cherry blossoms and prayer bowl

Cherry Blossoms and Prayer Bowl

5x7 acrylic on hardboard panel
collection of Sandra Price

Well, I got two gorgeous, wonderful, Im-so-in-love-with-looking-at-them prayer bowls from Nepal as Christmas/birthday pretties, and as I was driving home I saw that one of the cherry trees in front of Hillside is already blooming (yeah, I know. North Carolina has only 2 seasons- Summer and Weird). So, I pulled over, vandalized the poor, beautiful tree, and set this up the moment I got home. L.o.v.e. it!

Hapy New Year, and all that, too! Stay out of trouble tonight!

#366

happy birthday to me

Portrait of the Artist

8x10 acrylic on hardboard panel

Well, I figured its been ages since the last time I tried a self portrait, and a birthday seemed like a good time to try.... 26 today, in case youre wondering :) And the whole self portrait thing hasnt really gotten any easier, even though Im definately a better artist than I was the last time I attempted this. I look a bit anxious, dont I? Serves me right for trying to pose and concentrate on painting at the same time.... weird experience. And Ive decided my nose is impossibly weird. But fun to try to paint.

Hope you like it too :)

#365

paperwhites and patron

Waning Moon

6x6 acrylic on hardboard panel

collection of the artist

By way of explanation- I got these lovely paperwhites and the farmers market and dried them out after they started wilting, and impulse-bought an airplane bottle of patron tequila at the abc store because I suddenly decided it was just the most wonderful little bottle I had ever seen.... and that seems like such an absurd, mundane, coincidental explanation for what might be my favorite-painting-Ive ever-done. Hm. Well, nothing wrong with things coming together of their own accord, is there Hope not ;)

Seriously, though, click on it and look-see up close. All the little lines coming together to make that illusion of transparency.... *happy sigh* And now it is soooo past my bedtime, so Im out. Hope you all have a wonderful night!

#364

and the sunshine returns

Orange Peel

5x7 acrylic on hardboard panel

Quite proud of myself- I seem to be getting better at this whole spiral peeling thing, and Im developing this skill without even coming close to lopping off a fingertip! (no, I am serious. the treminally clumsy should not be allowed to handle knives like this... but I persist in tempting fate. muahaha!) All sorts of fun, with the sky showing up reflected in the shadows of the orange, that fun complementary-colors thing happening quite by accident, and the sun sparkling and glowing.... hope you like it as much as I do :D

#363

flowers after christmas

Rose Bouquet Study

11x14 dry media study on toned paper

Funny, isnt it, how the holidays really seem to define this end of the year? If it isnt getting ready for one thing its recovering from another :) Well, soon itll be next year and a little while before anything major. Note to self- take the christmas tree down sometime before, say, April. Hehe.

On a more random note, http://pandora.com/ . My new thing for music- you create a profile of preferences and it kind of creates a radio station for you or something. Awesome concept, carried out pretty well. Doubtless Im the last person on the planet to discover it, but still- Yay!

#362

back to my shells

Conch Shell Study

11x14 graphite, pastel, and acrylic on toned paper

Summer and light and iridescence, just having fun with the form while trying to puzzle out how best to show it in something a little more involved... we shall see, I suppose :) happy thoughts and all that.

#361

pretty kitty

Portrait of Monet

8x8 acrylic on cradled hardboard panel

collection of Rebecca Hill

Cats totally have the right idea with the whole napping in the sun thing. Kept everything really soft and appropriately fuzzy one this one, and if it doesnt seem very Christmas-y, well, it was kind of 70 degrees out today. Not to dreadfully appropriate, but absolutely lovely. Hugs all around!

#360

PS- still totally pissed at Clearwire, theyre still evil and a complete rip off and trying to beat me out of my money... but it is christmas, after all, so no need to go all full-scale rant on you. and Faye very wisely pointed out that I can tell my card to quit paying them, since theyre charging me for a service theyre not providing. thanks so much, love!

merry christmas eve :)

Egg IV

6x6 acrylic on cradled hardboard panel
collection of Brenda Hall

More shiny things in the sunlight :D And the bubbles, cant forget the bubbles *happy* It really is amazing how much the eye can see, and absorb, all the shades that come together to create this wonderful illusion of space and shape... love it.

