Works In Progress and Handy Studio Tool

This photo gives you an idea of how I set up my easel to work.  That is a well used piece of cardboard that rests on the easel and I stick my reference photos on it using UHU tac, a removable adhesive putty.  There may be other brands of the product, but that is the only kind I can find in Honolulu.   On the bottom are two oil seascapes (5"x7") that I will finish soon.  The two tulip and japanese iris photos above are references to the first lay-in of color on the 9"x12" oil shown below.

Work In Progress
9"x12" oil on gallery wrap canvas

Do you artists ever find that sometimes paint tube lids get "stuck" and are difficult to open?  For really tough cases I have lit a match and put the flame around the lid to loosen any dried paint that is causing the lid to not open.   A handy tool to keep in the studio to solve this problem is shown below.

Yep, it's a nutcracker !  It really makes life easier in the studio.   

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

"Makiki Heights Home"

8"x10" Oil on canvas
$500

This is a recent painting that I "finished" a month or so ago, but this week decided to work on it some more and I think it is greatly improved.   Sometimes it is a good idea to do that -- go back with a fresh eye.

"Must Be 30-footer" - repainted

4"x6" Oil

$135

This painting was a previous post in acrylic, but I was not happy with the painting over time and decided to go over the entire painting with oils; I like the result much better now.    This is a winter scene on the North Shore of Oahu when the waves do reach 30 feet or more at times during that time of the year.  There were actually 4 people out on the rocks taking in the power and beauty of the surf when I took reference photographs of this scene.  Somehow two people seemed the perfect accent for this painting and to show the height of the wave in its proper scale or perspective.

"Rhapsody"

5"x7" Oil on canvas

Sold

This painting was photographed today while still wet, right after I finished painting it.  It is on stretched canvas and the sides of the canvas have also been painted, so it can be hung unframed if so desired.  There are subtle touches of pink in the waves and water that the camera did not pick up fully.  Overall, I am satisfied with this painting.  I worked on two other miniature paintings today, as well, and both of them have been posted before as acrylics but today I reworked them in oils and I am much happier with the way they look now.   May post them again soon so you can compare the old version vs. the new oil version.   I much prefer working in oils and the way they handle and blend.

"Got the Blues"

5"x7" oil on canvas

$150.00

This a very recent painting I had great fun painting.   It is painted on stretched canvas whose sides are also painted, so it could be hung unframed.   However, I recommend a frame to give it more of an eloquent look.   It is just a matter of personal preference. Hope you enjoy and come visit again soon.

"Sunflowers at North Padre Island, Texas"

                                                        16"x20" Oil on Canvas

Great news in the mail today!    I received notice that I had been accepted into the prestigious Oil Painters of America!   I am positively elated!   The above painting was one of the entries I sent them to be judged and juried into this wonderful group of artists.   I will definitely be painting more major oils in the future,  but will not abandon my almost daily miniature paintings.   

The painting shown above is currently not for sale.   I may keep it for myself.    However, I do accept commissions; also, check out some of the older posts on this blog .

Thank you for your interest and any questions you may have may be sent to reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

"Tropical Delight" 12" x 16" Oil/canvas

The main subject of this still life is the the dragon fruit, or red pitaya, sometimes called strawberry pear.
It is really quite tasty and nutritious and best eaten chilled.   The one here had white flesh with black seeds, but some have red or magenta flesh.   The fruit grows on a vining cactus, the most common called night blooming cereus which has large beautiful white flowers.    Actually, perhaps next post on this blog I will  show a painting of mine depicting this particular cactus flower.  There are a couple of places here in Honolulu where I go take reference photos of these flowers every July.     They are grown in tropical regions around the world and on the big island of Hawaii.     In Hawaiian they are known as Pa-nani-oka or as panini o kapunahou.   

If you would like to purchase this painting, please contact me at reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com