Lavender Fields of Provence


This painting was done in the studio from my studies of the Lavender Fields in Provence.  The studies were painted while on a trip to Provence with a small group of art students and our celebrated teachers,  Brigitte Curt and Jim Smth.  It reminds me of the spectacular landscapes and great times I experienced. 

Celedon bowl with apples

This bowl is an antique Qing Dynasty bowl that we bought in Hong Kong.  So, I'm very happy to have painted it.  It was difficult to get the color but I think it came out pretty well.  I sold this painting, so I am very pleased.

Solo apple

Apples are great to paint, just ask the great artist Carole Marine.  She paints gorgeous apples.  They are not as easy as one thinks.  I will continue to practice, but I rather like this one.

Onion family

A small painting of a red onion and some shallots.  I love painting items that are so common that we  often disregard their beauty as art subjects.  These are ingrediants that I constantly use in my cooking and I think by painting them, I am giving them the stature they deserve.

Resting Nude

I have been doing " Life Drawing" for a couple of years and want to share my latest result.

It's been a great learning process and I can see the improvement.  According to experts, doing life drawing is excellent practice for any kind art including painting landscapes.  You can see how the curves of the model relate to landscape scenes.  I am sold on this theory and hope to continue life drawing for many years.  It's a continual process.  If you stop you lose the skill, quickly.

Lavender fields in Provence

I finally repainted one of my original studies from Provence.  I went to Provence with a small group of women and my teachers Brigitte Curt and Jim Smith.  The views and location were totally awesome.  So much to paint and savor.

The colors of the lavender fields were unbelievable. 

Our class has been painting in this beautiful setting called "Portola Pastures."  Scenery is gorgeous with stables,  horses and magnificient Eucalyptus trees.  What more can an artist want. 

Pears and Silver Mug

This is the first time that I have done a silver object.  I do enjoy painting pears - there's something so voluptious about them.  Hope to do some more soon.

Village of Brantes, Provence

Brantes is one of the beautiful villages in Provence that I visited last July with my art teachers Brigitte Curt and Jim Smyth.
We painted at the bottom of the hill looking up at the village.  Later we climbed up to Brantes, sketched and had lunch.
It was one of the many memorable experiences of this trip.  This particular painting was not done in situ, but later from the study, and using a photo as reference. 

White Pitcher on yellow drape

Another still-life done in class. White objects and drapes were the challenge last week. Getting the texture of the white object is also very challenging. The texture of my pitcher looks like ceramic while the actual pitcher was porcelaine.

I thought it looked pretty good and didn't want to smooth it out further to give it a more polished look resembling t porcelaine. Too worried about ruining it.

But, I will do it again and try to come closer to the texture of the real object.

Lemon and Blossoms

This painting was done in the still-life class that I am currently attending.
I am learning to recognize values and to simplify them to the main three - dark, light and medium. Then, of course, come all the in-between these three. Sounds easier than it is, but with practice I hope to reach a better understanding of it.

Reflections in the water add interest to the painting, I believe. I love to paint them. Tell me what you think?

Bayland Marsh

There will be a lot of scenes from the Baylands because this is the primary location where I paint with my " En Plein Air " class. The location is beautiful. We have everything, land, trees and water. We only have to paint it beautifully. The location, itself is very inspiring.

Some of last years work

I am posting some of last years work just for the experience of using this blog and showing some of my work. My camera is currently in the repair shop so my posting will be slow.