Saturday, October 27, 2012

Eggplant, Still Life

"Eggplant Tango"
6"x6" oil
copyright J.Bellinger 2012

E is for Eggplant. One of the most amazing fruits. I made a delicious vegetarian lasagne with these "models".




Dill Pickles, D is for Dill Pickle, ABC mini challenge

" Just Dilly"
oil 6"x8"
ABC Mini Challenge II
copyright 2012 J.Bellinger

D is for Dill Pickle. My favorite brand. I used to make cold pack pickles but it is hard where I live to get fresh cucumbers and dill. Plus, the last few batches I made, something went wrong...several quarts ended up spoiling, as if the vinegar or something had changed. Did everything the way I always had...oh, well. These fill the bill nicely...crisp and garlicky!
I will post 2 a day until I am caught up. The entire set of 26 "letters" will be available soon. 

Thursday, October 25, 2012

ABC Mini Challenge II, C is for Coffee

ABC C is for Coffee
"Cuppa Joe"
6x6 oil copyright J.Bellinger 2012

Borrowed my friends' Harliquin Homer Laughlin cups for this one. I love the Art Deco feeling of this vintage cup & saucer. 
        "B is for Blueberries"
6x6 oil
copyright 2012 J.Bellinger

Boy, I am way behind in posting my ABC Mini Challenge paintings! Just finished "M" but here is "B".
Blueberries are a fun challenge...love mixing the dull blue/grays.



Saturday, October 6, 2012

ABC Mini Painting Challenger for October 2012 A is for Apple

ABC Mini Painting Challenge
A is for Apple  "Red & Green"
Oil 6"x6"
copyright J.Bellinger 2012

Feels great to have a challenge of a daily painting again! This challenge with my FB artist friends runs through October. My computer has been down this week and I will be scurrying to catch up with my posts...A through E paintings are done.

Saturday, June 30, 2012

" Zatec Lager Since 1004 Czech "
Oil
4"x10"
copyright J.Bellinger 2012

ABC Mini Painting Challenge "Z" is for Zatec. This is a Czech beer has been brewed sinxe 1004!
I placed the bottle against a white background, aqua paper on the right wall to boune blues back onto the bottle....blue & orange a favorite combo.
This is the final painting in my ABC min painting series...26 paintings in as many days..well, 30 for me with a few days missed doing other things.
I hope you enjoy them...I certainly have enjoyed eating and drinking my models!
This entire series will be in my July 6/7/8 show The Broadford Rd Show at a beautiful private home in our valley...also the Ketchum Arts Festival July 13/14/15. Please call and let me know if you will be at either show so I can be on the look out for you..oh, and if you need directions to the Broadford Rd show.

ABC Mini Paintings Egg Yolks, still life

" Scrambles Eggs Coming Up "
Oil
6"x6"
copyright J.Bellinger
 $395 Framed

ABC Mini Challenge Painting "Y" is for Yolks
Some time ago I painted a similar arrangement of egg yolks and was looking forward to using them again in this Alphabet series.
I'm feeling relieved to have this series completed..will post Z in a moment.
I hope you have enjoyed following along with this challenge of 26 paintings in as many days.

" The XX Factor"
Oil
4"x10"
copyright J. Bellinger 2012
ABC mini challenge painting  "X" is for Dos Equis.
I think this is my favorite label so far...loved painting the XXs. On to post Y & Z, which I finished today.


" The XX Factor "
Oil
10"x4"
copyright J.Bellinger 2012

ABC Mini Challenge "X" is for Dos Equis.

Art Tip # 26 The Illusion of glass or metal or anything
Very simple really. Override what your brain is telling you and paint what your eyes see in the set up.

 Look for shapes, mix the color of that shape and lay it down, leave it alone. Mix and paint all the little shapes you see, starting with the big shapes, working down to smaller shapes (save highlight shapes for last..these will be juicy little blobs of paint.  When you have your shapes or patches of paint down and are ready to blend one shape with another, do so very lightly, barely touching the edges of the two colors you are blending. Don't keep going over and over...you flatten and create mud, taking the life out of the brushstrokes you have layed down.



Friday, June 29, 2012

"Watermelon B.S. (before seedless)
Oil
6"x6"

ABC Mini painting challenge "W" is for watermelon. Best part...the black seeds. I do appreciate seedless watermelons and was a reluctant watermelon eater as a kid because I didn't like dealing with the seeds. We'd sit on the back porch and spit them out.
Have you tried watermelon salad with black olives and feta cheese? Delicious. You can check for the recipe on AllRecipies.com my favorite recipe cite. This salad is super easy and especially refreshing on a hot evening. Goes well with bar-b-que.


Thursday, June 28, 2012

" Tight Squeeze "
Oil
6"x6"
copyright J.Bellinger 2012
ABC Mini Challenge painting "V" is for Valencia orange. A high key composition, simply designed. I wanted the focus to be on the juicy orange slices without background distractions.
Next time I paint orange or lemon slices from life I will keep a spray bottle of water handy...however once I realized the hot lights were going to dry things out it made me paint faster..a goal I continually work on. In the end, it takes what it takes!

