Creative Input...

I painted this feathered friend last week, but it seems incomplete.  I kept staring at it in my studio, and finally decided that he needs something dangling from his beak to balance the composition.  So my friends, I'm turning to you for creative input.  What should he be dangling?

Devotion

Devotion, 8 x 10 inch, oil on panel        $240

Every time I look at this scruffy face, I laugh!

Arise

Arise, 6 x 6 inch oil                                              $100

Click to bid in my online auction or

It was a holy moment to see this great bird rise off the water when I was out walking.  Because everything was so blue, it was a challenge to differentiate the blue shadows on the bird from the blue of the water beneath it.

Me and My Shadow

Me and My Shadow             6x8" oil  $150 unframed

Click to Bid in My Online Auction. Starting bid only $50

I'm not sure which delighted me more:  seeing the leaves through the glass or discovering the shadow on the wall!

Gentle Nosegay

  

Gentle Nosegay                          5 x 5 oil on canvas panel

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The palette for this piece was chosen based on Edgar Payne's color exploration of the yellow/purple compliments.  In this painting, I used predominantly purple, with yellow mixed into everything, plus white, orange and blue.  I painted it on a red ground.  This painting has a lovely, gentle feeling to it.

Color Relationships

Predominantly Yellow               Predominantly Purple

After  my inspiring trip to the Edgar Payne exhibit in Tulsa, I returned to the studio and cracked open my Payne book on composition.  The book shows some sample exercises on color relationships, particularly on the use of complementary colors.  The first one I've done is Yellow/Purple.  Both of these small studies use the same colors, but in different proportions.  As you can hopefully see above, the study on the left uses more yellow than purple and the study on the right is the reverse, more purple than yellow.  All of the colors contain yellow and purple, with the addition of some orange, white and green.  I then took the same colors and did a floral using more purple than yellow.  My next post will show the result.

A Reason to Smile

 "A Reason to Smile," 8 x 6 in.          Oil on canvas panel.

To bid, visit this address:

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/127191

My favorite flowers are the simple ones, daisies, daffodils and tulips.  Year after year they return to brighten the world.  My father had a stroke last week and  I've been at a hospital with my mother for several days.  We're far from home in an unfamiliar city and even though my father will recover with lots of hard work, seeing this daffodil reminded me that there are still plenty of reasons to smile.  I hope this brings a smile to you as well.

Happy Spring,   Julie
(For those of you in the Rockies, spring really will arrive, and if not spring, it will be summer!)

Afternoon Blossoms

Afternoon Blossoms, 6 x 6 oil                   $125 framed

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Continuing to think about simplifying my subject, I painted this with my usual palette:  titanium white, cad lemon yellow, cad yellow pale, cad orange, cad red medium, alizarin crimson, ultramarine blue and pthalo blue.

Morning Bouquet

Morning Bouquet, 6x6" oil                                          $125 framed

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My upcoming posts, starting with this one, will all touch on the experimentation I did during my winter hibernation. 

 I greatly admire the small paintings of Lisa Daria Kennedy and so I spent some time exploring how she works.  She has very strong value patterns, highly simplified forms and mixes soft luminous grays.  I've successfully mixed a lot of her colors, but when I sit down to paint in her style, my own habits and inclinations become part of the mix as well (that's a good thing).  I set this little bouquet in my studio one morning and tried to keep her simplification and grays in mind as I painted it.  It definitely produced a much softer feeling.

Starting bid is $40 for the unframed painting.

It's Spring and the Return of ArtWalk!

Chickadee, 8 x 10," oil                                               $390

I seemed to have gone into hibernation this winter. I've spent lots of time studying and experimenting, but with the advent of Spring, I'm excited to take on some new subjects, colors and styles. One of my study activities was taking a 3 day workshop with Lani Vlaanderen on birds. I've enjoyed painting birds before, but really benefited from Lani's instruction on bird anatomy and colors. I highly recommend taking any course from Lani as she's a terrific artist, teacher and person. I painted "Chickadee" above in her class, and am still working on on a barn owl that I began there.

You can see "Chickadee" (above) at Colorado Expressions here in Colorado Springs. They began representing my work in January, and with their downtown location and stable of excellent artists, I'm very excited to work with them. Stop in to see the big, beautiful gallery. If you can't make it during the week, you can also see them during the Downtown's 1st Friday Art Walks. If you happen to be flying out of Colorado Springs in the near future, you can also see my work in the exhibit that Colorado Expressions has installed there.

