That Pesky Oil Painting is Finished.

That oil painting I was working on? It's done. I'm not sure if I will do it again. I didn't feel that surge of spontaneity I had hoped for, although the image is pretty, I think. It's tiny - just 10 inches by 6.5. Perhaps painting oils on a really large canvas is the key. And I would probably waste half the paints over me.

"Home from the Hills"

And, yes, I achieved some great texture, but I can do that with acrylics, too (molding paste, Gesso). I need someone to point out the advantages of oil over acrylic. I can't think of any.

Oh, and it finally dried.

Still Painting. When Will I Return to My Writing?

These are the paintings I've completed through June. I'm not prolific, but when I start, I can't stop. The varying subjects are an indication of where my thought processes are these days...unpredictable and inexplicable, but always spontaneous. I think Pinterest has a lot to do with it...

Click on the images to enlarge them.

"The Village House"

16 x 20

"Star Bright"

15 x 11

"Trifid"

16 x 20

(My first abstract ever. Will do more.)

"Buttercups"

15 x 11

"Sundown"

17 x 14

I've started a small oil painting. This is the first time in decades that I've messed with oils, and, believe me, I do get into a mess with oils. But I'm persevering. I admire the apparent freedom most oil artists seem to have, and would love to experience that. The image I've produced at present looks as controlled and contained as anything I do in acrylic...more so, in fact, because I'm trying so hard not to get messy! I guess my other complaint is that I have no patience with waiting for paint to dry, and I will not use turpentine to speed the process. Of course, I'll blog the result when and if I ever get the thing finished - and dried.

Until next time.

Two Gentlemen of Havana - Original Acrylic Painting on Canvas by Fran Caldwell

This painting was inspired by a photograph I came across on Pinterest. I am no portraitist, so their faces are only my artist's impression, but their clothes, and especially their attitudes, are as precise as I could manage.

They might have been celebrating the change of policy with the U.S., but the original photograph was taken some time before that news was announced. Judging by their attire and the bouquet, they were looking forward to a very enjoyable night. It seems they find life a celebration all the time.

While I was painting this, I found myself chatting to them. An odd thing to admit, but I just found them so interesting (and, just to reassure you that I'm not completely nuts, I received no response to my chit-chat). May they dance the night away forever.

This painting is not for sale. It's for my daughter, who shared my fascination for these gentlemen. 

"For No Reason, They Began to Dance" Small Naive Folk Painting

An odd shaped canvas 10.5 inches by 6.5. And I came up with this image.

I don't know where they came from, but the dancers make me smile. 

She probably has something cooking on the stove, too.

But it doesn't matter. Dancing comes first...

It Seems I've Got the Painting Bug Again

Once the urge hits, you can't stop it. I'm really painting again. Here are two of my latest, and there will be more. It's a funny old thing, the creativity virus.

16 x 20 inches

13.5 x 17 inches

(Squeakie is going to be so pleased with me.) 

Talk soon.

"Escape" Vintage Hot Air Balloon in the Night Sky Painting

So pleased to have another commission finished, that I quite forgot that I have a new painting in addition to the custom picture.

I haven't featured any wild skies for a long time, and had the urge. And night skies are wonderful. I'll probably do some more.

Until next time...

"Betsy's Quilt Sale" Latest Painting

This was a commission from Kentucky, completed yesterday. The nice thing about custom orders is that for a little while I get to "travel" to the client's world, via their special requests, and through my own research into their neighborhood.

I've become quite familiar with many towns in many states through commissions. Not that you'll see it all in a painting, but I need the "feel" of the place, local sports teams, restaurants, streets. It's fun for me, and apparently the client just loves it. Hope it's not too long before I get another order because I really enjoy doing them. So nice when the client says "Perfect!"

Below are two others with the same theme. 

Well, the same, but different...

"Pretty Boy" Colonial Rooster Portrait - First Painting in Eight Months!

So I goof off for over eight months, pretending to work on this novel I am publishing. The book is long finished, so it's the print formatting that takes up my time. I wondered if I would ever feel like painting again, and certainly the tubes of paint are looking a bit dessicated. Out of the blue, I had this urgent need to paint a rooster.

What on earth is that about?

Anyway, here he is, as he presented himself to me. It's a biggish canvas at 16 inches by 20. I usually work on something a bit smaller but he wanted it that way. Arrogance.

He's a handsome fellow. I think he would look lovely in a rustic kitchen. (Unfortunately, I have the other kind - the kind most people seem to want, but which I find clinical.)

So I guess I'm back painting. We'll have to wait and see.