Still Life Oil Painting - Owl Planter and Harvest Gourds

Mr Owl and Harvest Gourds

8x10 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

Sometimes as artists we have to paint things that are really fun!  We have to relax and allow our creative energy to express something that we find either amusing, comforting or even alarming!  Recently I lost my mother and I was gifted with many beautiful green plants.  After about a month some of them needed repotting.  So I began a journey to find flowering pots that would look good with my very eclectic home décor.  I must say that I'm very conservative when it comes to adding accessories of this nature to my farmhouse style.  First, I do not have a green thumb, second I want plain things to work into my already over-eclectic furnishings because I have a tendency to make "stuff" statements rather than "good" statements about my life style.

But.....My mother loved birds and living things and as I shopped for pots to house these wonderful plants given in her memory, I decided to get a few that would remind me of her and so.........the owl planter made it to my cart:)

 

I loved painting this quick little study.  This painting can be found in my Etsy store.  Just click here if you are interested.

Gourds and Gourd Paintings

Green and White Striped Gourd with Black Eyed Susan

6x6 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

Gourds are some of the most fun objects to paint.  Their textures, shapes and colors are endless.  Placing a sunflower or two gives an added interest.  Painting them always puts me in a festive, autumn spirit and scooping up large quantities of paint and applying it on canvas makes me happy .  These small paintings are listed in my Etsy store.

 

Assortment of Gourds with Blue and White Vase

6x6 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

Crock, Gourds, and Sunflowers

12x12 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

Pumpkins I - Original Oil Painting

Pumpkins I

6x8 Oil on Canvas

by

Cheri Wollenberg

The leaves are falling here in Fayetteville just like it was already fall.  School has started, the kids are getting on buses everyday in their new school clothes, and there is always excitement in the air about football, new friends, various other things and change.  Changes in the seasons are also exciting.    The stores have changed their decorations themes.  Pumpkins and harvest themes are already being displayed everywhere.  Magazines are beginning to print new recipes and the newest fabrics and fashion trends. Artists are inspired by these changes too.  I am inspired with the colors, textures, and  aromas of new candles.  So I decided to start painting pumpkins and gourds.  I prefer to paint them from life but this one is from a picture.  I took a lot of pictures last fall of various gourds and pumpkins so I may do several while waiting for the first fruits of harvest to show at the neighborhood markets.    This is my first attempt for Autumn 2011.  Click Pumpkin I to go to my Etsy Shop if you would like more information about it.

Gourd III

Gourd III

6x6 Oil on Canvas

by

Cheri Wollenberg

Oh my.... I do get a little stuck on subject matter, but I'm having such a good time painting these beautiful gourds.  This painting may be purchased by clicking here:  Gourd III

Red Vase and Gourds

Red Vase and Gourds

6x8 Oil on Canvas

by

Cheri Wollenberg

Decorative gourds have a long shelf life so I can count on using them as subjects for several weeks.  The possibilities for creative and different compositions are endless.  I enjoyed placing this red vase with these two particular gourds.  The "warts" on gourds are a lot of fun to paint too.  I scooped up a lot of paint for each one of them....sort of like frosting a cake with thick icing.....enjoyed myself immensely! 

This painting can be purchased by clicking Red Vase and Gourds

Autumn Gourd I

Autumn Gourd I

6x6 Oil on Canvas

by

Cheri Wollenberg

This is one of my first gourd paintings of the year. They come in so many different shapes, sizes and colors. They have fantastic texture, and create such a mood of harvest. They are a delight to paint. This painting can be purchased here:  Autumn Gourd I

Autumn Reminders

Autumn Reminders

12x16 Oil on Canvas

by

Cheri Wollenberg

It is that time of year isn't it? As an artist my eyes see the leaves beginning to turn, the gourds in various colors and designs are showing up at the super markets, and pumpkins are appearing at the farmers' markets on the weekends here at Fayetteville, Arkansas.   It is a beautiful time of the year. The colors are fabulous and dazzle my eyes. I just have to set up some arrangements and get to painting! If I wait too long it will be winter and there will be other things to inspire me. I can't wait to capture some of the beauty of these items. This is one of my first posts. It was the last one I finished last year. I will start in the next few days on smaller daily paintings and gradually work to a larger arrangement. This painting may be purchased at: //www.chatterboxart.etsy.com.