New Blog - Art & Inspiration

I'm beginning a new blog. My approach to small paintings has thus far been separate from my jewelry work, but I see a common thread in both that I want to journal about.  The subject of what and why we paint has been on my mind for some time now.  The new "Art & Inspiration" blog site is http://bpetersonart.blogspot.com

John's T-Shirt

Oil on canvas board, 8" x 6".

I finished a couple of larger paintings for a show which opened this past Sunday! Yayyyyyy!  The exhibit looks really cool!  I had a great time meeting with some of the other artists and hanging the show.  I'm looking forward to seeing the photos.

I casually threw my husband's tee shirt on a board and I liked the way the fabric draped -- so I painted it.  It's funny how sometimes you find a composition that resonates with you right away and at other times you labor to compose something that inpires you.

"Upwards"

Oil on canvas board. 6"x8".

Another in the cloud series.  Naming them is half the fun.

"Ethereal"

Oil on canvas board.  8"x6".

I've been working on a couple of larger paintings so I'm behind in my posting.  It's good to do smaller paintings every once in a while for a change of pace.  I'm missing the longer daylight hours already.

"Just Passing By"

Oil on canvas.  6"X6"

Just watching the clouds passing by...

See Suzanne Berry's Work

I don't know WHAT happened!  I placed a link to Suzanne Berry's blog in the right sidebar and the whole link section somehow appeared on the bottom of the page.  So, I think I've got it right this time.  You definitely need to check out her blog at http://www.suzanneberry.blogspot.com. I particularly like her portrait series where just the facial features are painted in detail.  Outstanding!

"Do They See The Clouds?"

Oil on canvas, 11" x 14".

Okay, so I like grass and trees and skies!  I was out observing the clouds and watching as two people were walking towards me and were just about to step out of the shadows.  I wondered if they had noticed the clouds, too. I decided to paint this one larger for an upcoming show.  My mistake was to use an older canvas that I had painted with this weird ochre color.  I didn't remember what I'd used to cover the canvas -- or why I'd used it.  I began laying in this new painting with cool, dark colors.  I spent a couple of days working on it and got it to this point (2nd photo).  

Then, the horror! (Anyone remember that sock puppet?!)  While moving the painting around, I accidently scratched the surface and the new paint peeled off!  The oil stuck to itself, but peeled off the surface!  Can you imagine?  Actually, I'm glad it happened at this point.  I would hate to think that the paint would peel after it left my hands.  So, I'm only using new canvases where I'm sure of the ground from this point on!

I started over, albeit on a smaller canvas this time, and the 1st photo is the finished painting.  Sorry, there's a bit of glare on the left.

"Above It All"

Oil on canvas board, 6" x 8".

This view from a tiny bridge caught my eye.  I think the building is part of a public utility company.  Above it all, the sky is beautiful...

"The Watchman"

Oil on canvas, 6" x 6".
I was eating lunch in the park and geese came strolling by looking for food.  This one in particular was keeping his eye on me...

"In The Spotlight"

Oil on canvas board, 6" x 8".

I think I've been drawn to landscapes lately because I get to use two favorite colors together -- blues and greens.  I get to use them in this painting too.  I used a really dark background to heighten the drama.