Good Morning Geranium Welcome - sold!

6"x6" oil on gessoed masonite archival artboard

"Under the snowdrifts the blossoms are sleeping,
Dreaming their dreams of sunshine and June."
- William Sharp

I've spent the last several days finishing up some accounting for 2010 & submitting my CT sales & use tax. So time has been filled with that annual chore. But I do have a few paintings to bring out of the 'archive' and am offering them at 2009 prices during the month of February. They are dry and ready to ship as soon as your Paypal payment clears! I also accept personal checks - it just takes a good bit longer for it to travel through the mail from your house to my bank.

******For these Valentine special offerings, I'll cover shipping via Priority Mail (for continental US) between now (Feb 1st) and Feb. 14th! Treat your sweet-heart to something wonderful, that lasts forever, isn't fattening, and is the perfect size! Forwarding this email to 'the likely suspects' might be helpful as a gift-giving guide! OR be good to yourself, a personal Valentine 'from you to you' might be just what you need.

My first Valentine offering for my subscribers this month is, "Good Morning Geranium Welcome" a 6"x6" oil on gessoed masonite archival artboard. Your Valentine price is $100 +zero for shipping (see above)! ...all in the name of love!

Now go on, work on that love life!

In other news.....between nearly frying my calculator and brain on 'the accounting stuff', I took a play-break on Friday afternoon and went cross-country skiing with a friend at a nearby state park. I had never tried this before, and I've got to admit, was a bit nervous. She is a "no-pressure" kind of person, which I'm so grateful for, since this ex-Floridian was probably the biggest snow-hater in the state of CT! Honestly, I felt like the Grinch, when he was finally redeemed! All that hatred for snow changed into laughter - I truly had a blast. I still don't like removing it from my driveway, as we no longer have places to stack this stuff! It's beyond nuisance. Get me out to the woods on skis, that's a much better past-time than shoveling that stuff!

Kissin' Cousins

6"x6" oil on gessoed masonite archival artboard

"Dear beautiful Spring weather, I miss you. Was it something I said?"
- Kim Corbin


From "Dueling Grannies" to this new one, "Kissin' Cousins", more items from the kitchen to paint. More snow on Wednesday, and it's just past midnight as I write this and we've been getting pounded by ice pellets for the last two hours. It's supposed to turn back to snow some time in the middle of the night, this is going to be a mess. Needless to say, I've enjoyed the studio time working with still-life set-ups. Getting to explore color through items in my home, rather than in my garden or beyond.

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Price: $125 USD plus $10 USD s/h
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Dueling Grannies

6"x6" oil on gessoed masonite archival artboard


"Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. Christopher Robin to Pooh"
- A.A. Milne

Today I took up the challenge of my artist friend, Norma Wilson, of painting fruit. Following the pink & green kick I've been on...and the fact that I had a bag of Granny Smith apples in the fridge, the biggest part of the challenge was how to keep this simple, yet interesting! I really like setting up a strong light source for interesting shadow shapes...and the colors are always the most fascinating part to me!

Buy this painting on PayPal
Price: $125 USD plus $10 USD s/h
Or, send me an email

Shoveled a good bit of snow on Tuesday. One of my friends suggested this for quicker snow removal! She suggested just cranking this up & backing out of the driveway would do it pretty quickly! hmm, it just might work! Don't know if I can get one hooked up on my van in time for the next storm though ;-) I do love my brilliant friends, I had the best belly laugh over this!

A Budding Romance

"Romance is the glamour which turns the dust of everyday life into a golden haze."
- Amanda Cross

8"x6" oil on Belgian linen mounted on archival board

The grocery store had these wonderful small phalaenopsis orchids this past weekend. They're also known as moth orchids, they do look a bit like little butterflies have alighted on the stem. I was looking specifically to paint something with green/& red or pink color complements, as I continue this exploration of color.

Buy this painting on PayPal
Price: $150 USD plus $10 USD s/h
Or, send me an email

Aside from buying flowers, I did take a walk on the beach on Saturday, while it was still a 'relatively' warm 22 degrees. Found some pretty beach glass and enjoyed the soft squishiness of the sand, as the earth is frozen solid hard everywhere else past the water line. The last two days have been ridiculously cold 0-12 degree days! I've got to soak up any sunshine I possibly can, it does a world of good when the days are still so very short.

*****Current shows - Here in CT: I'll be taking part in the Mystic Art Center's Members Exhibition which runs through the 26th of February. Hope you get a chance to see this show right here on the banks of the Mystic River.

