Brilliant Solution - New Wave Artist Palettes and Black-Crowned Night Heron

You have all heard the saying "When my ship comes in....."   Personally, I like what Jonathan Winters said, "If your ship doesn't come in, swim out to it!"    The inventors of the New Wave artist palettes showed some excellent initiative for fulfilling a need for artists to have a comfortable and lightweight wooden palette.    They are designed to hug your body and reduce fatigue.   Many artist are already using these palettes, but some may not have heard about them yet so I thought I would write a short post about them.   They also have a new palette for acrylic painters called "Easy Lift" where the acrylic paint peels off easily after a painting session.   Another thing that is new is their grey pad disposable paper palettes, each containing 50 grey sheets.    I have been painting for a long time using another brand of disposable palette that also has grey sheets and I highly recommend the grey ones for proper color mixing and seeing the true value of colors. 

Check out the website http://www.newwaveart.com for more information and to view videos about their products.   They have a link to show you where in the USA their palettes are available.   

"The Shadow Of My Eye"

Black-crowned Night Heron photo

I photographed the fellow above last Friday at Ala Moana Beach Park in Honolulu.  I love the shadow his huge eye makes in this shot.     Black-crowned night herons are not tiny and cute and colorful, but for some reason I am very fond of this bird and will continue to paint it as time goes on.  For new visitors to this blog, below is a recent painting of mine of one of these herons.

"Alert"

12" x 12" oil on canvas

$1200

 Keep your eye on this blog for more new paintings soon.   

Thank you for visiting. 

My Website

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Looking Beyond - Completed (Oil Landscape With Woman And Mountains)

"Looking Beyond"

6" x 8" oil on linen on panel 

$375

Wow!  Did this oil landscape with the Wasatch Mountains go through lots of changes to bring it to completion.    Of course, all artists know that a painting is never really finished; you just reach a stopping point.   I could have dabbled here and there on this work for another 3 hours or so.   What most people who are not artists don't realize is that a small piece such as this one can take as long or longer to paint than a 11" x 14" canvas.....or larger.   So this painting is a steal for $375 !   I made a lot of changes as the painting progressed.     Scroll down to the previous post on Sunday to see one of its stages as well as the reference photograph of mine.   

Please contact me if you would like to purchase this painting   reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com  

My Website

Looking Beyond (Oil Landscape With Woman And Mountains - Work In Progress)

 

Red -vented Bulbul in Rainbow Shower tree

 

A little birdie told me to go ahead and post again today.   I took a break this past Friday and went on a photo shoot at nearby Ala Moana Beach Park in Honolulu.   The above photo is one of several I took that day....but I also spent some time painting on Friday as well.    Below is one of 3 oil landscape  paintings I am currently busy trying to bring to completion soon.   





 

 

"Looking Beyond" is a 6" x 8" oil on linen panel.  It still has a ways to go; I will improve the color everywhere as I am not happy with the way things are going there.    Below is my reference photograph I took when I was in Utah.  I deliberately made the woman in the painting on a higher hill than in the photo.

 

 

 

Thank you for visiting today.   Please check back soon for the completed paintings.  

 

My Website 

 

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

















Her Garden - Oil Landscape

 



"Her Garden"

6" x 8" oil on linen on panel

$375

 

I finished this oil landscape this evening.  Hope you like it.   Contact me at reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com to purchase.  

 

"Flowers don't worry about how they're going to bloom.  They just open up and turn toward the light and that makes them beautiful."  - Jim Carrey

 

I wonder if Jim Carrey realizes that his quote can apply to people also when they turn towards The Light.  

 

My Website



Marina Dieul - Exceptional Artist (Video)

"Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful, for beauty is God's handwriting."  - Ralph Waldo Emerson


I love the quote above; I am inspired to paint by beauty, as well as by color and light.   I am very busy this morning painting away, and am now on a short break and having a bite to eat as I write this post.      I wanted to share the following video of Marina Dieul's beautiful paintings.  I have admired her work for a long time.    Enjoy!

Also, click on this link to visit her website for more examples and a greater variety of her work.

 

 

Please visit my blog here soon for newly completed paintings. 

Scroll down to  check out yesterday's post  to view photos of what I am currently working on.  Thank you for your interest.

