"Tang Horse #2"

"Tang Horse #2", 6x8 inches, oil on linen on panel

 

Recently I've been busy painting some larger works in my studio, so haven't posted for a bit.  After painting in such a small format the past number of months, it's really a treat to go back to something on a larger scale. 

This Tang Dynasty horse is one from the series I painted.   Early on in my career I painted real live horses and as a kid spent hours drawing horses and dogs.  I always wanted my own horse and have had a lifetime love of all things to do with them, which my Dad passed along to me.  

I've had to satisfy myself with sculpting them in paint - this seems to be working for me fine. 

"Mr Bear", oil on panel, 6x6 inches

"Mr Bear", oil on panel, 6x6 inches

 

This teddy bear belonged to my daughter and now hangs out with a gang of stuffed animals in her baby's bedroom.  I must admit, since becoming a grandmother, I'm finding many things to do with babies suddenly very interesting to paint. 

Painting dailies allows me to experiment and challenge myself with all the quick starts and finishes that a small format provides. One of the best things about painting these little miniatures is that I can paint anything I want to and have fun with it;  Mr Bear was no exception.

"Crabapples", oil on panel, 5.5x6 inches

"Crabapples", oil on panel, 5.5x6 inches

SOLD

One of the great things about taking on a project to paint dailies is that it's a wonderful way tochallengeoneself, keep your work fresh and develop as an artist.  It's with this pursuit in mind that I begin each new painting.  I love to begin paintings and for me, this is the easy part.  The challenge is always in finishing the work in such a way that it retains its freshness and doesn't get overworked.  

Our neighbour has the most beautiful bounty on their crabapple tree and I could hardly wait to snip a few branches to set up for one of my little paintings. I'd been looking forward to painting these little rosy apples and so was totally sandbagged by the difficulty that was presented. 

It was, by virtue of the small format, a very simple concept; no difficulty there.  But as I quickly got into the painting I struggled with areas of it, not the least of which was dealing with the speed in which the greenery wilted. In the end, since I worked on it over a few days, I just went with the wilting, curling leaves and tried to make the most of it.

There comes a certain point in every painting where aesthetics trump the concept - or the reality. An artist must always be cognizant of this and be willing to look for possibilities that present themselves along the way, for the beauty of the painting.  

In this particular instance, it became increasingly clear that the table top that I'd set up my still life on was competing with my beautifully rosy round apples and sabatoging my painting.  Once I'd established this and altered the surface to a more neutral colour, allowing the beautiful apples to be the star of the show, things began to hum again. 

"Porcelain and Grapes", 6x6 inches, oil on linen on panel

"Porcelain and Grapes", 6x6 inches, oil on linen on panel

SOLD

When I decided to take on the project of painting dailies again, I was really excited about the prospect of painting each and every vessel and object I've been storing in my studio.  I have collected so many lovely vessels over the years because I wanted to paint them.

This is the second time I've selected this particular little vase, with its lovely blue pattern, to be featured in a painting.  It's becoming apparent, at this rate, it could take me several years to get through the collection in my studio cupboards.

I've painted "Porcelain and Grapes" in one of my favourite complementary colour themes - orange and blue.  I'm sure this diminutive vase will make an appearance again.  I find it irresistable.

"Trio", oil on linen on panel, 4.75x8 inches

"Trio", 4.75 x 8 inches, oil on linen on panel

SOLD

Early on in my career I frequently painted my children.  People would ask me, "Doesn't it bother you to sell paintings of your children?" and I would tell them that it didn't.  Well, I have a confession to make.  Now that my children are grown, there are so many paintings of them that I would give anything to see again.  I must have been an extremely ruthless artist way back when.

This was painted from a photo of my kids that's been knocking around my studio for years.  Twenty to be exact.  I've always wanted to paint it and now I have. 

I remember this beautiful summer day with such clarity and such fondness.  While painting, I was absolutely taken back to those wonderful years of my life.

Some Sidenotes:

 ... in the off chance you might be thinking that I'm still as ruthless as ever, let me just say that this painting could very well be the study for a larger piece.  It's right off the easel, partly wet and partly dry.  I'll take a proper photo of it once it's varnished.

I've joined Twitter!  My son thinks it's a good idea.  You can follow me @BobbiDunlopArt.

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"Counting Sheep?"

"Counting Sheep?"

oil on panel

5.5 x 6 inches

CLICK HERE TO BID

SOLD

In deciding to paint something for Daily Paintworks "Paint Your Mug" Challenge,  I realized it would be impossible for me to choose a favourite mug.  I love vessels and part of the joy each morning is getting to pick a different one from the cupboard.  

Perhaps that's why I love painting still life;  observing light flowing over all these beautiful surfaces and round plump shapes make my fingers tingle to sculpt them in paint.

I painted this child's mug years ago in a painting called "The Black Sheep?".   The mug belonged to my children and I've always thought it has such attitude, perhaps even naughty or non-conforming.   I've recently become a grandmother for the first time and that could be the reason this little mug follows so closely on the heels of my teddy bear painting. 

I assure you, this mug was a perfect angel while I painted it.

"BOM Bear" - Aid for children in the Horn of Africa

    " BOM Bear", oil on linen on panel, 6x6 inches

SOLD

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100% of proceeds going to aid the children starving in the Horn of Africa

Daily Paintworks, has invited all its participating artists to join in a fundraising challenge which will aid the children of Africa presently suffering the ravages of famine.

From Daily Paintworks:

"The UN has said up to 400,000 children in the Horn of Africa could die without aid and up to 11 million people require food assistance.  In March of this year, over 1,500 artists and buyers stepped up and sold and bought fine art, through their Help Japan Challenge to help the people of Japan.  We hope to create the same opportunity to help the children starving in the Horn of Africa"

100% of the proceeds from the sale of this painting will be sent to aid an organization helping children in the Horn of Africa.  Shipping costs for the painting will be borne by the winning bidder.

My donation will be going to Oxfam Canada - in turn the Canadian Government will match the donation (by September 16, 2011).

I will provide a receipt to the buyer as proof of the donation, however, it is the artist who will receive the tax benefit.