dart away. He was created on a small 4x5 inch canvas panel and can be viewed or purchased by visiting my Etsy Shop at this link.

Little Gray Bunny

When my daughter was small, she had several pet bunnies. Though they lived in a hutch in the backyard, she used to put them on a leash and let them walk around like they were actually trained or something.  They were really darned cute.  The memory of those cute little guys made painting this little one even more fun.   I couldn't wait for the paint to dry so I could share this fun little portrait.  He is on a 4x5 inch canvas panel and has SOLD, but I have several other bunny paintings that are drying and will be placed in my Etsy Shop as soon as the paint is dry.  It has been a fun little series to work on. Please visit.