Sunken Garden Lillies

 

My city, Lincoln, has a terrific garden area near a busy intersection.  I'm told that back in the day it was a dump on the edge of town because it was a naturally low lying area; for as long as I can remember it has been a public garden and is now a beloved attraction year round.  It's called the Sunken Gardens because it's a few feet below street level, but that simply serves to limit the traffic noise a little.  I ride my bike past there regularly and sometimes stop to sketch, or just relax for a minute.  This one is from a photo I took recently; it's oil on canvas board, 8x8. 

 This is one I did trying to use my left (non-dominant) hand as much as I could.  It really makes you slow down and consider every stroke, which is good (but sometimes frustrating).  It about 9x12, oil on museum board--"about" because I bought a cheap frame at Hobby Lobby and then cut the piece to fit it before I painted.  I'm actually not so poor that I can't afford standard sized frames, but the bargain lover in me can't resist a low price sometimes. 

One glass left...

 

Earlier this spring I was walking through my kitchen as the sun beamed through to west window, striking this bottle of chardonnay sitting next to my toaster on the butcher block.  I was struck by the light as it moved through the bottle and the way the reflections bounced off the toaster, so I snapped a pic and painted it last night.  I'll probably give this to my wife for mothers day--don't spoil the surprise!

Angie's chickens

 I painted this from a photo my boss Angie took of her chickens.  I find chickens to have a lot of personality and a certain presence.  

Kalispell on the couch

 

Yesterday I finally got to give my daughter this painting of her dog Kalispell that I made for her birthday awhile back.  Her 29th birthday was back in January but due to Covid we didn't get together until yesterday.  Kali is a very pretty and well behaved dog, although she seemed pretty scared of me.  I got carried away with the orange in her face and oversaturated id, but you probably get the idea.  

 One of the last marigolds from a prolific pot on the front walkway that I diligently watered all through the summer heat.  Even thought I did it from a photo reference this painting brings just a little bit of that warmth back when I see it.  

 From a photo taken on our vacation to Montana in July.