#359

*RANT ALERT*

And it is a rant that will probably be repeated until I am no longer mad at these people, so.... sorry. Really, I am. Skip it if you have seen this before.

Clearwire is evil.

The service sucks, totally incapable of uploading images entirely too much of the time. Then the whole internet will just quit working for no reason. And if you complain they tell you to move the receiver around- away from the computer, away from or towards a window, dont use your cell phone near it, all kinds of stupid excuses for your internet not working. Oh, and they wont bill you, they insist on billing to a credit card.

And THEN your contract is up, and you tell them you want to cancel, and they cut your internet off, and youre happy. Yay, now we have real internet! (roadrunner, actually. love it)

But AFTER they turn your internet OFF and say they sent you the stuff to return your receiver and equipment, they KEEP CHARGING YOU FOR CONTINUED SERVICE. Charming. And you call them and ask why and they tell you that theyll only refund you the money- for the service you didnt receive- if you set up one of your friends with them and let the friends continue your contract. Your contract that doesnt exist anymore because it FINALLY ran out.

So, short version- clearwire is being wonderfully incompetant, and theyre stealing $40+ a month from me until I can figure out how to make it stop. So, yeah, thats a wonderful source of holiday cheer.

*RANT NOW OVER*

my apologies. Thanks for letting me vent :)

eggy!!!!!

Egg III

6x6 acrylic on cradled hardboard panel

collection of Brenda Hall

Had entirely too much fun with the shiny-s on this one, especially fun with the dual saucers thing.... and the reflection part within the shadow. This ones for Christmas, but dont worry, Im sure Ill be doing more :)

all the pretty flowers

Midwinter Sun

6x6 acrylic on hardboard panel

Another one of my roses, all soft and glowy in the sunlight. Was planning on putting it on ebay, but the computer is acting distinctly and rebelliously odd and I decided not to push the issue, since me pushing the issue might result in something unfortunate like the computer ending up in the icy creek behind the apartment complex.... will probably start the bidding tomorrow night, then. Till tomorrow, my friends!

the shortest day of the year

Iris Sketch

9x12 acrylic on paper

Got some gorgeous irises from Whole Foods yesterday, and had a bit of fun with them today :) Tinkering with the glowey thing that seems to be happening more and more in my paintings, trying to show those points of light where its so bright that the edges are lost and for that moment the light kind of forms its own shape, you know? Sorry if Im not making any sense- it happens sometimes :P

#356

another shiny :D

End of the Evening

8x8 acrylic on cradled hardboard panel

Bit of a more standard issue angle, once more utilizing the Cutest Teacup in History, in all of its sparkling glory :) Love the fade in the background, that seems to be the origin of the title.... ah, well, they need to come from somewhere, I suppose. Sending a happy saturday-night hug out to everyone....

#355

me and my tea obsession

Echoes

12x12 acrylic on cradled hardboard panel

A bigger one for tonight, something friendly and peaceful and a bit geometrically compulsive.... do love that over head view, though. Cant help it ;)

#354

vices in gold and grey

Tequila and Lime

6x6 acrylic on hardboard panel
collection of Laura Jennings

Ok, we have a new tradition- tonight I got this one almost done, and then took it and leaned it against a vase of flowers near the sink and looked at it while I did the dishes.... totally weird, I know, but very helpful. Who knew? Soap suds and tequila shots :)
#353

Ooh! Something shiny!

Espresso in Grey

6x6 acrylic on hardboard panel

collection of Erin McCusker

Just tickled pink with this one- I swear, most of the painting is just finding the right subject and getting it to hold still for a bit. At the right angle. In the right light. Oh, all right, at the moment I have no idea why I love this one so much, but I do. Quite possibly it will make more sense tomorrow :)

#352

taking a small step back

Origami I - Paper Bird

5x5 acrylic on hardboard panel

available

Something different, cleaner, quieter.... something that had me fumbling, muttering curses under my breath, and provided me with not one, not two, but three paper cuts! This little bird has agreed to pose for future paintings, just to compensate me for all that grief.... on the condition that I dont conduct any experiments concerning her actual abilities to fly. Or float. Somehow I doubt paper birds are as durable or versatile as their feathered counterparts :)

But I overcame my terminal clumsiness in regards to three dimensional creations, at least temporarily and with much help from a beginners origami book, and now all is well. Happy Tuesday night, everyone!

