"Geometric Flowers" by Terry Honstead

This 20 x 20 watercolor on paper was done in a Karlyn Holman class.  I have been wanting to do something similar for a long time now using the geometric shapes in the background.  I like the way the shapes sometimes come forward and sometimes recede depending on wether or not they are darker or lighter on a certain edge.  If anyone is interested in purchasing this, they can go to   http://terry-honstead.artistwebsites.com/ or email me at:  honstead@paulbunyan.net.  I plan on doing similar paintings in the near future!

Nespresso Coffee Pot

Nespresso Coffee Pot

About This Painting:
Daily Painting Still Life
This painting is available at auction .

Media: Oil on canvas
Size: 8 in X 10 in (20.3 cm X 25.4 cm)
Price: $60 USD

How to Purchase:
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Or, send me an email

"Propped Squash" by Jonathan Aller

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"Propped Squash"

8 x 10 in

Oil on Canvas Panel

Well I'm glad this week is over, I'm extremely exhausted and can't wait to kick back and relax, in reality I'm going to be stretching canvases and painting which is relaxing as well.  I wanted to continue todays alla prima painting from yesterdays whimsical approach, I liked the dynamic of these two objects and how they can tell a story.  I'm happy to have painted these guys so much, I just love painting texture and seeing how I can better my technique with intricate areas.  Each of these objects have their unique textures to them you can't just apply the same approach to each of them.  I'm ready to move onto another subject matter it was fun though painting these two guys, hopefully I'll paint them again soon.

You can see the making of this painting on my blog:

http://www.jonaller.blogspot.com

"Pumpkin on Top" by Jonathan Aller

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"Pumpkin on Top"

10 x 8 in

Oil on Canvas Panel

I hope everyone is having a good day so far, I just finish painting this fun picture.  Balancing the pumpkin on top of the squash was a challenge and seeing how great they looked together you know I had to paint it.  As mentioned in the previous post I've been so busy lately and doing these have allowed me to slow down and just have fun.  It's great painting whats in front of you and play with the paints as best as you can, being so busy at times I just don't have the time for it.  I am realizing the more I do these when I'm extremely busy the better I feel after.  I've become addicted to doing these alla prima's which I don't mind and actually love doing.  I can see how doing these benefit my larger paintings that I'm currently working on and that was the whole plan from the beginning with these small guys.  

I apologize for not making process photos with this painting I'm really pressed for time so with the time I do have I get to paint it, take a photo and post it.  I did notice not doing process photos I went so much faster than what I usually go, which was nice to just go straight through a painting.  At the same time I do love sharing my process and my thoughts behind it, so don't worry this will not become a normal habit.  Thanks for viewing, hope you enjoyed.

You can see the making of this painting on my blog:

http://www.jonaller.blogspot.com

"TV 2011" by Terry Honstead

This portrait of my grandson was done in a Karlyn Holman workshop that I was at for a week.  I went with 6 other artists from the Bemidji area and we had a wonderful time.  Stayed right on the shores of Lake Superior.  It was beautiful and we painted for at least 12 hours a day!  Ate, painted, and slept and then did it all over again!  It was great!  This portrait was my favorite part of the workshop, but then I love to do portraits.  If anyone is interested in having me do a portrait for them, you may email me at honstead@paulbunyan.net.

2 Pumpkins

2 Pumpkins

About This Painting:
Daily Painting Still Life
This painting is available by auction!

Media: Oil on canvas
Size: 12 in X 6 in (30.5 cm X 15.2 cm)
Price: $60 USD

How to Purchase:
click here to bid on this painting

Or, send me an email

"Pumpkin Stem" by Jonathan Aller

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"Pumpkin Stem"

7 x 5 in 

Oil on Canvas Panel

I've been so busy lately with teaching and doing larger paintings, at times I literally feel like a chicken with its head cut off.  But with so much going on I'm glad I'm able to push myself further and get more done of what I want to do with my regular body of work.  These little alla prima's I consider to be a practice for me, I try to refine my technique as best as I can and explore different avenues as well.  My regular paintings have benefited so much due to these alla prima's, I recommend anybody to do these small paintings daily if they can and see how much you can benefit from it.

The stem of this little guy was to good no to painting, it gives so much character to an object that doesn't move.  I like revisiting these pumpkins because of their textures, they are pretty challenging to render but that's what draws me to it.  I've also noticed that I have been painting my recent alla primas with an orange and yellow palette, seems like the holiday season has been influencing my colors more that I would like to admit.  Either way those colors are challenging to control and glad I'm able to practice so much with them.

You can see the making of this painting on my blog:

http://www.jonaller.blogspot.com

"Seckel Pears" by Jonathan Aller

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"Seckel Pears"

6 x 6 in

Oil on Canvas Panel

I saw these pears this morning at the grocery store and what really caught my attention is that they look like mini pears, they are literally half the size of regular pears.  Of course anything that seems out of the norm catches my attention and I have to paint it.  What also grabbed my attention with these guys are their textures, I wanted to examine them further with the paints.  I'm in this stage now that I want to push my handling in textures, I want to make the paint seem as its alive rather than over blended and dull.  That's the wondrous part of painting is that you can never be content, as for me I always try to push myself to get better and that's the beauty of these alla prima's.

