"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

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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

sold

"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.