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."
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!
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.
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
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.
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 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.
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!
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.
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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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.
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!
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!
This mug fits the pear to "pearfection" and she looks so comfortable that I don't think she'll be leaving anytime soon! "Pearfect Fit," 6x6" oil on panel. $65 unframed, or by auction at my Daily Paintworks Gallery.
According to the Oxford American Dictionary, "a pig in a poke" is something that is bought without seeing it first (with reference to the formerly common trick of selling a cat concealed in a bag (poke) to someone who was expecting a pig.) It is apparently a centuries old piece of advice to unwary shoppers. When one went off to market, they had to be certain to check the contents of the sack they were handed, less they risk being defrauded by an unscrupulous merchant.
There is no greater painting pleasure for me than painting outdoors! I love being out in nature with all of her sights, smells, and sounds. This meadow with it's contrasting greens caught my eye last week. Starting bid is only $35, or you can buy it now for $95.
The Impressionists hung out in a cafe, the artists in Old Colorado City hang out at Jives, a local coffee shop just beneath my studio. While getting my coffee last week, I spied this striped mug and asked to borrow it to use in a painting. 24 hours later, I returned to the coffee shop owner, mug pressed against my cheek to say, "We're in love. My facebook status now reads "In relationship with Striped Mug." I MUST HAVE THIS MUG to paint for the rest of my life." And so, after a strategic trade, the mug is now mine. Expect to see it again!
I live in what's considered an alpine desert climate with a short growing season. Between that and the 6 or 7 deer who hang out in my yard, my flower options are very limited. The jewel in my garden is a white peony. It's so gorgeous, and I'm always torn whether to cut a bouquet to bring inside, or to admire them in the yard. This year, I selected one to bring indoors to model for me. This 6 x 6" canvas was painted with the flower on my studio windowsill.
