Lavender Blossoms

Lavender Blossoms, by Bruce Hedges

A Micro-Mini

2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches

Oil on panel

There are beautiful trees lining many streets in this area. They have lavender-colored blossoms in May, and I've always called them Lavender Trees, but the correct name is Jacaranda Trees.

This tiny painting shows the blossoms close up.

Sold.

White Cup

White Cup, by Bruce Hedges

Oil on canvas 16 x 20 inches

Not a daily painting. I'd better paint faster, because I'm about to run out of larger paintings. This was my first still life (not my first painting), painted in 2001. The white cup is the focal point, of course, because it's the lightest spot in a dark painting. Someone once commented that it's the wrong kind of glass for wine. True. In a still life, at least my still lifes, the shapes and colors are more important than the practical relationships of the elements. (Lemons and leafy twigs don't go with wine either.) I enjoyed painting this piece very much.

Silver and Red Still Life

Silver and Red Still Life, by Bruce Hedges

Oil on Canvas 16 x 20 inches

I couldn't resist the beautiful red fruits, vegetables, and fabric -- and then the silver, with its complex reflections. This painting was done several years ago, at a time when I was doing a lot of painting every day. I had never heard of a blog.

One reason I like still lifes is that the artist can arrange shapes and colors to suit his design idea, rather than just painting whatever happens to be in front of him. (Yes, those are maraschino cherries.) I've always liked this painting.

Ondo Dancer (red)

Ondo Dancer (red), by Bruce Hedges

Oil on panel 12 1/2 by 6 1/2 inches

Here is the third piece in "Ondo Taiko Ondo". You can see the color relationships in the three paintings, in the overall color feeling. They are designed to hang together, and form a unit. I really enjoyed painting them, and plan to start a website, an online gallery, showing these and other larger paintings, in the future.

While these paintings are not large, they are larger and more time consuming than the small paintings I've shown so far. I hope you enjoy them.

Thanks to all who have made encouraging comments.

Taiko Drummer

Taiko Drummer, by Bruce Hedges

Oil on panel 12 1/2 by 17 inches

This is part two of "Ondo Taiko Ondo", a three-panel set. I don't call it a triptych -- a triptych is three panels that are attached and usually hinged. These are separate, but definitely related in theme and color family. The drummer's clothing is the style common to the 1850's. The setting is abbreviated -- only a rough stone pavement and a bamboo wall. I wanted to keep the focus on the performers (and in this painting, the drum), by keeping the environment simple and the background abstract. The drum really is the the star of the show in this piece.

Ondo Dancer (blue)

Ondo Dancer (blue), by Bruce Hedges

Oil on panel 12 1/2 by 6 1/2 inches

This is not a daily painting. It's part of a three-painting set that was painted before the blog was started. The painting was inspired by watching modern performers. The costume shown is patterned after kimono styles of the 1850's. The three-painting set is titled "Ondo Taiko Ondo", and shows two Ondo dancers and a Taiko drummer. I will show the other two in the next couple of days.

White Roses

Oil on panel 4 x 5 inches

Sold.

Pear and Grapes

Oil on panel 4 x 5 inches

I've noticed that the color on my monitor is shifted from the actual painting. The colors look brighter and redder. That may be the case on your monitor too. This painting and Purple Red Onion have shifted toward the red side of the spectrum. The paintings are more subdued in color than the images that show up on the computer screen.

Hungarian Woman in White Scarf

Hungarian Woman in White Scarf, by Bruce Hedges
Oil on panel 4 x 5 inches

I love the emotions that can show in a human face. Portraits are challenging, and very satisfying when done well. This lady has a face that was wonderful to paint.
Sold.

Creme de Menthe

Oil on panel 4 x 5 inches

Continuing the glass theme. Creme de Menthe in an aperitif glass and a white rosebud. Glass has a beauty all its own, and is an interesting challenge to paint.

Sold.

Purple Red Onion

Oil on panel 4 x 5 inches

"Is that a grape in there?"

"Yes."

"Onions and grapes don't go together."

Nope. Not according to my taste. I've had some interesting salads, but I can't recall that combination. In a still life, however, it's enough that things go together visually. They may relate in color or shape. Art salads are different from the other kind.

Maraschino Cherries

Oil on panel 4 x 5 inches

I could have called it "Maraschino cherries with orange". I've been thinking about painting maraschino cherries in a wine or aperitif glass for some time. Here it is. I'll probably do more in this cherry series.

Sold.