Thursday, December 27, 2007

Seven Bosc Pears - sold



12"x12" oil on oil primed gallery wrapped canvas (3/4" deep)

I've had some pears in the fridge for a while now, so I put them out on a pretty plate for people to EAT. My daughter said, "Wow mom, these are looking good, you should paint them". So I did.....that's the best way to spend a rainy afternoon! This painting is "Seven Bosc Pears". I love the shape of these bosc pears. They have a longer neck, and look like plump-bottomed ballerinas with their long stems extended like graceful arms. This one is as much about the shadows as it is the light on the pears. Man, it feels good to get the paint moving after too much time away from the easel!!

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Roxanne Steed Daily Painter's Studio Tour




Click on the picture to get a close-up view!

Today at dailypainters.com - we are having an open studio tour. Grand, or tiny as a table, we are sharing our space so everyone can see how we work. This usually, for most artists, is their longest work in progress. It changes, grows or diminishes, as our needs dictate, or opportunities arise. This space works for me for now. I was previously in one part of the kitchen! It is my daughter's old bedroom. She is in college now & is rarely home. So rather than have that room be held hostage - I claimed that space. She now stays in the guest room when she's here (so I do try to make it nice for her).

The best part of this current space is that I have room to put up my larger easel & a smaller table easel, and I have room to get back from my work to see it at a distance. The disadvantage is that there is still her old bed in here - and I need to move it out! That will probably happen after Christmas!

There is wall space behind me to hang a few paintings, another small wall opposite the large easel, for a bookcase filled with art & reference books. An armchair to sit in is beside the bookcase, perfect to ponder new ideas or contemplate what's on the easel from a distance. On the wall directly in front of me are clippings from magazines - work from contemporary artists I admire most; artist quotes for inspiration; drawings & notes of mine for future painting ideas. It gathers clutter, then must be cleared out -like the ocean- a constant ebb & flow of ideas & work.

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Seckle Pears on a Blue Asian Plate - sold




11"x14" oil on oil primed Belgian linen

Today's painting, "Seckle Pears on a Blue Asian Plate" was inspired by one of my favorite American Impressionist painters, Childe Hassam. I was at the grocery store Friday (between storms) and these pears were so beautiful! They were just begging to be painted. What an icy, nasty day outside today, with the wind howling loud as a hurricane. It was good to be inside, with the fire in the fireplace, everyone at home, pot roast in the oven, and painting going on!

Thursday, December 13, 2007

Pink Ribbon Bouquet - sold



20"x20" oil on oil-primed canvas

It's finished! "Pink Ribbon Bouquet" is the one I've been working on. Today I got a lot done, since it was snowing/sleeting outside all day long! When I paint these huge florals - it IS the best thing to get me through winter! I WILL MAKE IT TO SUMMER! It really went with this quote I found:

"In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer." - Albert Camus

Look for it in your inbox if you get my Cheer Factor emails! To bid on this painting, click here.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Pink Ribbon Bouquet (continuation)



20"x20" oil on oil-primed canvas

Got a bit further today. I've built a little more into the bouquet, working all over the canvas. I paint the things first that are behind other items in the arrangement. Hope to get further along tomorrow! To be continued.....

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Blocking in of Pink Ribbon Bouquet



20"x20" oil on oil primed canvas

Today's painting is yet to be finished, "Pink Ribbon Bouquet" is the bouquet from my husband Ron! The big gerber daisy will be the 'main attraction', you can see where I've placed it in the arrangement. So I'll continue the block-in & laying on of paint tomorrow!

Monday, December 10, 2007

Gerber Daisy - sold



6"x6" oil on gessoed masonite artboard

This painting is my my response to another cold, rainy winter day! My husband brought me a bouquet to paint this afternoon, so I set up an arrangement for tomorrow, and painted this irresistible blossom life size!

Sunday, December 9, 2007

Lush Lily and Hostas - sold



7"x5" oil on gessoed masonite artboard

Enough of winter already! A few days of cold & grey in a row & I have to paint flowers to stay sane! I just love the variations of color in a "white" petal in the sunlight! When you grow up in Florida with tropical flowers and fragrances outdoors all year round, you appreciate it, but part of you thinks it will always be this way. Now I miss this so very much. So until I get another trip south or at least a trip to a green - house - I'll paint flowers all winter to get me through to the next sunny day!

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Cheer Factor - Daily Thoughts on Art & Life



This is an 11"x 14" oil on linen mounted on board, not for sale.

It is the cover of my new book, "Cheer Factor - Daily Thoughts on Art & Life" compiled from the daily emails I've been sending out since early May of this year. It contains 50 images and uplifting quotes from these daily emails which began as a gift of gratitude for those who have encouraged me in my art journey. I spent today finishing up the work I've been doing on this project - hopefully I'll see the first copy in my hands some time next week?!

For now, if you are interested in receiving CHEER FACTOR, email me directly at roxannesteed@gmail.com - just say, "Send me Cheer Factor - and I'll include you, too. So you can start your day with a daily "Cheer Factor" greeting - AND you'll be the first to be notified when the book is out & available for purchase!

Wednesday, December 5, 2007

First Apartment



6"x6" oil on gessoed masonite artboard

This is the apartment of 4 young women that I know. They are going into their second year of living in this space. Last year they painted the main wall a deep, beautiful red. Pretty bold move. And yet sometimes boldness is celebrated by the mundane.....such as washing of dishes....the daily tasks that keep our living spaces lovable. I really enjoyed this painting and hope to do a series of "gestural studies" with this same woman.

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

Poinsetta



6"x6" oil on gessoed masonite artboard

I couldn't resist this while at the grocery store. I wanted a small one that would fit into my blue & white flower pot. This is a favorite thing for me in December to brighten up gray days!

Sunday, December 2, 2007

Golden Afternoon -Housatonic River - sold



12"x12" oil on oil primed canvas, gallery wrapped 3/4" thick

Another one of my favorite places in the beautiful Litchfield Hills part of the state (CT). This area is just behind the West Cornwall bridge, looking across to the east side of the Housatonic River. The late afternoon sun put our side of the river in shadow and lit up the opposite side. I love the reflections of the white buildings in the water.