A Plum Among Them

                                    6x6

This may be the most items I've ever included in a  composition. I remember awhile ago Carol Marine did a number of them from much more distant perspective. The simplification required grows enormously the further away you get. Now that's a challenge! This was hard enough....well, maybe I'll try backing off further.......

Dwarfed By the Big Guy

6x6 $90

I painted 4 panels with variations on these bottles, and this may be my favorite. I love all the deep rich colors in the upper third juxtaposed with the bright yellow.The bottle on the right is a beautiful shape and a rich amber color, but it's big enough that I'm not sure if it will ever show up "whole" in my little compositions.

Thanks to all of you well wishers for my trip. It's getting exciting as the date draws near. The challenge is packing, as it's recommended your pack weighs no more than 10% of your body weight. For once, I'm glad I don't weigh 120. Tough enough as it is. I'm sure I will be glad later that I stuck to the limit.

For anybody who doesn't know, Daily Paintworks Challenge is raising money for Japan with an art auction. I donated "Sorting Seaweed" and it's up to $111. I hope it goes even higher; those disaster victims need every nickel! Check out the challenge- they're almost up to 200 donated pieces!

Lone Plum

                                  6x6  $90
Here's another painting with my little triangle cutouts. I like the tie- in of the dark plum with the dark under painting. I want to tell all of you about the BEST documentary we saw last night (Netflix DVD) called Waste Land. It's about a Brazilian born artist named Vik Muniz who was commercially successful in NYC and wanted to take on a socially redeeming project in his native country. He chose the largest landfill in the world- in Rio- and his goal was to have his art make a lasting difference in the lives of the people. It is a daunting project, but it's highly successful and the documentary is fascinating. I think non artists will enjoy the film and artists will love it, as I did. If you see it, let me know what you think!