Happy New Year!

Best wishes to all of my friends and family!

Be Happy, Healthy, Creative & Prosperous

in 2014!

"Passion Vs. Calm"-2 -- Still life with Grapefruit

Passion Vs. Calm -2

6 x 6"

oil on 1/8" thick Gessobord
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  Another set up from the different direction of light, also with the smaller slices of the grapefruit. 

  Stay calm with the holiday shopping pressure's up!--That is what I tell myself, because I still haven't got any presents done yet...But I still couldn't beat my husband, he would ask me "what do you want for Christmas?" on the day before Christmas Eve!--Typical last-minute shopper!

"Passion Vs. Calm"-1 -- Still life with Grapefruit

Passion Vs. Calm -1

6 x 6"

oil on 1/8" thick Gessobord
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  I found this Flaming-Red Florida grapefruit from our local farmer's market. According to the name, I set up a glass of water and shinny fork to keep them balance. I focus on the reflections bounce between the different surfaces of the objects. It is such fun to have the practice within this simple set up.

Expanding

Expanding

6 x 6"

Oil on 1/8" thick Gessobord
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Intracoastal Sunset

Intracoastal Sunset

9 x 12"

Oil on canvas panel

  This is the entry to DPW's "The Cloud Challenge" this week. The clouds in this scene enhanced the color and light direction of sunset, became the center of interest.

Double of Joys

Double of Joys

8 x 8"

Oil on 1/4" thick gessoed MDF board
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Still Life of Two Red Pears

Still Life of Two Red Pears

6 x 6"

Oil on 1/8" thick Gessobord

  The pears down to 2 after all, what I can say, just don't starve the artist!--The red pear tasted soooo delicious!

Still Life of Three Red Pears

Still Life of Three Pears

6 x 6"

Oil on 1/8" thick Gessobord
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Ibis On The Rock

Ibis On The Rock

8 x 10"

Oil on canvas panel
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Flamingo with Ripples

Flamingo with Ripples

10 x 8"

Oil on canvas panel
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"Man With Hat"-- Painting People in Museum/Gallery Series

Man With Hat

10 x 8"

oil on 3/4" thick gallery wrapped canvas
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  A man with hat viewing the painting "Clown with Cornet" by American artist Walt Kuhn. I captured a moment of men with their hats.
  This is the last one for the people in art gallery series for these group. Thanks for viewing!

"Ladies Moment"--Painting People in Museum/Gallery Series

Ladies Moment

12 x 9"

Oil on 3/4" thick gallery wrapped canvas
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  Two ladies were viewing in front of a painting "Portrait of Judith van Volbergen, nee Langley" by Dutch artist Jan Anthonisz van Ravesteyn. I love the "contrast" between the modest ladies in present to the wealthy wife with  luxurious dress and accessories in the portrait.

"Sightseeing"--Painting People in Museum/Gallery Series

Sightseeing

9 x 12"

Oil on 3/4" thick gallery wrapped canvas
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  A lovely couple were viewing the paintings by American artist Colin Campbell Cooper's "Columbus Circle, New York" and Guy Wiggins's "New York Snow Scene". Their body language are so imaginative to me, they seemed like "tourists" were lost in the big city... 

"Beach View"--Painting People in Museum/Gallery Series

Beach View

12 x 9"

Oil on 3/4" thick gallery wrapped canvas

  A couple were viewing in front of the painting "The Beach at St. Tropez" by French artist Pierre Bonnard. The large painting on the background conveys a sense of domestic harmony and natural beauty through vivid color and brushwork, the ensemble communicates a sense of rest and recreation along the Mediterranean coast. I found the couple just added more interesting element into the beautiful beach scene. 

"Autumn's Greeting"--Still life with pumpkins and squashes

Autumn's Greeting

8 x 8"

oil on 3/4" gallery wrapped canvas

"Just in Season"--Still life with Pumpkins

Just in Season

8 x 10"

oil on 3/4" gallery wrapped canvas

"Table for Two"--Painting of A Classical Dinning Table

Table for Two

11 x 14"

oil on 3/4" gallery wrapped canvas
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"Inventorying Princess"-- Kid in Halloween Costume

Inventorying Princess

5 x 7"

oil on 1/8" thick Gessobord

  This little princess is my daughter at her last year's Halloween. She was so concentrating in her candy counting during the trick or treating, silly girl! -- I suppose the real princess would only count her jewels! We all have the different perspective with the world around us.

  Here is a picture of her "after" look -- trick or treating was a tough job for a 2 and a half year old princess! A necessary beauty sleep would help.

