Geraniums in Great-Grandma's Teapot

 

Geraniums are one of my favorite summer flowers to paint - and these are in my Great Grandmother's teapot!  I seem to edit a scene for a painting, without even realizing that I've done it.  I often don't see the things that weaken a composition until another points it out to me.  In this painting, I didn't realize I was overlooking the stonecrop that spilled from the teapot - until I looked at this photo!  It would only detract from the painting to add it in, so I didn't see it!  It's funny how skills progress into an auto-pilot process until pushing towards the finish.  That's when things kick into high gear for me, and I want to fully describe my feelings in a place - with paint.  All I strive for is to improve a little each and every day.  Painting number 3890 in 3890 days. 

Pink Geraniums

What fun it is to paint in the greenhouse of Family Tree Nursery!  Like a kid in a candy store - it takes me quite a while to narrow my search for painting subjects.  The avid gardener in me is gathering as much information as possible, already planning locations for possible adoptees.  I am currently wintering over two geraniums, but the cheerful pink blooms of this one called to me, so this one now adorns my kitchen table!  With a little ink and watercolor, I paint this one in the 30 minutes of paint time I have left, while chatting with my mom who has accompanied me today.  We have shopping age lunch planned afterward. Painting number 3310 in 3310 days, and day 24 #stradaeasel challenge. 

Geraniums

As I work in my gardens to put my beds to rest for the season, I am busy bringing in my favorites to winter over indoors.  I simply cannot leave these beauties to the Jack Frost. I bought this one and another fushia geranium at Suburban Lawn and Garden in the spring, and they have flourished - despite being forgotten by my husband while I was away painting.  So, they deserve an extended season, and I'm hoping to get to paint their blooms all winter long!  After this long gardening day, all I can manage is a miniature painting, using ink and watercolor for this floral.  So nice to get a painting in - even if it's a tiny one!  Painting number 3219 in 3219 days. 

Teakettle Geraniums

I have been wanting to paint these geraniums for days - and I finally got the chance!  The reds are so vibrant - I find that I am cooling down the surrounding masses to try to capture their glow!  This old teakettle belonged to my great grandmother Ethie, and though no longer fit for tea, it is a perfect vessel for my plants!  With oils, I lay in darks and lights, brushing in the blossoms loosely, with light strokes from a soft brush.  I am using a softer synthetic flat that was given to me, and I like how it defines the petals with a swipe.  It was fun using those cad reds at full strength - I don't get to do that too often!  Painting number 3064 in 3064 days. 

Geraniums on the Table

At every turn, this Greenwood Vintage Market offered up another wonderful scene!  After taking a quick pass through the main areas, I jumped right in, hoping I could paint three before lunch!  I love the way the geranium branches fell over the edge of the pot, heavy with blooms.  The color was so rich against the antique cupboard and chair.  Again using this new lighter weight cotton rag paper, I start with inking the lines in my sketchy way.  I float the watercolor in with less water than the first one, to keep it where I want it.  I finish with a few more ink lines with India ink, as my orginal lines were quick and light.  Perhaps they rubbed off a little with the watercolor work?  Too soon to tell if it is a trait of the paper.  Next, I'll have to try a larger size, and see how it behaves!  It's like I'm interviewing this paper, and I keep calling him back.  Not sure if he's got the job, yet!  Painting number 2374 in 2374 days.

April Geraniums

April Geraniums
Oil on panel, 8x10

Frisella’s Nursery invited the artists this morning for an amazing breakfast of yogurt, fruit, croissants, scones and muffins!  After eating - and shopping for a new painting hat, I chose these flashy red geraniums for my second painting of the day!  Laying in my cad reds first, I then moved to the darks, and brought all the masses together with the brushwork.  I really enjoyed painting this, surrounded by so many beautiful blooms!  Painting number 1214 in 1214 days.

on location :)

September Geraniums

September Geraniums
oil on canvas, 6x4
purchase here

Trying to prepare for Labor Day weekend has me crossing chores off my list and juggling those others!  Michaela comes home from college for the long weekend - and it will be so nice to have her home!  Lots of family time ahead!  Most of my geraniums did not survive “Beau”, and this painting is a tribute to the lone survivor!  I REALLY hope he matures by next summer, so he will allow my blooms to flourish as they should!  Now, I am off to the store for groceries before staring dinner :) This is number 4 in September’s 30 day challenge and this painting makes 977 for me in 977 days :)

Mom's Geraniums

Mom's Geraniums
Oil on canvas panel, 10x8
purchase here

We'll be heading back to Missouri shortly, so this morning finds me getting out early to paint.  Mom's geraniums are absolutely gorgeous - and I had to capture them in oils. We've had such a wonderful visit with my parents, brother and his family!  It is always so sad to leave.  I wish they all lived nearby and we could get together frequently.  Maybe one day.........painting number 952 in 952 days.

