First New Rose

8"x8" Oil on Panel

I planted a new rose bush by the porch this spring & it has finally began blooming.  Since the bush isn't very tall yet, I can't see it when seated on the porch.  I cut the first new blooms & put them in a jar so I could enjoy them.  Then I decided to paint them so the enjoyment could continue. 

Hope your summer is coming up "roses." 

- Sarah

Sunflower Fun

8"x8" Oil on Panel

Just had to paint another sunflower after attending Dreama's workshop.  Hopefully doing a few of these little paintings will reinforce what I have learned.  Anyway, I do love to paint flowers.  That's something I haven't quite mastered with the palette knife.  At least, not to my satisfaction. 

I have been using Walnut Oil on these little paintings.  No solvents! No turp!  So far, I am fairly pleased with the results.  I just have a tendency to use a bit too much.  Also, after I lay in my transparent underpainting, I scrape off my palette, getting rid of the oil,  & then try not to use any more oil or very little.  I avoided oils for years because of solvents.  I just didn't feel like my respiratory system could tolerate it.  When I did start oil painting, I used the water-soluble oils.  They are ok, but in my opinion not quite as good as regular oils.  I still use them on some small palette knife  pieces & sometimes when traveling. 

Thank you for viewing my art.

-Sarah