#351

continuing with my current obsession

Detail of a study of Andrew Wyeths

-Daydream-

11x14 acrylic on ardboard panel

and once again, edited because of nudity :)

click here to see the whole thing

I feel like I learned a lot about drama and negative space and complex forms from Lovers. And then learned a lot about light and transparency and all the shades of grey that can seem white from Daydream. It is a lot to take in over the time I spent on these, isnt it? Kind of wild. Oh, well, learning is always a good thing. Promise :D Hope you all ave a wonderful night!

worshipping at the altar

Detail of a Study of Andrew Wyeths

-Lovers-

11x14 acrylic on hardboard panel
cropped because of nekkidness :)
click here to see the whole thing

Just trying to learn from this one.... how can you copy one of the greats and not learn a ton? Just.... wow, you know? Ok, Im sounding like an idiot, I know, but its past my bedtime.... and still, Im proud of myself on this one. Turned out well, and I learned a lot. And no, its definately not for sale- its soooo not mine, you know?

#349

kitty cat in the sun

Windowlight

16x20 acrylic on cradled hardboard panel

private collection

Happy and cozy, and posting a happy, cozy, familiar painting. Love how the cat turned out, but what was less familiar and therefore more challenging was the light coming through the blinds, and the curtains. And where it comes through the blinds and then through the curtains. Lots of fun :D Kept the colors fairly restrained and cool, feel like that brings out the sunlight, and no, I really couldnt see a blessed thing through that window. Amazing what the sun does to glass.

#348

a touch of winter

Gardenia Shot

5x7 acrylic on hardboard panel

collection of Vicki Varela

Not sure what to say, tonight... not sure why. Happy that its Friday night, there is a beautiful full moon, and things feel ok :) and Im back to my flowers in shot glasses, it is always nice to revisit things like that, isnt it? Yepyep.

#347

and another rose!

Rosebud

5x7 acrylic on hardboard panel

available

Full of promise, so new that you can see the green on the base of the petals, so tightly bundled that the little green leafy thingies are half the fun of the painting- dont they make the best shape? All pointing inwards or whatnot :) So, Thursday night.... happy almost-Friday, everyone!

#346

another windowsill.

Rose on a Windowsill

5x7 acrylic on hardboard panel

available

Happy with this one, with the feeling of sunlight on the rose, and the shine on the little Japanese teacup Im using as a vase. And tonight, its enough for me to be happy with the small things :)

#345

our daily pears....

Pear on White

6x8 acrylic on canvasboard

available at The Pink Elephant

Surely youve thought that, what with the prevelance of pears as a daily painting subject :) What a fun subject, though, nice shape, interesting colors.... discovered that green-gold and iron oxide yellow work wonders for a pears skin. Nice, that ah-hah moment when you see something like that. Very nice. Happy. even the little speckles on the pear.... weird to do, but fun. Wanting to do one of those brown egg soon, one of the ones with speckles. Thatll be fun too. Yay!

a corner of the apartment

Lemon and Windowsill

5x7 acrylic on hardboard panel

available

We have one window that gets direct sunlight for a few hours every day.... we back up to the woods behind the apartments. Which is a wonderful thing for keeping the sir conditioning manageable in a North Carolina summer :) However, lately Ive been fascinated by that corner of the bedroom, the way objects look on that windowsill.... and here I even included the trim, and the dings in the sheetrock, and the soft, variable shadows. Very proud of myself.

Along with the additional benefit that the entire place now smells like citrus. Turns out spiral-peeling a lemon with a paring knife is a messy business :D Ah, well, thats the sticky sacrifices we are willing to make for art, I suppose. Hope everyones having a wonderful evening!

#343

and roses again

Roses on Blue

6x8 acrylic on canvasboard

available at The Pink Elephant

Having a wonderful time, posing these two beautiful roses in a bud vase, draping the cloth around them, bright sunlight shining across everything....