Also- I've juried in to the 19th Annual Associate Artist Exhibition at Lyme Art Association!! The show runs from January 14th - February 26th. I am truly honored to be hanging in this historic venue with many of New England's finest artists!

Transparent Grace

8"x10" oil on Belgian linen mounted on archival panel

"Grace isn't a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It's a way to live."
- Jackie Windspear

Now for something completely different, a bit of a challenge. Transparent glassware - which turned out to be much more fun than I first thought it might be. I was initially interested in the strong shadow shapes on the table, but as I progressed into the painting, the transparency of the glass (and those shapes that make up those items) became so fascinating to me. I think I have some more subject matter to pursue! Please contact me, roxannesteed@gmail.com for more information about this painting.


*****Upcoming shows - Here in CT: I'll be taking part in the Mystic Art Center's Members Exhibition which opened this past Friday, January 14th, runs through the 26th of February. Hope you get a chance to see this show right here on the banks of the Mystic River.

Also- I've juried in to the 19th Annual Associate Artist Exhibition at Lyme Art Association!! The show runs from January 14th - February 26th. The Opening Reception is Friday, January 21st, from 5-7pm. I am truly honored to be hanging in this historic venue with many of New England's finest artists!

Pink Daisy, Snapple & An Apple

6"x6" oil on gessoed masonite artboard

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."
- Leonardo da Vinci

"Daisy, Snapple & An Apple" is a 6"x6" oil on gessoed masonite artboard, another one of my 'little gems' available from my Daily Painters Gallery or here on my blog.

Buy this painting on PayPal
Price: $125 USD plus $10 USD s/h
Or, send me an email

Looking for items to play off a red/green color complement theme, I had this old Snapple bottle that a neighbor had rooted some plants in for me. It seemed to go perfectly with this bright pink gerbera daisy and green apple. Funny what you'll find when looking for still-life props! Sometimes, simplicity is the key...the answer to what you really need.

I used to have a drawer full of fabric as I used to sew quite a bit. On one of our last moves, I gave most of that away, since I wasn't using it. Now I'm remembering the colors and pieces of cloth that I had and am thinking what great back-drops they would make for some of these floral paintings. hmm, Hindsight is 20/20.


*****Upcoming shows - Here in CT: I'll be taking part in the Mystic Art Center's Members Exhibition which opened this past Friday, January 14th, runs through the 26th of February. Hope you get a chance to see this show right here on the banks of the Mystic River.

Also- I've juried in to the 19th Annual Associate Artist Exhibition at Lyme Art Association!! The show runs from January 14th - February 26th. The Opening Reception is Friday, January 21st, from 5-7pm. I am truly honored to be hanging in this historic venue with many of New England's finest artists!

"Sunny Hunny"

6"x6" oil on gessoed masonite archival artboard

"Fortify yourself with contentment, for this is an impregnable fortress."
- Epictetus

"Sunny Hunny" is a 6"x6" oil on gessoed masonite artboard, another one of my 'little gems' available from my Daily Painters Gallery or here on my blog.


Good advice from Epictetus (a guy who certainly had more than his share of hardship). I'm still enjoying the color exploration of the complements blue & orange. I really loved how the light comes through the honey jar & warms up the table surface and the handle on the cup!

Buy this painting on PayPal
Price: $125 USD plus $10 USD s/h
Or, send me an email

Another cure for a case of the "Januaries"!


*****Upcoming shows - Here in CT: I'll be taking part in the Mystic Art Center's Members Exhibition which opened this past Friday, January 14th, runs through the 26th of February. Hope you get a chance to see this show right here on the banks of the Mystic River.

Also- I've juried in to the 19th Annual Associate Artist Exhibition at Lyme Art Association!! The show runs from January 14th - February 26th. The Opening Reception is Friday, January 21st, from 5-7pm. I am truly honored to be hanging in this historic venue with many of New England's finest artists!

Orange You Sweet?!

8"x8" oil on gessoed masonite archival artboard

"There is no blue without yellow and without orange."
- Vincent Van Gogh

"Orange You Sweet" is an 8"x8" oil on gessoed masonite artboard. Ol' Vincent sure does have a point, these two colors sure do resonate with each other. Vincent also realized that opposites on the color wheel really vibrate when placed side-by-side. He certainly took advantage of this in his own paintings. I especially loved catching that glow of amber honey reflecting onto to the blue vase. This painting is nice to pair with "Cure For A Case Of the Januaries" that I painted the other day...or they certainly can stand alone. Daisies are so cheery, especially in the dreariest of winter days.