My Website

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

New Landscape Paintings In Progress (Photos)

 

 

 

The above reference photo is one I took while in Utah;  I am currently working on a 6" x 8" oil painting of the woman in pink with the gorgeous Wasatch mountains in the background.   If this small work turns out well, I may do a larger version soon.  Below is another reference photograph I took in Utah that shows a little garden in the foreground; this is another 6" x 8" oil painting currently in progress.

 

 

 

I have not worked on a 16" x 20" panel in ages and I am quite excited about the painting in progress now that is that size.   It is an oil landscape on panel and I took the reference photo below for it near Taos, New Mexico.

 

 

 

The 4th oil painting now in progress is a landscape of Frijoles Creek in Bandelier National Park.  I may add a mule deer to this painting and tone down the green to make it look more like the Fall season.   See the photo below.

 

 

Please check back very soon to view the completed paintings.  I just wanted to let you know I am slaving away at the easel and enjoying every minute of it.   :-D

 

My Website

 

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

 



 

 

 













Frijoles Creek Oil Painting (Re-worked) And World's 10 Most Expensive Paintings - (Video)

"Footbridge At Frijoles Creek"

(reworked)

16" x 12" oil on panel

$1575

I was not happy with the photo of this oil painting of Frijoles Creek in New Mexico that I posted the other day; and decided also that the foreground could use more detail work and the water needed to be toned down a bit.   So here is the definitely finished painting.    It was photographed in my studio with light from good "daylight" artist lamps.

Below shows how it looked photographed outside today in the shade.

The photo above is too "blue-ish" as is always the case when I shoot images of my work outdoors in the shade.   Any comments on how to improve on this would be much appreciated.   Frankly, the top photo is more true to the original colors and values of the painting.

Ever wonder how to price your art or if it is too expensive for the market?    Take a look at the 2 videos below for food for thought.



I would love to hear your feedback on these videos !

My Website

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com











Special Moments (Oil Seascape Painting)

 

 

"Special Moments"

6" x 8" oil on linen on panel

$375

 

 

This oil seascape is of  Kaneohe Bay on the windward side of the Hawaiian Island of Oahu.  A father and his daughter are sharing a special time together.   That overturned boat was in actuality very weather beaten with lots of grass growing around it.

 

My Website

 

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com







 



Footbridge At Frijoles Creek (Oil Landscape)

"I only went out for a walk, and finally concluded to stay out 'til sundown, for going out I found I was really going in." - John Muir                          

"Footbridge At Frijoles Creek"

12" x 16" oil on panel

$1575

This woodland oil  landscape is located in New Mexico in Frijoles Canyon.   I could not resist including the coyote which are found there.

My Website 

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Wildlife Artist Bob Kuhn - Video

This video shows the wildlife artist Bob Kuhn working live on a small painting.   He was a wonderful artist who died at the age of 87 in October of 2007.   I was visiting UTube and came across this video by accident and thought I would post it on my blog as a keeper for myself as well as for your enjoyment.   Bob worked primarily in acrylics, but also used oils, crayon, pastels, chalk, gouache, and he created some sculpture also.

I have been busy painting a landscape and a seascape as well.  Hopefully I will post them here over the weekend.   Please check back ; I am real excited about my woodland scene with a coyote !

Quote for the day:   "I have walked this earth for 30 years, and out of gratitude want to leave some souvenir."   - Vincent Van Gogh

My Website
reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Breezy Day; Peaceful Thoughts (Seascape Oil Painting Mokoli'i Island Hawaii)

"All the really good ideas I ever had came to me while I was milking a cow." - Grant Wood

"Breezy Day; Peaceful Thoughts"

6" x 8" oil on linen canvas on panel

$375

This oil seascape of Mokoli'i Island off Oahu was a joy to paint.  The island, also called "Chinaman's Hat" because of its resemblance to the straw hats worn by Chinese immigrants, used to be connected to Oahu but over time the sea cut it off.   Mokoli'i is accessible to the public by boat, kayak, swimming, and surfboard; but beware, sharks are often seen there.  

The island is in the Elvis Presley film "Paradise, Hawaiian Style" and also in several shots in the film "50 First Dates" starring Adam Sandler.

Please email me at reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com for more information or to purchase this painting. 

My Website

    

Rainbow Lorikeet, Sunflowers, Kingfisher Egg Cup - Still Life Oil Painting

"Heads Or Tails"

12" x 12" Oil on gessobord panel 

$1275

Both the live rainbow lorikeet and the kingfisher egg cup have their eye on the caterpillar; thus the title.   Many hours were spent on this oil still life painting.   Below is a close-up showing the lady bug and other details.    Please email me if interested in this work.