And speaking of Art Walk, this Friday, April 5th, Old Colorado City's 2013 season begins. I'll be in my studio from 5 to 8 pm and am looking forward to seeing you after all these months!

David in Sunlight

"David in Sunlight,"  6 x 6 in. oil on canvas     $85

Buy It Now     or    Click to Bid

This small bust of David was a gift from an artist friend, Tim Deibler, who consistently challenges me in my artistic growth.  The bust has been sitting on the sill of my studio window for a year now.  It often begged me to paint it when the sun streamed in, but as a new subject for me, I wasn't sure that I was ready to tackle it.  I finally worked up my courage last week!  I'm happy with the results and plan to try it on a larger scale.

2013: The Early Bird

                                     "The Early Bird," 6 x 6 in.   Oil on canvas panel    $85 

  

Buy It Now     or    Click to Bid

For the first time in many years, I took a painting sabbatical to rest my "art muscles" and to enjoy the holidays with my family.  I've been working steadily and with intense focus for several years now, and after the Studio Tour last November, I realized that my brain and my body needed a break.  Last week, I returned to the studio rested and refreshed and have some fun paintings that I'll be sharing with you.  Here's "The Early Bird" that started me off bright and early!

I'd like to remind everyone that there are two ways to purchase my paintings online:  

Buy It Now   or    Click to Bid

1)  The "Buy It Now" price is posted beneath the painting's photo.  You can either contact me by email, or click on "Buy it Now"  to purchase with PayPal.  When you use "Buy It Now,"  you instantly guarantee that the painting is yours.

2)  The majority of my posted paintings are also available by online auction.  The "Click to Bid" link will take you to Daily Paintworks, an online auction site for artists.  The starting bid on my paintings is currently $35 (unless otherwise noted).  Bidding is in $2 increments.  I'm still building my online following, so these auctions are often a great way to obtain my work at below retail prices.  

Please note that once a bid has been placed on a painting, "Buy It Now" is no longer an option and bidding in the auction becomes the only avenue to purchase that painting.

If you'd like to take a look at my Daily Paintworks gallery and investigate my current auctions on the site, click here.  

Enjoy!

Donut Holes

Donut Holes                   5 x 5 inch oil

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No donut painting series can be complete without donut holes...  At first, painting the glaze of icing on these and the other glazed donuts seemed daunting, but when it came down to it was pretty simple.  The secret is to just paint thinly and only in areas where the glaze was thickest.

Purple, With Sprinkles

Purple, With Sprinkles                  5 x 5 inches

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Donut 5 seemed so out of place at the donut counter--all pastel and purply in the midst of the Christmas reds and greens.  All "Island of Misfit Toys" like...I had to claim her!

Boston Creme

Boston Creme                            5 x 5 in., oil

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The Boston Creme.   Chocolate.  Custard.   Need I say more?

I loved painting the warm browns and highlights of the chocolate frosting.

Jelly Donut

Jelly Donut, oil, 5 x 5 inches

Donut number 3 in the series is a jelly donut.  Looks delicious doesn't it?  Well, let me tell you, it tasted even better than it looks!  5 x 5" may seem like an odd size, but both Hobby Lobby and Aaron Brothers sell 5 x 5" frames.

Click here to bid 

White Icing

"White Icing," 5x5 inches         oil

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I'm rolling out the donuts starting this week, so be on the look out for your personal favorite!  These will be great gifts for the donut lovers that you know and also look great framed in sets for yourself.  I have a baker's dozen, and today's offering is a classic white iced donut!  Bidding starts at $30, so don't miss out!

Win a Painting!

A Pretty Good Pear       6x6 inch oil                $125

Visit me this weekend on the 10th Annual Pikes Peak Studio Tour and register to win "A Pretty Good Pear."  Tour my home studio and choose from a large selection of my paintings for yourself or for holiday gift giving.  This year, I'm offering just a few 2013 desk calendars for sale.  And don't forget, I have all those donuts I talked about.  First come, first served!

Mostly, I'd just love to see you and chat in my home studio!  Look me up on the map; I'm Studio 14.