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

"Urquell Pilsner"
Oil
10"x4"
copyright J.Bellinger 2012

ABC Mini challenge "U" is for Urquell Pilsner..a very good Czech beer.
I really loved mixing all the varied greens in this set-up..especially the yellow-greens. I am almost to the end of the ABC edibles...it has been a fun project.
Please comment with your favorite beer..if you like beer that is.

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

"Pick Your Heat"
Oil
4"x10"
copyright J.Bellinger 2012
ABC mini challenge "T" is for Tapitio & Tobasco. What's your favorite hot sauce? In our house Tapitio is the favorite but I still prefer Tobasco when I make Deviled Eggs...and I use a lot. I mash the egg yolks with mayo, white pepper, Tobasco..quite a bit of mayo so they are good and creamy.

Now for the letter "U".


Saturday, June 23, 2012

"Summer Berries"
Oil
6"x6"
copyright J.Bellinger 2012

ABC Mini Challenge "S" is for Strawberries!  I used alizarin crimson, Grumbacher red, cad red light for the reds. I love red paint!
These are arranged in a vintage buffaloware china bowl on a very old, William Sonoma tea towel.

Friday, June 22, 2012

" Razzle Dazzle "
Oil
6"x6"
copyright J.Bellinger 2012

ABC Mini Challenge "R" is for Radish. Wow, you have to paint fast to capture these..the leaves wilt quickly under the lamp I use to light the set-up. I love painting subjects on a glass surface..double trouble!
"Just Like Mom Made"
Oil
6"x8"
copyright J.Bellinger 2012

ABC Mini Painting  "Q" is for Quaker Oats. Whew! This was challenging, but fun, too. I added the polka dots to the background for some fun interest.  My husband loves raisens cooked in his oatmeal. The other day we were out of raisens and he added chopped dates...much better!



Wednesday, June 20, 2012

"Three's a Crowd"
Oil
6"x 6"
copyright J.Bellinger 2012

ABC Mini Challenge "P" is for Pears. Another favorite fabric in my stash is this woven Peruvian fabrc..love the pink and black stripes. Tomorrow is Q....?????

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

" Hanging Around "
Oil
6"x6"
copyright J.Bellinger 2012
ABC Mini Challenge  "O" is for Onion. I am really liking how cool all these ABC still lifes are looking hanging together. It has been a fun series. Tomorrow "P" is for Pears! Stay Tuned.

Monday, June 18, 2012

" Samual Smith's Nut Brown Ale"
Oil
4"x10"
copyright J.Bellinger 2012

ABC Mini Challenge "N" is for Nut Brown Ale. I was searching the grocery store for something starting with N thinking "nuts"  ( Nappa cabbage didn't interest me) but I didn't like the current label on the Planters peanut jar or can. Then I saw Nutello..read the label..not very interesting either. I wasn't too hopeful when I headed over to the beer aisle...and there was Samual Smiths Nut Brown ale, just waiting to model for me! Of course my husband loves this beer..he likes all beer.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

"Mango Reflections"
Oil
6"x6"
copyright J.Bellinger 2012

ABC Mini Challenge "M" is for Mango"
These were quite ripe..and quite red! Triadic color scheme is intense, but then magoes have rich intense color...nice change from the white cloth I have been painting lately.
Off to the store to find something beginning with N.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

" Luscious Lemons "
Oil
6"x6"
copyright J.Bellinger 2012

ABC mini challenge "L" is for Lemons. Lemons are probably my favorite still life subject...sunny, cheerful, mouthwatering..they go with everything.
If you love lemons please comment and tell me what it is about them you like. It may give me some good ideas for future paintings or titles. Words are inspiring! Thanks!

Friday, June 15, 2012

" Kumquats & Blue Stripes "
Oil
6"x 6"
copyright J.Bellinger 2012

ABC Mini Challenge "K" is for Kumquats"

Blue & orange are a favorite. I love subjects where I can use a lot of bright orange or red. The small vintage glass bowl was just the right size to hold a dozen or so kumquats...and what a delight to eat! I'm thinking of looking up some desert recipes using kumquats...sliced up on top of vanilla ice cream would be like a Creamsicle!


Wednesday, June 13, 2012

"Making Salsa"
Oil
6"x6"
copyright J.Bellinger
ABC Mini Challenge..."J" is for Jalapeno peppers. Tomorrow I will make salsa from the chilies I have been painting this week.
The old red striped kitchen towel is my favorite! Love the thin red stripes to arrange and lead the eye.

