"Stonewall Trio" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas

"Stonewall Trio" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas

Le Gourmet Jardin, the small shop connected to Art on Main, sells Stonewall Kitchen products. Lately, I’ve been buying the “Spicy Corn Relish” which tastes very fresh and has a nice kick to it. I always wanted to paint it since I really like the shape of the jar and the color of the relish: yellow corn mixed with bits of red peppers and green Jalapeno peppers.

The main rule of creating a good composition is variety. Take note of how the jars face slightly different directions, there is a larger gap between the middle and right jar, and I selected three different flavors to vary the color of the ingredients.

You can purchase this painting for $60 at Art on Main or directly from me by clicking on the "Buy Now" button below.

"Ginger" - 16 x 16 inches - oil on canvas - SOLD

This is Ginger, a yellow Labrador Retriever that lives in NYC. Ginger is quite dapper with her red polka dot bowtie. I’ve packed up the painting and will ship it off on Monday to her owner.

Whenever I paint from photos, the prints lose a lot of depth and color. When working on this painting, I positioned my computer right next to my easel so I could see the image on the screen.  I could still see details in shadow areas and it worked great. 

"Parkerville Schoolhouse" - 12 x 12 inches - oil on canvas - SOLD

"Parkerville Schoolhouse" - 12 x 12 inches - oil on canvas

This one room schoolhouse was built in 1880 and is located in the Parkerville section of Westford.  Every year the 3rd grade classes make a special field trip to the schoolhouse to  learn what life was like before modern conveniences like plumbing and electricity.  The kids dress in period clothing with the girls in long dresses and bonnets and the boys in caps and suspenders. 

This painting is the last in a series of Westford landmarks that I've been working on.  I'm now in the process of assembling all these images into a book.  I wanted to include some interesting historical facts so I'm learning quite a bit along the way as I pull this together.  I'll have more info on this project, hopefully very soon.

"Kimball Farm Ice Cream" - 12 x 12 inches - oil on canvas

"Kimball Farm Ice Cream" - 12 x 12 inches - oil on canvas

Kimballs is probably Westfords most famous landmark.  Kimballs probably employs half the teenage population in Westford.  Too bad neither of my kids worked there since they get to take home a serving of ice cream at the end of their shift.  On the other hand, my cholesterol level is probably better off without it.

You can purchase this painting for $175 at Art on Main or directly from me by clicking on the "Buy Now" button below.

"Darlin' Daisies" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas - SOLD

"Darlin' Daisies"  - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas

“Darlin’ Daisies” is the result of the painting demo I gave at Art on Main during the Strawberry Festival. Flowers are ALWAYS a challenge to paint especially when someone is looking over your shoulder :)

 

"Just Ducky" - 12 x 12 inches - oil on canvas - SOLD



"Just Ducky" - 12 x 12 inches - oil on canvas

Last week I took a still life painting workshop with Sam Vokey.  We were supposed to bring stuff to paint and Sam would help us design our composition.  Most people brought china vases, delicate linens, and beautiful flowers.  I’m just not a roses and teacup kind of person so I had one heck of a time figuring out what to paint.  At the last minute, I spotted my trusty Peterson Field Guide and binoculars.  Knowing that I needed something else, I added a rubber ducky which adds a nice color contrast (and a wee bit of humor).

"Ode to Andy" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas

"Ode to Andy" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas

My paintbrush has been busy for the past few weeks although I still don’t have anything to show for it. I’ve been working on a commission piece – a dog portrait. It is going well but I ran into a snag (too complicated to explain) so I just needed to put it aside for now.

I was looking through the cabinets for something fun to paint and came across this soup can. Of course, Andy Warhol made these cans famous in his first exhibit in Los Angeles in 1962. He created one canvas for each type of soup, 32 in all. He sold the entire set for a grand total of $1000.  About 5 years ago, one of his 1962 soup can paintings sold for 11.2 million! (That painting was not part of the original series of 32 which are now in the Museum of Modern Art). Just think, you can own mine for a mere $60!

You can purchase this painting Art on Main or directly from me by clicking on the "Buy Now" button below.  Speaking of Art on Main, we're hosting an opening reception on Thursday June 2 from 5 - 8 p.m. for watercolorist Joyce Youngberg.  If you live in the area, be sure to stop by!

"Stoney Brook Acres" - 12 x 12 inches - oil on canvas

"Stoney Brook Acres" - 12 x 12 inches - oil on canvas

Stoney Brook Acres is a sweet little farm stand.  The place always smells great as they usually have cookies baking in the oven.  It is a fun place to pick up flowers, fresh fruits, veggies and even soft serve ice cream or a sandwich. 

The challenge in this painting was the composition.  I could have included the rest of the greenhouse area on the right, another structure with some farm animals, picnic tables, etc.  In the end, I decided to focus on the main building to highlight the colorful sign letters and the trays of bright flowers.

You can purchase this painting for $175 at Art on Main or directly from me by clicking on the "Buy Now" button below.

"Kim's Chair" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas

"Kim's Chair" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas



Whenever I work at the Art on Main gallery, I always bring things to paint to help pass the time and to also give visitors a demo as they visit the shop. I neglected to bring something along and had to scout around for interesting stuff to paint. I’ve always thought that this chair has a certain charm and personality and was happy to spend an afternoon trying to capture that spirit in my painting.  (In case you were wondering about the title, the chair belongs to Kim Scott, our resident potter).

You can purchase this painting for $60 at Art on Main or directly from me by clicking on the "Buy Now" button below.

