12 Days of Christmas--My Favorite Paintings count down

"Majestic Mallard"

8 x 10 acrylic on stretched canvas SOLD

I painted this recently using a fellow bloggers great photograph. I loved the colors in the water, the swirls and reflections. Check out his blog to see lots of very nice photography and interesting garden and cooking comments. It is http://marksvegplot.blogspot.com/

This is number 7 in my count down! Keep looking!

12 Days of Christmas---Favorite Painting count down

"Springtime Mallards"

11 x 14 acrylic, framed $300.

This is the 8th painting in my favorite painting count down til Christmas. Last spring, I painted it after watching these three ducks in the canal. Always together, the males seem to guard the female. I love the rippling water and how their feet can be seen through the water---I always love to do reflections, too.

I am counting down my favorite paintings I have done this year, up to Christmas Eve, so keep watching! Thanks for checking out my blog and I hope your Christmas preparation is going great and you are having fun!

12 Days of Christmas--Favorite Paintings Count Down

"Sandhill Cranes"

22 x 34 watercolor, framed $500.

Sandhill Cranes are such regal, interesting birds that I see here in South Florida all the time. Usually there is a youngster with a pair, who mate for life! The baby bird in this painting is very young and will later change in color as he grows. I like the watery background and focused all the detail on the birds. This is the 9th painting in my Painting Count Down!

Merry Christmas to all!

12 Days of Christmas---Favorite Paintings Count Down

"Days End"

18 x 24 egg tempera, SOLD

Counting down my favorites--this is number 10. It is an egg tempera, which is so interesting to do, layering the paint in thin layers. It is dusk and the farmer is deep in thought, perhaps about his cattle or his garden. The old basket beside him holds potatoes he has dug. This is a painting that calls for you to look at it a long time, studying the shapes, colors, light, etc. but also the subject matter. I hope you like it, too!

Our count down of favorites continues tomorrow!

12 Days of Christmas--Favorite paintings--Count Down

"Quilter and Pin Cushion"
18 x 24 egg tempera on masonite, framed $600

She's a woman who has seen many years and many things. Her face is etched with wrinkles and her eyes show wisdom. Painted from a photo of a quilter at a quilt show in Appalachia, this is one of my favorite paintings I have done. I love working with egg tempera, layering, using a sponge at times and then using a thin brush for details. The pin cushion and post on the right balance the figure on the left. I like the composition and the colors. Click on it to see the details. What a nice gift this would make for Christmas! There is still time, but only if you hurry. Keep warm! Eleven Days til Christmas!

Twelve Days of Christmas--my favorite 12 paintings

"Carolina Wrens Building a Nest" $500

16 x 20 acrylic on stretched canvas, framed

This painting has won an exhibition prize.

For the next 12 days, until Christmas, I will be posting each day one of my favorite paintings. I'm starting with this one, which tells a story of a busy little couple trying to build their nest in my father's old garden boots! This story is sort of true, as the pair of wrens build their nest each year somewhere on my back porch. I placed Dad's old work boots out there to entice them, but no! they chose a flower pot. My imagination could just see the male trying to get the leather shoe lace into the nest, while his mate waits patiently with her twig! I love these old boots, as the memory of my Dad is there---I can just see the way he stood in the placement of these boots and in their form. Click on the photo to see details.

My photography skills were not so good, as I took this photo inside my studio and there are so many windows that the flash reflects the light too much in spots.

This painting is my pick # 12.

"Fluff, the Christmas Cat"

"Fluff, the Christmas Cat"

6 x 6 acrylic on gesso board $40 SOLD

Watch out, Christmas tree! Here is Fluff with all the reflections of the Christmas lights in his big blue eyes and he is ready to check out the ornaments and climb the tree! Like a child, he is ready to investigate this new thing of fascination.

I am sure some of you "cat mommies" have had this happen! Click on this painting to see the hair details and an interesting backgroud done with paper towels!