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. 

Teapot Bouquet

It has been quite a while since I've been to the Vintage Market in Greenwood, so I was delighted that our monthly Art Mob event was scheduled here.  Bonus - after two hours of sketching, we all met at the Tea Room for lunch!  As we sat around the table, I painted this tiny 3x3 card as a gift for the owners.  It is so nice that places like this allow us to invade their space with our artistic ways for a couple of hours!  Painting number 2406 in 2406 days.

Teapot and Cups Batik

Teapot and Cups Batik
Watercolor, ink, hot wax on masa, 8x5
purchase here

I was asked to bring in some artwork for the walls of my favorite tea and herb shop today.  So, I set up a couple of teacups and my "Cinderella" teapot for an impromptu still life in the afternoon light.  The Royals game started at 3:07, so I watched my hometown team clinch the series with the Orioles while I painted!  We are World Series bound - and this painting will soon be headed to Life Thyme Botanicals.  This painting makes 654 in as many days and I'll be painting all day tomorrow in historic Parkville :)

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 :)