  By the way, I would like to post these two paintings that I did last year during the Halloween again, I dressed up my daughter in her favorite "Moo Moo Suit", she became my "little model" since she was 1 year old. What does she want to be this Halloween? Let's find out later!

"Recharging Butterfly"--Kid in Halloween Costume

Recharging Butterfly

5 x 7"

oil on 1/8"thick gessobord
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  We took our daughter to the mall doing Trick or Treating last year, every family with the kids were waiting in the line to get the treats store by store. This girl in her butterfly costume was in front of us, she could not wait any longer to treat herself a candy, so that she can get back the energy and "fly away" again... I just love the butterfly wings with her cool pose, combined a very interesting composition. 

"Early Fall in New England"

Early Fall in New England

8 x 10

Oil on canvas board
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  This is my entry to the DPW's "The Paint The Fall Challenge". I chose one of a picture that I took many years ago when I was just arrived in the U.S., it is the country road not too far from home. I sent this picture to my friends via email in China and let them know I saw the BLUE SKY and colorful leaves (which are rarely to have in Beijing), they all thought that I bought a postcard to fool them around...!

  The fall season in New England is still my all-time favorite.         

"The Red Hut"--Series Painting of Fair Food Booth

The Red Hut

8 x 10"

Oil on 1/4" thick gessoed MDF board
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"The Jacket with Carnation"--Painting People in Museum/Gallery Series

The Jacket with Carnation

8 x 6"

Oil on 1/4" thick gessoed MDF board
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  A lady with her flower jacket (which is not only with carnations) was checking out at the painting "Man with Carnation" by French artist Pierre-Auguste Renoir. A moment like this, I conceded a lucky day at museum for me.

"The Precise Viewer"--Painting People in Museum/Gallery Series

The Precise Viewer

8 x 6"

Oil on 1/4" thick gessoed MDF board
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  A man in yellow shirt was viewing the painting "After All..." by American artist Charles Demuth.

"Finding Skeleton"--Painting People in Museum/Gallery Series

Finding Skeleton

6 x 6"

oil on 1/8" thick Gessobord
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  A lady was attracted by the painting "Hidden Skeleton" from American abstract expressionist artist Charles Seliger. Her image with the painting combined the attraction into my painting.

"Woman with Bird and Star"--Painting People in Museum/Gallery Series

Woman with Bird and Star

6 x 6"

oil on 1/8" thick Gessobord
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  A lady with her purse standing in front of the painting " Woman, Bird and Star" by Spanish artist Joan Miró, created the unexpected element into my painting! It is still kind of surreal to me.

"In the Harbor of Art"--Painting People in Museum/Gallery Series

In the Harbor of Art

6 x 12"

Oil on 1/4" thick gessoed MDF
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  These two ladies were viewing paintings at the corner of the show room, which starts with the American artist Childe Hassam's painting "Gloucester Harbor", on the right side is artist John Henry Twachtman's "Pink Flowers". While I was waiting for my turn to have a close look of the arts, I came up with this name for my painting.

"Magic Gumballs"--Painting of Giant Gumball Machine

Magic Gumballs

12 x 6"

oil on 1/4" thick gessoed MDF board
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  This giant gumball machine was standing outside at the fair. The natural sunlight brought out more fun on the colorful gumballs. I was watching the kids putting the quarters in the machine to get the color as they wished. It didn't happen all as they wanted. But in my situation, I can control what color I want of the gumballs in my painting. 

"Tropical Passion"--Series Painting of Fair Food Booth

Tropical Passion

8 x 8"

Oil on 1/4" thick gessoed MDF board
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  A tropical style frozen drink booth brings everyone into the happy mood with the colorful bottles hanging around the window. The presentation is very inviting ( I had to wait to take a photo between the crowd, so it didn't seem too busy at that time.).

"Summer's Shade At Monticello"

Summer's Shade At Monticello

6 x 12"

Oil on 1/4" thick gessoed MDF board
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  This is a challenge entry to DPW's " The Notan Challenge" this week. I used one of my reference photos from the trip to Monticello few years ago. I love the view through this shade to the rest of  Thomas Jefferson's flower garden at Monticello. The Notan Challenge's concept is to start a basic drawing with black and white, and then stick with this simplification of the patterns and shapes to finish your painting into colors --that is what I understand from this concept. 

  Below is my sample photo and the basic drawing of black and white, I used color pencil to sketch out the lines, but not very confidence to use white color first for the bright spots to begin with, during the whole process, I really stick with the basic patterns because I don't want to mess up the white color with the greens. At the end, when I view the finish painting, I am so happy with the result and glad that I improved another skill from this "Notan" challenge. Thanks Robin Peterson for this post!

