Cupcake5 - daily painting,cupcakes,debbie miller

 6x6" oil on canvas -
 Started out planning a full day of painting in the studio
 - so of course its the cupcakes first -
But have to admit, just not feeling it today.

 Is this the most boring painting ever?!!!

  Maybe its the canvas thing.  Or...

    Maybe its my little friend following me around asking for a walk...

 Maybe its thinking about heading to the art store to get some fresh paint and panels....



(Seriously getting low on paint, right?) 

Maybe its time to rethink the day.... putting on THIS and prepping panels

Nadia - portrait painting,Debbie Miller

10x10 oil on panel
Finally back at the portrait painting.  Makes me happy.  Painting people is so fun.
See more HERE 

So where is that 'sweet spot' - that bit of the painting that is just yummy to me? 
 I've got a few on this one, but if forced to pick just one....it would be the negative space around her ponytail hair.

heres a cell phone photo of the model Nadia - super bad photo but the gist of it is there

cupcake 4 - daily painting,debbie miller,cupcakes

6x6 " oil on canvas
ode to Wayne Thiebaud . 
Just can't paint pastries with a pale background and not think of him.

cupcake 3 - daily painting, debbie miller,cupcakes

6x6" oil on canvas

more getting used to painting on canvas. 
One thing I'm noticing is that it makes a 'softer' painting - an effect that I'm undecided about.

cupcake 2 -daily painting,cupcake series,debbie miller

6x6" oil on canvas

cupcake 2 - another one on canvas. 

Canvas is such a 'bouncy' surface to paint on.
 It feels weird. 

I just need to get used to it.  So tomorrow - more canvas. 

fyi - Ive got 7 left

cupcake 1 - daily painting, debbie miller,cupcake series

6x6" oil on canvas
cupcake 1 -
 Ooodles and oodles of paintings of cupcakes are coming

 So in the interest of not getting a brain cramp trying to come up with titles for them all, they are getting numbers.  

and I'll be experiemnting with different surfaces.  this one is on canvas.  a nice deep edged canvas.

I hate it.   Painting on canvas is such a drag.  BUT I'm going to give it a shot for a few more cupcakes.

Leaving it All Behind

24x24 oil on panel.  $1200

Goodbye Summer.

I love summer, I really do but oh how I can't wait for cool,crisp weather!! 
Come on Mother Nature, you can do it!!

upcoming fall events

FYI - October 15th - I will be at the RISD Art Sale
and the weekend after that my studio will be open for the Warren Walkabout.

nfdp

Smooth Operator - cupcake painting,debbie miller,red velvet

6x6"  oil on cradled panel.

Hello.  I know what you're thinking - "Where has she been"?  
 - Hiking Machu Pichu...cooking school in Paris...busy raising a flock of exotic chickens ?

Nah.  Just doing the 'Mom Thing' trying to survive summer vacation. 

So, now that a routine is emerging again -  its back to my favorite go-to prop - the cupcake - to get my painting groove back on.

Believe it or not, I have never actually tasted a red-velvet cupcake - but I imagine them to be the smooth operators of the bakery set.  - especially this one with his red rose and slick frosting....

JUST DESSERTS - group show

JUST DESSERTS, A Group Exhibition

OLGA ANTONOVA &

James Jaxxa, Pat Lasch and Debbie Miller

PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE OPENING RECEPTION ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 5 – 7 PM

RSVP Tel. 781 264-1121 E-Mail burdang@mac.com

BETH URDANG GALLERY 129 Newbury Street, MA 02116

Through October 22

Helloooo Cupcakes and welcome back Electricity!!

All these little cupcakes are framed and ready to go to a show up in Boston....more info. to come

Hurricane Irene left alot of wind/tree damage and after 48+ hrs of no power we are back up and running!
 
phew.

Now can we get the kids back in school and this Mom back in the studio please!  
been adding to the portrait project though - check them out here

I *heart* RI - be kind Irene!

I love my little ocean state - hoping Irene is kind to her today! 
stay safe everyone!

I'll be back at the daily painting soon

Om - daily painting, yoga pose,blue,debbie miller

6x6" oil on panel.
reposting this one - can't believe it's still kicking around my studio,  one of my favorites.
Also thinking that at this point in the summer - we Moms could use a little of this right about now.

commission - beach scene,girl with hat,debbie miller,children playing at the beach,blue

sold ~ 18x18 oil on panel
I love my job :) 
Sometimes you get to meet the nicest people and make them smile.

