These Martha Washington peonies grow outside my back door. Peonies are one of my favorite flowers and over the years I have added different varities to my gardens. To me, this variety is one of the most bautiful. During Covid most of my painting was done outside in my yard. This is one of those paintings. The beautiful centers contrasting with the pink petals is part of what I love about these flowers; so I decided to focus on them close up and detailed rather than in a big bunch. The rich red green color harmony and the beautiful texture of the petals stand out against the neutral negative spaces. This painting was recently selected for the Norwood Art association cover photo for their facebook page. The painting sold immediately after I painted it. I set up some paintings on easels in my yard for one of my collectors who was missing coming to the gallery while we were closed for Covid. She immediately picked out this one. She told me my paintings brought her happiness.

Some recent still life work

 When the peonies bloom, I am compelled to do at least one painting of them before they fade away. In the painting below, the big luscious blooms and the subtle colors begged me to paint them. Peonies are one of my favorite flowers.  I like to make them the focal point of my painting with some supporting elements that pick up the color in the flowers. The dark background provided a good contrast with the flowers. In the second painting, it is the grapes and the light that command attention. This still life was a bit more complex and took 3 sessions to complete. The subject matter was brought  from a foggy beginning to a strong highlighted finish. The hydrangeas were layered from blocked in shapes, then more defined form, with the  final layer of pink blue and yellow petals adding visual blending by the viewer to emphasize  their color subtleties The grapes actually shriveled up before I finished.  I replaced them with ones that were a bit fuller and had a stem which I  highlighted  to draw the viewers eye into the painting. The bright light hitting the yellow pitcher is repeated in the grape reflections adding warmth and a glow to make them jump out and feel accessible to the viewer.

Peonies with cherries/11x14/2017

Grapes and the big yellow pitcher/11x14/Oct.2017 

Spring flowers-always beckon.

Bleeding Hearts, Bottles and Apples

Dorothy's Duck with rhododendron

 I noticed as I started looking at the gardens the abundance of pinks and reds surrounded by the lush greens and earthy tones. The flowers are so beautiful and their beauty is so fleeting. Capturing them requires a certain decisiveness in putting the paint down. Mostly I try to capture the essence of how they feel. Once cut they don't last, but their image makes an imprint on my senses and I try to savor the few days they are at their peak. With a storm forecast for tomorrow, I knew today was the day to paint peonies. And we connected. Looks like the red green harmony is in season.

Peggy's Peonies  11x14
Update-happy to say this painting has been selected for the Zullo Gallery's 19th annual Juried Exhibition
in Medfield, MA Sept 21-Nov. 9, 2013