1302 Daffodils, 8x10, egg tempera

Where Ships of Purple-Gently Toss-

On Seas of Daffodil-

Fantastic Sailors-Mingle-

And then-the Warf is still!

Emily Dickenson

Prepping Panels

This is a miniature painting 4"x4".
I've been working on my painting panels. Today I sealed them with rabbit skin glue. I was going to do them all in the shed but there are too many so some are drying indoors.

1214 White Peony, 6x6, oil on cradled panel

1213 Peonies, 8x10 oil on wood panel

I've been completing paintings that I started and set aside a ways back. This one I painted in a grisaille last year and only just now added color.
There's some that I started many years ago and forgot about completely.

The thing is that I"m getting low on panels so I've been going through old paintings considering painting over them.

Anyway, I just had 151 panels cut from some 1/4inch baltic birch plywood. I spent a few days sanding it smooth (My shoulder is now paining me). As soon as the weather gets nice I'll seal them and put a few layers of traditional gesso on the front. This process takes several days but the finished product results in the most exquisite painting surface. Silky smooth and perfect for applying egg tempera. Here's what 151 baltic birch panels looks like:

I will seal all sides with warm Rabbit Skin Glue and then apply a traditional gesso that i make with rabbit skin glue and calcium carbonate (Marble dust). Then I sand it smooth with wet ultra fine sand paper or I scrape it with a blade. The result is amazing. There is no painting panel I could buy at any price that compares with the quality of the ones I make the traditional way. After I finish the painting and write the date, title, and conservation information on the back I I seal it with shellac to keep atmospheric moisture from causing warping over the years.

151 panels should last me about a year.  Plus I do the odd large painting on stretched canvas. 

1212 Bluebird and Peonies, 8x10, oil on board

I love painting ceramic birds. They are like a character in my work. They add a charming narrative. 

1211 Poppy Party, 8x10, oil

This is a plenaire painting I did in my garden last summer. 

1209 Poppy Garden, 8x10, oil

Sold-Toronto

I started this last year, en plenaire in my garden. I got distracted and left it unfinished until yesterday. 

Flowers in a Bluebird Vase, 6x6, oil on panel

This darling gem was misplaced for a few years. Just came across it today and thought I'd share it here. The paint is very impasto and the colours brilliant. I cant find that adorable vase anywhere either. This studio is so cluttered!
Should I put it on eBay? 

1116 Peonies in a Jewel Jar, 8x10, oil on board

Sold-Minnesota USA

These lovely peonies have been in this jar for a week! I started this painting last Sunday and finished it today. I felt like giving up every time I looked at them but felt guilty. They seemed like they wouldn't give up so how could I?
 Well it's a sweet painting. Even if I say so myself.

1115 Wild Roses, 8x10, oil on board

sold-Westmount, QC

Here's my painting beside my setup. I painted it yesterday when the petals were still on. I love the wall paper behind the roses but I felt it would get too busy. 

1114 Apple Blossoms in a Glass Bulb, 8x10, oil on board

bid

1113 Apple Blossoms, 8x10, oil on board

bid

1112 Apple Blossoms, 8x10, oil on board

sold-Westmount

1111 Apple Blossoms, 8x10, oil on board

sold-Mobile Alabama

1110 Apple Blossoms, 8x10 oil on board

1108 Carnations in a Jar, 8x10, oil on board

bid

1107 Red tulips in a Mason Jar, 8x10, oil on board

Red tulips signify true perfect love.

1106 Carnations in a Mason Jar, 8x10, oil on board

bid

1105 Irises in a Mason Jar, 8x10 oil on board

bid

I picked up these lovely flags from Safeway the other day. They didn't keep long even in the fridge. I had to work fast. I painted the flowers first and ended up painting the jar after the flowers were done...sigh. I'm getting a little bored with the wall paper. I will look around the house for some props. 

1104 Red Tulips in a Glass Bowl, 8x10, oil on board

bid

Red tulips signify True Love. Perfect!