Day 24 - Bunn Berry

 Hello and welcome to day 24 of the challenge.. :) I painted 2 bunny's in honor of the Year of the Rabbit, the Lunar New year's animal this year.. I'm looking forward to some peace, productivity without stress and prosperity for all.. This little bunn is giving up an offering of a juicy, ripe strawberry to help with the welcome!  I've enjoyed painting fuzzy little critters for the past few days.. seems that a little bit of fuzz goes a long way towards the cuteness.. ♥

Mary Jane dudds seem to make it into my paintings every now and again.. I love the simple, classic design and, every time I look them up, I want to get a pair.. why have I not gotten a pair yet??  That'll be a goal for 2023.. get a comfy, chic pair of Mary Janes all of my own.. :) Its the little things..

"Bunn Berry", oil, 8"x8", click here to purchase

Day 14 of the 28 in 28 - Snailberry

 It's Valentine's day and strawberries are on my mind...  heart shaped, sweet and juicy.. they are perfection in a berry.  This painting is the 3rd in my Hawking's snail series, which is about a snail trying out new and different shells.  Today, she's trying on a strawberry for size... I'm loving the luscious red and am very pleased with the 'expression' on the snail's face :) Incidentally, about reds, I have been playing with red a lot lately and have suddenly found my palette sometimes has upwards of 5 different reds on it, to achieve the perfect effect.  Alizarin crimson, cad red medium and dark, quinacridone red and rose madder are all ones I've been using for their subtle differences in transparency and hue.

As usual, when I choose a new subject to explore, even if I am completely fictionalizing things, I do some research to dig deeper to see what I can learn.  Scroll down to read a few more interesting bits...

Snailberry, oil on panel, 8"x8"
to purchase, please click here

Turns out I knew next to nothing about snails.  For instance, I had no idea about snail anatomy (how would I?)  I was amazed to find out that the shell was not just a hollow place snails could retract their outward bodies into.. indeed, the shell holds all of their organs and more.. Snails have lungs, stomachs, a liver and kidneys! Finding this out, I realize that my snail friend would have to think things through a bit before settling on a shell that would work.. but it's fun to imagine :)

Latest Newsletter is here!

Happy Spring! I have been painting a lot, and there is much in store in the coming months.  To check out all of the latest goings on, check out my Spring Newsletter here.

Lucky Frenchie with Strawberries and Duck, oil, 8"x8", on hold