Another cure for a case of the "Januaries"! For more information about this painting, contact me roxannesteed@gmail.com

Moonrise, Winter Beach Dune

5"x7" oil on gessoed masonite artboard

"Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face."
- Victor Hugo

I took a walk this afternoon, down at the beach, it had warmed up to almost 32, the sun was shining and there was no wind!! It's not like the beach days of my childhood, but it's the best I can do for now. Frankly it felt pretty good to soak up the sunshine! All that vitamin D gives me a boost of energy! Another cure for a case of the "Januaries"! This painting is one of my "small gems" available directly from me, in my DailyPainters Gallery.

*****Upcoming shows - Here in CT: I'll be taking part in the Mystic Art Center's Members Exhibition which opened this past Friday, January 14th, runs through the 26th of February. Hope you get a chance to see this show right here on the banks of the Mystic River.

Also- I've juried in to the 19th Annual Associate Artist Exhibition at Lyme Art Association!! The show runs from January 14th - February 26th. The Opening Reception is Friday, January 21st, from 5-7pm. I am truly honored to be hanging in this historic venue with many of New England's finest artists!

Pink Two Lips

8"x8" oil on gessoed masonite artboard

"Kissing is a means of getting two people so close together that they can't see anything wrong with each other."
- Rene Yasenek

"Pink Two Lips" is an 8"x8" oil on gessoed masonite artboard, a perfect gift for Valentine's Day. This painting started with the simple intention of staying with a red/green palette of color, then a play-on-words for the title. And what else would you need with your pearls and lipstick, but two lips?


*****Upcoming shows - Here in CT: I'll be taking part in the Mystic Art Center's Members Exhibition which opens today, Friday, January 14th, 5:30-7:30pm. Hope to see you there.
ALSO - I'm taking part in the 19th Annual Associate Artist Exhibition at the Lyme Art Association. Show dates are: January 14th-February 26, 2011. Opening Reception is Friday, January 21st from 5-7pm.

Blizzard Buster - sold!

6"x6" oil on gessoed masonite artboard

"There's one good thing about snow, it makes your lawn look as nice as your neighbor's."
- Clyde Moore

"Blizzard Buster" is what I'm calling this little gem. It is truly the redeeming part of my day. Earlier in the day during a slight lull in the blizzard, we went out to shovel and clear the driveway. This snow was heavy, wet, and about 18" DEEP! That's an exhausting workout! It was so nice to come in and have flowers to paint. I'm especially glad my flowers are holding up, although the blue agapanthus are starting to drop their little flowerets.

I saw on the news where there is snow in 49 out of 50 states (you lucky Floridians!). Even Hawaii had snow on one of its mountains! Not that it makes me feel any better, but knowing there are flowers at the grocery store, waiting for me to paint is some consolation! What is your blizzard buster?

Cure For A Case Of The Januaries - sold!

8"x8" oil on gessoed masonite artboard

"Nothing can cure the soul but the senses, just as nothing can cure the senses but the soul."
- Oscar Wilde

What are the dreaded 'Januaries' you might ask?? That post holiday exhaustion and the realization that winter is still going to be here for 3 more months. "Cure For A Case Of The Januaries" is an 8"x8" oil on gessoed masonite artboard.

I'm really enjoying these flowers this winter -they are really making me look forward to Spring (yes I know, it's a long way off). But while snow is swirling all around me outside, I can be warm and dry in my studio remembering what summer offered up last year. Hoping for this year in the garden to be even more bountiful. We've been going through the seed & plant catalogs looking for what we'd like to try this year. Ah, the joy of anticipation!



*****Upcoming shows - Here in CT: I'll be taking part in the Mystic Art Center's Members Exhibition which opens this Friday, January 14th, 5:30-7:30pm. Hope to see you there.

Daydream Believer

12"x12" oil on gessoed masonite artboard

"Reverie is not a mind vacuum. It is rather the gift of an hour which knows the plenitude of the soul."
- Gaston Bachelard


Sometimes a song just pops into my head and voila, there's the title for my painting. December and January do seem like contemplative times for me, (perhaps it's the mixed feelings over snow that get me going). But I've continued to focus on color, mixing & placing of complements (opposites on the color wheel). Please contact me for more information about this painting or to purchase.

Now, with a bit of worry over snow comes the preventative measures of the trip to the grocery store.....for milk, bread, veggies, and FLOWERS! I was especially thrilled to find these blue flowers next to the sunflowers. I had to dig through my garden catalog to figure out what they are- agapanthus. A big nor'easter is aiming down on us tonight- gonna make sure I have flowers on hand!


