Carrot Cake

Oil on Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

Another that was available at Crow Valley Pottery in Washington State. Another one of my favorites from the show.

Moonlit

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x6"

For purchase information, Please email michael@mnaples.com.

I couldn't pass up the subtle colors from this sunset. Loved the blue/green in the tree leaves.

Bird On A Wire At Sunset

Oil on Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

Another that sold at Crow Valley Pottery in Washington State. This is my favorite painting in the show...and maybe my favorite of all time. It was kinda hard letting it go to the show as opposed to hanging it in my kitchen. Oh well, I'm sure there will be more favorites.

Lemon with Stem

Oil on Board. Approx 12"x12"

Another that is available at Crow Valley Pottery in Washington State. I got this lemon when I was in Florida and picked it right off the tree. That's a still life painter's dream come true.

Avocado with Pit

Oil on Board. Approx 8"x16"

It's up near the San Juan Islands. Unfortunately I won't be able to make it out but if you are in the area, go check it out and let me know how it looks. This is the first of 8 paintings I have hanging their.

Pointing Upward

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

Not that I have all my gallery paintings done, I can get back to a normal groove of painting and posting. It felt good to do a small painting again.

Pear Trio

Oil on Canvas. Approx 20"x20" Commission SOLD

Gallery Commission. I was waiting to post this until the collector saw it. This Friday is the opening for the group show in Washington State. Unfortunately I won't be able to make it out there but I will post any photos I can when I get the. I also finished my last painting last night or the second group show which is at the Elliot Fouts Gallery in Sacramento, CA which opens August 7th.

Asparagus Bunch

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 16"x25" Commission SOLD

I apologize for the long break in the blog. I assure you I have been painting my butt off. Numerous commissions and 8 brand new paintings that will hang in a show in Washington state from July 23 until Labor Day. If you want to keep in touch with me on Facebook, you may do so by clicking to link on the right margin.

Moon At Dusk No.2

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

We have been spending a lot of time in our backyard since the weather has been nice. We love summer time. I caught this view just before heading in. I can't get enough of this utility pole. The wires and the touch of the trees just play into an interesting composition.

Complimentary Tulips

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 8"x8"

For purchase info, please email michael@mnaples.com.

I wanted to keep this one a bit loose while focussing on lighting. I'm really happy with the outcome.

Lemon Twirl

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 8"x8" SOLD

It's been a while since I sat down to do a one-sitting painting. I've been working on larger paintings for a gallery and for commissions. Numerous things that I usually can't post right away even though I'm excited to show them off. It felt good to get back to the small format. My favorite part of this painting is the part on the lemon where you can really tell the thickness of the rind.

Fontijne Grotnes

Oil on Canvas. Approx 24"x36" SOLD

This is the commission that took two weeks to complete. Yikes. It was all worth it, though. It was a great challenge for many reasons. The size, the figures. I was just not in my element so the process was a bit slower. Now I'm working on a larger painting of a group of pears that I feel a lot more comfortable with. I was hoping to finish that one this week but it will definitely go into next week.

Hats Off

Oil on Board. Approx 12"x12"

For purchase information, please contact at
www.SusanPowellFineArt.com

It's been too long since my last post and it's not because I haven't been painting. I just finished up a huge corporate commission that two all of those two weeks to complete. I'll post that one late next week after I deliver it. This painting was a blast to paint. I was truly in my element with the orange peel and the leaves. I haven't had much time lately for small daily paintings because I have a laundry list of larger works to do mostly for gallery group shows and some commissions. Stay tuned for those.

Turkish Tea

Oil on 1/8" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

Another one of the calendar commissions. From what I am told, this is a typical breakfast or morning snack in Turkey. Comparable to the coffee and donut that I am used to. I think I have two more of these to post. On some other news, I was chosen to be in the FAV15% in the FineArtViews Painting Competition for the painting "Tomato Pedestal".

Yellow Frosted

Oil on Cradled Hardboard. Approx 8"x8" SOLD

It was shear joy painting the frosting on this cupcake. I know the color on each monitor will vary but the background is more of a purple than blue...to go with the yellow.

Stretch

Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas. Approx 18"x18"

SOLD

Strawberry Pudding

Oil on 1/8" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

This is another one for the calendar commissions from a little while back. I haven't been posting here but I assure you I have been painting like the wind. I'm working on several large pieces at the same time. 3 or 4 for a gallery and 1 big corporate commission. I can't wait to finish those and post them.

