I've been practicing painting reflections this past weekend. They offer their challenges. This 5x7 inch oil painting is one of my efforts. If you want to see some others, you can visit my Flickr photostream. 
Today's posting is a fun little 5x7 inch oil painting. It was inspired by sunshine on a hillside in the heat of a summer afternoon. The constrast between dark and light, warm and cool makes it for me. Closeups are available at this link--click on the thumbnails to see the brushwork. 
Today's painting is out of the ordinary for my blog. I usually only post my small paintings. Often I will take a small painting and convert it to a larger version such as I did with this 24x30 inch oil painting. Making the transition from a small painting to a larger version doesn't always work. The subject matter may not work well or the composition takes on a different emphasis when enlarged. I've had my share of disappointments in the process, but was pleased with this effort. You can see the original 8x10 inch oil painting by clicking here. 
I see a red and green theme is beginning to emerge. It was my fascination with the shadows that crept across the field and climbed up the front of this barn that provided my inspiration for this 5x7 inch painting. There are some thumbnails that will show you closeups of this painting if you click here. 
A bright field of poppies is represented in today's painting. I love the contrast of the green and the red and am always thrilled by the beautiful colors of wildflowers. This painting is 5x7 inches on a gessoed hardboard. Click here for some closeups of this painting. 
Another of my apple paintings is the subject of today's painting. The color combination of green apples and purple shadows on the white ceramic plate were fun to create. You can see some closeups of the painting by clicking here. This painting is a 5x7 inch oil painting on a 1/8-inch gessoed hardboard surface. I like to paint on hardboard because it is not only an archival quality surface, but it is smooth and an easy surface on which to paint. Paintings on hardboard can last more than a lifetime if they are kept from moisutre and dampness. 
The apples are starting to fall from the tree in my backyard. The tree produces so many apples that we pick them in 5-gallon buckets. They have provided a lot of painting inspiration over the past few years. It seems I'm always painting apples once the tree gets heavy. This painting is a 5x7 inch oil painting on gessoed hardboard. It is one of a series that I have finally decided to sell in my Etsy Store. You can click here to purchase it for $50.00 plus $6.50 for shipping to US addresses.
This morning I went for a bike ride. Autumn was in the air; leaves were on the ground, and the grass on the edge of the lake was turning color, too. I have mixed feelings about the coming change of season. Today's 5x7 inch oil painting represents change and new things to come. 
The weather has been delightful--until today. I went to an arts festival and half the vendors went home because of rain. So I painted the place I want to be--a warm summer landscape. This painting is 8x10 inches on a gessoed hardboard surface. 
Evening walks in the forest are pleasant this time of year. The colors and light feel intense and the air is comfortable. This 8x10 inch landscape oil painting was created after a walk at the Snake Lake Nature Center in Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington State. The thick forest canopy, the moss on the forest floor, and the redish bark of the evergreens attracted my attention and provided inspiration. 
The last couple of days has been a whilrwind of activity. I've been painting like mad, preparing boards, had my new bike tuned up, and discovered my Etsy Shop has been cited as a favored shop by Etsy seller, Acorn Beach, in a blog interview. If you scroll to the bottom of the interview, she mentions her five favorite Etsy Shops and I'm one of them! It is so nice to be appreciated.
Keeping with my summer Etsy schedule, I am posting this week's small painting. This one is a 5x7 inch oil painting on a gessoed hardboard. It is inspired by the colors of autumn which will be coming our way very soon. This little evergreen is brightened by rays of evening sunlight reflecting off the lake and warming the atmosphere. It can be purchased at my Etsy Shop for $50.00 plus $6.50 for shipping to US addresses by clicking on this link. 
Afternoon sunshine and deep, dark shadows helped to inspire this 8x10 inch oil painting. The other day I squeezed out a pile of my favorite red paint, Napthol Red, and didn't use it all. Since then, I've decided to use it for underpaintings until the pile is gone or dried up, whichever comes first. I love the warmth a red underpainting brings to a landscape--definitely a warm summer color. 
I'm still working large, but it is time to let my work dry before proceeding further. While waiting for the oil paint to dry, I'll share this little 4x6 gouache painting of the Washington State Bird, the Goldfinch. They are beautiful little birds that are seen far too seldom. Perhaps a bird house and a birdbath in my backyard would attract more of these delightful little creatures. Since it is a beautiful summer evening; I may have to paint another bird. I've seen some Hummingbirds lately hovering amongst the flowers. 
Today I worked on a large painting most of the day. Since I don't have a new painting to share, I decided to share a small 5x7 inch oil painting I created a while back in a paint challenge. I like the combination of the cool blue and the warmth of the dried grass. 
