Cone flower and a bee

Cone flower~Oil an canvas panel~5" x 7"

Here is the completed flower with a bee. Thanks to avid gardener, writer and bee enthusiast Pam Phillips for suggesting the subject for the painting.

Please contact aruna@arunanitin.com if you are interested in purchasing this painting.

I got news that my tomato painting at the "Recent Works" show has been sold!

Cone flower background

The background was painted wet in wet with different shades of green and pink and the colors were blended. I like the effect of the directional strokes, so I am going to retain that look. Next, I'll be painting the bee and the seedhead. Please come back and check it out.

Beginning a new painting

Beginning stages of a cone flower and a bee. Oil painting on canvas panel. I'll work on the background next.

Plein Air painting

Fall harvest~6"x6"~Acrylic on canvas

After a really long time, on Sunday, I attended a plein air painting session at the Perricone Garden Center in Volo, IL. They have created a variety of fall garden vignettes to inspire the artists. I chose to paint this grouping of pumpkin, kale and corn.

Recent Works Exhibition

My oil painting 'Tomato' has been juried into the Recent Works 2011 show. The exhibition is at the College Of Lake County's Robert T. Wright Gallery from September 30 to November 6.
The opening reception is on Friday September 30 from 7 pm to 9 pm.
The college is located at 19351 W. Washington, Grayslake, IL 60030
For information, call 847-543-2240 or visit the gallery web page http://gallery.clcillinois.edu/

This great news should encourage me to get back to painting. I had a busy summer with guests and now the question is what to paint next?

Tomato - Completed Oil painting

Tomato ~ 5" x 7" ~ Oil on panel

Here is the completed painting. I made finer adjustments to the tomato and added the highlight. Don't you think it makes the tomato so much more smooth, shiny and beleivable? I would love to hear your comments.

Tomato - Work in progress

The water is complete at this stage. The tomato needs some more work.

Tomato - Work in progress

Tomato ~ 5" x 7" ~ Oil on panel ~ Work in progress

Started a new painting. I am trying something different with this painting. Started on a completely black underpainting and I will also attempt a pool of water on the plate. Here are steps one and two of preliminary stages. Now the challenge to bring life into the tomato and water. Hmm...

Sunny Roses

Sunny Roses ~ 11" x 14" ~ Watercolor

Here is my entry for the LCAL Spring show and critique at the Jack and Benny center for arts at Waukegan, IL. I dropped off the painting on Saturday Apr 2nd. The show runs from Apr 2 to May 16. Please stop by and take in the show if you are in the area.

I painted this on a 300 lb paper. So, I did not have to stretch the paper or tape it down. I have added pictures below to show the work in progress. I masked the tips of the top 3 petals. Lots of layers of color!

Gallery exhibition at Waukegan

St. Veronica ~ Watercolor on paper ~ 20" x 30"

My art show "For the Love of Painting" will run from March 12 to April 29 at the Undercroft Gallery , 410 Grand Avenue, Waukegan, IL. The gallery is located in the basement of Christ Episcopal Church, Grand at MLK Jr. Ave.

Artist's reception: Saturday, April 9, from 2pm to 5 pm

10% of sales will be donated to the Karcher Lofts Artspace project in Waukegan.

All are invited to visit the gallery and enjoy the different mediums and subjects on display.

Girl with Pearl Earring - Oil on canvas

Girl with Pearl Earring ~ Oil on extra fine canvas ~ 5" x 7" ~ $150

Here is my humble attempt at Vermeer's famous 'Girl with Pearl Earring'. I wanted to try something other than flowers and enjoyed painting it.

Please contact me at aruna@arunanitin.com if you would like to purchase this.

Orchids Oil painting 12"x16" - Completed

Orchids ~ Oil on cradled hardbord panel ~ 12" x 16" ~ $350

Here is the completed painting. I have enjoyed painting it and also sharing my progress with you all. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Please email me at aruna@arunanitin.com if you are interested in purchasing this painting.

Work in progress - orchids painting

Orchids ~ Oil on cradled panel ~ 12" x 16"

Here is the some more...

Work in progress - new orchid painting

Started a new painting of orchids. This one is in oils, 12" x 16". Please stop by later to see the next stages.

Gallery exhibition

I will be exhibiting my floral paintings at the Antioch Fine Arts Foundation gallery until the end of November.
An artist’s reception will be held on Saturday, November 13th from 1pm-4pm. 10% of the sales will be donated to the Open Arms Mission, Antioch, IL. For more information call the Gallery at 847-838-2274 during regular business hours: Th/Fr/Sa 10-4pm; Su 12-4pm

Please stop by if you are in the neighborhood and enjoy the art.

Spotted Orchid - Oil painting

Spotted Orchid ~ Oil on stretched canvas ~ 6" x 6"

Another of my little orchid paintings. It has such beautiful patterns. Orchids come in so many different colors, shapes, textures, sizes. God is the greatest artist! Hope you like it.

Winner - Orchid Fall show

I am exhibiting at the Illinois Orchid Society's Fall show at the Chicago Botanic Garden this weekend (Oct 9 and Oct 10) from 10 am to 5 pm. I was thrilled this morning to learn that I got the first and second ribbons and the Best of Class for my Orchid paintings! The weather was beautiful and we had a good crowd today.

Pink Orchid - Oil painting

Pink Orchid ~ 6" x 6" ~ Oil on canvas

A pink orchid oil painting on canvas. I like the delicate shadows on the petals. I have also posted the work in progress above.

