Sunflowers III

Sunflowers III

16x20 Oil on Canvas

by

Cheri Wollenberg

Here in Fayetteville, Arkansas we have had many weeks of dry and "hot" weather.  Like so many cities and states we have had record-breaking temperatures.  Many states now have had temperatures in three digits for over 30 days.  The sunflower is one wildflower that seems to withstand these temperatures.  They have become wilted and dry, but those beautiful yellow petals still hold a beauty that so many of us cannot resist.  Several weeks ago we were invited to a friend's home to see her son off on a journey that he is taking.  My friend (who is an artist) had decorated the tables and various places in her home with these magnificent flowers that had come from her father's garden.  She shared these particular ones with me and I have started several paintings from photos that I had taken of them in several different compositional stills.  Sunflowers III can be purchased by clicking here.

Green Vase with Red Radishes

Green  Metal Vase with Red Radishes

8x10 Oil on Canvas

by

Cheri Wollenberg

The process of painting radishes is a most enjoyable experience and a great subject.  I think the actual color of these should have a little more alizarin crimson color to them.  I purposely used more cadmium red because I enjoyed the complementary effect with the green vase.  "Artistic License"...a great thing even though it has gotten me into a little trouble before.....not serious....just cornering me into a defensive conversation:)  This painting is for sale in my Etsy shop:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/79109565/green-metal-vase-with-red-radishes-8x10

Lilacs in Antique Cream Pitcher

Lilacs in Antique Cream Pitcher

by

Cheri Wollenberg

Lilacs are some of my favorite flowers.  They always remind me of my grandmother.  She had huge bushes that were so fragrant and sweet smelling.  They lined the drive going up to her home.  It's funny how scents can bring visual images to mind.  I can see her when I smell the lilacs.  I can see her stooped over picking blackberries and then making blackberry cobbler.  She made wonderful jams and buttermilk busquits.  She was 4'11" but we grandchildren we had a great respect for her.  She was loving but firm.   Her fragrance and beauty was as sweet smelling as the lilacs to me.

Pink and White Peonies

Pink and White Peonies

18x18 Oil on Canvas

by

Cheri Wollenberg

Last spring one of my students brought some pink peonies for my class to paint in a still life arrangement.  I had some white ones that we mixed with them to make a fuller bouquet.  I can almost smell the fragrance they made as I write this post.  Their aroma is extremely pleasing to me.  As I painted this composition, I changed the peonies to a more peach colored pink in this painting.  They were actually an intense or hot pink color, but this particular "vignette" of peonies, I wanted to do warm tones.  I enjoy the challenge of the anatomy of the particular flower, peony.  Since this image was taken, I've painted the bud in the foreground a little sharper.  I felt it didn't need to be quite so lost and it needed to come more forward.  I have set my white peonies in still lifes every year for about 9 years now.  Each year I find that they are a challenge.  I don't know why they are a little difficult, but I thoroughly enjoy the process of painting them and hope that I learn more each time.  To see the price of this painting you can click Peonies. 

Radish Bunch

Radish Bunch

10x10 Original Oil on Canvas

by

Cheri Wollenberg

There is nothing quite as beautiful as fresh veggies picked from the garden.  Not only are they beautiful, but they give great pleasure to the gardener who grew them.  Radishes have been some of my favorite veggies since I was a little girl.  I loved digging them up, taking them to a water hose and cleaning them off and I like the hot, spicy taste they bring to the palate.  Delicious to eat....delicious experience of painting these beauties!

Cottontail Rabbit

Cottontail Bunny

6x6 Oil on Canvas

by

Cheri Wollenberg

Here at our home in Fayetteville we have two decks....an upper and lower deck that faces the north.  In the mornings between 6:00 and 7:00 am we go to the upper deck to drink coffee.  Many times there are deer that are passing between the forest treelines on the east and west of our house.  There are other little forest creatures that grace us with their presence too.  For the last several weeks there have been two little bunnies that jump, run and play.  They have been a delight to watch.  One morning I decided to take my camera out and try to capture them.  All my shots were from above and not too conducive to painting, so I decided to sneak downstairs, and see if I could quietly get some photos of them.  Needless to say, I had to zoom in quite a bit.  I took a lot of images to get a few that gave me what I was looking for as resources to paint.  I found that painting this image was rather challenging.  First, there was a lot of green around them, and second, the values were very much the same.  I had to take a lot of artistic license when I painted the small one.  I will have to try this little guy at least one more time or the other fellow.  Both were so cute.  Below are other images of them.  I think this one thought he was hiding from me and I thought I was hiding from him (chuckle).  To check this little fellow out, click Cottontail Rabbit.

Hiding?

Posing?

Strawberries in Blue and White Bowl

Strawberries in Blue and White Bowl

8x8 Original Oil Painting

by

Cheri Wollenberg

Happy 4th of July to Everyone.  This is the closest I came this year to something for the holiday.  The colors red, white and blue might count!!  To see this painting's details, click Strawberries.