Still Life study

Lime and Tomatoes On the Vine

6 x 8 in., oil on panel

I love a still life once in a while. Especially when they involve red. Red appeals in a painting, and it's rarely found in a landscape with this intensity, so it's quite fun to use it once in a while like this. I was trying to work out some of the rust, get out of the box a little, and just play with this. Did a bit of all three.

-julie davis

Shoulder to Shoulder

Shoulder to Shoulder, 6 x 8 in.
nfs

These peaches were smaller than we're used to here in the Hill Country--these are from California.....hmm..... They sure made a delicious snack after they posed for me here, though. My youngest and I enjoyed them with a bit of sugar on top today. I like the way these came out even better than the last post.

-julie davis

Still Life Studies

Pear and Apple, 6 x 8 in.

Continuing with my still life studies, I painted this study alongside my favorite 7 year-old nephew and my brother (!) who were painting Pokemon and a landscape, respectively. What can be more fun than painting alongside your family?! I loosened up a bit more than usual I think, and I like the results.

-julie davis

Accepted

Accepted, 6 x 8 in.

The pear, that is, is accepted by the cherries.... It's been quite fun working with so much red lately, though after painting this one, I think the way in which I've handled this lighter background doesn't adequately balance the impact of such a vivid color. I'll keep moving forward on my experimentation....

-julie davis

Comfortable

Comfortable, 6 x 8 in.

Playing with greens and reds together in this one. I've got to work on getting better lighting for my still life set ups--I have light coming from several directions where I paint them, and haven't developed a good way to limit it to one yet, since I rarely painting still lifes.

-julie davis

Steadfast

Steadfast, 6 x 8 in.

And she liked it. My friend, from yesterday's post. :)

It's kind of fun doing some still lifes after working so intensely on landscape as the subject matter for the Davis Gallery show. It really allows one the time to carefully examine a form, much like the trees I so enjoy studying (except this fruit is much smaller, and the light on a still life doesn't change!)

-julie davis

Close

Close, 6 x 8 in.

I have a very dear friend to whom I owe some time--if she's reading this today, she'll know I'm talking to her. So, pal, what do you think of this one? :)

-julie davis

Pear Therapy

Pear Therapy, 9 x 12

This is one I found that I did recently that I hadn't posted. Initially, it was because I was having trouble photographing the darks--the reflections on them were impossible. I mostly solved that, then just forgot to post it. The pears reminded me of a bunch of girls talking, sharing, leaning on each other's shoulders as girlfriends do....

-here' a shout-out to all my girlfriends, near and far. You are all so supportive and amazing, and for you I am so very grateful!!

-julie davis

Over Your Shoulder

Over Your Shoulder, 6 x 6

Apples are a favorite of so many painters as a subject--in addition to their nice shape and the many varieties out there, they carry much symbolism....everything from "bad" or "poison" apple, to the all-American apple pie, Johnny Appleseed, and William Tell. These were a product of my seven-hour studio day recently--a day I am hoping to recreate soon. :)

-julie davis

Gathered Together

Gathered Together-study, 6 x 8

I thought I'd post a little bit of the process today, primarily because I prefer the middle version here. I was experimenting with the foreground in the final product, and it just isn't what I'd envisioned. I did manage to take a few photos while I painted, however, and since I always find it interesting when others post "process" photos, I thought I'd share these.

-julie davis

Peared Up

Peared Up - study, 6 x 8

This is the last of the six I painted on Wednesday, and I made myself "finish" in 30 minutes, good or bad. Sometimes that builds in looseness and is successful, sometimes it's just disastrous. I definitely could've created a better painting, but playing with the gold tones and keeping it loose were my two goals, and I did accomplish that.

-julie davis

Among the Liliputians

Among the Liliputians, 6 x 8 - study

This arrangement at first seemed as if the cherries had a crush on the pear, then I thought it more looked like the pear was Gulliver and the cherries were the the citizens of Liliput.

Regardless, my apologies for the reflection on this photo--the darks never fail to give me issues. I take the photos outside in a spot I wouldn't think gets much reflection, but the darks almost always find it. Anyone have any tricks or suggestions, besides creating a photography studio in which to photograph?

-julie davis

Cherry On Top

Cherry On Top, 6 x 8 - study

I had the most exciting day today. For the first time in three weeks, I was able to spend nearly seven hours in the studio! (Read: the girls are back in school) I completed 6 small paintings--five still lifes and a landscape (couldn't not do one). Those of you who paint, know what a giddy feeling that can be.

I feel rusty at still lifes--this was the third one I did and the second I won't post at all, but it truly helps to repeat, repeat repeat in succession. Painting one after the other quickly really felt good and I made some progress and cleared some cobwebs.

-julie davis

One and a Half Pairs

One and a Half Pairs, 6 x 8

A rarity from me lately--a still life. I've promised a dear friend I'd do three still lifes for her and I'm way overdue. Way, way overdue. So I'll be warming up on still lifes here and there for a while.

Happy New Year to all of you--I'm sincerely grateful to have you all follow and subscribe to my blog--it's a tremendous source of encouragement and community for me. And today my husband and I celebrate 18 years of marriage--a perfect way to end the year. I wish you all the best in 2011!

-julie davis

Limes Value Study

Limes Value Study, 6 x 8

Today I spent several hours in the studio getting back into the swing of things. I began with this value study--it's probably something I should do more often--it's a great tool. Too often I'm so enchanted by the local color that I don't pay enough attention to getting the right values. I have my friend Laurel Daniel to thank for reminding me of the importance of these!

-julie davis

Sideways

Sideways, 6 x 6

sold

This composition created itself as I set it up. Just a little off, this clementine is. The others are wondering what in the heck it's up to.

-julie davis

And Then There Was One

And Then There Was One, 6 x 6

In Laurel's class we've studied a block-in technique the last two classes that I've not entirely been a fan of. After a well-deserved wipe-down in the last class, I was determined to slog through it and figure it out at home. This was one of several small studies I did in attempting success at the technique. As classmate Stephen Parker has enumerated the technique on his blog quite well, I'm finding no real reason to restate his eloquent explanation of it! So head to his blog (the "You Guys Are In Trouble" post)to learn more....

-julie davis

Got Your Back

Got Your Back, 6 x 6

sold

A happy Valentine's Day to you--may someone "have your back" today and every day!

-julie davis

Mediation

Mediation, 6 x 6

sold

I apologize for my lack of posts lately--as I explained earlier, the project in the Hill Country is consuming much of my painting time. However, it's progressing, and should be complete soon. Meanwhile, it's a creative outlet, and I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

The title for this one came too easily. I couldn't resist--the limes in the front look like they simply don't want to be there, and the one in the back looks like it is seriously trying to talk some sense into them. I may have lost it.....

-julie davis

Surrounded

Surrounded, 8 x 6

I feel like I'm taking baby steps to "get back in the saddle" again with still life. I did this one yesterday early in the morning before class (before getting the kids up for school, actually).

I didn't get to paint today--Leslie Saeta asked about the remodel I referred to yesterday, and that's where I was... We now own a few acres and a house on the Guadalupe River in the Hill Country. The house is wonderful, but we're making some cosmetic changes--lots of paint (somehow much more intimidating when it's on cabinets and walls), adding a room on, updating bathrooms and surfaces. It's got me there at least once a week right now, but it's a ton of fun and soon we'll be finished and able to use it! (And it's a great place to paint:) ).

-julie davis