Monday, June 11, 2012

" India Pale Ale"
Oil
4"x12"
copyright J.Bellinger 2012

"I" is for India Pale Ale. Such fun to paint a bottle of beer for the ABC mini challenge. I was going to crop to fit a 6x8 panel then remembered that I had a 4x12 panel. Tomorrow might be "J" for Jarlsberg cheese...will go shopping in the morning.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

" Habanero Chilies...HOT!
oil
6"x6"
copyright J.Bellinger 2012

"H" is for Habanero. I loved painting these, but then blue and orange are a favorite combo...right after yellow- green and violet!
The ABC min challenge is rolling right along.  Jennifer O'Cualain started the challenge and is painting 2 itty bitty oils a day! Check out her website to see her beautiful wildlife paintings.
Tomorrow I will have a private student for 8 lessons. She's will be a senior in high school and loves art. Reminds me of the profession fine artist that I took lessons from in high school..I walked to her house several days a week after school.
" Globe Artichoke Study "
Oil
6"x6"
copyright J.Bellinger 2012

"G" is for Globe Artichoke...I love the intricate interior of an artichoke. I tone my panels with yellow oxide and lifting paint to quickly get some muted highlights is fun..gives asense of labored detail.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

" Fennel Study "
Oil
6"x6"
copyright J.Bellinger 2012
For more info or to purchase please visit my web site

"F" is for Fennel..in the ABC Mini painting challenge. I enjoyed painting the soft greens contrasting with the dark gray violets. I have a very good Italian recipe for this veggie..basically, sliced in thin shreds layered in a shallow baking dish. Pour half & half over, salt & pepper, then a layer of parmesan cheese..bake a 350 for about 45 minutes or until cheese is golden and cream is bubbly.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

" Japanese Eggplant "
Oil
6"x8"
copyright J.Bellinger 2012
Visit my Website to purchase

 
"E" is for Eggplant for the ABC Mini Challenge. My subjects are edibles that I can find locally and paint from life, not photos.
For years Liquin was my favorite medium. On these ABC paintings I am trying a new medium Gamblin Neo Megilp. So far I like it..the paint retains its shape without feeling diluted, works well in a glaze and seems to set up faster.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

" Trying to Resist "
Oil
6"x6"
copyright J.Bellinger 2012

" D " is for Donut.  Number 4 of the ABC Mini Challenge.
The fun part of painting this was anticipating eating it at the end!
To purchase or for more information please visit my website 

Monday, June 4, 2012

" Blueberries in Vintage Cup "
6"x8"
Oil
copyright J.Bellinger 2012
Visit my web site to purchase
Here is my paintinfg "B" is for Blueberries....I love this old red striped dish towel.
Now, I need to find something for the letter "D" and I will be on track with this ABC Mini challenge project.

Sunday, June 3, 2012

" Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries "
oil  6"x6"
copyright J.Bellinger 2012

Here is my ABC painting "C" is for cherries. I couldn't resist doing these before my "B" painting..will paint it tomorrow. The cherries at our store are hit or miss..these were so beautiful I had to paint them today.
For more information or to purchase this painting please visit my web site 
Hope your getting more than pits today!

Saturday, June 2, 2012

" Retro Pink & Green
                                                                               Oil
6"x8"
copyright J.Bellinger 2012
"A" is for Avocado"

Here is my first of the Alphabet Challenge started by Jennifer O'Cualain, a wonderful wildlife artist from Phoenix, Az.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Agave, Cacti, Still Life

" Early Morning Light...Agave "
copyright J.Bellinger 2012
oil 30"x40"

I figured out how to get rid of the underline ...hit Ctrl+U. Whew!
Not that I have much to say this morning. Posting this large painting reminds me that I am not doing a daily painting, haven't for a long time but will continue to post all my paintings as I complete them.
The design plan for this one was for a split complementary color, and like always I premix my oils so when I start painting I paint...much more relaxing than having to decide what to mix as you go along. I gave the light falling on the shale stone a glaze of warm yellow after all was done, to relate the sky color..it really pulled the painting together and gives the whole painting a glow...not sure it shows in the image here.
Hope your day is wonderful! It's a beautiful morning here in Scottsdale.


Sunday, February 12, 2012

Desert Botanical Garden IV, Cacti, Saguaro, Scottsdale


" Desert Botanical Garden IV" copyright J.Bellinger 2012

Oil

36x36


Can't seem to find an underline icon on the bar...when it is sent to my email it does show..weird. I'm using Internex explorer to see if that made a difference..it doesn't. This is annoying to read, sorry. Guess I will just post images for a while til I find the problem.


Saturday, February 11, 2012

Botanical Gardens, cactus

" Early Morning Light " copyright J. Bellinger 2012
oil
48x60

I haven't posted since September...can anyone tell me why everything is underlined?

The Celebration of Fine Art show here in Scottsdale is going very well and continues through the end of March. I love being with all the artists, it is very inspiring.
I think you can tell from my desert paintings that I have fallen in love with cactus...I call them garden still lifes. I'm attracted to the groupings with strong light/shadow patterns....a challenge to paint. At home in Idaho I avoid summer scenes...too much of the same green. Here there is an amazing variety of greens to design with.