Petunias, Coleus, Alyssum

"Petunias, Coleus, Alyssum"
10" x 8"
Acrylic on canvas panel 
I photographed these colors when I was out by the Mississippi last fall at the farm where I stayed. At the time I didn't know when I'd paint them, but here it is Ground Hog Day and the deepest snow I've seen in 35 years, and I'm reveling in the intense colors of Mary's garden for comfort. Thank you, dear friend. 

As I sorted through the images I had painted in the last eleven months to get them ready to post to my website, I became aware of the happiness I felt when I saw my knife paintings. Today was an unlikely day to paint this, but it felt right. I will keep my acrylics out for a few more days and see what comes of it.

Carol

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

Coleus Carnival

"Coleus Carnival"
24" x 20"
Pastel on black panel
Flanking the front door of the floral shoppe down the road from Mary and Dee's home where I stayed for five days last week was a barrel of coleus and ornamental sweet potato plants. The colors radiated in the sunshine, so I photographed them, hoping to be able to use the image … some day. 

When I saw the image on my computer screen I knew they would be my first large, three day painting in my squiggle style of pastel painting.  I'm very pleased with the results. And I can hardly wait to begin my next large pastel painting. I've become … braver.

Carol

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

Woodstock Coleus

"Woodstock Coleus"
8" x 10"
Acrylic on canvas panel
The colors in the planter caught my eye before I pulled all the way in to the parking lot. Coleus, rimmed in acrid green lounged against warm and cool blossoms alike, playing no favorites.  

Here's a knife painting I did in Woodstock on Thursday.  The flowers were there, but seriously drooping in the heat.  Thirsty, too.

Carol

Dailypaintworks.com
Dailypainters.com
My Gallery
Brushstrokes@comcast.net

Joyful, Joyful

"Joyful, Joyful"
8" x 8"
Acrylic on canvas panel
I painted with a joyful heart today. I spent two days with a very ill child and finally made him laugh and hug me.  The little guy loves the color yellow, so I made certain to include that sunshine color in this joyful composition.

It's another palette knife piece.  I'm enjoying the looseness of the application of paint in this technique.  I'll do a few more before moving on to some large roses that are auditioning like starlets.

Carol

Dailypaintworks.com
Dailypainters.com
My Gallery 
Brushstrokes@comcast.net