Art in Progress
In this page you find some samples of artworks in progress. I like to have between three to seven paintings going at the same time, so that the oils dry a bit in between new layers. I work on a singular painting every three to five days.
The first layer of my artwork is an underpainting in monochromatic tones to define shapes with lights and shadows. From there, I tend to paint without diluting or thinning the paint, so some drying is needed in between layers to allow some control over details.
I am not a trained artist, I paint by intuition and feeling - it is like seeing subjects with my heart and then trying to capture the vision that inspired me.
Apples and Rose
I started a new painting inspired by the color of some apples I was getting ready to eat. While I was designing this composition, I thought a rose would be a natural pairing for these red apples; it made me think of my childhood. In the winter my aunts would serve rose marmalade at tea time, and there were always fresh apples in a bowl nearby. The mingling scent of these two aromas is still present in my memory.
Magnolia Dream
A dear friend sent me a photo of a flowering tree asking me what kind of plant it was. The image of a pink magnolia tree in bloom was so beautiful, it drove me to create a composition with these pink marvels. Just the thought of working on this painting makes me dream of the sweet scent of magnolias.
Arise
Eucalyptus trees have been a part of my life since I was a child. We used to keep a pot of water with eucalyptus leaves and seed pods over the stove in the winter to keep moisture up and colds away. I have held a fascination for them all my life, especially blue gum trees with their smooth white trunks. These giants seem to watch over the land and provide habitat and food for animals, birds and bees, and protection from wind, and sun wherever they are planted.