Stacked

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

I love mugs. I even kept my wife from sending one of my white mugs to goodwill this past week. I still need to paint that one.

Pumpkin Top

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

I got this idea while I was shopping for pumpkins for my family. I bought mine based on how the stem looked.

Clear Wrap

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

Leaning Left

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

Pomegranates. Sheesh. The most challenging fruit to paint. At least the outside of them. While painting this, I kept thinking about a master at painting poms. Abbey Ryan, I'm looking in your direction. I'm jealous.

Cork Tower

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

I especially love the cork in the front with the two R's on it. Love, love, love it. As I was painting this one, I kept thinking this was an ode to how imperfect corks are. I really enjoyed capturing the imperfections.

Apple with Antique Crate

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

Two Antique Keys

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 3.375"x7.5" SOLD

Leaning Leaf

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

My two year old picked up this leaf for me to paint.

Partially Peeled

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

I love this lemon.

Fallen Slice

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

As I was painting this I kept thinking how this slice looks like it had fallen from the rest of the apple. My main goal was trying to achieve the impression that the high key background was wrapping around the apple. A bit of a challenge but I think it works...I hope so anyway.

Spilled Corks

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 10"x10" SOLD

This painting was a bit tedious. BUT I will say that I am very happy with the outcome. It's my new favorite.

Coastline

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

For purchase information, please email michael@mnaples.com

The Connection

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

The leaves are starting to fall around here. I can't believe it's fall already.

Mary Janes No.3

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

Three Pears

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

Dusk

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 12"x7" SOLD

You know me and the utility poles. This one stood out with the sunset behind it. And what's with sunsets, by the way. For me, they have the most challenging color transitions out of any subject.

Wrapped Pears

Oil on Canvas. Approx 20"x20" SOLD

A different version of the 3 pears.

The Classic Profile

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 12"x8.75" SOLD

I snapped a photo of this Deusenberg (sp?) at a nice car show last Father's Day. What attracts me to this classic was the exhaust coming out of the engine compartment and being exposed. I love that look.

Morning Cup

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

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

I love the lighting coming through the blinds in the composition.

Lily In The Light

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

I don't consider myself a floral painter and look up to ones who can capture the essence of flowers. They are so delicate, soft and translucent. Those were the 3 traits I focused on in this painting.

Taking the Lead

Oil on Board. Approx 12"x12"

Cupcakes. What more should I say? I'm hooked on this subject matter. Love the different frostings and love capturing the ridges in the paper cups. For purchase information, please contact michael@mnaples.com

Reclining Nude

Graphite on Strathmore Bristol Board. Approx 4"x10" SOLD

A few weeks ago I went to Lisa Gloria's live model session at her studio space in Downtown Aurora. It was about 10 years since I had worked from a live model and wish I could do it more. It's good practice. This pose was about an hour. I would have liked to turn this one into a painting.

Ol' Blue

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 10"x10" SOLD

Every time I go to a car show or cruise night, I take a slew of photos in hopes of painting them. Usually only a few turn out worthy of a painting. I felt this one was one of those. I have another that I hope to complete this week.

Cupcake Pedestal

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 12"x12" SOLD

This is currently my favorite painting. That title changes with almost every new painting I do but this one really stuck with me. I think it's the balance of warm and cool going on.

Hanging Peel

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 12"x24" SOLD

Tonight (Saturday) was the opening reception at the "40 & Under" group show at the Elliot Fouts Gallery in Sacramento, CA. This is the first of 4 paintings I have hanging in that show.

Two Cracked

Oil on 1/4" Board. Approx 10"x10" SOLD

Love the top view of the egg carton. A new perspective on those interesting brown eggs.

Wrapped In Silver

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

I finally found some good red pears. I have been seeing the "red pears" that are more brown than red. I'm glad I held out for the real ones.

Leaning Pear

Oil on Board. Approx 12"x12"

I enjoyed the color combination in this painting. It's late and I'm kind of at a loss for words so I will leave it at that.

Cracked

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

I think I was about due for a cracked egg painting. The last one I did was a year ago. This is only the second time I painted brown eggs but I think they are my favorite. So much more character in them.

ALSO, correction to yesterday's post where I mentioned an opening at the Elliot Fouts Gallery. The correct date of the opening is next Saturday, August 14th. I hope some of you can make it!

Cut Avocado

Oil on Board. Approx 16"x8" SOLD

Another painting sold at Crow Valley Pottery. I have 4 paintings in a group show at Elliot Fouts Gallery in Sacramento, CA on August 7th. I wish I could make it out there but that won't be possible. bummer.

PB & J Prep

Oil on Board. Approx 8"x8" SOLD

I was fortunate to have this painting sell during the opening at Crow Valley Pottery in Washington State. More to come...stay tuned.

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.