Character Study

Sneaking a Peak
6 x 6
oil on doorskin

I caught this scene in Poland last year and was attempting to portray the secret glance this young man stole whilst sitting with his girl. I found the 6 x 6 format too small to get the hand that was hiding his eyes and the girls legs need to be a touch longer but had to quit before it was finished as my alla prima approach was foiled by a two day distraction. My lesson learned - draw carefully and allow time to finish in one day. I'm really enjoying painting figures and may get brave and move on to portraits.

Too Pretty to Eat

Olives and Cheese
6 x 6
oil on doorskin

Late in the afternoon I try to have some down time and will often pour a glass of wine, put out a plate of olives and cheese, grab a book or magazine and head out to the front porch. It's my daily treat to myself, a break between the day's chores and the evening shopping and dinner making. Lately I've come across some amazing olive mixes and one day just the sight of the brilliant colors and varied shapes and sizes was enough to make me reluctant to dig in and ruin the display. I had to paint it and so here it is. Lots of fun doing this one and keeping it under 2 hours forced me to be fast and loose.

Another Cafe

Sharing a Cup
8 x 24
oil on wrapped canvas

After having a rather unproductive but fun summer I've plunged right back in with another people scene. I've read recently that French Cafes have been somewhat overdone but I am enjoying painting them and will do a few more I think. This was a scene in Annecy where most cafes are long and narrow lining the numerous canals giving the town it's nickname "Little Venice" An incredibly beautiful place it was the location for this years Tour De France individual time trial and a starting point for our bicycle tour of the Alps. Although I feel the painting needs more work it's time to put it aside for a while.