Green Bench and Pots

Oil on Linen, 11x14

It's been so pleasant outside lately. My friends and I decided to paint a still life outdoor in my back yard yesterday. In doing this painting, I discovered that in order to show the sunniness, shadows have to be darker and the values needs to be stretched. But I also remember when I painted in the desert in the sun, everything was kind of golden, even shadows were not as dark. Then, we got into the debate about High Key or Low Key. Is this high or low key? I don't know.

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Girl in Yellow Dress

Oil on Panel, 9x12

About two weeks ago I took a five-day plein air workshop with Kim English, a brilliant painter from Colorado. The workshop was grueling as the models were instructed to change post every 5, 10, 15 or 20 minutes. So we painted, wiped off, changed supports quickly, trying to compose, block-in, mixed the right colors and values as best and as fast as we could. Most people got to do a lot in each painting but I could only come up with just the figures mostly, like the one above, which Kim was very fond of. It's the most valuable workshop I've attended so far and I've got nothing but admiration and respect for Kim.

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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.

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