115 Van Briggle Vase with Lilies

114 Two Lilies and a Bud in a Van Briggle Vase

113 Lilies in a Van Briggle Vase

Painting lilies has always been a challenge for me, so I'm hoping these flowers will stick around for more practice.  The vase is one of my favorites, purchased in Colorado Springs 30 years ago.  Apparently Artus Van Briggle and his wife Ann were quite notable in the early 1900's Art Nouveau movement, using matte glazes and new designs.  Although the business is no longer owned by the family, it is still operating.  Artus was also a gifted painter, and I must research his work. 

112. Sunflowers and Statice With Baffling Background

I am not skilled enough to get the photo of this painting to show the correct colors and it is very frustrating and time-consuming.  If I get the purple right, something else is wrong.   The statice is not quite so blue, the upper background is mint green and the lower part is a pinkier purple.  I must say I like the painting much more than the photo.  So sorry.

111. Sunflowers in a Cobalt Vase

I am getting my money's worth from these sunflowers in terms of paintings.  The petals' edges are starting to curl and darken, but that is part of their charm. 

110. Oliver

Oliver, the circus dog, at rest on the chaise lounge.

109. Market Bouquet, Long Lasting

Although all the other flowers are withered and gone, the sunflowers and statice are still fresh and beautiful on this 6th day after purchase.

108. Sunflower Trio

I've tried photographing and editing several times but cannot get the yellows to appear as vibrant as they are in the painting. 

107. Market Bouquet: a Sunflower and Two Glads

106. Market Bouquet, Sunflowers with Gladiolas and Snapdragons

As a child I enjoyed pinching the snapdragons to make the "dragon's" mouth open and close.  Now I love showing it to kids---always brings a smile to their faces.

105. Market Bouquet

This bouquet from the farmer's market has such a beautiful variety of flowers, and gives me many opportunities for paintings.  This one includes a sunflower (actually two), red gladiolas and purple statice.

104. Sunflowers in a Bowl SOLD

Bar Musician With Saxophone

Street Musician With Two Clarinets

It was a very crowded Saturday on Michigan Avenue in Chicago.  With so much foot traffic, I had to jockey to get a clear shot of this musician, but he caught me. 

#101. Street Musician With Trumpet

I see this man playing his trumpet at the Division Street Farmers Market in Chicago.  He stands in an out-of-the-way spot and keeps to himself. 

#100. Celebrate and Eat Cake!

This is my 100th consecutive daily painting for Daily Paintworks.  (www.dailypaintworks.com)   I realize it's nothing compared to the likes of Lisa Daria Kennedy and many others who have been doing this for YEARS.  I so admire all of them and especially appreciate Lisa's advice on many things during my start-up.  I can only aspire to continue to grow as an artist and improve in my technique with each new painting.   I am loving the journey!

Please note:  This painting is available at  www.theleighgallery@comcast.net

Swan Song

Waiting for You

This is Charlie, waiting at the window for his owner.  I've painted him several times and never tire of the subject.  I've said it before and I'll say it again:  He's the best dog on earth. 

Take My Picture

I was at the lakefront taking pictures of the landscape when this guy stopped his bike and said "Take my picture."  So I did.  I knew it would come in handy someday.

All You Need Is Love

If I were looking at this for the first time,  I would guess it could be a scene from Anywhere, USA, but it is actually a scene from busy Beirut. 

Boy With Crocs and a Truck SOLD

Red Hats SOLD

I was in the right place----the Milwaukee Art Museum in the stunning Calatrava wing, at the right time---Art in Bloom exhibit when florists/garden clubs/grocery store floral departments interpret the art through floral arrangements.  These little ladies were nonchalantly sitting on the bench taking in all the excitement.   For those of you who don't know, the Red Hat Society is an organization with over 40,000 chapters in the US and 30 other countries, and typically its members are over 50, who subscribe to the practice of:

"When I am an old woman I shall wear purple

With a red hat that doesn't go and doesn't suit me"

which is based on a poem by Jenny Joseph called "Warning." The Red Hat Society was started by a woman named Sue Ellen Cooper, the "Queen Mother," who felt that women over 50 were so accustomed to going unnoticed, and felt that had to change.  She wrote a book on the subject.  There are even stores that carry Red Hat Society items.  Think I am making this up????   Check it out.

By the way, my garden club won a People's Choice Award for our interpretation of "Buddha's Footprint." 

The Prophet

I was very hesitant to tackle this painting, which is of a statue of Kahlil Gibran located in Bcharre’ Lebanon at the Kahlil Gibran museum along with his tomb.  My daughter and I visited it in September of 2011.

Kahlil Gibran was a prolific poet and painter (watercolor, oil, and guache), most noted for his book, The Prophet, published in 1923, but still interesting and very pertinent in today’s world,  He left Lebanon at the age of 12 and moved to Boston. He came from a very poor family, but blossomed into a philosophical essayist, novelist, mystical poet and painter. He died in the US at a young age (in his 40’s) and according to his wishes, he was returned to Lebanon and buried in a 19th century monastery.   I was familiar with his drawings from his books, but not his paintings, which are truly beautiful.  He focused on the subjects of relationships, family, creation, the earth, etc. and his palette consisted mostly of the calming and mysterious greys we artists struggle to mix. 

Grimace

Meet Grimace, a most unusual dog.  He lives in a beautiful village in Southern Lebanon with a wonderful family.  Believe it or not, this little dog can take a pistachio, remove the shell with his teeth,  and then eat the nut.  I'm not kidding,  I saw it with my own eyes.  It's the truth.

Standing Figure, a Painting of a Sculpture

Sculpture by Diane Cochran, located at Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden.

Make a Wish: a Painting of a Sculpture

 Made a few changes to the painting to improve the contrast.  Unfortunately it is not photographing accurately despite several attempts.  It is not quite as dark as this.

This statue is at Monches Farm and has always been one of my favorites.

Spirit Woman, a Painting of a Sculpture

Another painting of a sculpture by Diane Cochran, which is located at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden.

Thinking of you: a Painting of a Sculpture

This gargoyle calls Monches Farm in Colgate, Wisconsin home.  I don't know the artist or the title.

"Young One: a Painting of a Sculpture"

This is a painting of a sculpture from the Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden.  I was surprised to learn that the artist is Diane Cochran, sculptor of The Man (previous two paintings), which was at the Mendocino Art Center.  Expect upcoming paintings to feature more of Diane Cochran's work.  I am really enjoying painting statues and working hard to get them to look like stone.

The Man, Another View

Here is another painted view of Diane Cochran's sculpture, "The Man" at the Mendocino Art Center.

The Man, a Painting of a Sculpture

The Mendocino Art Center has many beautiful sculptures, this one called "The Man" by Diane Cochran being one of them.  I wasn't sure it would translate well into a painting, but I enjoyed every stroke and am happy with the results.  Expect an encore tomorrow of a different angle.