A Grape and Cherries . . .

Yesterday we painted together again. Sophia painted a grape and I painted some cherries. Another great day!

6 x 8 inches

oil on panel

A great adventure . . . painting with friends

When Sophia arrived the first day, I was gessoing panels . . . so she had a hand at it as well. Then we went outside to paint cherries. Great fun! Believe it or not, I forgot to photograph the paintings.

This was the next day. We painted two oranges. This time Sophia's sisters and a brother came as well. Their plan was to just drop her off and come back later to pick her up. I invited them to stay . . . so . . .

Giuliana sketched on large paper.

Antonio experimented with waterproof ink, using a real quill and several pens. Liked watercolor and acrylic much better . . .

Break-time, always a good idea. The orange hat is over Gala, their driver (mom). The sketcher is under the white hat and the fan is over Annalisa.

"Adventures with Harry"

oil on panel

9 x 12 inches

This is one of those paintings that had moments of great joy mixed with wondering how to turn it into something I actually like. I was wanting to simplify, keep loose brush strokes, not get too fussy and still tell the story in a pleasing way. My last posting shows how far I got before I decided to give it a rest. It sat off to the side of my easel for almost a month. I added more paint today and have decided it is now finished. I do enjoy the way the process ended.

Update Note: April 2012: This painting really did not finish until September, 2011. I made some of the colors brighter. Gradually the expression on the face changed as well. The painting is now on loan to the US Department of State's Art in Embassies Program and has been installed in the US Embassy residence in Tel Aviv, Israel. See April 13, 2012

Beginning sketch . . .

oil on panel

9 x 12 inches

The beginning sketch changing as the painting heads toward finish.