Poppy and Bud

Maybe it's just me, but poppies are hard to paint.  They just want to flatten out and not have that thin, papery feel that we fall in love with.  Feeling happy and lucky this one seems to have worked out.  Yay.

Poppy and Bud
click to zoom / purchase

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time, Johnna

In Between

Another first for me - painting books.  Just in the nick of time because e-books are taking over.  Since I love adventures, trying new things, and making memories - I try to focus on the positive in the changes that confront us.  In the case of e-books, I love how you can make the font bigger and change the contrast/brightness to your personal desires.   Rather awesome that they don't take up much space, you can "find" things in them, and bookmark your favorite parts. Seriously, how great is that?

In Between
click to zoom / purchase

These books didn't look too old, so I bet they're the ones caught "in between" two phases of technology.

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time, Johnna

Irish Window

I'm always inspired by European windows and how much care people take to keep their "eyes to the house" beautiful.  This one is from Ireland and features a lovely teapot with a geranium planted inside.  While I didn't include the wall around the window, you should know they painted a matching red stripe around it (see below).  Windows are a bit tricky to get on a square panel so decided to focus on the cool teapot.

Irish Window
click to zoom / purchase

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time, Johnna

Photo Referee - PMP-Art Mitchd - Ireland

Lucky Coins

Did you know you can hang a Feng Shui lucky coin painting to invite wealth luck into your home or office?  Apparently as good as having the actual coins. This is a section from a mobile I've had in my office / studio for years. I'm not exactly sure how it works, but I feel like a very lucky person.  Now it's time to share the luck and my wishes for your own prosperity!  

Backstory - the coins are round with a square hole in the center. That represents both the heavens (circle) and the earth (square), and because of this, they’re deemed especially advantageous. So now you know. 

Lucky Coins
click to zoom / purchase

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time, Johnna

Mandarin Spotlight

Happiest when orange is the centerpiece of a painting.  Has been my favorite color since high school.  At least now I decorate with orange being the accent, rather than "the room."  Teenagers - ha, ha.

Mandarin Spotlight
click to zoom / purchase

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time, Johnna

Ahhh Lavender

Can't you just smell the lavender being dried and ground for this essential oil?  The Google says - If you only use one essential oil, this is it! Lavender is the most versatile and known for its relaxing effects on the body.  Must be time to kick back and chill!

Lavender Oil
click to zoom / purchase

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time, Johnna

Checkmate

I wonder how many paintings of chess pieces get this title?  It's tough to think of something clever.  Just had to paint the background red, love strong contrasts especially when trying to render something very photographic.  Love how this turned out.

Checkmate
click to zoom / purchase

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time, Johnna

Bunch of Sunshine

A great photo reference from Pixabay - user's name is: artisme.  How perfect.  Terrific setup even for a small panel.  I sure hate to see summer ending, but these will keep the memory of sunny days close by!

Bunch of Sunshine
click to zoom / purchase

At least for now, it has stopped raining . . . . 

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time, Johnna

Fancy Goldfish

According to Feng Shui, a goldfish represents abundance and prosperity.  This one adds a lot of fun color and is doesn't eat much.  It seems like you can watch it slowly move across the canvas. . . enjoy!

Fancy Goldfish
click to zoom / purchase

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time, Johnna

Pretty Pumpkin

Could not pass this darling up - back-lit and dressed for an autumn homecoming or gala.  Love these white pumpkins with brilliant orange veins - almost looks like jewelry!

Pretty Pumpkin
click to zoom / purchase

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time, Johnna

Another Perspective - Another Go

A few months ago I painted these lemon wedges and called it Another Perspective. I liked the painting, but felt like there just wasn't enough contrast and focus so decided it was time for another make-over.  The darker cutting board certainly helps.  Also added a bit more color to the knife.   Note-to-self, find more knives to paint!  Quite the challenge . . . .

Another Perspective - Another Go 
click to zoom / purchase

Original version

Another Perspective

What do you think - better?  not sure why the background seems beige - it's really gray.

Lastly - super happy to report that Rooster Teapot is on the way to Sacramento, California - I guess he prefers to sleep in too. . . . 

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time - Johnna

Morning Sun

Just had to paint this again, especially since my Mom fell in love with the first one (and had to have it!).  I love things back lit, but reference photos like this are hard to find.  

Cup of Morning Sun
click to zoom / purchase

Doesn't everyone deserve to wake up to a cup like this?

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time,  Johnna

September Sunflower

Pretty sure this is the last sunflower coming from this area once Hurricane Florence passes through. I guess a day or two away from seeing how bad it gets in the mid-Atlantic Virginia area.  Luckily we are in the northern most part and high up a ravine. . .  although only a few steps to the Potomac river.  The river is already very, very high. Fingers crossed everyone stays safe.