You can see the making of this painting on my blog:

http://www.jonaller.blogspot.com

"Michael" by Jonathan Aller

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"Michael"

10 x 8 in

Oil on Canvas Panel

I did this painting today of my friend after our conversation that I do not do enough figures and portraits.  I completely agree with him and had a great talk about art and the direction we wanted to take our art.  He ended up posing for me for the painting, it took two hours to complete.  I was so happy to start the painting, to say I was beyond motivated is an understatement. 

I'm also excited to announce I will start teaching at the Bloomington Art Center next week, if anyone is interested just click here for more information on my classes.  

Study of Pears

Study of Pears

About This Painting:
Daily Painting Still Life
This painting is available by  auction.


Media: Oil on canvas
Size: 6 in X 8 in (15.2 cm X 20.3 cm)
Price: $55 USD

How to Purchase:
click here to bid on this painting

Or, send me an email

"Heirloom Tomato" by Jonathan Aller

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"Heirloom Tomato"

6 x 6 in

Oil on Canvas Panel

It's good to be back in front of the easel after a long vacation, don't get me wrong I love vacationing but I don't like not being able to paint for that much of time.  I was at the grocery store today walking around seeing what can inspire me for todays alla prima, and I ran into a great looking heirloom tomato.  The shape of this heirloom is so unique, it resembles a balloon when it's being twisted.  One of the things I love painting the most is when the object does not look like what its suppose to be, its great trying to decipher it.  It feels great being back and painting hardcore again!

I wanted to share with you guys an article about me and the classes I'll be teaching at the Bloomington Art Center this winter, click here to view the article.  If you're interested in attending the classes just click here to find out more information.  I'll be teaching still life painting and figure drawing, should be a fun time overall I hope to see you guys there.

You can see the making of this painting on my blog:

http://www.jonaller.blogspot.com

3 Figs

3 Figs

About This Painting:
Daily Painting
This was my first time painting Figs ,I really enjoyed the subtle color shifts ,warms and cools . Also I choose to us a square format for added interest . At Auction.

Media: Oil on canvas
Size: 6 in X 6 in (15.2 cm X 15.2 cm)
Price: $55 USD

How to Purchase:
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Or, send me an email

"Crab Apples III" by Jonathan Aller

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"Crab Apples III"

8 x 10 in 

Oil on Canvas Panel

This is the last of the series of crab apples, I really enjoyed painting them and their textures.  They really force you to slow down and observe what you'r painting.   At times I know I go to fast and miss certain information that will improve the painting, with this series of paintings that was not the case.  I was really happy to also re-visit small and big form modeling.  It's essential for any artist to understand that concept of turning the form with light, to grasp the idea of how to turn the form and make it dimensional.  I'm glad I painted these guys and look forward to painting them again in the future.

You can see the making of this painting on my blog:

http://www.jonaller.blogspot.com

"Chestnut Crab Apples II" by Jonathan Aller

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"Chestnut Crab Apples II"

8 x 10 in 

Oil on Canvas Panel

I wanted to continue with these chestnut crab apples, I find them too adorable not to paint.  They have so much character due to their stem, they pose with a subtle hint of playfulness.  I also wanted to revisit big form modeling and stay true to the practice.  I find when I go back to what I was taught at the Angel Academy my understanding only improves to what I've learned so far.  

You can see the making of this painting on my blog:

http://www.jonaller.blogspot.com

A Spot of Color Along the River

A Spot of Color Along the River

8x8 Oil

©2011 Deb Kirkeeide.

We didn't venture far for this. Just a short walk to the river on the ranch. Now, what to paint....hmmm... I know! I think I'll pick one of the more difficult things here. I started painting and the result to me was just a big mess. So in a last ditch effort I pulled out the pallette knife and went for it. It's still a bit of an abstract mess but I really kind of like this little spot of color along the river.

For more paintings please visit my blog or website.

"Chestnut Crab Apples" by Jonathan Aller

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"Chestnut Crab Apples"

8 x 10 in

Oil on Canvas Panel

Crab apples are neat looking to me they seem to be a mini version of an apple.  Their textures are not shiny and smooth as a regular apple, but do have to overall shape to them.  What also attracted me to paint these guys where their stems, I found for the majority of them to have so much character.  They have a gestural feel to them which to I really enjoy painting, although the stem is not the majority part of this painting it does have a secondary role to it.  Textures to me are important in a painting they definitely make the object you'r painting come to life.  To understand how to paint texture is extremely important in order to advance as a painter.

You can see the making of this painting on my blog:

http://www.jonaller.blogspot.com

Late Summer Fountain

Late Summer Fountain

About This Painting:
Daily Painting Landscape

Media: Oil on Linen panel
Size: 8 in X 10 in (20.3 cm X 25.4 cm)

How to Purchase:
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Over The Fence

8x8 Oil

©2011 Deb Kirkeeide.

Another from the trip out west. Just a small part of the panoramic view before us. It's hard to decide what to paint when the world lays before you in all its glory!

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