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.

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

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.