Gimlet

Gimlet. Oil on panel, 12" x 12". $595. Click to buy.

Finally! Gimlet is the first of a series of around eighteen pieces for my upcoming Mixology art and recipe book. Vodka Gimlets are my specialty, so it was a natural to start with this one. There will have to be some in-depth experimentation with recipes after this. I know, it sucks to be me. 

Gimlets are pretty colorless, except for the limes. Everything else--vodka or gin, simple syrup---is clear. I used sugar cubes instead of the s.s. to add some interest, but still wanted a complimentary color. That ended up being the fun part. A run to a local flooring store yielded some Marmoleum samples, one of which is seen here as the "countertop." I love the pattern, and found it fairly easy to imply with a few strokes. Working a bit bigger felt weird, but it allowed me to add details like the pattern in the depression glass bowl.

These paintings will be available after the book is released, hopefully in November. 

p.s. Don't worry, I'm not a total jerk. I will return the samples and buy a few strips of Marmoleum for future paintings.

Never miss a painting! Subscribe here.

Rose Reflections

$150. Click to buy

Oil on panel, 8" x 8".

This was a really challenging project---so many reflections! The shaker, serving tray, glasses, ice, spoon… the back wall was the only non-reflective thing in the whole setup. I really like the patchwork effect of the reflections in the shaker.

Starting tomorrow I will work on pieces for the mysterious Big Project---a Mixology book containing a collection of paintings and corresponding cocktail recipes. I will post the book paintings as I go, but they won't be available for purchase until the book release. I will try to mix in some small paintings for Daily Paintworks as I have time.

Never miss a painting! Subscribe here.

Fresh Mix

Sold.

Fresh Mix. Original oil on panel, 8" x 8".

Happy with this. I finally ran out of 6" x 6" panels, and moved on to one of the 8" x 8"s I had made. It was nice to work a bit bigger, and it was getting to be time. Had a much better go at the ice here, too. A combination of careful arranging and less-is-more seemed to be the key. The toughest parts: the measuring end of the bar spoon, and taking the photo. This one really wanted to glare!

Never miss a painting! Subscribe here.

Candy Store

Sold.

Candy Store. Original oil on panel, 6" x 6".

After a week away at a plein-air pastel landscape workshop, I was feeling a bit out of touch with my oil still life series. The only thing that appealed this morning was this collection of modern glasses. They didn't look like much on their own, so I started filling them with odd combinations of liquids. I was almost done painting when I realized there wasn't a real focal point. Enter the cherry, which gave the whole thing a candy-like feel.

Never miss a painting! Subscribe here.

I'll Make Manhattans

This piece was purchased by another artist for a Manhattan-loving friend, who in turn commissioned a similar one (see below) for the first friend. If you see something on this blog that really blows your skirt up, but it's sold, I'm happy to create something similar.

Sold.

I'll Make Manhattans. Original oil on panel, 6" x 6".

I learned recently that Manhattans should be stirred rather than shaken. Shaking makes the drink cloudy, while stirring preserves the beautiful golden-ruby color and clarity. You can still use your shaker for mixing, of course! I like to add a tiny splash of the cherry juice as well. 

I am really happy with the Bakelite strainer handle in this piece especially, and the color harmony between it, the countertop, and the warm orange tone of the Bulleit Rye in the shot glass.

Meet Me in Manhattan. Original oil on panel, 6" x 6". (Commission.)

Never miss a painting! Subscribe here.

The Usual Suspects

This was sort of a breakthrough piece inasmuch as I really liked the tighter crop. As I got more comfortable with the technical aspects of painting, I thought more about composition. 

Sold.

The Usual Suspects. Original oil on panel, 6" x 6".

With a name like "the Usual Suspects," I suppose I ought to have turned the beadboard backdrop on its side. It would look more like a proper lineup. Still really happy with this piece.

Never miss a painting! Subscribe here.

Moon Shot

Paul snapped this one up the second I finished it. You may notice that I have the tag "gifts for men" on all of my painting posts. Seriously, in a few months I have had more of these bought by or for men than any of my other artwork in all the years I've been painting.

Sold.

I think there are about eight shakers in my collection at the moment. My husband Paul only has one: the world's most awesome shaker, in the shape of a retro-futuristic rocket. I'm pretty sure he still has me beat. I thought the little onion looked like the moon.

Never miss a painting! Subscribe here.

Drones Club Fruit Salad

Sold.

I don't know how many reading this might be P.G. Wodehouse fans, but Plum hooked me at about age seventeen. I've enjoyed imaginary trips to the world of Jeeves, Bertie Wooster and company ever since. This piece has a jazzy, old school feeling about it that I really liked. And, it's sort of how I imagine members of the Drones Club took their vitamins.

Never miss a painting! Subscribe here.