Arrangement of Small Still Life Paintings

Here is another idea for putting together a group of small paintings for a wall arrangement.

The top oil painting in the vertical grouping at left is a 5"x7" piece and the other two are each 4"x6".

I like the colors together in these pieces and the subjects are part of a summer theme which works together. I've included my recent Challenge painting of the shellfish in this group!

The gold finish coordinating frames make a nice presentation together for these traditional style paintings in detailed realism.

A horizontal arrangement with these three would also work well, with the ice cream painting in the middle.

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Art for Gifts: Commissions and Arrangements

Yesterday, a collector drove to my place to look at my work. She wanted to see paintings in person after having viewed them online. Looking for art for her home, she wanted to see a variety of sizes, prices and subject matter. She loves art, especially figurative work.

It was fun to got a feel for what she likes, and we were able to make some plans to start at least one commission for her after Christmas. I already am committed for projects until then, as I'm working on two portraits that collectors are going to give as special gifts.

What kind of art would you like to have in your home, or give as a gift?

Today I was thinking what a lovely surprise an art arrangement would be. Several small paintings hung together give a lot to look at and enjoy on a wall. Here's one for the kitchen space or a dining room.

It might be a challenge to figure out which pieces from, say, my DailyPainters gallery might look good together. So I thought I'd put a few framed paintings in arrangements to show how some of them could be hung.

These three little oils at left are each 4"x6" and framed identically in the gold finish museum style presentation.

I think they would be splendid in an Italian style villa or, really, with any traditional decor, whether formal or more eclectic.

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Moses Botkin Challenge for November: Shellfish

"Morsel"
Original oil painting
on hardboard, 4"x6"
©2013 Diana Moses Botkin

Suzanne chose our subject this month and I must admit: I was not pleased. This turned out to be rather fun, however, and it definitely was not something I would have chosen to paint, otherwise.

The tropical color combination in this little painting was especially enjoyable to work with. The pink shrimp reminded me of a flower, set against those green lettuce leaves and that bright cobalt blue plate.

Which was a lot more pleasant to think about than a headless crustacean with a few salad greens.

Did you know shellfish are not fish at all? They are actually more closely related to insects.

I hope you enjoy each of our studies this month. It's interesting that each of us picked a different critter to paint.

(left) "Moody"
Oil on linen, 16"x16"
©2013 Suzanne Berry 

None of us reveal our plan for our Challenge painting ahead of time, although we all know what the subject is. It's quite fun to see what each of us has created, month by month, to meet the goal of the particular puzzler.

We send our paintings to each other the day before we post them on our blogs and it always makes my day.

(left)
"Pick Me...Not!"
Encaustic, 7.5" x 7.5" 
©2013 V. N. Ross 

Ballet Class Memories and a New Reproduction

"Pointe Shoes
on Black Satin" Oil
©2009 Diana Moses Botkin

This morning I was busting up some firewood for kindling. One of the fir pieces had a lot of rosin, which makes for a very useful fire-starter.

Whenever I see or smell rosin, it always brings back pleasant memories of ballet class. We used the stuff on the ends of our pointe shoes (I still have this old pair) to discourage slippage on wood floors. It's quite handy. I remember, even now, the feeling of breaking up a chunk of it in the rosin box with the toe of my shoe.

So, I thought I'd share this painting again, which has a home with a favorite collector. Reproductions are available now, however. This image is the newest addition to my online print gallery of still life art.

You can order here in a variety of sizes, on canvas or art paper. Framing is also available, which is especially nice this time of year for gift needs.