#342

Something Pretty

Threshold

9x12 acrylic on cradled hardboard panel

private collection

Immensely proud of myself on this one.... and I think its done, but Im not absolutely sure, not yet. Any thoughts? I just love how shiny the teacup feels, and the linen napkin doilyish thing, I feel like I can almost reach out and touch it.... Something else weird Ive just noticed, some of my still life thingies are more paintable than others, even if they seem more awkward in real life. Like the painting version of photogenic or something. Anyone else noticed this phenomena, or is it just me being odd?

#341

Too late at night....

Blue and Amber

6"x8" acrylic on canvas board

available at The Pink Elephant

or rather, too early in the morning. Does it still count as today's post if it happens after midnight? Yep, I'm not sure either. Hope you're all having a wonderful night!

#340

Experimenting

Nautilus and Reflection

5"x7" acrylic on hardboard panel

available at The Pink Elephant

Got to paint one of my pretties twice in the same piece, this time :) I don't usually get hardcore into reflections, not entirely sure why, but this one was just too tempting to pass by, especially with how nice and soft and grey everything was, it sets off the rainbow bits of the the shell wonderfully.

Other than that.... lots of painting, yes, feeling very productive.... I've also been absurdly tired. I'm blaming it on the season, I always get weird in December. Just 17 more days until we start getting more sunlight instead of less, though, that'll be nice. Happy. I love sunlight. Something to look forward to.

And something else to look forward to- Saturday we're getting REAL internet service, not this dingbat p.o.s. clearwire nonsense. Yay!

#339

Tea on the Edge

Windowsill Sketch

9"x12" acrylic on toned paper

Did this because I really liked the idea.... and really wasn't sure if it would work or not. Still really like it, still not entirely sure, but I think I'm going to go for it. I love the overhead view on teacups anyways, obviously, and the idea of one poised at the edge of a windowsill, a soft cloth under it and kind of wrapped around, graceful folds and all that.... *happy sigh* we'll see. Hope you're all having a wonderful night!

#338

something warm for you

Coffee and Spoon

4"x4" acrylic on hardboard panel

collection of Elizabeth Sanchez

All the pretty greys.... is it just me, or do I alternate between colorful spells and more subdued spells? Curious and curiouser. And then there's the shininess, and the fact that a 4x4 no longer feels terribly small to me.... just right, for this piece. Truly wild. And maybe growth or something, which is happy and encouraging and fun.

#337

where has the year gone?

December Rose

5"x7" acrylic on hardboard panel

available

Holding my breath on this one.... don't you just love the feeling of it? I was enjoying it but it wasn't pulling together, and then I glazed the whole thing with alizarin crimson and reworked the whites in the wet, and now it really does feel done. And like a good piece for the first of December :)

shadows and such

Roses Sketch

9"x12" acrylic on toned paper

Just tinkering with an idea I've got in my head. Seems like a much better idea than trying to put it on hardboard as an official painting, and then deciding I'm not so sure about it, and trying to fix it half a dozen different ways... yep, much better this way. Really love the shadow, but I'm thinking it might look better from immediately overhead.... but then we don't get to see the vase of roses from the side and all that prettiness :(

Well, I'll have to try that idea next and see how it feels, I guess. And be grateful that I can get gorgeous roses like this in the middle of winter, that's something to enjoy as well. Hope you're all having a wonderful end-of-the-weekend!

#335

Not exactly November....

Daffodils 4

5"x7" acrylic on hardboard panel

collection of Sandra Price

But I've been craving some springtime, and so I went back to some reference pics I took at Duke Gardens in February- so, pretty much, we're looking a few months into the future, right? Just three months or so, not bad at all :D

And I l-o-v-e how this one turned out, too. Happy. See how translucent the petals are? And the cool shadows against the yellows moments?

Also, I've been tagged! The tag-ger was the wonderful Faye Christian Phillips (that's a link, click on it), and as tag-gee I'm to tell seven things about myself, and tag seven more people. Fun :)

First, the seven "things"

1. I'm a total bibliophile, and am always in the middle of some book. And I re-read all of the ones I own. My favorite author is Margaret Atwood (try her Oryx and Crake, it's an amazing post-apocalyptic dystopia kind of thing), and my favorite poet is Edgar Allan Poe (no, he's not always as gloomy as the Raven. Evening Star is a particularly beautiful one of his).

