Spring still life painting and card making

Spring has finally arrived!
Easter has brought with it blue skies and sunshine turning the garden into a symphony of colour!
My favourite of the first arrivals are the miniature alpine daffodils.
I picked a few, put them into a little jug then placed them on the window sill. I didn't intend to paint them but when I saw them in the sunlight a picture immediately came to mind.
I wanted to capture the light and add a musical theme with a couple of small ornaments I had tucked away in a cupboard. I chose the paperweight because the colours fitted in with the composition, it was only after I had sketched it out that I realized that it was egg shaped, just perfect for an Easter painting!

                                         "A Springtime Arrangement"
                                            Acrylic on canvas  

A Springtime Arrangement, Still life painting on canvas

BUY

Today also saw the release of a card making CD featuring my artwork by Ooh La La Creations.
 It was advertised on the Create and Craft channel and it seemed very strange to see my paintings being used on the TV! Great fun though :)

The Paula Oakley Collection,  card making CD

If you would like to find out more then pop over and have a look ...http://www.ooh-la-la-creations.com/Pages/default.aspx   

Painting "Sunflowers and Nasturtiums"

Sunflowers

I have been busy in the garden this week. Tidying up, weeding and just soaking up the wonderful colours  and scents of  late Summer.
This year I grew some sunflowers, smaller than usual, about 2 ft in height and a selection of nasturtiums that meander through the foliage in a blaze of orange and red. They really light up the garden.
 I thought of how Van Gogh must have been enchanted by the bright, bold blooms of the sunflowers and how impossible it would be to let them fade away without painting them.
Well, I'm no Van Gogh but I'm going to paint them anyway!
 My version will include vivid red nasturtiums in a pretty painted jug.
Day one of my "Van Gogh" moment...NOTE...no ears were harmed in the creation of this painting ;)

Starting to paint in the first layers of the sunflower composition

I had a busy day today but still managed to get a bit more painting done. I've been making a start on the shadows and darker areas which has already made a big difference.

Many layers of paint build up to give the depth of colour

Finally after many more hours of painting I have come to the end of my Van Gogh moment. I wonder if he would have approved of my efforts?
                           "Sunflowers and Nasturtiums"
                                                   Acrylic on box canvas 16"x 20"x 1.5"

Colourful still life featuring sunflowers and nasturtiums