"Gallery Glow" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas



"Gallery Glow" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas

I volunteered to gallery sit at the PCA last Sunday.  To help pass the time, I brought my paints along.  I knew I would paint something inside the building but didn’t decide until I walked around and evaluated all my options.  I picked this scene largely because of the sunny reflection on the wood floor.  My favorite part of this painting, however, is the small wrinkle I added to the front of rug to give it dimension...I just love that!

You can purchase this painting for $60 at Art on Main or directly from me by clicking on the "Buy Now" button below.

"Pizzeria" - 12 x 12 inches - oil on canvas - SOLD

This little pizza place is in the Forge Village section of Westford. It is tucked along the rail road tracks and wedged into the curve of the street. I haven’t had their pizza in a long time but as I recall it was pretty good. I really enjoy doing street/architectural paintings and like how these buildings nestle together between the trees.

"Forge Pond" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas - SOLD

I sat in my car on an overcast afternoon and painted Forge Pond, one of the local beaches in Westford, MA.  I had just finished reading Kevin MacPherson's "Fill Your Oil Paintings with Light and Color" and tried to follow some of his basic teachings:  a) simplify the scene - squint to eliminate the details  b) focus on painting shapes (not a tree or a rock or a whatever) and c) use a limited palette for harmonious colors.  I'm pretty happy with the final result and definitely learn something new with every painting.

"Do Si Donuts" - 8 x 8 inches - oil on canvas - SOLD

Do Si Donuts - 8 x 8 inches - oil on canvas

There is something comforting about a donut.  Every once in a while you just have to eat a donut.  'Nuff said.

Pottery Pear - Just Messing Around

Kim Scott, my artist partner at Art on Main, is a fantastic potter.  A couple months ago, I asked her for a bit of clay to mess around with.  I ended up making this cute pear that I'm pretty pleased with.  Kim was kind enough to fire it, help me pick out the glazes, and then fire it again to create the final product. 

I'm not exactly sure what I'll do with my pear.  For now, it is sitting on my desk but it might end up on my kitchen windowsill with my collection of little do-dads.

"Double Date" - 8 x 8 inches - oil on canvas - SOLD

"Double Date" - 8 x 8 inches - oil on canvas

I was really proud of myself when I came up with the name for this one! 

"Winter Sun II" - 12 x 12 inches - oil on canvas

"Winter Sun II" - 12 x 12 inches - oil on canvas

Here’s a 2nd stab at the “Winter Sun” painting. This one is larger and a bit looser with the color. I’ve always loved to paint “backlit” scenes as the light is so dramatic. This painting has a nice warm yellow glow. If you look closely, I put a small purple edge on the window panes to really make that yellow “pop.”

You can purchase the "Winter Sun II" painting for $175 at Art on Main or directly from me by clicking on the "Buy Now" button below.

I’m really happy to report that the “Ocean Dip” painting that I auctioned on ebay was won by a NYC collector who is thrilled with the painting. It shipped off on Saturday to its new home. I happily wrote out the donation check to AmeriCares to support the disaster relief efforts in Japan. Many thanks to everyone who bid and supported me by spreading the word.

"Ooze" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas



"Ooze" - 6 x 6 inches - oil on canvas

I had a hankering to paint a donut and picked out this beauty from the bakery case at the market. I had the pleasure of taking two or three bites to let the sweet, sticky jelly ooze out from the center.  It was a tough job but somebody had to do it.

You can purchase this painting for $60 at Art on Main or directly from me by clicking on the "Buy Now" button below. 

REMINDER: My ebay auction ends tonight, March 24 at 8:17 p.m. I’m donating 100% of the purchase price of the "Ocean Dip" painting to AmeriCares to support relief efforts in Japan. Click here for more information or to place your bid. Good luck and thank you for your support!

"Pepper on Plaid II" - 8 x 8 inches - oil on canvas - SOLD

When trying to improve your art skills, it is really a great idea to do a series of paintings on one subject. In repeating the same subject over and over, you can learn the intricacies and subtle nuances and really, really get to know it well. I don’t know if it is ADD or what but I get bored quickly with the same subject and rarely paint two consecutive painting of the same thing. In this case, I almost painted two pepper paintings back to back.

As a reminder, my “Ocean Dip” painting is up for auction on eBay and I will donate 100% of the purchase price to AmeriCares to support the relief efforts in Japan. The auction ends on Thursday, March 24. Click here to learn more and/or to bid.

"Ocean Dip" - 100% Donation to Disaster Relief in Japan - SOLD

"Ocean Dip" - 16 x 16 inches - oil on canvas

Dear Friends,

Like many of you, I’m deeply touched and saddened by the devastation in Japan. The recovery is just beginning and unfortunately there is a long road ahead.

I wondered what I could possibly do to help. Raising money is the one thing I can do to make a difference (however small it may be). So, as a start, I’m donating a painting, “Ocean Dip”, for auction and plan to donate more paintings in the coming months.

For this painting, I will donate 100% of the purchase price to AmeriCares. AmeriCares has mobilized rescue teams and is already working help survivors in Japan.

If you live in the Westford, MA area, you can view the painting at the Art on Main gallery.

I’m asking for your help in two ways.

1) Bid: Click here to learn more about the painting and to place your bid.

2) Spread the word: forward this message to as many people as you can.

Many thanks in advance,

Laurie

"Winter Sun" - 8 x 8 inches - oil on canvas - SOLD

"Winter Sun" - 8x8 inches - oil on canvas

I walked into a friend’s house and was struck by the strong light streaming in from the windows in their sitting area. I had to go back to my car to grab my camera to capture the moment. What you can’t see is that this chair and couch face a fireplace which is frequently used. I can’t think of a nicer spot to sit, read and enjoy a cup of tea.