For more information on the tour hours, and a map, visit

10th Annual Pikes Peak Studio Tour

If you have any questions, contact me at info@juliekirkland.com

Love to All,  Julie

Old Fashion, Glazed

Old Fashion,  Glazed         6 x 6 inches, oil

Click here to Bid

In preparation for the Pikes Peak Studio Tour, I set out to paint some small, very affordable paintings,  5 x 5" in size.  Who knows why, but I decided to start with a donut.  One thing led to another, and I ended up painting a dozen donuts and a cup of coffee.  Powdered sugar, chocolate covered, jelly-filled, sprinkled, boston creme....  They're charming on their own and will be great displayed in groupings.  This Old Fashion Donut I painted expressly to auction on Daily Paintworks, so it is the traditional 6 x 6".  

I'm dying to show you all of them, but am keeping them under wraps for the tour.  Your first chance to see them will be at the First Friday ArtWalk in Old Colorado City.  Did I paint your favorite donut?  Come see on November 2nd.

In hopes of preserving my figure, I'm now turning my attention to painting inedible things...

Cosmopolitan

Cosmopolitan                                   9 x 12" Oil  

I've had this photo of my daughter Audrey for two years now, and finally decided to tackle it.  The style's a bit different for me, and I took some liberties with the photo, adding a background, changing her scarf color and dressing her up with some jewelry (including that big rock on her finger).  I had so much fun painting it that I'm planning to do some more portraits in like this if I can find some suitable subjects in my reference photos (or get my daughter to model for me again).

I See London

"I See London..."     8 x 10" oil         $250 unframed

If you don't know this already, it's probably time that you found out.  I get "wild hairs", and I get them pretty frequently.  I just get an overwhelming impulse to paint something out of the ordinary, just as I did with this painting.  It's actually leading me to paint a series called "The Unmentionables."

  

 Here's number two in the series:

"Line Dancing"      14  x 11" oil    $350 unframed

You may have noticed that I've been specifying the unframed price on my work.  This is because my online sales are mostly made to people outside of my area who need the painting shipped to them.  I'm always happy to help you  choose a complementary frame at very reasonable prices.

I've been painting up a storm and have quite a few new pieces to show you in the upcoming weeks!

Bottoms Up!

"Bottoms Up!"        6 x 6" oil on panel

Click to Bid

This little painting was inspired by the Daily Paintworks challenge to paint an egg--out of its shell.  I loved painting this shot glass, so don't be surprised if you see more of it!

Email me:  info@juliekirkland.com

Visit My Website

Aspen Grove

Aspen Grove, oil on solid oak panel                           $180

Click to Buy

I tried two new things on this panel.  First, I hadn't yet attempted painting aspens in oil and second, I painted it on a solid oak panel.  The painting is in the center of the panel, and the carved wood around it creates a wide frame.  This required me to paint and finish the "frame," and so I've learned a whole new skill set.  Sanding, masking, painting,  bringing out the color with steel wool, burnishing with rottenstone, more burnishing, more masking, gessoing, waxing to bring out a warm glow...and then I paint the painting!  Below, you'll see the finished result.

I've been occupied with preparing for several shows lately, and will now have time to post the new pieces starting this week.  My biggest event of the year is fast approaching:  The 2012 Pikes Peak Studio Tour here in Colorado Springs.  I'll be opening my home studio November 10 and November 11 for people to visit and view all of my art, cards and prints in one place.  I'll have both framed and unframed originals and hopefully something for everyone's budget.  Put it on your calendar now if you're interested.

Double Barrels

"Double Barrels"                      6x6 inch oil on canvas panel

I have a collection of vintage items from the 1950's:  lipsticks, dishes, toys, cat eye glasses, compacts, high heels, lamps, coffee pots.....I'm a sucker for all things retro!  So, when I walked into Retrospect Dry Goods in Monument, CO, I was in heaven.  The owner, Lisa, offered to host a one evening show of my work that featured vintage items, so I'm working on some new paintings  that will complement the themes of her store.  You can see these new works in person on Thursday, September 20th from 5 to 8 pm during Monument's Art Hop.  Retrospect Dry Goods is located on Front Street, just behind The Coffee Cup restaurant.  I'm now turning my thoughts toward a retro outfit to wear!

Don't forget that I'm giving away a small painting this month to one of the lucky subscribers of my blog!  Just enter your email in the "Enter you email address" box on the upper right of this page.

Questions?  info@juliekirkland.com
Visit my Website:  www.juliekirkland.com

60 Watts

60 Watts                         6 x 6 inch oil on canvas panel

Click to Bid

One morning last week, I put a white light bulb on a white background and immediately realized that the challenge for me would be to keep the light colors dark enough for the white highlight to pop out.  Also, it was my first attempt to put writing on an object.  The trick was to make the bulb information recognizable, but not legible.