"Temptation"--Series Painting of Fair Food Booth

Temptation

8 x 8"

Oil on 1/4" thick gessoed MDF board

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  Maybe you would push your diet plan back for one more night after passing by this giant burger and hot dog booth, the fast food always attract to you when you are hungry. What I most "desired" was to capture this crowd in front of the contrast of warm and cool lighting.    

"Sugar Boost"----Series Painting of Fair Food Booth

Sugar Boost

8 x 8"

Oil on 1/4" thick gessoed MDF board
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  After a long day crazy rides at fair, the sweet treats seem to be very helpful and necessary to the exhausted crowd. I believe that it will be a perfect entry for DPW's "The Paint The Night Challenge" this week. Lightened up billboards with the illuminant candy booth, few neon signs on the background  combine the night scene so attractive and playful. And the people are glowing...Thanks to Linda McCoy posted this fun challenge!

"Lunch At Greek"--Series Painting of Fair Food Booth

Lunch At Greek

8 x 8"

Oil on 1/4" thick gessoed MDF board
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  I always have this passion to paint the food booth in fair someday, and make them in series. Here they are, the first one from the reference photo which I took from our family fun trip to the fairs. They have so many ways to challenge myself , I am so "craving" to paint! Hope you enjoy the painting as I do. Have a pleasant day, it is always "concern-free" by just look at the food!

"Call It A Day"----Series Painting of Dog & Owner

Call It A Day

6 x 6"

Oil on 1/8" thick Gessobord
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  This will be my last painting of the series for now. I am going to work on a new series painting of some objects that are also very fun and excited to me. Please stay tuned! 

"Team Work"--Series Painting of Dog & Owner

Team Work

6 x 6"

Oil on 1/8" thick Gessobord
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"Patience Patience Patience!"--Series Painting of Dog & Owner

Patience Patience Patience!

6 x 6"

Oil on 1/8" thick Gessobord
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"56 Chevy"

56 Chevy

6 x 12"

Oil on 1/4" thick gessoed MDF board
NFS

  I painted this 56 Chevy for my husband's Uncle Bill as a gift -- it is his first car when he was young and is still kept in the best shape and condition! My husband's uncle and aunt  only take it out for a ride once in a while now-a-days. They said that they will play the 50's songs in the car while they are driving, take them back to the time they were kids....I am so proud  of my final result of this painting, just like them being proud of their collection. It is always amazing to know something is more meaningful to somebody than it looks from outside!

"Through American Masters"--Painting People in Museum/Gallery Series

Through American Masters

6 x 12"

Oil on 1/4" thick gessoed MDF board
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  A gentleman was walking through the show room full of American Collections. He was paying lots of attention to the details of every masterpiece, I assume he could be a master artist himself, maybe he was searching some artists he might know in the past.

"Among French Impressionists"--Painting People in Museum/Gallery Series

Among French Impressionists

6 x 12"

Oil on 1/4" thick gessoed MDF board
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"How You Like Me Now"

How You Like Me Now

6 x 6"

Oil on 1/8" thick Gessobord

  This is my entry of DPW's challenge "The Paint a Pet Challenge" this week. While I was taking photos for this "daddy's girl" on the beach that day, she was moving around to making all kinds of poses for me, how could I resist by this cute face. The expression on her face was telling me: How you like me now?!
  Thank you Diane for this great challenge! It was a bit difficult to find values in this scene. But I am happy with the final result.

"Under Control"--Series Painting of Dog & Owner

Under Control

6 x 12"

Oil on 1/4" thick gessoed MDF board
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  I painted this gentleman and his "buddy" last year, and here is another view of two of them on the beach that day, the tangled leash explained who is in charge in this family!

"Almost There"--Series Painting of Dog & Owner

Almost There

7 x 5"

Oil on 1/4" thick gessoed MDF board
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"After You"--Series Painting of Dog & Owner

After You

5 x 7"

Oil on 1/4" thick gessoed MDF board
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"My Turf"

My Turf

7 x 5"

Oil on 1/4" thick gessoed MDF board
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"Call Me Brave"

Call Me Brave

5 x 7"

Oil on 1/4" thick gessoed MDF board
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"Avocado Out Of The Shell"

Avocado Out of The Shell

6 x 12"

Oil on 1/4" thick gessoed MDF board
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"Avocado On The Purple Plate"

Avocado On The Purple Plate

6 x 12"

Oil on 1/4" thick gessoed MDF board
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"Not Available"--Series Painting of Dog & Owner

not Available

5 x 7"

Oil on 1/4" thick gessoed MDF board
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An "important" phone call makes the doggy's playtime not available at that moment...