My Website
reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Daffodils, Miniature Roses, Canary And Critters - Still Life Oil Painting

"Contemplating Life - Ecclesiastes 3:1-8"

9" x 12" oil on panel

$850

After many hours, here is the still life oil painting of daffodils and white miniature roses I started awhile back. Actually, I have also been painting on 2 other works at the same time.   The color in this image is close to the painting, but not exact; the foreground is lighter and more colorful and the lady bug on the leaf is a brighter red.   Keep in mind, your monitor may differ in color than mine.  Below is a photo of the painting at an earlier stage of development.

That bird in the painting is a Yellow-Fronted Canary which was introduced to Hawaii around the end of the 1960's and it is a native to Africa.  I snapped his photo at Kapiolani Park in Waikiki some time back.

My Website

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Oil Painting Video - Still Life By Eric Wert

Eric Wert's  attention to detail in his still life and floral paintings is marvelous !   Hope you enjoy the video !  You might want to turn your volume down on your computer as the accompanying music is rather loud. His website is www.werteric.com if you would like more of a visual feast.

I am still painting; the going is slow.  Painters like Eric Wert have inspired me to take a slightly different direction in my still life paintings; not only to add more detail, but to incorporate more "life" in each floral or other work as well ... in landscapes and seascapes too.    Check back soon to view my new work.

My Website

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Red Blast - Oil Painting Of Red And White Tulips

"Red Blast"

8" x 10" oil on canvas

$525

This oil painting of red tulips with white edges might need a little tweaking, but basically it is finished.   I put on some Mozart to listen to while I painted last night..... it helps   ;-)

My Website

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com 

Did You Say Red? Tulips - Oil Painting Work In Progress

Red Tulips

Work In Progress

8" x 10" oil on canvas

This oil painting of red tulips still has quite a ways to go....this is the 3rd stage; I forgot to photograph the 2nd stage.   I need to blend the various shades of red more, but it is too tacky right now.   So later it will be necessary to go over it all again and try to blend better; the liquin I use to speed up drying was on steroids today !

I have also been working on my daffodil painting as well.   Will post more results maybe tomorrow. 

My Website

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Name That Tree ! (Photos California Trees)

This fantastic tree is one I hope to paint soon!  I photographed it at a small park in Los Angeles, California, a few years ago .   Does anyone out there know what kind of tree it might be?  I like to know what I am painting...  :-)   I will forget my copyright statement and allow this tree to be used by anyone for their own painting if you would email me  its name.    I will even send you some free postcards with one of my paintings on them as a thank you gift.   It might be an oak ??   Trees inspire me and I think they have a lot of character, but I am not real knowledgeable about a good many of them.

Below is another tree I was going to ask you about,  but I googled "red flowering trees in California" and found out it is a red coral tree, or Erythrina fusca.

Red Coral Tree

They also come with orange/coral shades of flowers.    This is not that great a photo; google "Erythrina fusca" under images for some great pictures of these beautiful flowers.   There is a reason my photography on this post is not the greatest;  after my Nikon camera got stolen (before I went to California)  I used the cheap disposable cameras you can find everywhere during my travels all over the USA.   You would be surprised to see how wonderful some photos turned out from those disposable cameras!    Now I have a good Sony digital camera that is excellent for my work. 

The photo below is of the Silk Floss tree, also taken in Los Angeles.   Somewhere along the way many of the photos of mine of that tree are missing.  

Silk Floss Tree

I painted a couple of watercolors of these blossoms while in Los Angeles, using much better reference photos.   This tree is unique because it has large "thorns" on its trunk and branches which serve to store water for dry times.   Please google images for "silk floss tree" for much better shots of these lovely flowers.  There is also interesting information on the Web about this tree's pods which contain black seeds surrounded by fluffy stuff that reminds one of silk, hence its name.  

Below are a couple of my photos taken at Echo Park in Los Angeles ; I used a disposable camera for them and they turned out better than the shots above.

I hope to finish one or both of my floral still life paintings tomorrow.   Check back with me !

My Website 

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Daffodils And Red Tulips On The Easel (Works In Progress)

I thought you might like to see my easel setup and the two oil still life paintings I am working on right now.  I went back to the yellow daffodil painting and it is flowing much smoother now than previously.   Those red flowers with the daffodils will become more purple when finished.   The red tulips are practically painting themselves !  Both of these florals are painted in oils.   