Contact me with questions at info@juliekirkland.com
Vist my website:  www.juliekirkland.com

"The Girls"

"The Girls"                        12 x 16 oil on hardboard panel

Bibi and Madeline are referred to as "The Girls" by their loving owners.  One of them is quiet and reserved, and the other is outgoing and energetic.  Can you guess which description fits which dog?  

This portrait was commissioned by the dogs owners.  If you would be interested in having your own pet, (or perhaps someone else's pet as a memorable holiday gift) please contact me at info@juliekirkland.com.  Portraits start as low as $100.  You can see more of my animal paintings on my website.

Grateful Bouquet

Grateful Bouquet                6 x 6 inch oil on stretched canvas

This month, I'm giving away the small painting pictured above!  If you are already subscribed to my blog,   you're automatically entered for a chance to win it.  If you haven't already subscribed, just go to the top of the sidebar on the right and enter your email address. 

That's it!  

On September 30th, I'll have my handsome husband (David) pull a name out of a hat and I'll announce the winner here in a blog post that should arrive in your inbox no later than October 1.  I will actually post the email address of the winner, as that is the only record I have of my subscribers.  Since I object to having my personal address posted online due to the spam it generates, I'll only post the part of your address that come before the "@"  and leave off your email provider.  

Good luck!

Questions?  Email me

My Website

My Daily Paintworks Auctions

Summer's Warmth

Summer's Warmth          6 x 6 inch oil on canvas panel

Click to Bid

Long, hot summers....I soak them up knowing that winter comes quickly.  I like to think that I can store summer's warmth in my bones to summon up on cold winter days.

Sunflowers, and now Rudebekia, continue to entertain me and I'm having fun exploring different ways of painting them.  Now that the stores are no longer selling sunflowers,  I've purchased some gallon plants to model for me in the sun.  I have photos to continue working from, but have noticed that the subjects that I paint from life are so much more expressive.

I'd love for you to sign up to have my blog posts sent directly to your email inbox.  Sometime in September, I plan to give away a small painting to someone on my subscriber list!

Contact me at info@juliekirkland.com or by commenting below.

"Indian Summer"

Click to bid.

Looking at this painting,  I feel the weight of late summer heat on a still day and hear lazy, buzzing bees and chirruping cicadas.   Ahhhhh....where's my iced tea?

While sunflowers are tall and narrow, I put this blossom in a short, wide format because it communicates the calm, drowsy mood and the weight of the flower's heavy head. The composition I chose is unusual, but I really like it.

"Indian Summer" is a 6" x 12" oil on canvas panel.

Glamour Girls

Glamour Girls, 6 x 8 inch oil on panel                   $95, unframed

Click here to bid

I'm really enjoying painting sunflowers--each piece seems to unfold with an energy that's all its own.  I need to take a break from them temporarily to complete a couple of commissions and to prepare for a show that I have coming up in mid-September.  That show is at Retrospect, a store featuring nostalgic items from the 50's and 60's in Monument, CO.  I'll be creating works featuring some of the retro pieces in my still life collection and expect to have a lot of fun with it!

This painting is now being auctioned on Daily Paintworks with an opening bid of only $39.    I'm new to the auction game, and still building a following, so right now, the auctions are a great opportunity for you to own my work at very low prices.  Until there is a bid on "Glamour Girls," I offer a "Buy it now" option in case you'd like to insure that this painting will be hanging on your walls!

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Sunshine Petals

Sunshine Petals                                 6 x 6 inch oil

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Sunflowers are harbingers of summer, sunshine and happiness.  When you see one, you're obliged to smile!  I'm having fun with lusciously thick paint.  My painting process is a combination of brushwork, scraping and palette knife.

Joy and Happiness

Joy and Happiness                  6 x 4 inch oil

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The sunflowers that I brought to the studio on Monday are holding up beautifully, especially considering the heat.  As long as they continue to pose so prettily, I'll happily keep painting them.  Today I tried a closer cropping, and really like the result.  Next, I'll paint them with a blue background in hopes that the coolness of the blue will help me ignore the air temperature!

Three Sisters in Blue

Three Sisters in Blue         6x8 oil on panel

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The temperature in the studio today was in the 90's.  I can even feel the heat in the colors and haziness of this little painting.  Maybe gazing at "Three Sisters in Blue" next winter will bring back a little of that heat!