Tea and Peonies plus DPW May 21 Challenge

 

 "Tea with Nancee's Peonies"

12x16 oil on canvas

I don't know either.  I shake my head at myself often because of how I go about things!  I painted a dark ground on a 12x16 canvas about 2 years ago (an insane value 6,I think).  I prefer painting portraits emerging from a dark background and I seem to remember I meant to paint a self portrait on it...but things come up and that's when my art plans get set aside. 

Anyway, I got tired of looking at it where it might get punctured at some point so I just grabbed it and decided to set up a still life with peony cuttings from my neighbor's rich garden.  She was in China for two weeks and right before she left she told me I could have all the peonies I wanted!  Believe me, I've been indeed enjoying them!  They are a pleasure to look at, to touch and they have a light scent about them.  Heaven would have peonies!  I've also been trying to paint them but visually I get so challenged I think due to my double vision that I get overwhelmed so a freeze.

Side note...I recently saw a youtube video about an autistic young woman who learned to communicate by computer because communicating directly with people is very distracting to her.  She says she gets overstimulated visually and audibly so it makes her nuts.  This is how I feel about anyhing that seems too much.  I do have double vision but I also seem to get overstimulated by things that it's like looking through shattered glass.  This is why I have to be blasted with light to when I'm trying to see something.  I don't deal with email and bills well either - but that's not unusual is it?  But actually the shortcut to it all is taking Excedrin which seems to smooth my focus together.  However I don't let myself get dependent; it's been 3 months since I took one.  But when I desperately need to meet a deadline, I do give in.  Ooookay!

Anyway, looks like I succeeded (to my satisfaction) and I've actually utilized the faithful canvas that stayed in shape for me waiting to be painted on for two years!  I'm grateful :)

 

 The scary Dark Ages, I had to paint with Cadmium red light to see my markings.

 Beginning to take shape *whew*

 Ahh yes, I was definitely beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel!  You wonder how I see with that big floppy hat lol  The light puts glare on my glasses and I get headache from baseball cap so I like to use something I hardly feel is on my head.

 Self Portriat

6x6 oil on linen

This is the value challenge from DPW.  Sometimes I do underpaint with umber, white and ivory black but the challenge only allowed for umber.  It was VERY uncomfortable!!  But I will forge forward and finish this portrait in color (because my Mom, who will be visiting starting Sunday, especially requested).  And I will also make it look more like me promise!