Christmas Carol and Red Ribbon

Christmas Carol and Red Ribbon

All the Christmas decorations are up and over the years, like many people, we have added to our collection.   I selected a few favorite items and combined them on the still life shelf in my studio.   This still life features some "rustic" pieces (a basket, greens, pine cones, berries and a book.) 

In our house, "A Christmas Carol" is a favorite, both book and movie (George C. Scott version :)).  That is why this was the volume featured in this Christmas still life. 

See Starry Snowman (previous post) blog for the photo of my studio still life shelf with two still life set ups, one of which is this featured piece.

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Starry Snowman with Shiny Accents

Two Still Life Groupings

With all the Christmas decorations around the house, I could probably have picked a shelf or table and set up my easel and paint a still life.   I played it safe though (oil paint can be a bit dangerous - and permanent) and chose a few items to stage on my still life shelf in the studio.   I don't find playing with composition particularly easy, and I had selected a number of shiny things bulbs, sparkly ribbons, and a few "rustic" pieces (a basket, greens, pine cones, berries and a book.)  Intermingled on the shelf, they were not harmonious and in fact, they conflicted.


 Once separated into two groupings, each cluster looked much nicer, and thus the two different paintings. 

The first photo shows the shelf with both still life set ups.

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Starry Snowman with Shiny Accents

Roses Oval

Pink Roses Oval

Being in an art supply store, for me, is like being a "kid in the toy store."   I am usually shopping with specific intent (and a list) but I am easily lured toward impulse buys when it comes to art supplies.  One such impulse was the purchase of the oval canvas used for this painting.    My original idea was to use the oval for a portrait, as was popular in the nineteenth century.   In preparation for the portrait, I underpainted the canvas - at least twice - during the several months it spent hanging out in my studio.   I never did execute the oval portrait, but eventually decided to use the surface for this pink roses bouquet.  Yes, another pink roses painting!

I wouldn't have guessed that the shape of the canvas would disrupt a comfortable painting "flow," but it did!   Not having straight edges made me feel like the painting elements were floating, and their placement seemed "off."    Initially the roses were painted sitting in a vase until I realized that the weight and groundedness of the vase was the problem.  It had created an imbalance so the vase had to go!   As soon as the vase was wiped off, there was instant harmony within the rounded edges.

Learning never stops does it?  This experience showed me some compositional attributes of subject space versus "white" space, and of course beyond that, it demonstrated that its fruitful to try new things often!

Kayak Rack

Kayak Rack at the Pond

This pretty little spot along the pond offers many "painting-worthy" vistas.   I liked the late afternoon sun patterns on the various elements, trees, kayaks, and the bed of pine needles.  A simple vertical kayak rack was built by affixing wooden braces between two large trees near the water's edge.    Not only were the kayaks colorful, but the late October foliage added brightness to the scene as well.    Near the kayaks, a sitting area had been constructed, a platform with an overhead roof.  Nestled here were two Adirondack chairs and I'm picturing a peaceful afternoon nap for the owners.

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