2. I'm hopelessly and terminally motion-sensitive. I can't go on any ride that goes in a circle or upside down, can't look at a map, a book, crochet, or a sketchbook in the car, would rather ride in the bed of a truck than the backseat of a car, and I've just accepted the fact that I shouldn't eat for 24 hours before getting on a plane.

3. Used to be really, really religious. Not so much anymore.... kind of making a religion out of acceptance and moderation.

4. Yeah, the moderation thing. I smoke, drink, cuss, and break certain laws. All in moderation, of course :) At least by my standards. Hehe.

5. Love cats. Don't really dislike dogs, but cats are infinately superior. They have retractable claws, they don't drool, they don't bark, they don't jump up, and they purr. Awesome feature in a pet.

6. And I have the best cat ever. Truly. He's adorable, sweet despite the whole evilness thing, and he plays fetch. Yes, seriously.

7. I really have no idea how people run out of inspiration, or things to paint. I think I could be put in a closed circuit with only my existing reference materials and existing little still life thing-a-ma-bobbies and be perfectly happy creating pictures for the next decade or so. Hopefully that feeling will continue forever.

And the tagging of the people:

1. Eric Orchard

2. Gayle Mason

3. LC Neill

4. Lisa Gloria

5. Margaret Dyer

6. Molly Brose

7. Nathalie Davis

#334

Porcelain

Angelica with Mardi Gras Beads

9"x12" acrylic on hardboard panel

commission - sold

Happy with this one- that determined, steady, dark blue gaze, the slight smile, the upright way she has of walking, the wonderful tangle of blonde waves.... hope you like it too :) and that you're all having a wonderful night!

FYI- if you're wanting a portrait for Christmas, there is still time! Email me at kelliemarianhill@yahoo.com if you're interested :)

#333

Kitty cat, Thanksgiving Day

In the Light

5"x7" acrylic on hardboard panel

collection of Lisa Gloria

My sister-in-law's cat, Monet, napping in the bright sunlight streaming through the window and across the big, gorgeous bed.... nice, comforting, and I can practically feel the purring emanating from the painting. Just a few colors, nothing too complex... just something soft and warm and peaceful and still. Comforting. Happy thoughts, and happy holidays.

*hug*

#332

And sunshine again

Interior #2

5"x7" acrylic on hardboard panel

available at The Pink Elephant

That seems to be a bit of a theme, lately. Not a bad thing :) More limited, this time, that spot of sunlight on the ottoman, the restricted palette, that sense of stillness, and waiting.... and the stripes. Stripes are fun to paint, as it turns out :)

#331

Pretty November sunshine

Study of Becky

9"x12" acrylic on toned paper

Closing in on that one year / #365 mark, aren't I? Super exciting :)

This one, it's a study of my beautiful sister-in-law in one of those marvelous overgrown turtleneck sweaters, the bright sunlight forming this wonderful halo around her... I love her curly hair, and that adorable profile. This one really challenged me, but I'm happy with the way it turned out. The desaturated version shows a really good values balance, so that's encouraging, too.

#330

watching a movie in the dark

Study of Louise

9"x12" acrylic on toned paper

Not a bad Monday, and this was a fun daily to do, a nice sketch, really.... difficult, trying to get everything in there in the dark, but she has such lovely features, glowing a bit against the darks of the background and her sweatshirts. Fun :)

Hope you're all having a wonderful night! I'm off to climb into bed and try to warm up.... I am sooooo looking forward to springtime. Yes, already.

#329

Just a Sketch

Study of Monet

9"x12" acrylic on toned paper

Just a sketch, looking more closely at things.... beautiful idea, beautiful idea that I'm working towards, pretty light, pretty kitty basking in the light. Just black and white tonight, but you can kind of see it, can't you? Just wait till I get the real one done :D

'nother eggy

Egg II

5"x7" acrylic on hardboard panel

private collection

Pretty shiny things, colors and circles and that fun overhead view....

Friday night....

