My Toaster

Oil on Canvas 6 x 6

I setup my easel in the kitchen for this painting and observed the toaster in it's natural environment, crumbs and all. Artistic license was taken to leave out the crumbs.

Painting reflected images requires focus. I must concentrate on painting what I really do see and not on what I think I see. The fun comes at the end when a wonky reflection suddenly makes sense on the canvas! 

My Toaster is on auction at Daily Paintworks.

Sweet and Sour

Sweet and Sour
Oil on Canvas Panel

8 x 6

I had a laugh with my daughters this weekend about this painting. They asked what kind of drink it was, both thinking it was a fruity cocktail, the kind you might serve on a hot summer day. But really it is water turned pink by a few drops of food colouring and darkened further by the raspberries sitting in it overnight.

I am now selling a few of my small paintings at Daily Paintworks.

Propogating Philodendrons

Oil on Board

8 x 10

The Sailor Jerry rum bottle is fulfilling more than one useful purpose since I rescued it while I was out for a walk. Not only is it the star of my painting, but also, it is a home for philodendron cuttings from a plant that Ellen gave me. I learned a lot doing this painting, including how to spell philodendron (it is NOT a philoden-drum).

I had trouble making the beer bottle appear to sit down. It looks like it is almost floating. Then I noticed that it appears to be floating in the still life setup too. Perhaps the illusion is caused by the unusual location of the shadow of the leaf in front of the bottle, which could be interpreted as the shadow of the bottle. I just may experiment with removing that shadow. Comments and tips from fellow artists or others are welcome.

Not a Rum Bottle

Oil on Canvas

6" x 8"

The small brown teapot was left behind when my oldest daughter moved out a few years back. It has never held tea (or rum) but seems happy holding the last of the brown-eyed susans. I had a few requests for the hula rum bottle that I wrote about in my last post. I am painting it so stay tuned!