DELFT AND WHITE TULIPS

I usually paint red or yellow tulips, but, these were so pretty, I changed my mind.
The Delft bowl is from my extensive Delft collections......my favorite of al my collections. 

DELFT AND STAR MAGNOLIAS, by Dottie Martz, dottiefromvirginia

                         original oil on 9x12 Italian linen            http://dottiemartz.com
 This is another look at my star magnolias....they are blooming like crazy!  They last on the tree about 3 weeks.   I take tons of photos and cut many branches for live set-ups.  It is a slow growing tree, so thankfully I can still reach the lower branches!                                           

STAR MAGNOLIA BLOSSOM by Dottie Martz

My Star Magnolia tree is really quite a sight when it is blooming.  Doesn't look like a magnolia other than it is white?
the blossoms are fun to paint every year. 

YORKTOWN HALL FINISHED

Finally, it is finished.   I have worked with my daughter for so many years...that I kept thinking...why isn't that section done yet...what is Carol doing??LOL it is only me doing the work!  The clients loved it and I got a big hug when I left.  Then I know for sure it is good.

RATATOUILLE FIXING'S

  Finally done, I think..  I am ready to cook anyway.  I have been painting a wall mural up in Yorktown for the past 5 days and then coming home (1 hour drive) and painting on this piece.  Then I collapse.  I plan to get into a hot tub tonight and soak my poor knees.

DAY 3 - RATATOUILLE FIXING'S

Day 3...almost there.  Then I will have to replace a few of these vegetables so I can make the recipe.   The onions and garlic are ok, of course.   I paint on the mural up in Yorktown for 5 hours, drive a total of 2 hours today, come home and start on day 3 of this painting.  I love to paint...thank goodness!

DAY 4 - YORKTOWN MURAL

Day 4 was spent on my hands and knees painting the railings.  Tomorrow, I do the tall vines and that should do it.  I hope so...80 miles a day in freeway traffic is for the birds!

DAY 3-YORKTOWN HALL MURAL

There will be flowers near the arch on the door....and I think I have to make the deck railing higher.  The deck will only be on  two of the openings.

YORKTOWN HALL MURAL

The first day I spent measuring and taping...finally today, I was able to paint! this wil take 5 days total...

day 2 - RATATOUILLE FIXING'S, 9X12

Got a lot further this time....will lighten the upper left when I return to the easel.

the final stage will eventually have red and white tablecloth.  That will perk everything up!

SUNNY FEELINGS by Dottie Martz, dottiefromvirginia

                           Original oi on 8x10 panel       http://dottiemartz.com

I think I will darken the lower left....the light spot draws your eye and it should not do that.  Funny, I look at these BEFORE I post, but, I always see something after it is on the screen and out there for everyone to see! back to the easel....

JEFFERSON'S LILY

I bought the seeds at Monticello many years ago and it has been SO prolific.  Must be native to this area (Virginia).  I save the seed each year and all my friends have them.  I have looked in many books and cannot find the correct name..so I call them Jefferson's Lilies!  They are  along my front walkway and everyone comments on them as they walk up to my front door.  A grat plant to have and enjoy.

A HINT OF SPRING

8x10 oil on Italian Linen Panel.  When I saw these Forsythisas starting to bloom...I was overjoyed.  I quickly selected some and rushed into the studio and started painting.  Cannot get much fresher than that!  They were forcasting snow, but, we did not get any, luckily.

day 1 "HINT OF SPRING" 8X10 OIL

 

1. I spotted these tiny forsythias  beginning to bloom in my yard and it called to me to paint this little "hint" of spring.  Spring really is coming.  Then what does the weather do...it snows!  Just a few flurries, but, it is snow.  Oh well, I will look at my flowers and know that they will all burst into bloom.  I have a large bush down by the street and it is magnificent when in bloom.

1. I

SOUTHERN KITCHN BASICS

While cooking Ratatouille the other day ( and showing day 1 of a painting of the "fixin's")...I realized that I use these all the time:  onions, garlic and green peppers..(we call them  bell peppers).   I could not cook with out them.  Being a true southerner (from Mississippi) they are my basic-basic ingredients!

Day 1 of RATATOUILLE FIXIN'S

I saw an eggplant in the grocery and thought..oh, i"ll make some ratatouille.  I had a zucchini at home plus everything else, so I was good to go.  While laying everything out on the counter....I saw a painting set-up!  I see I forgot the Canola Oil bottle....I will add that. It is always a project in progress. LOL

A SOUTHERN MAGNOLIA

Painted on 11x14 Italian Linen Panel.  Of course, if you have read any of my blog postings you know how I love painting magnolias.  This inspiration came from my bedroom wall.  I have this crooked willow branch that is 6' long with magnolia on each end.  It is above my bedroom mirrored closet doors.  I have looked at it for the last 20 years and one morning, I said..I will paint that!

Day 2 Magnolia

I am almost there.  I cannot decide if I want "suggested small flowers" in the background..or not.  The inspiration came from the decoration above my bedroom closet doors.  The creator used crooked willow with the magnolias and filler flowers.