The painting is complete! Life is a Carnival Glass!!!

My last post was a Work in Progress for this piece.  I still had lots to do and I saved the tough stuff for last as I always do :)  I am so please with how this piece turned out.  I have found that reflections are not as hard as they may seem.  What I do is under paint what is behind the reflection first and then dry brush the reflection over the top.  Works well for me!

I was first thinking to call it 'Top Shelf China', but that didn't really do it for me.  Then I thought of the song by the Band - Life is a Carnival, so why not 'Life is a Carnival Glass'.  That worked!!!

I had a frame all ready for this and have it hanging next to my china cabinet so you can see the still life and the painting together.  Typically, everything I do is for sale.  My mentor thinks I should keep this one for myself.  I do have it for sale right now though on Daily Paintworks.  Thank so much for looking!  Prints are also available on Fine Art America here:  Buy Print!

My new painting is done! Hot off the easel!

I finally finished this painting.  I am calling it 'My Favorite Spot'.  It was a challenge in many ways.  The foliage was very intricate and really a big part of the painting so I was more detailed than usual.  The chair is the main event though along with the shadows and light on the deck and railing.

As I mentioned in previous posts - this is at my camp in northern NY.  We added this new deck on the side of the cabin and it is so private tucked in among the trees.  I love to take a beverage and a book out there to relax.  If  you missed my previous posts then, by all means scroll down to see this piece in various stages of completion.   If you are a painter then you know that there are some points in the paining process that are just down right ugly!  You have to persevere past that stage to get to the good stuff!

WIP - Work in progess - Making strides!

OK, maybe not strides, but baby steps :)
Here, I have worked on the railing.  Getting the lights and darks was a challenge.  I will still make some adjustments, I suspect, after I get the background done to make sure that the railing pops forward.  I really do enjoy painting light and shadow and this image offers lots of both!

I have begun the dreaded foliage ;)  The photo washed out the background a bit, but you get the idea.  I got  quite a bit done this morning so I am now actually looking forward to doing more trees (on this one anyway).  I am hoping to have this pretty much done before I go to class next week.    I think I will name this 'My Favorite Spot'  because I love to sit and read here when I am at camp.  I have a view of the water here and can see my hummingbird feeder which I love to watch.  Camping season can come anytime!!!

Thanks for looking - I will be back with the final installment soon, I hope!

New painting - Sunflowers and light, acrylic on paper

First, I want to say that I just took this pic quick with my camera so the colors aren't exactly right.  The flowers are much more vibrant with glowing oranges and yellows.  I still have to get it scanned for a more accurate photo.

I have been working on this one for awhile.  Between the holidays, snow removal and life in general - it took me a long time.  Now it is complete!    I must confess I redid the shadows on the table a couple times.  The first attempt I used the acrylic paint as opaque.  Just did not get the effect that I was looking for.  Then I gessoed it out and tried it watering the paint down for a more watercolor transparent look - much better.  It doesn't really show in the photo, but it really does glow with light! 

Surprisingly the glass didn't give me grief at all.  I just turned the painting and reference upside down and painted the shapes!  It turned out pretty well!

Thanks so much for looking!  Once I get it scanned I will be offering prints on Fine Art America!