Chick and Chicklettes

            Chick and Chicklettes 6 x 6 in. oil on linen
 Ever have something just tell you that you have to paint it. Well here it is. I picked up this wooden chicken at the Goodwill store, loved her colors. She had a piece of tape around her and when I got home couldn't figure out why. I removed the tape and the base came off and out dropped the Chicklettes. Now how is that for fun?

Glorious

                                                                                                     

                    

Glorious 5 x 7 oil on linen panel

   These purple cone flowers are among my favorite garden flowers, their colors always stand out. They are alsoalong the steps and path to the Chapel at Mt. Carmel where I spend many weeks during the summer. They bloom after all the spring flowers are done in mid summer on and even after frost their centers hang on and add texture to the diminishing colors of late fall to winter.

Into the Sunshine

                           Pathway 6 x 8 in. oil on linen panel SOLD
This was done as part of the Dailypainters challenge, fun to do, I did a warm underpainting in all areas and then let that show through the upper layer. I feel it gives a richer look  to the paint surface. I can't help but wonder what is around the bend besides sunshine.

Lookin for Lunch

    

                                         Lookin for Lunch  4.5x6.5 oil on panel

Some of my favorite subjects to paint are chickens, they come in all colors and sizes and are more fun to paint than to raise.  These girls are out on the farm lookin for bugs, seeds etc. , something they seem to do anytime they are not in their nesting boxes laying eggs.  And of course we love the HEN FRUIT for breakfast.

You Have to Kiss a Lot of Frogs...............................

                                  
You Have to Kiss a Lot of Frogs............................  6 x 6 in. oil on linen panel

This little guy is soooooooooooooooooooo cute  he wouldn't be hard to kiss but I truly wonder if he would turn into a prince. I allready have my prince so I will forgo the kiss. This little guy was in an arboretum where we had a pastel workshop . It was extrememly hot and humid . We would arrive early in the morning and here he was to greet us. He was not at all frightened and posed for a number of photos. These are probably my favorite colors in flowers and it basically seemed to paint itself.

Emerging

                                          Emerging pastel 7 x 5 inches

Spring is a time of newness to the earth. I love Spring and the new growth that pops up as though by magic from the blanket of leaves that kept it protected during our Minnesota winter. It is amazing to watch these seemingly tender ferns unfurl and send a shock of green against the woodland floor. They seem to be telling us that this is just the beginning so we must keep vigilant so as not to miss the other plants still sleeping beneath their leafy blanket.
This pastel was difficult in trying to keep from putting in more information than to simply tell the story. I agonize over that problem
frequently and keep telling myself,"Less is More".

My Walking Place

My Walking Place 51/2 x 12 oil on panel  SOLD

This is a painting that was more of a happening than doing a painting. It all fell together very quickly perhaps because walking in this type of wooded area occurs in our grove as well as many places I visit in the area. It isnt lush because many of the trees are old warriors and some are mature with others just gaining their growth spurt. Here on the prairie every tree is a blessing and you will frequently see one tree in an immense field where it has been left to grow among the cultivated field. The winter has been hard on the trees in the grove and broken limbs are laying on the snow so as Spring comes the ground will be littered with winters damage. But...........still enough trees and new growth to make my walk a quiet peaceful one.