Saturday, March 13, 2010

Pink for Spring!

"Pink Bunnies at Spring" 12x16 oil on canvas
I laugh each time I see this painting :) I don't think I've ever painted anything this pink but actually I HAVE! Click here for evidence. But what's really sweet is what inspired this painting to begin with....


For Valentines the husband surprised me with a delivered beautiful spring bouquet! He's frequently brought me home handsome flowers because he probably gets a kick out of losing me for a few hours or days when a flurry of photography sessions follow while the bouquet travels from various parts of the house catching natural lighting then studio lights. I bought the bunnies from the gallery, they were made a fellow artist Shirley Peshek who is also one of my most favorite people :)

This bouquet however was painted from life. They were obviously quality picks because they lasted longer than any bouquet I've had the honor of receiving. My admiration and respect is quite intact for artists who paint beautiful flowers. It is so challenging and humbling for me to paint them because I get lost among the multitude of petals thanks to my double vision. But thank goodness I wasn't painting hydrangeas which happen to be one of my more favorite flowers!

15 comments:

  1. Wow Miss Erika. First of all, congrats on the thoughtful Hubby. Second, I thought this was a watercolor and I am now amazed with your skill with oil! Beautiful.

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  2. Sheila you are my rock star because you so know how to rock my world and you also have the fastest connection!!! Thanks so much, this piece is different ain't it? One would swear I was high on Pepto Bismol or something LOL But it's a lovely Easter painting!

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  3. love it love it, love IT! Miss ya, RED

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  4. Gorgeous, dahling! Loving the pinks!

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  5. Really Red? Thanks so much - we need to hook up again wanna see Alice in Wonderland?

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  6. Markyyy thank you dear what great compliment from my favorite portraitist of still life! x

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  7. Love the pink painting of flowers & bunnies, and you have one fabuloso hubby!

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  8. Beautiful flower painting, Erika! I just love this pink bunny proudly displaying her polka dots heart. I love flowers, but lose track of pedals if I attempt to paint them.

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  9. Today was the most perfect spring day here, and your painting is the icing on the cake for getting me ready for spring! It feels light hearted and delicate, yet solid at the same time. Yummy!

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  10. Thanks Theresa! Yes I have one sweetie of a husband :)

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  11. Hi Akiko! Yes, I remember that day at the gallery I couldn't take my eyes of the one holding the heart. hehe You know I was particularly challenged that there were carnations in the bunch so now I know why most still life artists don't paint carnations LOL Thanks!

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  12. Hillary congrats on a perfect spring day! It's still cold here so I'm dressed in sweatshirt and thick socks and enclosed granny bedroom slip-ons. Yes I couldn't quite categorize it either LOL thanks, glad you like it ;)

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  13. Erika, I love that you say you get lost for hours or days shooting your flowers for reference for your paintings. I think(I know) I gave my man a hint before Valentines came around that I almost never get flowers from him. Well he came through this year with three deliveries, one before Valentines, during and then one after. I took lots of photos just like you said you did. So I guess I'll give him some slack...you think maybe he was hoping that I'd get lost for hours and days??? LOL I'll get him.

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  14. I forgot to tell you how sweet and romantic this painting is.

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  15. Hi Alice! We're a couple of slaves to our craft aren't we? We always want to nurture it somehow ;) Awww your takes hints well - he's off to a good start ;) Thanks Ms Alice!

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Thank you for taking the time to comment ~Erika