Monday, March 16, 2009



Red Onion, Lemon, Cup

Oil on board, 5" x 7"
$125 plus $6 shipping in U.S.
SOLD

I painted this with mittens on...not really--but if I could've I would've.

The fan on the studio's gas furnace stopped working over the weekend (it always happens on the weekend, doesn't it?) and with fresh snow this morning, it's been just a little nippy in my creative quarters lately. I painted this still life, hoping I might feel some heat from the colors. But red onions are kind of on the cool blue side of red, lemons tend to be chilly shades of yellow, and of course the blue tin cup was no help at all. Oranges and red chiles--that's what I should have painted today.

The repairman finally arrived in the afternoon, pushed a little blue reset button, and glorious heat came flowing out the vents.

14 comments:

Candy Barr said...

Thank goodness for reset buttons...aren't they a bit like the Easy button?! What fortitude....painting a still life in inclement conditions. I guess the starkness and 'individualness' of each separate item wouldn't have been as strong painted on a summer day! Really interesting having red, blue and yellow. The highlights on lemon hold it all together. Nice

Dianna Woolley said...

Very nice!

Katherine said...

Always welcome in my toasty little studio Don, but now that you know the whereabouts and wonders of that reset button I imagine you'll not repeat that chilling experience. This is a gorgeous piece Don.

Dean H. said...

Magnificent darks!
Glad ya got the heat up and running!

Anonymous said...

what is it about onions and artists? we love 'em!!! beautiful painting r.

Don Gray said...

Hi Candy--yes, I'd like to have a reset button for many things in my life. Reset time back to a few moments before I did some stupid thing and give me the foresight to avoid it. Is that asking too much? :>}

Now I know you're a plein aire painter who works in all kinds of inclement weather, so I'm not going to complain to you! Thanks for your comments.

Don Gray said...

Thanks much, Sunrise Sister.

Don Gray said...

Thanks for the invite, Katherine. But you're right, now that I know where that magic button is I don't plan on freezing again. Thanks for the encouragement!

Don Gray said...

Dean, I appreciate the visit and the kind words.

Don Gray said...

I love onions so much they bring tears to my eyes, Rahina! Thanks for the note.

Dean Grey said...

I love the color combinations here.

The deep blue, the bright yellow, and the vivid purple all work nicely together.

-Dean

Don Gray said...

Thank you Dean!

Alvin Richard said...

Superb, great composition and grouping in subject matter, the colors are phenominal and of course the lighting steals the show....I'll bet this one sold in a nano second!

Don Gray said...

Alvin, you're very kind--thanks a lot. Love your new work. (Well I love your old work too :)