Black Vase-1st layer oil paint

After I see a composition in the paper layer shown in the last post, I begin with the subject, searching the colors and forms in paint directly out of the tube. Some softening with brushes where the paint is really too thick is required. The duo Psyche and Eros, the mythological symbols of eternal love in this series take their places.
This painting has been hanging for several days to settle while I just look at it. I feel where I want to change colors, but will leave the exploding roses as they are. satisfied with their joyful expression.
I hope you are enjoying the process I go through.

First Stage in the Black vase

It gives me great pleasure to paste over portraits I no longer want to look at, in this case a Man in Blue from 5 years ago. It will now go further into the Rose Series. Still have the Ben Dot paper, thank heavens,and some other interesting ones to play with to develop the composition. Actually this one was fine in this stage. But I know it will change in light, which is also interesting if I want to wait. No, my itchy fingers got going with oil paint. more tomorrow. thanks for watching the changes.

my garden

My garden is this far= blooming calla lilies. we are experiencing a very early spring with summer-like weather. I painted this "romantic pair" a few years ago and still find it's exuberance symbolic of the exploding calla lilies and their nearly tropical leaves. Every year joy at the winter's disappearance and the beginning of a flowering season.

Painting:  90 cm. square, oil on linen, 850 €
               

rose detail

Back from 2 months bitter winter in the Hilltowns of Massachusetts. loved it. now hooked on the roses in Holland again.

Sirens

Listening to the opera from Carnegie Hall. Yes, I am working here in America and spending two months in New England where there is lots of snow. This oil painting is from the Siren Series- the temptresses in the Old Testament. These are inspired by Wagnerian valkeries. Thanks for keeping up with this Blog.

Ben Day Dots and Roses

If you look closely, you will see Ben Day Dots in the background of this painting of Luxor Roses. I love the effect created by the dots and understand why Roy Lichtenstein used them. I now use the paper which was used to package flowers with other tissue papers to get an abstract background. really exciting to paint over. The lower painting is the same one. I decided to lighten it up and get more of a brilliant red rosiness. It will be going with me to America tomorrow. Hopefully the new owner will be happy with this cheerful painting.

The Dutch Card Players

I am going to have to do a lot of work tonight! These four friends have been "klaverjassing" for nearly 40 years every Friday night. Nothing comes in their way of fighting it out around our Van Gogh- Potato Eaters table. I am inspired by so many paintings of Pierre Bonnard. we will see if I progress. I have been painting on 5 paintings since 1994. One has been bought by Rob, the fellow with the beard. I keep making the rounds and they keep changing places. I try to get that special light and also the action and tension of the play. We go on until past midnight when they end with some rounds of poker.