"Yes We Have Some Bananas"

"Yes We Have Some Bananas", Acrylic, 14 x 11 x 1" Cradled MDF

I've been wanting to do a vivid primary color schemed painting for awhile, so when I saw these cute little "baby" bananas, I thought they'd be perfect in a fun little still life.  My new blue box + one Cinnabar Fiestaware salad plate + one bunch of baby bananas (less one for testing purposes) = a funky little still life viewed from above.

A Light Summer Bouquet - SOLD

"A Light Summer Bouquet", Acrylic, 20 x 16 x 1" Cradled MDF Panel - SOLD

I believe I'm having as much fun arranging these bouquets as I am painting them!  This one includes fresh colors that I feel reflect the feeling of summer nicely.  The more I see the Cosmos, the more I like them.  In the garden, Cosmos seem to "dance" atop spindly, long legs.  For purchase information, visit my website.

"Light Summer Bouquet", Study

"Light Summer Bouquet", 15 x 11" Watercolor & India Ink on WC Paper

Here's another study in preparation for a larger acrylic version of same...probably on 20 x 16" cradled board.

"Poppy Passion" SOLD

"Poppy Passion" Acrylic, 20 x 16" Cradled mdf, $375 US

Don't you find poppies irresistible?  With their papery, curly petals and starry-eyed centers, who wouldn't?  Paired with these cheerful Gerber Daisies, I thought this made for a whimsical bouquet perfectly set in  purple glass vase.  I hope it made you smile!

"Once Again From the Top"

"Once Again From the Top", Acrylic, 12 x 24" Cradled Birch Plywood, $350 US

A bit of quirkiness in this "Sketchy Stills" series.  Be sure to click on the image to see it bigger.

"Poppies on Little Blue Box"

"Poppies on Little Blue Box", Acrylic, 14 x 11" Cradled Hardwood Panel, $200 US

When I saw this little painted wooden box in the store, I immediately wanted it.  Picked it up, put it down, picked it up, put it down.  Asked myself "do I really need this box"?  Put it back down and left.  A couple of days later, I returned to the store for other things, saw the box again and bought it.  I don't know, something about the rough painted texture gives it a feeling like it's been places.  So, naturally it had to be a dominate "player" in this next "sketchy" still life.

As I'm experimenting with this style, I'm finding that I like combining a bit of realism with the drawing features too.

"Cosmos and Tulips"

"Cosmos and Tulips", Acrylic, 24 x 24 x 1.5" Gallery Wrap Canvas, $500 US (purchase info on my website)

Here's another in the new style.  I just love the combination of painting and "drawing" with the brush in the pen and ink style for the nice movement and rhythm, but with the excitement of color!

I really like the twirling of these lovely red-violet tulips, paired with the happy, "care-free" Cosmos.  And what better container than my amber glass, twirling patterned vase?  The colors really pop against that blue-grey background.

"Cheerful Bouquet" - SOLD

"Cheerful Bouquet", Acrylic 30 x 24 x 1.5" Gallery Wrapped Canvas, SOLD

I liked the study of this so much from a few posts ago, that I decided to do a large, acrylic version.  I really like the crisp "graphic" style of this piece and it looks great as such a large piece!

"Aqua Trio" - Sold

Here's a recent commission I just completed.  This trio of paintings will be framed in simple, dark frames and hung in a cozy den where family gathers to relax.  This project was a very collaborative effort between myself and the client.  Through the planning/mock up process, we were able to achieve just the look we were after.  That stage is perhaps the most critical as it serves as the basis for the finished artwork.

Once we decided on the style, it was just a matter of determining the color scheme and background color that would look best in the room.  Small to scale mock up paintings were created and from there, I photographed the mock up and modified it using Coreldraw as you can see here.  "A" was the original watercolor, acrylic and ink mock up and "B-E" are the versions digitally "painted".

Nursery Jungle

Some friends of ours are having their first baby soon and when I saw the bedding and nursery decor they'd chosen, I just LOVED it!  I decided rather than buy them some of it, I'd surprise them with an original painting trying to match the set.  Aren't these little jungle creatures irresistible? 

This painting was done with acrylics on a 20 x 16" x 1.5" thick gallery wrapped canvas with the edges painted the soft green of the background.

Looking for a unique gift for expectant parents or your own nursery or kids room?  What about some fun, original art?  Drop me a line at celesteATcelestevaughtDOT.com

"Something to Crow About"

A whimsical piece. Acrylic on 14 x 11" stretched canvas, painted from life in my studio.