As you know, most floor easels like mine shown above have "gaps" with no wood behind where you put your canvas to work on.   When you are painting small works and miniatures, this can be a problem.   I solved it by placing a piece of cardboard between the back of the easel and the artwork; it is also great to put my reference photos on with "Tac" putty, which is the white patches you can see on the cardboard.

My Website

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Still Kickin' !! Floral Still Life Reference Photographs

The above photograph of pink roses and white anthurium was taken by me about 2 years ago, and so were the following reference photos below.     I love flowers and thought I might begin a new painting tomorrow.  My last post of a work in progress was of yellow daffodils and somehow I just couldn't get up enough enthusiasm to finish it.   I have spent some time away from the easel and pursuing other interests, but just wanted to let you know I'm still kickin'!  Enjoy my reference photographs below.

This arrangement rather excites me!  That Mexican style egg cup is one of my favorites.   

The reflections in the vase and silver teapot came out nice in this shot above.

By the way, all of these reference photographs I shot on the counter top in my kitchen.   The light is excellent there!  Besides what fun it is to photograph these still lifes, there is enjoyment in arranging the cut flowers as well.   

A little birdie told me to get busy blogging again, so please stay tuned for new paintings !

My Website

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

African Violet Day And Still Life Videos By Jeff Legg and Daniel Keys

Salmon Ella African Violet

My photograph above of the "Salmon Ella" African Violet  is very true to the actual and unusual color of this particular plant.   It is one of my favorites in my collection of African Violets.   I intend to paint this flower on canvas one of these days.   Why am I posting photos of my African Violets?   Because they kept me from painting today!   It was long past due to re-pot them, so that occupied a good part of my day today (Monday).   For months I kept telling myself, "I'll paint first today and re-pot the violets later".   You artists know how it is.   Below are a couple of other photos showing some of what I was occupied with today.   Below that are 2 videos of 2 excellent demos of still life painting; one by artist Jeff Legg and the other by Daniel Keys.

Maverick Faded Jeans 

(an oldie and goody)

A couple of my Sinningia plants that also got re-potted today, shown on my plant stand.

(Love that true orange color)

Enjoy the 2 short clips of painting videos below.  Back to the easel for me tomorrow!

My Website

   

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Daffodils And Miniature Roses (Work In Progress)

The above reference photo of mine was taken some time ago, when daffodils were plentiful at the florists here in Hawaii.   It was way over a year ago when I bought them; as you know spring bulbs will not grow in this tropical climate.  Below is a close up I took as more reference for my oil painting of spring flowers.

I have no idea why I used that gold material other than it was new and I liked it, but in the oil work in progress below I opted for using a white foreground.

Work In Progress 

12" x 9" oil on panel

It is almost embarrassing to post this painting above, because it is so very rough and a little messy.   It has a long way to go yet and I want to use more exciting color and contrast in the background.  To tell the truth, I came close to what I wanted while painting today, but then wiped it off and started again.....mistake!  Sometimes it is best to leave well enough alone.   Funny how sometimes the painting paints itself with ease and other times we struggle a bit to get it right.  

My Website

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Slim Pickin's (Brazilian Cardinal On The Beach)

"Slim Pickin's"

11" x 14" oil on panel 

$1525

This oil painting of the Brazilian or Red-crested Cardinal is pretty true to my reference photo I took at Bellows Beach on Oahu.   There was sand inside the broken coconut shell, but evidently this fellow found something to nibble on in it as well.   On the tip of  the bird's beak are some sand particles.  The wind was blowing, which made its crest more flat against its head instead of standing up straight as in my reference photo of another cardinal shown below.  

My Website

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

What About Color? And Natural Pigments? (In Still Life Or Other Paintings)

"Painting is a mosaic of colors weaved into a seamless whole."  - Igor Babailov

"Joyous Celebration"  

African Tulip Tree

24" x 20" Acrylic on gallery wrap canvas

My painting above was painted with a lot of joy, mostly because I was excited about the colors involved.  The vivid orange blossoms with the complimentary blue background visually moves you.   However, it is primarily a "warm" painting.   Marion Boddy-Evans has been quoted as saying, "It doesn't matter whether the overall feeling of the color in a painting is warm or cool, it just shouldn't try to be both."   Good advice.   