Garden Spirit Oil painting - Completed

Garden Spirit ~ Oil on canvas panel ~ 11" x 14"

Oops! I forgot to take the picture after I completed the painting. The above picture is taken when it was about 80% done. I'm displaying the framed, finished painting at the Jack Benny Center for Arts at Waukegan, IL as part of the Lake County Art League's fall show. It will be on display until November 15. Do stop by if you are in the neighborhood. I'll post the final picture when I get it back from the show. I am painting some small Orchid portraits for the Illinois Orchid Society's fall mini show at the Chicago Botanic Garden. I will post them soon.

Garden Spirit - Work in progress

I had taken a picture of this spirit house at "Gallery in the Garden" event at Woodstock, IL which is much loved and well attended. http://www.galleryinthegarden.org/

I have tried to show how I painted the straight edges of the wooden post. Make sure the surrounding paint is dry and then tear and stick a piece of drafting tape to create the edge. Now you can paint freely and then lift the tape. You'll get a clean edge. Please stop by later to see the completed painting.

Plein air painting - Crabtree Nature Center

Crabtree Nature Center ~ 8" x 10" ~ Acrylic on canvas panel

I participated in a plein air painting session at the Crabtree Nature Center sponsored by the center, BCAC (Barrington Cultural Arts Center) and Dick Blick on September 19th, 2010.

Even though it rained earlier in the day, it then stopped and I had a great time painting with a group of wonderful artists. I had just finished painting the goose and a nice lady bought my painting! When it dawned on me that I had not taken a photo of my painting, I ran behind her and was able to take the photo. So, here it is.

Rose Garden conversations

Conversations ~ 4" x 6" ~ Oil on canvas panel

A perfect spot for a conversation. Wonder what they are talking about. I had sketched this painting some time back and was finally able to complete it today.

Hydrangea - Completed Watercolor

Hydrangea~5" x 7" ~ Watercolor

Here is the completed flower. I painted another layer of background on the top, painted the texture on leaves and deepened the color on some petals. I have intentionally blurred the edges on the flower in the left corner so that the focus remains on the main flower. Hope you like it. Please e-mail me at aruna@arunanitin.com if you are interested in purchasing this painting.

Hydrangea - Watercolor WIP

I started this 5" x 7" Hydrangea on Arches 140 lb hot press paper. Happens to be my favorite color. I have masked some spots on the right side of the flower. Sorry about the picture quality. Please come back later to check the completed work.

Chicago Botanic Garden -Triptych

Chicago Botanic Garden ~ Triptych ~ 3 panels of each 6" x 12" ~ Oil on canvas ($350)

Summer is keeping me busy with everything other than painting! So I am posting this painting from some time back. Chicago Botanic Garden is a favorite place I frequently visit.

A picture of the painting in progress is below -

Martha Washington Geranium - Completed

Martha Washington Geranium ~ Oil on Canvas panel ~ 5" x 7"

Here is the completed painting. I like the petals of this flower. They have such nice contrasting color and veins.

Martha Washington Geranium - In progress

Here is the work in progress. I am painting this with oils on canvas panel, 5" x 7". Please stop by again to see the finished work.

Martha Washington Geranium

The next painting is going to be this beautiful flower. I have seen many different varieties of geraniums, but this was new for me. Such wonderful patterns and contrast, even my cat seems to enjoy the flowers.

Anemone flowers - Completed

Anemones~Acrylic on canvas panel~5" x 7"

Here is the completed painting. Hope you like it.

Anemone - Work in progress

Here is a photo showing the next step. Please visit again to see the progress.

New painting WIP - Anemone

I have started a new painting. I have posted the 2 pictures to show the steps in progress. Please visit again to see the progress. This one is in acrylics on canvas panel.

Golden kitty

Golden Kitty ~ 5" x 7" ~ Acrylic

Another painting of my cute little kitty with wonderful soft, silky hair.

Rose - Completed

Peach Rose ~ 6" x 6" ~ Watercolor

Thanks for all your comments. I painted sevaral layers to get the rich dark background. Hope you enjoy the completed version. I have listed this on eBay. Click here to bid

Rose - Work in progress

My new watercolor painting in progress. I think I'll go for a dark background.

Cat with yarn

Cat with Yarn~Acrylic~5"x7"

My calico cat grabbing on to the yarn. She can play for hours even with the simplest of things and also finds the sunny spots in the house. Please e-mail me if you are interested in purchasing this work.

Foxgloves at Members Exhibition

Members Exhibition~Robert T. Wright Gallery of Art

My oil painting Foxgloves (18"x 18") is on display at the Members Exhibition at the College of Lake County, IL until February 21. The opening reception was on January 15 and well attended. I enjoyed conversations with many of my artist friends.
For information, call 847-543-2240 or the gallery web page http://gallery.clcillinois.edu/

My cat - I

Cat - I ~ Acrylic ~ 5" x 7"

Here is my cat sitting by the window taking in the morning sun. I worked on Claybord for this painting. The subtle reflections in the window pane was a challenge but I am happy with the end result.

My Kitten

I adopted a kitten and am having a wonderful time with her. She is a beautiful calico, adorable and palyful. I have taken plenty of pictures and might paint one soon. I have never painted a cat, so I'm looking forward to the challenge.

Foxgloves - 12" x 12" - Acrylic on canvas panel

Foxgloves ~ Acrylic ~ 12" x 12" ~ $225 (Framed size 15.5" x 15.5")

Thought I would post this painting of Foxgloves that I did some time back. I have the following picture when it was in progress.

Please email me at aruna@arunanitin.com if you are interested in purchasing this.

Yellow Orchids - Completed

Yellow Orchids ~ Watercolor ~ 11" x 14"

Here is the finished piece. I like the rich royal blue background for these yellow orchids. I want to see how it looks in a frame. Please email me at aruna@arunanitin.com if you are interested in purchasing this.

Yellow Orchids - Work in Progress

Here is a picture after painting the second layer of background. Much better don't you think?
I have painted the center petals. Little bit finishing touches and I'll be done.