September Sunflower
click to zoom / purchase

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time - Johnna

Sushi Anyone?

Art club monthly challenge was to paint a fish.  Since I was the instigator of this challenge, I needed to find a way to try something new and still keep within the guideline.  Always wanted to try this idea.  Sheer joy - the most fun I've had painting in a long time.  Guess I still love trying anything new and stretching cleverness a bit.   

Sushi Anyone?
click to zoom / purchase

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time - Johnna

Touché Little One

Love painting forks and little bites - some sweet, some savory. I bet this one is right in the middle - late season, plump cherry tomato. Gazpacho anyone?  

Touché Little One
click to zoom / purchase

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time - Johnna

Pumpkin

It takes some getting used to, but painting for shows ahead of the season seems to make time go by even faster.  Last Saturday, I delivered the large "pumpkin" paintings to the Mill show on a day where you'd think it was late October - high shifted from the mid 90s to low 60s overnight! 

This s​mall pumpkin looks to be from an early harvest. Autumn is on the way, but still hoping for a long Indian summer. 

Little Pumpkin
click to zoom / purchase

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time - Johnna

Punch It Up

Another touch up that turned into a redo-almost-everything-painting.  A bright yellow waterlily should look happy and far away from the cloudy day it was stuck in . . . .  What do you think?  Top one is the do-over.

Sweet Yellow Lily - Punched Up
click to zoom / purchasehttps://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/885992

Original Painting - on a cloudy day

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time - Johnna

Get Up and Get Going

​My first, and favorite, teapot features a small rooster on the lid. The pot is quite heavy even when empty, but helps create the calmness and steadiness needed first thing in the morning.  I guess Mr. Rooster's job is more about the get going part!  

I will not admit to anyone, but I've been enjoying getting up earlier these days (8:00 am renovation circus has a way of doing that).  Not so much the getting up part (will always be a night-owl), but delighted how much time the "day" seems to have.  Probably doesn't make sense, but I keep thinking "geez it's not even noon yet."  Also feels like there's more time to get inspired and paint which is definitely a good thing! 

Rooster Teapot
click to zoom / purchase

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time - Johnna

Spanish Window

The photo reference showed this window in a very old stone wall with a sign under it in Spanish indicating rooms were available.  ​Perhaps an old/new fashioned Euro Airbnb.  Still have fond memories of our trip to Barcelona a few years ago.  Amazing city filled with art, architecture and fabulous food.

Spanish Window
click to zoom / purchase

Got out the scary palette knife to add texture and interest to the wall - love how it turned out with the sun-kissed walls and cool interior.

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time - Johnna

I Got You

What a fun fixer-upper!  Painted this last month with my art friends, but it had a dull gray background that was just blah.  Since it's the 30 in 30 (see link), decided to tweak it and have some fun painting "outside the lines."  Anyway got out a few of my luscious new reds, and recently re-discovered Sennelier Cad Red Orange.   Can you tell how much I love how it turned out?  Warm on top of the cool gray.  

It looks like half of the cactus is intent on taking care of the other half and somehow finding a way to keep from getting stabbed.  A similar comment was made while photographing it!  Ha, ha.  

I Got You
click to zoom / purchase

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time - Johnna

It's In the Bag

Fun painting last weekend with art friends who know just how to challenge me with something from my secret "wish list" of things to paint.  Seriously, always wanted to paint a paper bag but way too scary.  How one certain artist knows what's lurking in my head is still a mystery to me.  

For bag painting inspiration, I love this artist's work Wanda Westberg. So simple, but mesmerizing if you ask me. 

Anyway, here's the bag. 

It's in the Bag
click here to zoom / purchase

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time - Johnna

Do Over Pear Pizzazz

Always loved this painting, but something just seemed a bit off, so I tweaked it a bit to be more grounded.  Painting grapes is so much fun - literally look like polished gems. Red and green are complements and my favorite pairing of dynamic color!

Pear Pizzazz Redo
click to zoom / purchase

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time - Johnna

Crazy Time

For some reason decided to jump into the September 30 in 30 even though other priorities will surely get in the way this month.  Maybe being pressed for time will help loosen up my paintbrush and make this a fun experiment.  

Planning to tweak older paintings, fine-tune a few things and who knows what else will pile on to this project.  So for now, will direct the 30 in 30 link here and write blog comments when time permits.  

Here's yesterday's painting auction link to be added in in a few days. . . . . 

German Window
Other artist paintings are here - check them out

Enjoy, life is joy we make one moment at a time - Johnna