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Saturday, February 21, 2009

Everyday Inspirations


Finding inspiration . . . .

My neighbors pink roses are just starting to bloom . . what an inspiration!! Spring is on the way!

Our surroundings are an integral part of us and I am inspired to paint by the simple everyday objects in my home and garden.


Here . . . .





My vintage garden hat on a weathered blue table


There . . . .

My tools of the trade ( paint brushes ) and pink flowers in my favorite blue and white china.


Everywhere . . . . . . .
My paint palette on an old blue table.


Hmmm . . . I am beginning to see inspiration for a painting using the everyday objects around me.



By grouping some of my favorite everyday objects together I am beginning to see a still life painting. In artist terms this is known as the "set up". The next step is to sketch the objects on my canvas and start painting. The set up was done in my living room in front of a window with lots of light.

Since it was a beautiful day in Southern California, in between rain storms, I decided to paint in my garden surrounded by flowers I just purchased from the garden shop. I grouped everything together, still in pots, and set up my easel. The sky was blue and the birds were signing and oh what a lovely day. A wonderful artist named Penny, once told me to to surround myself with flowers and blue skies, as the sighs and smells would transfer onto my canvas. I try and do this as much as possible (weather permitting) by painting in plien air (outside).




Bentley, my studio assistant, was enjoying the day and happy to have a break from the rain.





I took the painting back inside to compare it to the "set up" for color and form. Notice, I decided to paint the entire table blue as I felt the painters pallet needed more of a contrast to make it pop.



The finished painting.


Wishing everyone a lovely week. Thank you for visiting. It means so much to me that you have taken time to leave comments and to follow my blog. If you have any questions or would like to see me paint something special I would love to hear from you.

15 comments:

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

OH~~~~ Just beautiful I love it! The blue table is so pretty, and the flowers, well I could go on and on.Have a wonderful weekend.
Ginger

Ruth Welter said...

Love everything in this post Erin...the table display you've created is so beautiful.. your painting turned out just gorgeous.

Ruth

Ruth Welter said...

ps...love the details of the birds in the window.

Ruth

a quiet life said...

just darling, loved watching you pull it all together. it looks like you are having so much fun when you paint.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love what you paint...flowers especially! I even had my hubby come in here this morning to see what you've painted this time! I am always astonished! I love your colors and the blue table is perfect! (and the hat!)

nikkicrumpet said...

It is so amazing to watch you creat something so spectacular. I love your paintings...and I also love your assistant!!!

The Old Painted Cottage said...

I can't imagine anything more inspiring!

oxox
Jennifer

Lorrie said...

what a wonderful post. I love the painting it's so whimsical.

Phyllis said...

Absolutely gorgeous.

I do have a painterly question. Being very much an amateur, I have a difficult time with painting backgrounds. If you sketch your subjects, how do you paint the background? Do you just paint around the objects? In this painting there just isn't a lot of background showing.

I know - amatuers! What a pain ...

Donna said...

Oh my, I love it, Erin. It's a beautiful painting and I love how you put the whole setting together.

How nice to be able to paint outside too! And Bentley is so cute!

Hugs,
Donna

Anonymous said...

Oh what a wonderful gift God has given you in painting!

blessings
mary

Anonymous said...

Beautiful, as always Erin!
Kisses to Bentley!!
xo,
Kim

Felicia said...

Your studio assistant is cute as cake :) And your painting is delightful.

Carolyn said...

Oh!so nice to be able to paint like that surrounded by such beauty.
Carolyn

Four Paws and Co said...

This is amazing & you make it look so easy. The painting is beautiful! ♥ Diane