Nosing Around

Oil on 1/8" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

Steve Worthington recently asked me if I would do a painting of one of his bronze mice. He is asking 20 artist to do one and they will be featured in a book he is putting out. This little guy's name is Nosey...for obvious reasons. He will now have a permanent spot on my shell forever sniffing around for food that one of my kids has dropped. I will give details of the book when it is released.

Cozy Pears

Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas. Approx 20"x20" SOLD

I am very pleased to announce that this painting will hang in the Susan Powell Fine Art Still Life Invitational from Mar 26 - May 2, 2010. It was a last minute addition but I am fortunate to be able to meet the deadline. Stay tuned for new work that will make its way to that gallery.

Bakery Prep No.2

Oil on 1/8" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

This is another painting from the calendar commissions. I just listed 5 older paintings for auction. You can view them here.

Criss Cross

Oil on 1/8" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

I love the power lines. The wires in this scene really interested me. And I like how the sunlight was hitting the pole.

Bottle Tops

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 5.25"x9" SOLD

I took this photo at my parents house a couple weekends ago. After the block-in stage of the painting, I stepped back and accessed the painting and decided that I needed to really tighten up the bottles or the painting just wasn't going to make it. I'm glad I put the extra time into this one because I really like the outcome.

Marble Frosted

Oil on 1/8" Board. Approx 8"x8" SOLD

It was my turn to choose the challenge subject for this month. It was to paint your favorite treat. For me, it's Dunkin' Donuts. I love almost all of the donut varieties but especially like the frosted ones. This one is a good. Also, it's impossible for me to eat only one at a time. They usually go down in two's. I'm thinking of a dessert series for the near future. Those will be fun to eat...I mean paint.

Treat?

Oil on 1/8" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

This is our dog Schnitz. His full name is Schnitz Zel Naples. True story. It's on his certificate. We also call him Nit, Nitz (as Lucy calls him), Nitty, Long Nose, Droopy Drawers, and Stink Mouth. These are all terms on endearment, people, we love our dog. He will be 8 this year and starting to get some gray.

Marmalade

Oil on 1/8" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

This is one of 5 paintings I did back in August. They were commissioned by a design company called Molu Dsgn Ltd. in Turkey and are used in a 2010 calendar for the company called Söke (which is one of their clients). I've sold plenty of paintings over seas but this was the first time I had to communicate ideas back and forth for this many custom paintings. I will say that it was a great experience, though. Mr. Molu is a professional businessman and has a clear idea in his head of what he wants. That's always a plus. I will post the other paintings sporadically in the near future.

The Crossing

Oil on 1/8" Board. Approx 6"x6"

For purchase info, please email michael@mnaples.com

This is a railroad crossing in downtown Wheaton, which is the town my family lives in. Here's a quick fact: the Genius Edition of Trivial Pursuit claims Wheaton has "more churches per capita than any town in America." It's no joke. I pass about 25 churches just driving to work each day.

Tangerine Trio

Oil on 2.5" Thick Cradled Hardboard. 12"x12" SOLD

Here is the second one just like yesterday's as far as size and type of board. I got these tangerines from a gal at work. She got them from an Italian deli and when I heard they had stems and leaves, I said "I have to paint those." Thanks MK!

Tomato Pedestal

Oil on 2.5" Thick Cradled Hardboard. 12"x12" SOLD

This is the first of two paintings that are a little larger than my normal dailies. Also this one is on a thick cradled hardboard with the edges painted black so framing is not necessary but optional. I picked up this old crate from an estate sale down the street from my house. It was my first estate sale where everything including the kitchen sink was for sale. You just had to remove it yourself. I ended up buying a 4 foot light for my studio for $5 including the bulbs. That was a steal.

Asparagus (left)

Oil on 1/8" Board. Approx 6"x6"

Here is the sister painting to yesterday's. This photo is probably a bit more accurate. This show how inconsistent my old camera is. A little secret, though...I have a new, better camera coming soon. Trust me when I say I can't wait for that.

Asparagus (right)

Oil on 1/8" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

This is my first time painting asparagus. It's a subject that I really enjoy and will do more in the future...guess what tomorrow's painting will be.

Sock Puppets

Oil on 1/8" Board. Approx 8"x8" SOLD

The challenge for this month was chosen by Diana Moses Botkin and was striped socks. Not something I would usually paint but, then again, that's why I'm in this challenge group. All I could think about were sock puppets. Then when I shot my reference, all I could think about was the amazing artist Ali Cavanaugh. And of course, her work was a strong influence for the overall look of this painting.