Tea - Equilibrium

16"x20" acrylic on cradled hardboard panel

And it's been a looooong week, and I'm sleepy- waking up early to head out to Winston Salem for the big Whimiscal Women Fall Show/Art Sale, too, so it's going to be a big weekend.... love to you all. Hope it's going beautifully.

baby time

Study of James

6"x8" acrylic on hardboard panel

Just having some fun with the cutest little redheaded baby ever :) I swear, painting kids is n-o-t-h-i-n-g like painting grownups, it's like they're a different species or something, but they're adorable, so it's all good. Ooh, and the week's almost over, too- hope you're having a good time with it!

Now it's official

Egg 1

5"x7" acrylic on hardboard panel

collection of Bob Manning

:D I've painted a raw egg, now I'm a for-real daily painter! Seriously, though, awesome subject idea. Kudos to whoever thought of it first.... and then went ahead and painted it anyways, even thought it is a... raw... egg.

Anywho. Happy tonight, and hoping you are as well :) now, off to sleep!

#324

person and pet....

Martie and Alex

9"x12" acrylic on hardboard panel

Sooo proud of myself on this one! There's probably some details I'll go back and fidget through tomorrow, but the result right now I'm thrilled with! Martie has the most wonderful profile, and her hair is so much fun, and of course Alex is wonderfully, confusingly shaggy but her leash makes for the most perfect way to carry your eye through everything, I'll have to remember that the next time I do someone with a carry-on dog....

You know it snowed here today? Didn't stick or anything, but still, insane. So not my thing, even if it was beautiful.... I should migrate to the equator every winter, I swear.

But now it's late (too late, truly). You know that charge you get when you're working on a piece you're really excited about, and it's awesome and exciting and it makes you do stupid, stupid things like miss sleep? Yep. Apparently I'm in the middle of one of those. Oh, well. We'll see how it turns out :D

#323

Another Present

Polka Dots

5"x7" acrylic on hardboard panel

Having some fun- as a general rule I don't do patterns at all, but for some reason I was feeling the pink polka dots and just sort of rolled with it :) The ribbon is this odd velvety non-color on the inside, and I'm finding myself wondering how it would look if it was equally patterned on the inside of the curves.... hm. Maybe next time.

#322

always up to something....

Wrapped in Gold

5"x7" acrylic on hardboard panel

Having fun with this- I loooove Karen Appleton's work, and with Christmas coming up (I really can't believe they're playing Christmas music in the stores already, really can't believe it) I wrapped up some cute little boxes with tissue paper and oversized bows and this is our first result. Yay!

#321

soft sunlight

Late Morning

6"x6" acrylic on hardboard panel

collection of Leroy John Lobo

Saturday night.... wonderful, beautiful, productive sort of Indian-summer day, and today's painting is a nice, peaceful sort, soft blues and violets, just finished with your coffee, the cup and saucer just sitting there, still and warm in the sunlight. Happy thoughts and lots of love :)

#320

Dreams and Light

Pearl Nautilus

12"x12" acrylic on cradled hardboard panel

Ok, I am rather... intoxicated.... right now, so I'll be good and not talk for too long. Just watched Hancock, about to watch Kung Fu Panda. Hehe. Good night, yes? Love you too.

Another November sunrise

Butterfly Clouds

5"x7" acrylic on hardboard panel

collection of Marian Naik

Darling Husband saw the butterfly in the clouds, but I have to say I really like it... and the colors, totally love the colors. I had no idea how wonderful smalt hue would be as part of that wonderful soft purple the clouds turn sometimes, but it really really works, and makes the light show up so marvelously... happy thoughts. Wasn't sure I should paint it, thought it might be toooo pretty, but it works, even the little rainbow glimmer. It's nice. Hugs to everyone!

#318

Halfway through the week!

Study of Amna and Maya

acrylic on 8"x10" hardboard panel

Not my usual bright-sunshiney-uplifting self tonight, for whatever reason, so I probably ought not do any real typing and just let the pretty painting be enough :) I am really proud of this one, as it stands- the eyes were an absolute joy to do, and those soft-squishy baby features, and of course I had fun with the butterflies.... *sigh*

Hope you're all having a wonderful evening!