Tangerine  Sunset, 6"x 8", oil

“Soon it got dusk, a grapy dusk, a purple dusk over tangerine groves and long melon fields; the sun the color of pressed grapes, slashed with burgandy red, the fields the color of love and Spanish mysteries.”

― Jack Kerouac, On the Road

"Tangerine Sunset" is a still life that has a life of its own. I wanted to create a bright composition that started with the radiant color of the fruit and have it spread over the object accompanying it and continuing on into the background. The orange glow of the satin cloth took on the appearance of a landscape seen in a glorious sunset. The cup is decorated with a design inspired by the Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí. It was a gift from my daughter when she visited Spain.

Ripe Pears on a Plate, 6"x 8", oil

"A man watches his pear-tree day after day, impatient for the ripening of the fruit. Let him attempt to force the process, and he may spoil both fruit and tree. But let him patiently wait, and the ripe pear at length falls into his lap!" 

―  Abraham Lincoln

"Ripe Pears on a Plate" was inspired by Fiorelli pears that I admired at the market and bought with the idea that they would make for a wonderful painting. They provide bright and colorful ornaments on the plate, but, having always loved fruit above any other food, I had to resist a strong temptation  to eat my still life before it even found it way onto the canvas...

Pink Rose with Shell, 6" x 6", oil

"There is nothing more difficult for a truly creative painter than to paint a rose, because
before he can do so he has first to forget all the roses that were ever painted."

―  Henri Matisse

When I started to paint "Pink Rose with Shell" I was interested in capturing the delicate colors of the rose and shell. But by using a folded, golden silk cloth as a background my interest shifted. I noticed that it had added an interesting landscape-like formation of hills and sunset light. The sheen of the cloth gave depth and luminosity to my still life. I am very happy with the outcome.

Yellow Flowers with Egg and Lime , 6" x 6", oil

“Daffodowndilly

She wore her yellow sun-bonnet,

She wore her greenest gown;

She turned to the south wind

And curtsied up and down.

She turned to the sunlight

And shook her yellow head,

And whispered to her neighbor:

"Winter is dead.” 

― A.A. Milne, When We Were Very Young

"Yellow Flowers with Egg and Lime" was my reaction to the first signs of springtime. When I saw the verdant tendrils of spring peaking at me through my window, I knew it was time to change my pallet. Giving it an "extreme make-over", I swapped out the dark hues for my brightest colors. My composition kind of emerged by itself. When I was done, I put my brushes down immediately as to not lose the freshness of the image I had just created.