Down The Line

Oil on 1/8" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

This shot was taken at a stop light on my was home from work. It was about 5:15 and the sun was setting. A beautiful shot.

Sparkling Danglers

Oil on 1/8" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

I got these earrings from a company called LuShae Jewelry, specifically from their earring section. It's an online jewelry store but it takes all the risk out of purchasing over the web. They are crystal clear with the photos and sizes, not to mention they have a gorgeous selection to choose from. I recommend you give them a try.

Mr. Potato Head

Oil on 1/8" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

Ever since my daughter got her Mr. Potato Head, I have been dying to paint it. It is so iconic to me. Maybe there will be a series here...maybe.

Spoonful Of Coffee Beans No.2

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 9"x18" SOLD

Another commission. More new work coming.

New Website Design

www.MNAPLES.com

I am very pleased to announce my new redesigned website. Not only am I happy with the look of this website but I have complete admin control to update and change things around with ease. That is something that is important to me. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Early Risers No.2

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 10"x12" SOLD

This is a commission. I have been painting a lot more than I have been posting lately. I promise to update with my new work often. Stay tuned...

Spoon Bridge

Oil on 1/8" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

Here is this month's challenge painting. The challenge was to use an apple, a spoon and glass. The really hard part for me was coming up with an interesting composition. For me this would make it or break it. This is the one I settled on.

After Dinner Coffee

Oil on 1/8" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

I was most drawn to the elegance of this cup.

Antique Auto

Oil on 1/8" Board. Approx 8"x8" SOLD

I took a quick snapshot of this car out front of church a few Sundays ago. As soon as we pulled up and I saw that car, I said to myself "I'm gonna paint that car". Here it is.

Grouped

Oil on 1/8" Board. Approx 6"x6"

This isn't the best photo. After I posted it I see that the greens don't look too green. I assure they are green. Alright, that's the last time I will say green.

Split Burrito

Oil on 3/8" Board. Approx 8"x8" SOLD

I was waiting to post this one until it was delivered. It went to my friend Kyle. If you want to laugh yourself silly, you gotta see him live. In the meantime, check out some of his videos at the previous link.

Darth Vader

Oil on 1/8" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

I think this is the last of the Star Wars Legos. Maybe it could be called the trilogy. Or maybe not.

Chewbacca

Oil on 1/8" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

I am loving these little Lego Star Wars characters. There might just be one more of these in the works. I'm just saying...stay tuned.

Winter Rooftops

Oil on 1/8" Board. Approx 6"x6"

For purchase info, please email michael@mnaples.com

Here is this month's challenge painting. The challenge was warm versus cool to be depicted in any way you choose. Warm and cool colors or literal subject matter. I chose to compare the wintery cold of the outside to the warmth of the chimney. I also painted this from the cozy quarters of my family room while wearing my comfy slippers.

Storm Trooper

Oil on 1/8" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

Another tighter piece. I couldn't pull this one off unless I put the time in to really render this figure. Again, this is one of the lego pieces I borrowed.

Tangerine Twirl

Oil on 1/8" Board. Approx 6"x6" SOLD

It felt good to paint this one a little tighter then most lately.

Star Wars Line Up

Oil on 1/8" Board. Approx 8"x8" SOLD

The second to last commission for the season. I searched through friends and family to get some Star Wars Lego figures to use in this painting. Pretty much everyone said they had them but they were somewhere in the slew of toys. These dead ends continued for weeks so I finally had the revelation of putting an ad on Craigslist to BORROW a few figures to paint from. Amazing. I received figures from two different people and they were perfect. One of those people lives almost walking distance from me. Small world. Anyway, I will definitely use an ad like that in the future for 'unique' items.

Indulgence

Oil on 3/8" Board. Approx 8"x8" SOLD

Another commission. I'm not one to eat ice cream that often. Only a few times a year, but this client wanted an empty container with a spoon next to it...I had to eat it...all. Not to mention that I love chocolate peanut butter.

Moon At Dusk

Oil on 1/8" Board. Approx 6"x6"

For purchase info, please email michael@mnaples.com

I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. I stole some time to do a painting for auction. Next on my list is the last commission for the year. I haven't had too much time to paint lately, so the work I have done was pretty much only on the commissions I've had. Finally down to the last one. Two of those I will be posting in the next few days, but I still have 8 of them in "storage" that I am waiting on approval to post.