Back to Provence

 

"Provence Time"

6x8  Oil on museum quality panel

At Auction on DPW, click here to bid

I recently completed a painting for a couple's wedding of their trip to Provence.  So enjoyed painting it that I decided to go back for another try.  Don't you just want to wander in the fields of lavender? Hope you enjoy the view.

Paint & Pain

"Pathway"

6x6   oil on museum quality panel

$125

 

A few days ago I sliced my right index finger and thumb.  Bummer!  So I've been having a blast trying to do lots of things with limited mobility.  Never realized how many things require the use of your index finger & thumb together.  So, painting wasn't on my list today.  However, enter Julie Hill, my dear friend.  She was having none of me not painting despite my whining that my thumb was hurting.  So just to prove to her that I could still paint, I wrapped my thumb with 3 band-aids & off I went.  I have to say I choose a simple subject that would allow me to use only a big brush.  Glad I pushed through.  Thanks, Julie.  I'll call when my thumb stops throbbing!

New Workshops

It's been too long since I last posted but I've been busy with my art career just not painting.  I'll be sharing some of the exciting news over the next few weeks.   Been painting a little over the last 2 days but not quiet ready to post.  Wow, not painting for more than a month makes diving back in a little scary!

In the meantime, I have 3 new workshops to announce.  If you are interested in taking a 1 or 2 day workshop, hit link below for more information or to sign up.
http://kelleysanford.blogspot.com/p/workshops.html

Workshops & Life Gets In the Way

"Holly Hill House, Catalina"

9x11   Oil on Linen

Time is flying this summer & I can't seem to get control of my easel time.  Between a couple of workshops, teaching, family time & house guests, painting time was scarce.  Today's painting was a demo that I did yesterday during my "Simply Colorful" workshop.  We focused on simplifying subject matter and allowing color to "sing".  It was a great group and I thoroughly enjoying watching their progress.  A special thanks to Rusty for the home grown tomatoes!!!!  I will be offering this workshop again, so if you're interested email me to be notified for upcoming workshops or classes. 

From the Pantry Series, # 3

"Sardines, anyone?"

6x6   Oil on museum quality panel

$125

I've been a little behind in painting for my "From the Pantry" series.   After the first two paintings, I quickly discovered that I, in fact, have a very boring pantry!  Recently moved, I'm assuming that I just threw out all of my "inspirational" items.  So what is a girl to do, go shopping, of course.  Who knew, that Sardines came in such colorful tins.  I'm now changing how I stock my pantry.  By color, not content!  Might make for some interesting paintings, not so sure about the meals. 

"From the Pantry" - New Summertime Series

"Spicy"

6x6   Oil on museum quality panel

$95

With summer comes my desire to find good, fun, easy on the brain kind of books.  So in that vain, here's my new series of fun, easy on the brain kind of paintings.  In cooking they say if you can hit the salty, sweet, sour, spicy & crunchy notes in a dish it's a good thing.  So I hope to hit all the right notes in this series.   Not so sure about the crunchy but I'll give it a try.  Happy Summer!

Knock at the Door

"Penny's Flower"

6x6  Oil on museum quality panel

$95

I recently moved & have been unpacking, getting organized & trying to "decorate".  All things that I love to do, NOT!  It was so nice to take a break from 'house duties" to get back to my studio.  Last Friday, a knock at the door brought a beautiful bouquet of flowers from a friend & fellow artist, Penny.  I was surprised that she had sent flowers since our last conversation was about how I wasn't inspired to paint flowers at all.   I'm sure she knew that if I sat and looked at these gorgeous flowers all weekend  that I'd be painting them again.  Penny is one smart cookie.  Thanks Penny!

Never Painted That Before

"Looking for Dinner"

6x6  Oil on museum quality panel

$95

Chicken & cows are subjects that a lot of beginning artists paint.  So, I'm not sure how I missed out on painting them when I first started.  But since picking up the paintbrush again, I seem to be searching for new subject matter.  It's kind of like, as an adult, trying to do the things that you wish you had done as a kid.  Unsure whether I'll attempt another chicken but glad to cross it off my list.  The good news is that it's much easier than climbing that giant oak tree that I always thought I should attempt and now I get to have a stiff drink when I'm finished.  Cheers!

P.S.  I have added a couple of new workshops for this summer now listed on the left side of my blog.

Balancing Act

"Precariously Balanced"

6x6   Oil on museum quality panel

$95

This is for this week's Daily Paintworks Challenge.  The title so describes my day in the studio.  Balancing the tubes of paint, balancing my thoughts as I get back into painting & balancing the panel which did not seem to want to stay on the easel.  It always seems to work out but some days it just shouldn't be this hard. 

Rumors of My Demise - SOLD!!!!!!!

"From the Flower Shop"

6x8   Oil on museum on panel

I can't believe it has been 2 months since I've painted.  Frustrating doesn't even begin to explain how my day at the easel went.  Wiped one but was determined not to leave without a completed painting.  If I hadn't pushed through today, tomorrow would probably have been a bigger disaster.  I think I set my expectations too high.  Wanted to try out a different color palette, work on my edge quality & anticipated painting flowers that weren't available at the florist.  In the end, I was just happy that I remembered how to mix colors and which end of the brush to use.  Getting that first piece behind me is a good feeling.  I'll be back at the easel tomorrow with slightly less ambitious goals. 

P.S.  Thanks to all who emailed or called me during my absence to make sure that I was still alive and hadn't given up painting. 

 

Diving off the High Board

 

"Betting on Orange"

6x6   Oil on museum quality panel

Reserved

As an artist, I hope that I never become stagnant in my work.  Staying in one place with my art would be the day that I walk away from painting.  For several months, I've been wanting to explore some abstraction in my work but haven't had the right subject matter to make me take the plunge...until now.  Off to the Races was the first painting I attempted to make a shift but while it was a "nice" painting, it didn't hit the mark.  So I'm back at it.  Not sure where I'll end up but diving off the high board is the only way to find out.

Playing with Paper

"Name that Hue"

10x10

Reserved by Artist

I'm back to playing with oil on paper.  Lost a little bit of steam earlier this summer when I tried a different paper but I found another brand that I'm having fun with it.  It's funny how we artists get use to certain canvas, brushes, colors and then when we change it up, it can really mess with how you think and paint.  It's also a good thing to push ourselves & experiment.  Enjoying the way the brush skims across the surface picking up some of the paper's texture.  Can't get too detailed with this and that's what I love about it.  Still painting away for tomorrow's deadlines.  More to come.  By the way, the color is Quinacridone Violet.

My Favorite Saturday Job

"Full Color"

6x4  oil on paper

$95

Most important errand many Saturday mornings is to visit my favorite flower shop.  Over the course of time, I've gotten to know the "Saturday Girl" to the point that when I walk in & she just points me to their refrigerated flower area.  I get to run "amok" amongst the gorgeous flowers.  I came away with a bucketful of flowers and at a very nice discount.  Saturdays are the day they clean out in preparation of Monday's fresh delivery.  I would give a plug for my favorite florist but this is a secret that I'm not quite willing to share.

Local Color

"Local Color"

24x36   $2100

It's been a whole week since I posted anything.  Lots happening at the studio.  Cleaning out, teaching, working on summer class schedule, marketing & working on this painting.  I now have about 4 more coastal paintings to work on and then full court press on a bit of a different direction.  Nothing like cleaning out the cobwebs to get painting engine cranked up.  When someone asks what I have planned for the holiday weekend, my favorite response is PAINT!!!!!  Happy weekend.