Butterfly Milkweed - Oil on Canvas 28"x22"

Butterfly Milkweed - Oil on Canvas 28"x22"

Ok, I was taken in by the oils, they are much more sensual and much more forgiving than acrylics. I have had to overcome the "hurry up it's going to dry" urdge and accepting that the piece will have to be returned to more than once.

The reference picture for this was taken at the Tallgrass Prarie Reserve and the Symphony in the Flint Hills. I distinctly remember taking this picture and beliving it to be a boon considering there were hundreds of people filing by on the path toward the event area. It was like finding a little corner of peace in the chaos of the busy hot day.

I also played a lot with the colors in this piece keeping in mind my tendencies toward color and hey it works in oils and acrylic - LOL. I can not say for sure which is my favorite but I am being seduced by the oil bug.

Oils - a new adventure

"Dillon in his NY hat" - 8"x10" Oil on Canvas


"Frog Woman" - 10" x 16" Oil on Canvas Board

My son was home sick with the flu last week and in one of his more lucid and bored afternoons he wanted to paint. This was exciting to me because he hasn't wanted to paint with me for ages... I guess being a teenager, busy with school and friends leaves little time for painting with ole' mom. Anyway, delighted with the prospect, I asked him "Oils or Acrylics" He said "oils." I drug out the new oils I had been collecting over the last few months anticipating this spontaneous activity.

For some reason a few months ago, Dillon made up his mind that painting in oils has to be easier than painting in acrylic. I believe he had seen a Bob Ross "Joy of Painting" session and was impressed with the speed and agility of the artist... I've explained to him that either way, it takes practice... But this is what lead to the beginning of the oil tube collection and I had hoped to entice him to paint earlier than this last week.

As for me, I have shied away from oils as my college instructors all had sensitivities to oils and would not use them. Being pleased with the results of acrylics, I have never thought it important to actually try oils. I have had artist friends tell me that oils are a much more sensual medium. Well, so with the interest from my boy - I decided to venture into this new medium with Dillon's enthusiasm to fuel the curiosity.

Above you will find my first two efforts in oils from that day. The first was the portrait of Dillon and then just for giggles, I made the "Frog Lady." I was able to explore my color pallet and how it interacts with oils. I would have to rule the experience - fun.