Prelude to an Italian Dinner

My latest still life....possibly unfinished.  When painting it is always difficult to determine when a painting is done.  Rethinking, reworking, doubts and inspirations often lead to revisiting a "finished" painting.  I painted this last night alla prima (all at one time...in a couple of hours before dinner).  I especially like the effect of light on the vidalia onions. 

Two still lifes..very different approaches

I am studying with Kelly Carmody and learning still life and portrait painting from a tonalist perspective.  This is my painting of our most recent set-up.

This weekend I attended a painting demonstration by Daniel Keyes and came home to set up and paint the following still-life, adapting his style to my developing approach. It is probably obvious I am still finding my way...

Memories of Evening Light in Napa Valley

Along with painting portraits and large still lifes I have been working on a couple of new paintings.  This painting is from my imagination only...no references used, just feelings and memories of what the vineyards were like when I was growing up in Napa.  As a child I especially enjoyed the long summer evenings when the sky was full of color and cool breezes carried the fragrances of vegetable and flower Gardens, Orchards, Hay fields,Vineyards and Barns.  Such "perfumes" fill my memories when I think of the past.