Bird Nest Series - Bird Nest I Blue Eggs

Sometimes we artists need to take time to be with our families, do our day jobs (even if we are retired), or catch up with our friends in community and church apart from FaceBook. So, we have to take sabbaticals from blogging.  I've missed writing about the inspiration that causes me to paint.  I've still been painting, but it seems that writing about it falls to the wayside.  Anyway, I've decided I need to write about inspiration, process and product again in the paintings I do.  My first set of posts will be my Bird Nest Series.  All of these are copyrighted by me.  Click link below or here to see in my Etsy Store.

Bird Nest I - Blue Eggs

6x6 Wrap Around Canvas

Original Oil Painting by Cheri Wollenberg

Edges of painting have been painted black.  Many people prefer not to frame.  This makes a clean edge for a painting so that it can be either displayed as wall art or on small easels, or as you see above.

Red, Delicious Strawberries - Food Still Life Painting

Strawberries and White Creamer

8x8 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

 

Strawberries have a way of coming into my painting compositions every year about this time.  I can't decide whether the inspiration comes from loving the delicious food itself, their color and handsome design, or whether they look  stunning and inviting mixed with other shapes, colors and textures.  Either reason I enjoy painting them as a favorite food and subject in of my small my still lifes.  This one is listed in on Etsy.  Click Here. 

Still Life Painting - White Pottery Teapot And Red Strawberries

White Pottery Teapot and Red Strawberries

14x18 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

 

Exciting strawberries!  Why would an artist be interested in painting strawberries?  Why would a viewer desire to look at them?  Inspiration in some form or another always comes from our senses.  Everytime I buy strawberries I think to myself I will have to paint them before my husband and I eat them up!  The color of bright red brings a delight to my eyes.  The juicy, wet quality (touch sense) and the tangy smell of them causes me to remember their delicious taste.  All of these reasons cause me as an artist to record those sensations with brush and paint in hand onto a support (canvas).

Click red strawberries to go to Etsy.

Black White Faced Cow Painting Felix

Felix

12x12 Oil on Canvas

by

Cheri Wollenberg

Felix is a masculine bovine.  The inspiration for this cow painting came when a customer and I were visiting and came up with a cross between two previous paintings.  Thus, Felix was born (laugh)!  I like him though.  He has strong markings, a slight smile and very gentle eyes.  When I paint a cow I usually like showing the gentle look in their faces.  Cows can be wild.....they can be stubborn....they can actually be dangerous if they think their babies are threatened, but those gentle, large eyes usually get to me.  Felix is listed at this link:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/88460872/cow-oil-painting-felix-12x12-canvas

Apples and Crock

Apples and Crock

8x8 Oil on Canvas

by

Cheri Wollenberg

Painting apples has been the subject I have explored for over a week now.  It is sort of like eating one thing until I'm really tired or burned out of that particular food group.  This may be a condition.....I don't know (laugh)!  I have grandchildren who do this,  and we worry about them and their nutrition.  My ability to be consumed with things drives me as inspiration until it is played out to my satisfaction.  Then I have to go on to the next thing.  Since I've created all these apple paintings, I have started pansy paintings!  I'll begin posting them as soon as all the apple ones are "blogged".  

To purchase this painting you can click Apples and Crock.

Apple Pies to Bake

Apple Pies to Bake

12x12 Original Oil on Artist Panel

by

Cheri Wollenberg

This painting of apples and a rolling pin became a subject of inspiration for me when I was on a treasury with another etsy seller. I loved the photograph she had taken of the item that was featured from her shop. I asked her permission to do this painting and she graciously told me I could.  Just click Apples to read a further description and link to her shop.

Meadow

Meadow

6x6 Oil on Canvas

by

Cheri Wollenberg

(SOLD)

The inspiration for this little painting came from my daughter-in-law who sent an image to me from her iphone.  She had been out feeding their cattle.  I have a difficult time painting landscapes on small canvases.  I am determined to do some plein air painting this fall.  Painting from life is always more invigorating and satisfying.  I am spoiled with still lifes because I can set them up in the setting of a comfortable studio and they are "still".  I will challenge myself this autumn to paint outdoors!

This painting may be purchased at:  Meadow

Pink Roses in Antique Vase

Pink Roses in Antique Vase

11x14 Oil on Canvas

by

Cheri Wollenberg

  I think there is a lot to be said of discovering the pleasure of something....learning can be a pleasure.  I experience several sensations when I'm thinking about what I want to paint.  First, what is it that interests me or inspires me?  Inspiration can come from curiosity, admiration, excitement, exploration, challenge, experimentation.....oh my, the list goes on.  Next, the decision making process brings intuitive sensations.  How will I present what interests me.   I plan, compose, decide what size of support I want to use and I begin thinking about the color palette and/or other designing principles.  Third, I proceed, express, and act out the plan.  Oh my, what pleasure there is to painting.  Words cannot express the pleasurable sensations in each step of the painting process.  What a gift we receive in the process!  This painting is one that I finished several years ago when I had a great desire to explore pink.  It can be purchased in my etsy shop by clicking: Pink Roses in Antique Vase