July Geraniums

July Geraniums
Oil on wood panel, 6x4
purchase here

Choosing bright red geraniums to paint on this Independence Day, I have found one little window in this busy family day to paint.  Using plenty of paint, I have added a different medium - walnut oil.  I am trying it  because of the shine it can add.  I am using food grade oil, as the artist varieties have solvents that I can not breathe.  So far, it has given a light shine to thinner areas, and it remains to be seen of this lasts as it dries.  I love to experiment!  This makes painting number 916 in 916 days :)

Salmon Geraniums

Salmon Geraniums
Oil on wood panel, 7x5
sold

On this very, very busy day, I have squeezed in enough painting time to complete this little gem.  Using reference from Tuesday's plein air for the Tri County Art League, I have loosely painted this small panel with my oils.  Donna's salmon geraniums are a perfect subject for a quick paint - composition is easily done with a little zooming into the subject.  It is more pleasing with flowers running off three sides, more dramatic.  Painting number 873 in 873 days.  Stems starts tomorrow - the plein air event at the overland Park Arboretum :)

Donna's Geraniums

Donna's Geraniums
Oil on wood panel, 10x8
Tri County Art League paint-out at Donna's
purchase here

Today, we had a special treat for the Tri County Art League! Instead of our regular scheduled meeting at the bank, Donna and Yvonne graciously offered their homes for a little plein air and lunch.  With so many beautiful views to choose from, including lakes behind both homes, these geraniums ultimately called my name the loudest! Painting number 871 in 871 days.

Bold Geraniums

Bold Geraniums
Watercolor on paper, 7x5

Working completely off the top of my head today, I just started painting without first composing.  I let the brush wander where it would, dropping in extra color as needed.  It is freeing to paint in such a way, like "seizing the day" with my brush!  As always, I painted three different watercolor paintings at once, allowing of dry time between the first layer and the second.  I like the way these colors mingle and pop - I should use that permanent blue more often!  Today's paper of choice - a 140lb cold-pressed.  This makes painting number 603 in 603 days :)

Geraniums at Play

Geraniums at Play
Watercolor on paper, 6x9
Purchase Information

Every year, I plant the beloved geraniums.  Every year but this one.  Our new puppy, now 6 months old, has a passion for emptying every pot and container of all plantlife and dirt - no matter how heavy those pots are!  So, this year, I am simply admiring these beauties from afar.  I love the look of dripping watercolor on paper.  One would think that this is a simple process of raising the paper upright, the the juicy watercolors would just drip downwards.  Well, it doesn't work that easy for me!  Last time, I had to blow on the drops to make them fall.  This time, I held the paper upright and tapped it on the table...several times before the drips would fall!  I wanted drama in this painting, so I chose indigo for the shadow areas, pulling some of it back out with a stiff nubby bristle brush and water - blotting with a paper towel to lift the color.  This left a ghostly image of petals in the background.  I need to be careful with this technique, lest I rub some of the paper away as well.  Today, I add scarlet lake to my arsenal of reds, and a little new gamboge for the sun kissed highlights (yes, I am still working my way though my newfound treasure of watercolors!). Painting number 582 in as many days.

Juicy Geraniums

Juicy Geraniums
Watercolor on paper, 6x4

After spending the entire day cleaning, organizing, putting things in the attic, and getting my art supplies in order - I have come late to my easel!  At first so tired, I had no idea what to paint.  As I relaxed just a bit - "geraniums" - popped into my mind!  Without sketching or planning the composition out, I started dropping on the drawing gum with one of my newly found palette knives.  Painting in the background, then some of the red, I next removed the gum - a wee bit early - which resulted in a little transfer of color onto my white areas.  I just worked that color in, and painted the rest rather quickly - and a bit boldly.  I am getting an early start on my Fourth of July colors!  I just found a perfect frame for this little painting, and I have the perfect spot in the family room for it - so I guess I will be keeping this one!  This painting makes 545 in 545 days - and another day of experimenting in watercolor :)