*****Upcoming shows - Here in CT: I'll be taking part in the Mystic Art Center's Members Exhibition which opens this Friday, January 14th, 5:30-7:30pm. Hope to see you there.

Do You Sudoku?

4"x4" oil on gessoed masonite artboard

"There is no cure for birth and death except to enjoy the interval."
- George Santayana



Another type of light on today's figure. Here the light is cooler with warmer tones in the shadows, yet she still contrasts against the distant hedge. I knew this candid shot of my daughter working a suduko puzzle had the potential for an interesting painting. I'm calling it "Do You Sudoku?". My daughter used to enjoy working those puzzles.


This work is 4"x4" oil on gessoed masonite artboard and is available to purchase from my DailyPainters.com gallery store.



*****Last week!! - Here in CT: I have three paintings juried into the Lyme Art Association "Deck The Walls" show, which runs from Dec. 10th- January 8th 2011. I am honored to be able to take part in this show with some of New England's finest painters!


I'm currently taking commissions for next year - 2011- if you have a special pet, event, memorable place, that you'd like to commemorate!

Work Light, Introspection, Illumination

4"x4" oil on gessoed masonite artboard


"I am seeking, I am striving, I am in it with all my heart."
- Vincent Van Gogh



Happy New Year! With much gratitude for all your comments, questions, kind words and shared stories- and special thanks to my collectors who've shared this vision of the world with me over the years! It means so much to me!

Seems like I've fallen off of the blogging planet, but I've just been on extended travel with very little internet service, lots of driving, and no oil paints. Sounds like a horrible combination, but it's been a good holiday season spending time with people that I see way too little of. At this point I am craving my studio more than ever and can hardly wait to return to my work space.

I'm posting a little sketch that I did the day before I left on my travels, "Work Light, Introspection, Illumination", quite a mouth full for a little 4"x4" painting. It was actually a 'progressive' titleling. I first called it Work Light - because the writer in this image has the light she needs to see adequately, and I find back-lit subjects especially compelling. I also had this feeling of introspection that I usually find myself in through out December, and finally by January as if some bit of magic comes along, Illumination- where I can see what it is that I've been seeking, or at least the path to follow for now.


This work is 4"x4" oil on gessoed masonite artboard and is available to purchase from my DailyPainters.com gallery store.

I've had the good fortune to return to a few favorite places over Christmas break and find the inspiration I was seeking. First, down in Winter Park, Florida, I was able to return to the Morse Museum- a phenomenal collection of Tiffany works AND get a sneak peek into the Daffodil Pavillion opening in February this year! I can hardly wait! A day in the sunshine at Leu Gardens in Orlando, with my mom & family was another real treat. Even though most of our trip was in cold places, I did get a couple days of warm sunshine while visiting my mom.

While stopping in Arlington, VA visiting with daughters, we took in a day of sight-seeing our favorite places in DC- heading straight over to the US Botanic Garden Conservatory - the most fantastic greenhouses you have ever seen. I spent the whole time with a blissful grin on my face. There is NOTHING like going from a cold wintry day outside,escaping the frigid air, straight to the 'Jungle' room in the big glassed in conservatory. It is like a combination of my favorite warm places (Hawaii, San Diego, and Florida) all contained in one extraordinary place. What a sensory delight, my face hurt from grinning so broadly! Truly delightful, what a joy.

We headed straight from there to the East wing of the National Gallery to see an exhibit of Small French Paintings from the impressionist & post-impressionist period, a wonderful collection of small works. These are such wonderful, personable pieces. It was also like a confirmation in the benefits of working small, whether as a complete body of finished works, or studies for larger paintings. Even small works of art can carry powerful benefits to the viewer. This is the second time I've gone through this exhibit, and was glad to see it again. Any time I can come face to face with a Monet, is a real thrill for me- not in a jumping up & down kind of way, but a 'walking back & forth' kind of way. First seen from a distance, how does it 'read' from a distance, then walk up as close as they allow without having a guard put cuffs on me & haul me out of there! I study the surface, every color, every texture, how did the brush lay the paint on? Then I'm back & forth several times, taking in something new in this same painting with each advance & retreat. Lessons in paint right there for the viewing!


This traveler is glad to be home, at least until the next adventure beckons!!




*****Last week!! - Here in CT: I have three paintings juried into the Lyme Art Association "Deck The Walls" show, which runs from Dec. 10th- January 8th 2011. I am honored to be able to take part in this show with some of New England's finest painters!


I'm currently taking commissions for next year - 2011- if you have a special pet, event, memorable place, that you'd like to commemorate!