January

Some of my favorite little paintings from the January Alla Prima daily painting challenge.

Still lifes have never been my favorite subject, but when it's January the winter weather forces you to stay inside and find something interesting at home to paint.  When I went grocery shopping, I selected vegetables based on colors, and bought flowers to create cheerful, colorful displays. Sometimes in the past I've done that and the veggies get eaten and the flowers wilt before they get painted.  But in January I was motivated!

With these radishes, I enjoyed the red reflections in the green bowl, and the green reflections on the wood table.

Three onions and a garlic, a study in composition.

Beets with their greens, complementary colors, rich winter roots.  A composition of three things again, somehow that just works.

Three daisies in green and blue glass bottles.
Not completely symmetrical composition.

 Bunch of daisies.

 Cowboy boots, old and worn, but still kickin'!

Hat with poncho, old and ragged.

January 2018

As part of the Alla Prima January daily painting challenge, I worked on several self portraits in oil and colored pens.
One was based on a self portrait by Rembrandt, in similar colors and wearing a white cap.

January seemed the perfect time for introspection, staying indoors and looking inwards.  Who is the real me?  Colors were based on mood, not "flesh" tones.  Who decides what "flesh" colors are anyway?  Why not have blue hair?

Self portrait in faux leopard skin.

Self portraits (nor photo "selfies) are challenging in many ways. As in any portrait, the question is to try to create a true likeness or to be flattering, magnified by ego when the artist and subject are the same person.  Then there is lighting which can create dramatic shadows or make the face look old and dreary.  Physically, it is difficult to hold a pose while looking in a mirror and then moving back to the painting.  And I wear reading glasses while painting but not while posing so I can't really see the details of my eyes!

Self portrait in straw hat, colored pens, based on a self portrait by Van Gogh.  Love his complementary colors, vigorous line work and intensity!