Figs & Antique Wooden Blocks "Luca is Love Times Three" oil painting

"Luca is Love Times Three"

12x9 inches / oil on panel

SOLD

Here is my second commissioned painting of this subject. from another young couple who have been blessed with a precious baby boy! They planted a fig tree together outside their door when they first met, and now with their first child named Luca, requested a painting of blocks and three little figs which I designed, “Luca is Love Times Three”. You may recall that last year I’d received a commission for a painting of a single fig and wooden blocks which carried a lot of symbolism for that first couple as well, since their baby boy named Aaron, was knicknamed “Fig” thus my painting with a play on words, “Aaron, We Love You”.

Nature's Melodies Nest with Blue Eggs & Music Featured in the Perez Gallery Spring Show

Nature's Melodies

6x6 inches / oil on panel

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I'm delighted to once again participate in the Perez Gallery Spring Show with my painting, "Nature's Melodies".  Be sure to visit the gallery online and vote for your personal favorite in the Perez Gallery Spring Show.

Sunny Disposition of Nasturtiums Oil Painting

Nasturtiums in the Sunshine

5x5 inches / oil on panel

SOLD

These charming little Nasturtiums have a sunny disposition which for my client recall her mother’s garden . . . but there were always ants on them! You’ll remember two other country fresh paintings which were requested in memory of her grandmother who would offer small nosegays of Sweetpeas in a mason jar and Zinnias in a tin can. Always such fun painting commissions like these!

Abundance classical old world Dutch master style original oil painting by jeanne illenye

Abundance

24x20 inches / oil on canvas

NFS

It was only a few brief years ago that I was intensely studying the methods of the Dutch masters, as exhibited here in this painting of my own imagination.  These larger, complex compositions executed with intense detail took months to complete.  I still adore these paintings not only for their beauty, but also because I dedicated so much of my life to each one, as opposed to my "Little Gems" for example, which at most take a few days to complete so I only seem to visit with them very briefly.  However, I truly grew with these elaborate paintings which required such intense visualization and heavy reliance upon memory of my subjects, that I feel they are a part of me . . . or I am a part of them.  I didn't actually have the luxury of a still life in front of me at that time so my tutorials were harder learned.  Yet those self taught lessons have sunk in deeply as a result and everything I've done subsequently contains this underlying foundation. These paintings are where I really strove to hone my technical skills.  It all began when I fell in love with a particular masterpiece (will show at future post) and naively mentioned to a friend how I wondered if I could actually paint like that.  Her surprisingly off-handed response, "Sure you can," is what prompted the challenge, and it was the best step I could've taken with my art.  Now, as I'm changing direction, or more accurately, as my sensitivities are piqued in other aspects and a directional change is slowly becoming more evident in the newest work on my easels, I'm turning a glimpse backward to see my progress.  The joy of having a career like this is that it will forever entertain my eyes, my hand, my mind and my heart as I strive to improve my work while serving as a vessel to interpret and capture nature's transient beauty.

(Me with "Abundance". Click HERE for more art reviews.) 

...and here's Farmstand Peaches, the painting reflected in the silver spoons painting shown prior. classical old world style oil

Farmstand Peaches

24x36 inches oil on canvas

NFS

. . . and as I’ve mentioned it before, here’s the painting that resides over my desk and is reflected in those big silver spoons. What I intended when creating this painting some years ago, was to establish an old world sense of warmth and charm. There are two sides of me really, one that loves the ornate and another that loves rustic. This painting is actually framed in an ornate goldleaf frame which satisfies both desires. 

...and here's the completed painting: BIG Silver Spoons with "K" Engraving predominantly featuring the Lily and Orange Blossom patterns

BIG Silver Spoons with "K" Engraving

16x12 inches / oil on panel

SOLD

Century old silver spoons predominantly feature "Lily" and "Orange Blossom".  While my Lily spoon has a “B” engraved, my client requested “K” for their last name; I always love these personalized details in custom paintings.  There is a glare no matter how I tried to reduce the effects of the bright sunlight relfecting off the snow, plus it's a little blurry but you know me . . . I'm a patient painter but a very impatient photographer even handholding my camera . . . but you get the idea!   :o)  Oh, and a little postscript, that's me holding my camera and the large "Farmstand Peaches" painting in a gilt frame reflected within the bowls of the spoons.

Work in progress on my easel: BIG SILVER SPOONS

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Thought it might be fun to share a sneak peek at a work in progress which is a commissioned painting of sterling silver teaspoons similar to my first version of 5x7 inches, but here they are painted larger than life at 16x12 inches. At first I wasn’t so sure about going that large as I typically prefer my subjects lifesized or smaller, but once I did the layout I was excited. I’m so impatient about getting these spoons done but the dry time between sittings is slow. I’m aiming to complete the last two handles, which are of course the most detailed being the Lily and Orange Blossom patterns, then final detailing overall. More to come . . . .

early spring nest of moss and feathers

early spring nest of moss and feathers

5x5 inches oil on panel

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