Oak Creek, Sedona

Oil on Canvas, 14x11

***

I painted this today from a picture I took at the Red Rock Crossing during a plein air workshop a couple years ago. I've liked this picture but dreaded to paint it because it looked so complicated. So, I summed up my courage. 

Besides using a palette knife, I squinted my eyes a lot to try to ignore too many details. I also used a brush to paint where a knife would have messed it up. Since I don't have a lot of patience and a stead hand, the knife was handy for trees and twigs. The problem was that they tend to look too straight and mechanical. Perhaps I still need to use the brush for trees but only after the under paint dries a bit. Any suggestions? I'll appreciate it!

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In Gloria's Garden

Oil on Gessoed Masonite, 6"x6"

In Gloria's Garden

I'm a chair.

In my proper place

Birds and bees and flowers

Greet me

Everyday.

I've been sat on, rained on

And stepped on.

I'm properly called an antique.

Don't worry and no offense;

Call me anything

I'm easy.

©Li Mahalik

My friend Sven and I went to Gloria's house to paint last Thursday. In her courtyard,I painted the chair and the flower pots, but Sven ended up painted me while I was painting. Although the setting was very pretty, I had to simplify the background to not fight with the chair. I like the structure of this painting and it had been a good experience.

Please email me if you're interested in purchasing my paintings via Paypal

Or my web site to see other paintings. 

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Sunflowers

Oil on gessoed masonite, 6"x6"

Sunflowers

Today is one 

Of those days, again

When no one is

Around him 

To show him what love is

He looks up

With sun-filled eyes

His hearts turns

Into sunflowers

Even if he no longer can see

He knows where

The sun is

His flowers will let him know

©Li Mahalik

When my friends were busying painting a water jug still life, husband Mark came in with a bunch of sunflowers. I dropped everything and quickly painted them. I was in awe of the beauty. But I didn't quite capture the leaves. A few days later, I had to invent the leaves. They are fuzzy now as if in dreams.

Please email me if you're interested in purchasing my paintings via Paypal

or my web site to see other paintings. 

Thank you for viewing!