Sunday, July 31, 2011

Upward

Here's the final painting in this series. I approached it a bit differently than the other two.
This one began with the Cadmium Orange toned panel. 

Rather than putting down an overall background color, I wanted to create the sandy texture completely with spattered paint and allow the already warm tone to show through. I used tracing paper to mask out the stones so their color wouldn't get muddy.

Then I spattered a sandy beach using my fan brush and diluted paint in both warm and cool colors.

Once I removed the masking paper, I had a clean surface for painting the stones.

Added the stripes...

And then the finishing touch of lightly sprinkled metallic powder pigment, this time in bronze. Though it's not obvious here, it reflects beautifully in the light!

Here's a close up.

I really enjoyed this. Each painting is available individually, but they also look great together as a set.
Oil on panel, 6" x 6"
SOLD

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Dash Dash Dot Dash Dot

Here's the second in this particular stone series. 
This one began with the Cadmium Red toned panel. I used a similar technique for this painting...but with a twist. I painted a loose base of warm green around the stones.

Next I spattered the various diluted colors to get the sandy texture.

Here's a detail of the textured background using both warm and cool colors.

Next I painted the stones...

...and their shadows.

The stripes came next and the painting was finished...except for that twist I mentioned earlier...

While the paint was still wet, I carefully sprinkled a light and sporadic dusting of gold metallic powder pigment into the background.
It doesn't show so well in the photo or the scan at the top of this post, but it shines in the light. That's just what I envisioned from the beginning! Yay!
Oil on panel, 5" x 5"
SOLD

Friday, July 29, 2011

Out of Line

There's one in every crowd!
I had fun experimenting with this next series of stones. I began with an under painting of three different colors, Cadmium Yellow, Cad Orange and Cad Red.

This first painting had the Cad Yellow toned panel. I began with the background in a warm gray color leaving the stones untouched.


Then I used my fan brush and several different colors of paint diluted with mineral spirits to splatter the sandy textured background.

And on to the stones themselves to finish the painting.

Here's a detail.
Great fun. Thoroughly enjoyed this. The next installment tomorrow...
Oil on panel, 5" x 5"
SOLD

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Daisy Days

Or Daisy Daze. This is the last of the daisy series...for now. Perhaps I'll try some Black-eyed Susans.
Oil on panel, 5" x 5"
SOLD

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

We Three

Another in the unassuming daisy series. :o)
Oil on panel, 5" x 5", SOLD

Monday, July 25, 2011

Little Miss Sunshine

I'm loving painting these unpretentious little daisies. There are a few more to come. I know...the title's a tad corny, but it fits, doesn't it?
Oil on panel, 5" x 5", $100 (with free display easel) + shipping
or contact brenda@brendaferguson.com

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Triple

I painted this one while vacationing on Cape Breton Island.
Oil on panel, 5" x 5", $100 (with free display easel) + shipping
or contact brenda@brendaferguson.com

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Enamelware

Well, we're back from ten glorious days of wilderness camping at our land on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. A great time was had by all.
I did this painting before we left and am just getting around to posting.
Tonight I have the pleasure of an outdoor Melissa Etheridge concert on the waterfront in Bangor! Can't wait...this one's for you! (To continue looking at the art while you listen, right click on the colored word 'this' and go to Open Link in New Tab.)
Oil on panel, 6" x 6", $100 (with free display easel) + shipping
or contact brenda@brendaferguson.com

Monday, July 11, 2011

Memories

I remember bringing in fists full of dandelions that my mom kindly displayed in jars like they were the most beautiful thing...and doing the same with the fists full my kids brought to me. To this day I love a field filled with dandelions and sort of hate having them mowed down in our yard/field. 
I'll leave you with this summer image since I won't be posting for a while. We will be off wilderness camping with nothing but the sand and the sea...oh, and the seals, eagles, loons, whales, rabbits, coyotes, etc...but no internet. :o)
Oh and I'll leave you with some summertime music.
(To continue looking at the art while you listen, right click on the colored word 'music' and go to Open Link in New Tab.)
Back before you know it...
Oil on panel, 6" x 6" SOLD 

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Heart of the Matter

This painting began looking like this, below.
I usually finish the paintings in one session and move on, but I kept coming back to the background of this one. I tried to ignore it, really I did (ha!) but alas, it wouldn't let me. I didn't quite know why I didn't like it or what to do, but after staring at it day after day, I just took the plunge and went with the magenta background. I think it's livelier... you?
Oil on panel, 6" x6", $100 (with free display easel) + shipping
or contact brenda@brendaferguson.com

Friday, July 8, 2011

Farm Fresh

These are goose eggs probably from my enamored friend of a recent painting. I like the challenge of painting eggs...and it still is...a challenge.  This was the musical inspiration. (To continue looking at the art while you listen, right click on the colored word 'This' and go to Open Link in New Tab.)
Oil on panel, 6" x 6", $100 (with free display easel) + shipping
or contact brenda@brendaferguson.com

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Double

I kind of like the simplicity of these last two. Given both titles...it must be baseball season! 
Here's the musical inspiration. (To continue looking at the art while you listen, right click on the colored word 'Here's' and go to Open Link in New Tab.)
Oil on panel, 6" x6", $100 (with free display easel) + shipping



or contact brenda@brendaferguson.com

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Single


Oil on panel, 6" x 6"
SOLD

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Head First



This is one of the paintings I did while away at camp. I was a bit out of my element in terms of the studio, so decided to go with a familiar subject.
Here's my temporary studio set up at the lake...nice.
Oil on panel, 6"x 6", $100 (with free display easel) + shipping
or contact brenda@brendaferguson.com

Friday, July 1, 2011

Zen

This is the BIGGEST, sweetest dog you'd ever want to meet. His name is Zen. I think that says it all.
Oil on panel, 6" x 6", SOLD