Lemons for Tea

Lemons for Tea, oil on canvas, 20 x 24"

My first week at Nimrod Hall was so inspiring and productive, that I have decided to go back next week. I think I might have to pick up another table cloth, that pink madras is showing up everywhere.

REV it UP

Morning Melons, oil on panel, 8" x 10"

After a fabulous three day workshop at BSSS, I drove west to Nimrod Hall on Sunday afternoon. I had a plan to start each day with a pre-breakfast “sketch.” I got into the studio early enough to paint Morning Melons before my first cup of coffee. 

After breakfast, it was time to rev it up — time for a larger canvas and a more complex composition. 

 

Don’t Eat Cantaloupe, oil on canvas, 16" x 20"

Hit Restart!

Loosely, oil on canvas, 16"x 20"

Okay, I know that I started this blog with the intention of being a daily painter. I didn’t really quit, I just lapsed. Now, I am back from a workshop with Jessie Coles, followed by a week at art camp at Nimrod Hall (Bath Co.) and I am ready to work.

Summer squash

I am working on composition in still life paintings. It is more challenging then the painting-a-day series. I spent hours on Sunday moving objects around to compose this painting. A workshop with Liz Geiger at Beverly Street Studio really helped me understand the work that needs to be done before the painting begins. I actually spent more time composing and drawing than I did on the painting.

hot stuff

 

oil on gessoboard, 8 x 10"

This week’s challenge is “What’s in the fridge?” 

pepper fatigue

kill the pepper, oil on board 8x8

After a week of yellow pepper paintings, it was time to put the poor shriveled pepper to rest. I was trying to stay loose with the paint—I wish I had been able to stick to the plan—I over did it when I continued to paint this little board. (This is a photo of the early stages)

pepper practice

pick a pepper

So the idea last week was to paint a yellow pepper each day, which I did. I wanted to practice and enjoy the process rather than focus on the finished piece. I chose this pepper because I just love that yellow. More peppers to come.

waiting for spring

yellow pepper 6x6 oil on board

This week I am painting the same subject every morning. I chose this yellow pepper because the color is so cheery—ready for spring.

we go together

we go together, 8x8 oil on board

Valentine

BY TOM PICKARD

simplicity 

say sleep

or 

shall we 

shower

have an apple

you are

as I need

water

shall I move?

do you dream

shallow snow

flesh

melt this

Copyright © 2002 Tom Pickard, “Valentine” from Hole in the Wall: New and Selected Poems.

Diner

Diner Ditty, 6x6 oil on board

“Blunder ahead with your own personal view.” —Robert Henri

I have foolishly been absent from the easel. Why I take long breaks from doing something that I really enjoy—mystery.