"Peonies and Coreopsis" (oil on stretched canvas; 10" X 10" X 1 3/8")

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This spring has been a cool one so far and all flowers are delayed at least for a couple of weeks.  I am still obliged to paint from the last year's pictures.  I can't wait to see these lovely pink peonies and yellow coreopsis blooming in my garden

"Sunlit Crocuses" (oil on linen; 8" x 6") sold

sold

Crocuses are one of the first spring flowers.  When I seen them blooming in my garden, I know spring has arrived!

"Spring Pansies" (oil on linen; 6" x 8")

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Sometimes it is not the subject itself, but the background that gives me trouble.  In "Spring Pansies", painting pansies was a pure joy.  As a matter of fact, it is the best pansy painting I have ever done.  The background in the original version below, however, bothered me.  It seemed too stark for such delicate flowers, so I modified it with lighter colors, softer brushstrokes, and my favorite dots.  What do you think?  Did I improve the painting?

The original version

"Bleeding Hearts Spray" (oil on linen; 8" x 10")

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Another favorite spring flower of mine is bleeding hearts.  I can't wait to see sprays of pink bleeding hearts swaying in my garden!

"Spring Fresh Lilies of the Valley" (oil on linen; 10" x 8") sold

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I have these dainty and fragrant lilies of the valley in my garden.  In a few weeks, they will bloom, nestled in their lush green foliage.

"Zoey" (oil on linen; 14" x 11") sold

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"Zoey" is for Winston, who commissioned the portrait for his mother's birthday.  It was a somewhat challenging project, because Winston asked me to give Zoey, a Yorkshire terrier, a groomed look.  So I used the frontal face shot of a more groomed head for the purpose, by imagining it to be turned slightly toward left.  The background colors are the favorite colors of Winston's mother.  What do you think of the result?  Isn't it darling?

The reference photo

"Pink Hyacinths" (oil on stretched canvas; 9" x 12")

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I kept a potted pink hyacinths in my living room to watch them bloom. At their peak, the room smelled like spring--fresh and fragrant.

"Bentley" (oil on linen; 8" x 6") sold

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"Bentley" is for Tana.  He is a long haired Dachshund--quite precocious.  He is the light of Tana's life!

"Taffee" (oil on linen; 8" x 10") sold

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"Taffee" is for Laura.  Taffee is 10-year-old golden retriever mix.  She is attached to Laura's mother.  She even waits outside of the bathroom door for her!  She refuses to eat anything besides home-cooked chicken and rice, which Laura's mother makes happily even though the family are vegetarians. She has big brown eyes and loves to get her belly rubbed.

Even though she's small she'll bark up a storm if anyone new comes to the door. Taffee is definitely showing her age now and has to be encouraged to go for walks. In her portrait, she is captured at a more youthful time.  Taffee means the world to Laura's mother, and Mom means the world to Laura.  I hope the portrait makes both of them happy!

"Daffodil Country" (oil on stretched canvas; 12" x 12")

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Daffodils and are blooming in the country.  One can see cherry blossoms in the distance.  Don't you want to live in the house?  I do.  It's my dream house!

"Happy Pansy" (oil on linen; 7" x 5")

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Who can resist this cheerful sight of a purple pansy in spring sun!

"Lucy" (oil on linen; 10" x 8") sold

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"Lucy" is for Vaughan.  Lucy would have been 12 years old next month. She went missing in December.  She was five in the picture.  She was a Siamese, and was very playful as a kitten. She was very cuddly and "tuned into" the family.  So sweet and gentle with our son when he was born, she loved to jump in his crib and cuddle.  I hope this portrait of Lucy comforts Vaughan's family in their loss.

"Washington Monument Sunset" (oil on linen; 11" x 14") sold

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On a very lucky day, one can see the sky like this at the Tidal Basin during the National Cherry Blossom Festival.  The Washington Monument stands tall and beautiful against the equally beautiful sunset sky!

"Baby Ava" (oil on linen; 14" x 11") sold

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"Baby Ava" is for Michelle.  Ava was 5-months old when she was christened in her beautiful dress.  Her pink bunny has been with her for the last five years and Michelle wanted it to be part of her first portrait.  I've included step-by-step photos that I shared with my Facebook fans.  If you are not already one, please like my Facebook page!

Step-by-step photo I: I started the opaque layers first with the blue. background.

Step-by-step photo II: The bunny and dress are the next to be blocked in.

Step-by-step photo III: Time to tackle the face, hands, and feet.

Step-by-step photo IV: After the third session.

Step-by-step photo V: After Michelle's feedback, I worked on the areas she pointed out. More back and forth, additional adjustments were made for the final portrait.

"New York Flower Market on a Rainy Day" (oil on stretched canvas; 9" x 12")

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For a flower lover, there is no place like the New York City Flower Market.  The entire block of West 28th Street between 6th & 7th Avenues is green, colorful and perfumed with greenery and gorgeous flowers.  If you visit it on a rainy day, it is a little subdued, but you get a fabulous, sky-reflecting, wet pavement to tone down too much color!

Collage of My February Paintiings

Collage of My February 2015 Paintings

Another month over, which means the time for another collage.  How do you like the collage of my February 2015 paintings?  My focus of this short month was cityscapes and landscapes.  Which painting is your favorite?