Vintage Geraniums

Vintage Geraniums
Oil on canvas, 6x6
sold

Just a quick little paint tonight, as I have had a full and exhausting day!  Geraniums are one of my favorite flowers, and this one is painted with loose strokes.  I have given this one a vintage feel by changing the colors just a bit, as though looking back in time.  Today was warm and windy, but tomorrow should bring back a couple of days of cold weather - yuck!  I am ready for every day to be in the 70's and sunny!  This makes painting number 446 in as many days :)

Teapot Geraniums

Teapot Geraniums
Oil on panel, 11x14

Full of energy this morning, I decided to follow my pilates class with a Zumba class - with weights.  Silly me!  I have been "feeling the burn" ever since!  Arriving home after shopping (it was all I could do to carry the bags), I started dinner in the crock-pot, and pulled out my paints.  I love this old teapot - it belonged to my great-grandmother Ethie and was passed on to my by my Grandma Frank.  The handle is a little rusty, and the patina is a wonderful, rough finish - SO paintable.  This time, I started with a panel primed in black - which I normally save for nocturnes, but as my supply is running low - I am using what I have.  My goal on this one was to give the feel of days gone by, as if seeing this teapot through a dream.  I used lots of loose, impressionistic strokes to add to the dreaminess.  Finishing later than planned tonight, this painting makes 395 paintings in 395 days, and finishing up with the 30th painting in the 30 day painting challenge :)

Geranium Blooms

Geranium Blooms
Oil on panel, 6x6
print available here

What a very busy day!  I got right to work on prepping panels when the kids got on the bus at 6:20 this morning.  Thinking it would only take a couple of hours - silly me - I would then be right on time for a field trip to Science City with my youngest son.  I had done most of the sanding last night, so I lined them all up and started the gesso, acrylic tint, pumice coat on each one.  After two hours, I had to go - leaving my panels to dry all over the kitchen!  Arriving home by 3:00, I started in again.  Coaxed to the store by my youngest daughter with a bribe to help me finish - I was off again.  Once at home, she jumped in to help me finish.  Working as fast as I could, I barely finished in time to throw on clothes to go to two art openings tonight.  I have one in an auction for the Fountain Foundation for the Kansas City Fountains, and three currently at the Buttonwood Art Space at 35th and Main in Kansas City.  After a fun evening with good friends and great art, I am finally home and whipping up something quick - so I can get to bed!  Some days are like that.  I could not have squeezed anything more into this day, if my life depended on it!  This is painting number 246 in as many days, and Day 6 on Leslie Saeta's 30 day challenge.  Didn't I just say 30 days would be a piece of cake?  Well, not today!

Geraniums and Marigolds

Geraniums and Marigolds
Oil on panel, 6x6

I have been busy all morning - getting ready for company.  My chores are done - and I actually had a few minutes to "touch this up"!  I painted this yesterday from the flowers in my garden.  When I had finished this, I just felt there was something lacking, something left undone.  With a few strokes today, and a bit more added to the impressionistic background - I like where this has gone!  So glad I had a little window of time to finish this up, before I get into the margaritas!  This is painting number 191 in 191 days!

Geraniums on the Farm

Geraniums on the Farm
Oil on panel, 9x12
Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead

The weather was so beautiful today - I worked in the gardens with my grandsons most of the day.  Once in the house, thing after thing went wrong.  Vacuum cleaner overheated - twice.  One of the boys spilled his water on the table - and it leached under the large glass top.  The other grabbed handfuls of chips, leaving a trail behind him (and sandwich crumbs and a couple of half eaten apples I didn't find until later).  After dinner and much cleaning - and trying out the new ice cream maker, I turned my attention to painting.  Honestly, I thought - I don't feel like painting anything!  What a day!  And it started out so wonderful!  So, I looked through my images.  I remembered sketching this one out right after the sunrise paint, but had not had time to start blocking it in.  Thinking this was right up my alley after such a crazy day - I started it just an hour and a half ago.  It is loose and free - and offered me just the right amount of creative therapy for tonight!  Feeling so much better - painting number 155 in as many days.

Geranium Dream

Geranium Dream
Oil on panel, 8x10

We had a wonderful day full of family time today.  Without time to go out to the arboretum, I am painting the geraniums hanging in one of my baskets on the front porch.  After hanging only two days, I started watering this basket, and out flew a little house wren!  On closer inspection, I could see her little nest hidden under the foliage.  I had poured the water right into her nest!  The next time I watered, I didn't see her, but today she was back in her nest.  I water on the other side of the basket now, not to disturb her too much.  I may have to move the basket when her babies get big enough to hop out.  My cats will be anxiously awaiting below for a little treat!  This is my first attempt at painting geraniums - and I really enjoyed it!  This painting makes 144 in 144 days.