Ambrosial

"Ambrosial"
12" x 12"
Oil on wrapped canvas

I caught a whiff of her fragrance before I saw her beautiful petals that evening in my friend's garden. The air was still, and her heady scent wafted with nearly-visible wiggly lines toward me. 

It's been about seven weeks since I've painted a rose. Winter has stepped in between me and my passion for whorled petals. But I saw some in the store this morning and decided to venture into the land of fragrant pinkness, no matter what was falling from the sky.

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
Carolkeene.com
Dailypaintworks.com
Dailypainters.com

In Full Regalia

"In Full Regalia"
12" x 12"
Oil on wrapped canvas 

I went to the Lincoln Park Conservatory to photograph the spring flowers nearly a year ago. This festive beauty was warbling her regal song as I passed, so I captured her likeness and brought it to my studio. 

I wish I hadn't waited so long to paint her. She was a delightful subject, what with all her colors and completely new shapes to articulate.  I plan to paint more orchids.

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
Carolkeene.com
Dailypaintworks.com
Dailypainters.com

Simply Stated

"Simply Stated"
12" x 12"
Oil on wrapped canvas

Here's the simpler painting I mentioned yesterday. It's dioxazine violet and cobalt blue intertwining with one another, using white to pull the colors into the foreground and black to push them back.  It's really very much more interesting to look at in person, as are all of the pieces in this series.  

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
Carolkeene.com
Dailypaintworks.com
Dailypainters.com

Split Synapses

"Split Synapses"
12" x 12"
Oil on wrapped canvas 

I revisited the synapse theme today, but in a different palette of colors. I'm using a split complement of blue violet, yellow green and yellow orange. The mixing of the colors as my brush flowed from one place to another gave me what appears to be a russet.  

It's not my favorite palette, but I tried working outside my comfort zone. I would have preferred reds and oranges with my violet, but as I said, it was a challenge.  I limited my palette for tomorrow's post. Very limited!

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
Carolkeene.com
Dailypainters.com
Dailypaintworks.com

Let's Go Dancin' In the Light

"Let's Go Dancin' In the Light"
4" x 4"
Oil on hardboard 

I'm listening to Neil Young again. He's taking me dancing' in the light of the "Harvest Moon." It feels so right, doesn't it?  

This is an itty bitty piece, but a real cutie pie.

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
Carolkeene.com
Dailypainters.com
Dailypaintworks.com

Creek View

"Creek View"
5" x 7"
Oil on hardboard

The sun had snuggled behind the pines for the night. She left a nightlight on the creek for the last few stragglers to find their way to shelter.

It has snowed again in my zip code, but it was fast and furious and melted before noon, the way it should be in a State that is not dependent on the white stuff for its economy… like Colorado.

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
Carolkeene.com
Dailypainters.com
Dailypaintworks.com

Along the River

"Along the River"
5" x 7"
Oil on hardboard 

Again, the river is close to the road and the hills are snaking along on one side of the river. 

Here's a very high key painting; very little value difference… on the light side.  

Carol

Brushstrokes@comcast.net
Carolkeene.com
Dailypaintworks.com
Dailypainters.com