"Oh That I Could Fly"

"Oh That I Could Fly", 16 x 20" Oil on Canvas

Continuing with the "bird" theme, I wanted this still life painting to be whimsical and fun.  I found myself getting a little tighter than I normally paint and finally just let "loose" and had fun with it, which is what I usually aim for when painting!

When I saw the grapevine ball, I knew it would make an interesting object to include in a still life setting, then of course as a bird-lover, I couldn't resist the little bronze sparrow on the book.  Finally, I remembered I had a funky covered box that made for a nice base with its whimsical polka-dots and stripes.

The color scheme was kept simple to focus more on the forms of these objects and arranging the ball on its precarious perch,  I aimed the bird as if he were ready to push the ball off the precipice while the ivy stands ready to slow its fall.

"Bird Platter with Orange"

"Bird Platter with Orange", 12 x 16" Oil

For this still life, half the fun was picking out objects to go with my bird platter I bought when redecorating our den this summer.  I never tire of aqua and love it with reds and oranges.  Recently I went to Whole Foods to make a unique floral arrangement and discovered these wonderful Eucalyptus "berries".  They added a whimsical touch to the bouquet of mixed evergreens, orange Freesia and bright lime green Spider Mums.  Before they faded away, I thought their blue-gray color and arching form would make an interesting addition to this still life.

An ultra smooth surfaced canvas allowed the details of the platter to be crisply rendered.  For the composition, I felt it most interesting to "zoom in "  and just show a portion of the platter, as I wanted the viewer to appreciate the content of the platter's artwork, rather than the platter as a whole.  The little blue bird looks as if he wants to fly off the platter for a taste of the Eucalyptus, doesn't he?

"A Few Favorite Things"

"A Few Favorite Things", 16 x 20" Oil

Many of you know that I've been busy this year training a new puppy, Ruby!  Here's a still life incorporating one of my favorite photos of our little Ruby, as well as a few other of my favorite things to paint, apples and my Shamrock Fiesta dishes.

I'm trying out water-based oils, and enjoying experimenting with this medium. I like that I can use water as a medium rather than volatile chemicals.  Also clean up is a breeze!  I do like the medium though that allows for nice glazing effects.  I look forward to experimenting with other brands of water-based oils too.

Celeste Vaught Art Blog Receives Award

Anyone who's followed this blog for any length of time knows that I love to switch around with various mediums.  High among my favorites are pastels.  Their vibrancy, tactile nature, and immediacy appeal tremendously to me.  I love that they force me to simplify. I love the fat sticks of soft, pure pigment.  I don't like to get fussy, but just experience the emotion of laying different colors next to each other to create visual vibrations.  If I had to pick one emotion that describes pastels, it would be Joy!

Of course, that's just my approach to the medium.  It lets me express happiness and exuberance with abandon.  On the other hand, I admire greatly those fine artists who with much more deliberateness and delicacy produce finely detailed, exquisite pastel paintings.  With that in mind, I was so honored to have recently been awarded among the top pastel painting blogs for 2010!  Take a look at some of the other awarded Top Pastel Painting Blogs.  Thank you very much for the recognition.

Tulsa Evening Glow - Sold

"Tulsa Evening Glow", 24 x 36" Acrylic

This large evening skyline scene of downtown Tulsa was inspired by an study I did entitled "Tulsa at 5".  However, with this scene, the request was to include more of the familiar downtown skyline, the 21st Street Bridge and include part landscape/part cityscape while sticking to a similar color scheme as in the original painting.  Also, the style was to be somewhat abstracted (right up my alley).

Painted for a specific setting, the painting is framed in a wide, dark walnut frame and hangs over a handsome deep, reddish-purplish brown leather sofa in a living room.  The colors in the painting are really enhanced above that sofa!