An unfinished book

oil on board 7"x5"

This one was painted for DPW challenge;we had to paint something with the color "tangerine" called    the  2012 color by Pantone.It took me ages to find 1-my subject 2-how to show it.Of course, I could have taken a blue cloth and paint it in the right color, but I knew I had this tee-shirt in my wardrobe, worn for a long time.But where to put it, and so on?At the end, a Regency dining-room chair suited me-my husband is fond of antique English chairs-I painted it more quickly than my other still lifes;maybe the reason is I love the interiors;each time I watch one painted on a blog, I think that  I'd like to do something like that!
So, there is my first piece of interior, and I am quite satisfied, even if I see some improvements to do.(on another canvas).

le pâté Hénaff



oil on canvas 6"x6"

This small oil was done for DPW challenge;this week, we were asked to think about our breakfast.
Of course, I would not recommend this recipe for a well-balanced meal, but it's just a glance at my region of origin, Brittany.
This product has been the same since 1914,and the design of the tin has not changed.Futhermore, it tastes delicious with a fresh baguette!
It is not rare, here, to find several good- smelling bakeries,  in the smallest village...

BACK HOME

Here we are, our stay in Barcelona is behind us, it was so beautiful, we enjoyed it.I am now going to try to paint again, if it still possible...

IN BALANCE

oil on wood 8"x10"

This painting was done for Rookie Painter challenge on a wood panel;there was something else before, which didn't deserve to stay...and explains the irregularities of the surface.
I wont't paint for a moment, because  tomorrow I am going to fly to Barcelona, Spain (only one hour flight from Bordeaux).I 'll be happy to spend Christmas  and stay one week with my daughter, who has been living there for more than 2 years now.It's the first time we'll visit Barcelona, and we are very eager.
So, have a Merry Christmas!

Flowers and wine,for an engagement.



oil on paper, 8"x10"

I was largely inspired by Fantin-latour and his flowers in his still life, called " Engagement " while leaving aside a cup of fruits for which I missed affinities, or rather skill..He was used to keep a neutral backgound.; for my part I  mixed red, blue and white colors  over a black underpainting.



oil on board 7,5"x9,5"

I painted this for DPW this week, where it was asked to paint in the style of a painter we liked.I chose René Magritte, a Belgian surrealist painter.Magritte's work frequently displays a collection of ordinary objects in an unusual context, giving new meanings to familiar things.

Omphalotus olearius

OIL ON BOARD 7,5"x5"

Don't touch!Those jack-o-lanterns, growing from the dead roots of oak trees, are commonly mistaken for the prized chanterelles, and is therefore a common cause of mushroom poisoning.I found them very attractive, but only in picture! And for once, I painted only for my pleasure, not for a challenge.

Peony, or Pierre de Ronsard?

oil on board 5"x7"

It has been several days since I painted this for Rookiepainter challenge.In spite of several efforts, I had never managed to obtain a suitable picture, this being apparently due to the dark painting, which remained greyish and dull;it took time to dry (a lot of medium?).Is it the fault of the painting, or the misuse of the camera, of which I am not sure to understand all the subtleties? But it's so hard to learn!
Pierre de Ronsard is a lovely double rose with delicate colors, it is why I didn't know it was either this rose, or a peony on the picture.

And, before November ends, I wanted to show you our production of avocados in our garden. The former occupant had planted a stone 15, 20 years ago? Last year, we had only one, we didn't even deigned to pick it, but this year, around 30 fruits!
It's necessary to say that is a rarity in our region...
The small yellow fruits are physalises, or Cape Gooseberries,an only plant produced a lot of fruits.

Le pont de Langlois

oil on board 7"x5"

I painted this one for the Virtualpaintout.I rarely follow this challenge, because the difficulties I have to find and keep a subject on Goggle map, where I spend too much time. This month was  Arles, in S.O. of France.This place was made famous by Van Gogh, who painted the bridge. On my painting,the specific mecanism is not very visible, I didn't find the right angle to see it properly, and I wanted to have the water and the houses on my view...

I painted this one for DPW challenge.

I wore those shoes during my years in Paris, to go to work, maybe 10 years ago.I lost the habit to use this kind of shoes, as I've been living in the country, now., and my style of life have changed!

Le vase et le melon



oil on board 8"x10"



At the beginning, I didn't want to do it, after a picture of PADT, I thought the vase was too tricky to paint.After watching some of the other painters, I gave a try and went on...and enjoyed it.

My cantaloupe's colour is more vivid on my painting, but I was unable to get a better picture, in fact it's not yet dry! 

Are they edible?



oil on board 5"x7"

"The gendarmes of Die (Drôme) intercepted around thirty persons yesterday evening, suspected of participating in a traffic of mushrooms towards Spain; more than 600 kg illegally picked were seized: indeed,  the authorized picking must not exceed 5kg a day per person and for personal  consumption only".
Obviously sarcastic comments burst out, arguing that the gendarmes would be better to chase after  hallucinogenic mushroom criminals..
Not having a great knowledge of  mushrooms, I prefer  buying  them at the market, it is safer!

Bananas



OIL on canvas paper 9,5"x7,5"

It is my rendition for Rookie Painter challenge.It was the first  time I painted bananas, I didn't know it was so hard to find the right colour (at least for me!):I used naples yellow,yellow pale, ocher, burnt sienna, sepia.This last one was recommended to me  by Sabine,  our teacher at our workshop in Bordeaux.She restores the old paintings and likes it for several purposes:greys, in place of darks...I noticed there was a touch of green in it .

So, it was a good practice.

EN ROUTE TO THE MARKET

oil on linen paper 9,5" x 7,5"

I loved this innocent little girl, with her big pink bag;I painted it for DPW challenge.Carol Marine proposed this picture, telling us we had to choose any background we wanted to painted, hers was quite cluttery.For the moment I have not any idea, but I have to think about it, and hope to add one;
for the moment, I prefered anyway to post my painting, even imperfect!

Les bonbons



oil on canvas paper 9,5" x 7,5"

I painted this one for Rookie Painter with oil painting miscible with water.Although they are pleasant to use, I am going to to give up them at the moment; since the beginning of the month I participate each Tuesday in a workshop where we  learn the techniques of the old  masters, and we thus use traditional paintings.I hope it will be profitable!