"Power Line Portrait, Braddock and Poplar Tree", oil on canvas, 12"x12"

Well, I just had to paint this, since I've been staring at the power lines around here during all my walks. I couldn't get up the courage to sit out on this corner and paint, however, so I was forced to work mainly from my mind and some photographs. Very unsatisfying, I must say. I will paint some more of these, maybe even on site if I get braver.

"Rearing Crane", oil on board, 6"x8"

Finally got back to the easel today. It seems when I get away from painting, it is REALLY hard to start again. So I started with another little crane, which is enough of a struggle anyway.

"White Orchid", oil on canvas, 30"x15"

A companion piece for the pink orchid. Very different colors, though.

"Pink Orchid", oil on canvas, 30"x15"

A real change of pace here... I wanted to work larger, and I wanted to work on fabric and flowers. I expanded my limited palette of colors for this one. I ended up using Manganese violet, magenta, pyreline red, and ultramarine violet. Getting this range of violets, pinks, and purples would not have been possible using my usual limited palette.

"Red Crane on Red", oil on canvas board, 6"x8"

I'm baaaack...

Away

Don't be alarmed... I'm not painting this week because we're moving my son up to college. I should be back posting by early next week.

"Blue Origami Crane", oil on canvas board, 6"x8"

I tried using a knife to paint this, but I had more success with brushes. Not much success with the camera, though. The color in this photograph is too yellow, but it was the best I got. The cranes are contagious... my 13-year-old son is madly making them now. He'll probably reach 1,000 and achieve world peace. (That's part of the legend of the origami crane.)