I began painting in oils when I was 15 years old, without any instruction to speak of except what I had learned in books about supplies needed and a few basics.   I can honestly say that from the very beginning, I painted mostly from instinct, and that particularly applied to the use of color and color mixing.  It came very natural to me, although it took a few years of painting experience to learn more about color and get a sense of what direction I wanted my art to go. I am still learning and experimenting with color today.  A quote I love is by Jean-Baptiste-Simeon Chardin, "Who told you that one paints with colors?  One makes use of colors, but one paints with emotions."

"Iris Garden Dance"

18" x 24" oil on gallery wrap canvas

I chose to feature 2 of my flower paintings here because they are so colorful.   I find much excitement in using a variety of colors in my works.   It keeps my paintings from all looking alike and also helps me to learn more about color mixing and color harmony as I go.    Marc Chagall said, "Color is all.  When color is right, form is right.  Color is everything, color is vibration like music; everything is vibration."  I agree with that to a degree; form and contrast and value are also very important.   

I would like to tell you about a new 2 DVD set by Stephen Quiller, a well-known and respected artist, which is all about color theory and would be a great source for beginning painters.   Check out this link for more information and a short video. 

Also, there has been much interest of late about traditional artists' materials and natural pigments.  Please visit this link for a source of natural pigments, including lead white, mica lead white, ceruse, ercolano red, and many more.   They carry not only oil paints, but casein, tempera, and watercolor.   There are interesting articles on this site as well, such as the color palettes of some of the old masters.

"I try to apply colors like words that shape poems, like notes that shape music."  - Joan Miro

My Website

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

"Forget Me Not" Oil Still Life Painting And Prints

Forget Me Not

12" x 16" oil on canvas

$1595.00

I am happy to announce that this still life oil painting is now available as prints at Fine Art America.   Please go to this link for information on available sizes and types of prints. 

(Artist's Note:  I no longer am affiliated with Fine Art America by my choice.  I am considering a new source for prints in the future.)

This painting is full of symbolic meaning.  The blue flowers on the cup and saucer are forget-me-not flower blossoms, to remind us to never forget God and Jesus and to put them FIRST in our lives.  The yellow peace rose symbolizes the peace that comes from the Lord, when your soul is in harmony with His will and you are truly born again.  The peace rose is in a vase filled with "living water" that only  comes from the Lord  (John 4:10).  The eyeglasses are a reminder to read and study God's Holy Word the Bible; and the red rose symbolizes Jesus' shed blood at Calvary.  

John 4:10 tells us: "Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and Who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink, thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water."

My Website

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

High Key or Low Key? Plus Shipping Boxes For Paintings

"Tropical Delight"

12" x 16" oil on gallery wrap canvas

$1500

Although the above still life oil painting of the pitaya or dragon fruit has some darks within it, to me it is basically a high key painting and I had a grand time with the exciting colors.   I am currently working on more than one painting, and one of them is a still life of yellow daffodils which I want to be mostly high key with a lot of light colors; however, it is not exciting enough to me and rather ho-hum looking, so I may have to add a dark table top for more contrast.   But I also hope to liven up the colors a bit.   Stay tuned.   The above painting is from a previous post, but I thought I would share it again for new viewers to this blog.

Now about shipping boxes for paintings (which is the primary reason for this post tonight).......  To ship framed paintings to galleries or art competitions my personal opinion is go with Air Float Systems Strongbox

Their strong corrugated boxes have been tested by FedEx and UPS for resistance to damage and are approved by major airlines.  They are re-usable and inside have 3 foam layers to protect your framed painting.   There is an excellent video at their link above with a short demonstration.   

Another good source is EZArtshippers found at aswexpress.com.  I ran across that information tonight on Carol Marine's blog .   They are great for shipping or storing paintings on panels.  I will check them out.

My Website

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com

Work In Progress - Red-Crested Cardinal and Video

Red-Crested Cardinal 

Work In Progress - Stage 4

oil on 11" x 14" panel

There have been obligations to take care of, so I finally got back to working today on this oil painting of the Red-crested or Brazilian Cardinal.  Reality check: there is more to life than painting everyday     :-)     There is much refining work to be done on his feathers, as well as other areas of the painting.   In an earlier post I explained how I photographed this fellow at Bellows Beach on Oahu, as he was busy nibbling on something inside this fallen coconut.  

Below is a video (not mine) of these cardinals on the island of Kauai.   Beautiful and relaxing to watch !

My Website

reynoldsrenditions@gmail.com