Eggsactly.

Having painted whole eggshells, it was time to crack a farm fresh one and see what I could do. My table is tilted and I was sitting closer and taller than the photo. Finished, I thought the yellow bowl looked tilted but that’s the way it looked. Good thing I began with the yolks, as the day progressed they settled and slumped and their reflections changed. I had picked the biggest egg in the carton and it had two yolk, twins!

I’ve painted these three times so far and I am ready to move them out of the studio. They have dried and faded and are much lighter in weight now. The big one is from a goose.

Really Big Eggs Are Twins 8x10 oil on canvas board

The Blue Egg  9x12 oil on canvas

Limited palette colors

A calm winter day and an opportunity to paint with Jacq Baldini in Niagara Falls Ontario was a welcome Plein air day. 

This is the barge that came loose 100 years ago which triggered a frantic rescue to the two men on board. They didn’t need to hurry as it still hasn’t gone over the Falls. 

My palette shows the small selection of colors I needed on this winter day. 

The next two paintings in January challenge

I had a lovely holiday centerpiece that had seen better days but some of the flowers were still lively. I pulled them out and scampered in the yard cutting fresh greens for this one. It’s on black canvas, 12x9 "White and Red Mums"

This is small only 5 x7 but I used a palette knife instead of brushes. The paint is thick and wet, it will be a long time before it dries. "Sweet Onion, Sweet Pepper". I should use the painting knives more often. 

The third week, Stradaeasel challenge

"Eggplant Reflections" 9x12

After some success last week I have foolishly tried another larger composition. The little ones were going well, but, big picture equals more work and time. I do like this but it took me all day. I’m astounded how the dark eggplant skin absorbs and reflects colors.

1/14..  "Goose and Blue I needed a little break and worked small, very small with the trio of assorted eggs I have in the studio. It’s only 2”x2”.

1/15.  "My Peaches" 12x9 oil. Painted them, opened the jar, and served peach shortcake. Creating the glass jar was a lesson in careful observation.

1/16. Halfway through the challenge. "Oh. The Garlic is in the Studio" 3x3. It would have been a whole garlic bulb but one of the cooks here required a clove. 

Strada Easel challenge continues

Packing up Christmas, a few items caught my eye. Whether it was nostalgia or an interesting shape, I set a few things aside and left the last storage box open a little longer. 'Big Man at Christmas' is a push puppet, you press the bottom and Santa collapses and it is a favorite of all ages.
The Elf on the shelf figure is plastic, he has a box that can be filled with a few pieces of candy. Doesn’t every home deserve a mischievous elf?
Ideal Shoe is very old, and I’m not sure who wore it. It's soft leather and a high top so I’m guessing it’s a mid century baby. We have a collection of baby shoes that hang on our tree. Tiny, they join the other ornaments in proclaiming memories.

1/4 "Big Man at Christmas" 7x5 acrylic

1/5. "Packing A Surprise". 7x5 acrylic

1/6.  "Stick Your Tongue Out" 5x7 acrylic

These are mid century or earlier baby shoes, high tops made with soft soles and leather. We have several baby shoes with our ornaments and they are welcome memories on our tree every December.