Teeter Totter Temperatures by Pamela Blaies

An Apple, An Orange and a Single White Rose

oil on linen

5" x 7"

One thing they say in Texas is, "If you don't like the weather, just wait and it will change." That has certainly been true this week. Last Sunday had a high of 76 degrees, then two days later the low of the day was 22! Now, today has been in the 70s and by Sunday it is forecasted to have a low of 30. This see-saw weather is taking a toll on me and I've been feeling a little under the weather, but I thought I would share a little petite I finished this week. Hope you have a great weekend!

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Don't Go Through Life, Grow Through Life by Pamela Blaies

One Pink Rose and a Ginger Jar

9" x 12"

oil on linen

I just returned home from attending a workshop with Quiang Huang. He is a fantastic painter and teacher. His workshop was fun and he did several demos. I picked up so much just from observing his technique, use of color and attention to value and temperature. The more I learn about color, composition and value, the more I see how the infinite ideas and possibilities will take more than a lifetime for me to explore. Here is a piece I painted this afternoon.  I used a brush for most of this one, but there's nothing like a palette knife for beautiful, juicy highlights!

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Heading to my Hometown by Pamela Blaies

Copper Kettle and Keepsakes

oil on linen

20" x 16"

I am preparing to exhibit in Georgetown, Texas, this weekend. If you are in the Austin area, take some time to stop by Georgetown Art in the Square, October 26th and 27th, and come visit with me! I went to high school in Georgetown and am looking forward to heading down to my hometown.

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Don't Miss the Cottonwood Art Festival by Pamela Blaies

Knockout Roses and Flow Blue

6" x 6"

oil on linen

I am looking forward to Cottonwood Art Festival this coming weekend. It will be Saturday and Sunday, October 5th and 6th, in Richardson, Texas. Don't miss this festival as it is ranked as one of the best in the nation and is always a top-notch show! I've been busy framing and packing and doing paperwork in preparation, but I always manage to get some painting time in. Here is one of my newest Petite Paintings up for auction.

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He Knows My Favorite Color by Pamela Blaies

He Knows My Favorite Color

9" x 12"

oil on linen

These yellow roses were part of a gorgeous bouquet my husband gave me on our anniversary this past Friday. They are the prettiest butter yellow. Setting up this composition, I put the light source pretty close and they became dazzlingly brilliant to my eyes. The color seemed to radiate from within, out into the very air around them. I think it gives them a kind of dreamy effect - very romantic. My sweetheart knows I am nuts about flowers, especially roses. He also knows my favorite color of rose -- it changes depending on the one I'm looking at that moment!

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Great News of the Day by Pamela Blaies

Be Mine

9" x 12"

oil on linen

I am so excited to have "Be Mine" selected for a national juried show. The Texas Spirit Art Show 2013 will be held in Graham, Texas, at the Old Post Office Museum and Art Center. It will be on exhibit from June 22 - July 12, 2013.

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Yesterday's Rose by Pamela Blaies

Yesterday's Rose

6" x 6"

oil on linen panel

I cut this rose to paint a little while ago, but didn't get to it that day. Today, I decided I wanted to put it in my composition. Alas, it was to pooped to party and began dropping petals left and right. I still loved its graceful shape and decided the fading beauty was the heart of this little piece.

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Pick of the Day by Pamela Blaies

Bashful

6" x 6"

oil on linen panel

This red rose came from my garden. I placed it in the bud vase facing away from me, because I liked the way the leaves turned. It almost looks shy, so I named it Bashful. I was excited that yesterday it was chosen as the Facebook Pick of the Day by DailyPaintworks - Yea!

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Sometimes Less is More by Pamela Blaies

Red Rosebud

6" x 6"

oil on linen panel

I found this rosebud in my yard on a rosebush full of blooms. I was tempted to add another rose to the composition, but sometimes less is more and this was one of those times. I love the elegance of this painting.

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Romantic Reflections by Pamela Blaies

Be Mine

9" x 12"

oil on linen

I'm a little late sharing this one, but my sweetie gave me a dozen beautiful red roses for Valentine's Day. He knows how much I love flowers. I painted three of them scattered on a silver platter, which was a wedding present over 15 years ago. I see lots of symbolism in this painting. Even the reflections of the freshly cut, romantic roses in the slightly tarnished silver platter seem to say things to me.

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A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words by Pamela Blaies

Peach Roses and Mom's Teacup

12" x 16"

oil on canvas

Yesterday, I delivered some of my newest paintings to Steve Beasley, a professional art photographer in Dallas, to be photographed. There is no way to fully experience a piece of art unless you are viewing it right in front of you. But sometimes viewing artwork on a screen is the only option. Lighting, color preciseness and glare is always the biggest struggle when capturing my artwork on camera. Compare my best photo just below (which took forever to adjust on Photoshop) with the professional photo - need I say more.

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Technique Demonstration by Pamela Blaies

White Roses and Pansies

20" x 16"

oil on canvas

 

  

After a workshop this fall and some experimenting over the past few weeks, my technique has begun to evolve a little. I used to do a pencil sketch before painting to make sure I was pleased with my composition.  Now, instead I abstractly "block in" my composition with a large brush. I was able to adjust and make the silver pitcher smaller after the block in showed me how to make the composition stronger.  After block in, the rest of the painting is done with palette knife.

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Reception this Weekend in Dallas, Texas by Pamela Blaies

Tea Rose

9" x 12"

oil on canvas

I'm looking forward to the upcoming Artists of Texas Annual Show at the Dutch Art Gallery in Dallas, Texas.  I will have two of my brand new pieces in the exhibit. It opens this weekend with a "meet the artist" reception this Saturday, November 3, from 11 am - 4 pm. I got a little sneak peek earlier this week after dropping off my artwork - don't miss it!

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The Umber Effect by Pamela Blaies

Yellow Roses and a Copper Kettle

20" x 16"

oil on canvas

The subtle greens of this painting came from experimenting with two new colors on my palette. I didn't actually use any tubes of green, just mixes from my usual ultramarine blue, different cad yellows and yellow ochre. But I also added raw and burnt umber to the mix this time. I really like the effect the umbers have on my palette.

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A Splendid Way to Spend the Afternoon by Pamela Blaies

A Splendid Afternoon

22" x 28"

Oil on Canvas

Last week, I really enjoyed painting these pink-tipped roses. I would have liked to paint a few more paintings of these roses with different compositions, but I got a little overzealous while putting this particular still life together. My mind would drift to my idea of the perfect relaxing afternoon and I would add a book here, then a frame there, then extra lemons.... It ended up taking me the whole week to complete this one - and the blooms just couldn't hold out long enough for one more painting. Sigh...

It is hard to see in the photograph, but the shadows are filled with color. Deep reds, greens and blues add interest and depth to this piece.

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Love and Roses by Pamela Blaies

Pink Roses

20" x 16"

Oil on Canvas

My daughter attended her final Cotillion dance last Friday and her wonderful Daddy brought her these gorgeous roses. They were so beautiful I knew I had to paint them. On Valentine's Day, I finally had a chance to sit down and paint after I got the kids off to school. I couldn't wait to get started. As I was putting the final touches on the painting, my husband walked in with another dozen red roses and chocolate dipped strawberries for me. What a knight in shining armor he is!

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