"Packed" - 9 x 12 inc hes - oil on canvas - SOLD

"Packed" - 9 x 12 inches - oil on canvas

I really enjoy painting shiny, reflective things so sardines in a tin can made for a perfect subject.  Sardines always make me think of my cousin Billy who claims that King Oscar is the best brand of sardines.  I wouldn't know since I just can't bring myself to eat them!

As with my previous painting, this one came together pretty quickly and easily.  It is a relatively "cool" painting with many shades of gray so I love the warm touches of color in the fins and the gold can lid to provide some balance.

In other news, "Froot Loops" was accepted into the Chelmsford Center for the Arts "CCA in Bloom" gala.  A floral designer is going to interpret "Froot Loops" in a flower arrangement.  It will be fun to see the final result!

"Pond Brook" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas

"Pond Brook" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas

After a recent snowfall, I set out to a do a plein air painting of a barn on the O'Brien Farm property which is now protected property in Westford, MA.  I was excited to paint the barn but discovered that it was brown and not terribly exciting.  Right near the barn, I spotted this stream and loved how the shadows dipped and curled through the snow.  I was tempted to paint on location but the road was narrow, winding and ice covered so I didn't dare set up my easel for fear of getting hit.  So, I settled for taking some photos as I stood, precariously, on the side of the road. 

The photos sat in my camera for a few weeks but when it snowed again this past week, I was once again inspired to capture a snow scene.  As with most landscapes, I started with the sky and background trees and gradually worked my way to the foreground.  I painted the snow shadows before I filled in the sunlit snow.

The painting gods were with me as this painting flowed quite easily and without much fuss.  I made very few adjustments along the way and am really pleased with the outcome.