A mini sweet treat - print of original oil painting,debbie miller

$20 - this little cutie is 2and half inches by 2 and a half inches - shown here in its 8x10 inch mat ready to pop into a ready made frame.
- the dark line at the bottom of the image is the shadow of the mat - its not in the art

Swirl Girl - contemporary figurative oil painting,debbie miller

30x30" oil and oil crayon on canvas.
Its hot. 
In my ac-less studio working on a commission. 
Its not so fun today and I find myself drifting off and staring at my 'swirl-girl' dancing on the wall.
She looks cool and happy.
My middle son is ALWAYS strongly suggesting that I go more abstract.  He is right of course.
Dont know if I'll keep on experimenting with the crayon...and I HATE painting on canvas...BUT
more 'swirl girls' are in my future :)

Mayo Beach, Wellfleet - plein air painting

5x11
 beautiful day

Sunshine shoulders, beach plein air painting

6x6" oil on panel.  plein air.
 Squint,squint, squint.  my mantra with these.  really helps get the values right. 
go ahead - squint at this one - you'll see what I mean.

this painting will be with me, along with many more of my paintings in Wickford, RI this weekend for the
art festival
 Instead of in a tent, I'll be showing my paintings on the porch at The Wickford Collection - super cool shop you won't want to miss.
come by and say Hi!

Digging the Beach - plein air beach painting

6x6" oil on panel.
More quick studies.  - actually this boy stayed like this for quite a while - very busy making his castle. 

Beach Holiday - plein air painting at the beach

6x8" oil on panel - favorite from the beach plein airs - perfect for my a favorite holiday

HAPPY 4th OF JULY!!!!!  

Beach Read - plein air painting at the beach

6x6" oil on panel
another from the plein air session - blocking in shapes rather than drawing the figure works best for these.

actually its something to strive for in all my paintings.  I tend to 'draw' with the brush and want to get away from that.

"block in shapes" "squint!"  "where are the darkest darks?" - words to live by

Bathing Beauty - beach plein air painting,blue

6x6"
love this one - the light on her shoulder/arm - yum!  and the big hat - doesnt get much better than that.
stop by the About Face blog and say hi to my son Nick.  click HERE

people watching - plein air painting,beach scenes,blue

6x6"  panel
another painting from the beach - more plein air/people watching.  seriously fun - I did 5 yesterday, stay tuned

Do you want a challenge? - Yellow tank top - plein air, painting people at the beach

6x6" oil on panel
Painting beach scenes from photographs is one thing but if you want a real challenge try some plein air!

1st thing is: if you are tackling people you are basically painting from memory.
 No one stands still long enough.  ever.

2nd: you have to draw a scene super fast - block in the shapes, lights and darks - work hard on capturing a gesture and the values of the scene. where is the light coming from? what are the spine and hips doing? what is it about that person that caught my eye? - all questions I ask myself. - instantly.  seriously you have to be quick.

3rd: use a bigger brush than you think you'll need - this is one I forget and am soooo much happier with the result when I remember

try it! - it will really test your painting chops! 

beach clouds,beach painting.landscape,coastal art

6x6" on cradeled panel
ok so no people here - but the truth is clouds are fun to paint to - lots of personality

Beach Girls - beach painting,playing,blue,ocean,coast

6x6 " oil on cradeled panel.
black sides - ready to hang. 
this time I painted in much the same way as I approach a portrait.  - used a burnt sienna ground, then using a fairly big brush sketched out the composition, adding a little umber to the shadows/darks and wiping the ground away where I want the lightest lights to be.
happy with the feel of this one

Hello Sunshine - flower friday,flower painting,sunflowers

6x6" oil on panel
flower friday - painting a face/figure is like second nature to me.  easy peasy.  but a simple flower?
- yikes - THAT is a challenge!
  But I'm on it - best thing about this 'daily painting' thing is that it really does improve your skills. So I know with time painting flowers will be easy
...at least thats the plan

Summer day 1 - debbie miller,beach painting,people

6x6" oil on cradeled panel.
People. Now thats what I'm talking about.  I just can't get enough of painting people :)

AND I really really really want to be the sketch artist at the Whitey Bulger trial.  I'm super good at capturing a likeness and I am fascinated by this case!

Of course they found him near a beach - everybody loves the beach - even notorious criminals.

Before the Crowd - beach painting,Debbie Miller

6x6" oil on cradled panel

Is there anything better than a walk on an empty beach? 
Probably not.
As for painting the beach, I much prefer a little more action...its all about the people watching for me

Beach Buggy -beach painting,Debbie Miller

6x6" oil on cradeled panel

Thought you might want a closer look...
hmmmm....I could toss my plein air supplies in the back, little dog could ride shot gun...

On the Road - beach painting,Debbie Miller

6x6" oil on cradled panel

Actually saw my dream car yesterday - a torqouise blue vintage convertable VW bug with flower stickers!

SWOON!

Surfers at Purgatory

6x6 oil on cradled panel (makes it easy to hang - no frame required)

One of my favorite spots in RI  - looking down on 2nd beach in Middletown and seeing all the surfers bobbing around on their boards - it wouldn't be summer without it

As much as I love the beach - a sun lover, I am not.
 Its the foggy, put on a sweatshirt days that I love most.

Got a Goal for the Summer?

6x6" oil on canvas.  A Little Beachy.
Ah Summer... hello.  
What are you doing this summer with your art? 
taking a workshop? doing a few outdoor art shows? plein air painting? 
ALL or NONE of the above? 
Its Ok - you can kick back and take a break if you want - we won't judge.

- I've been neglecting my daily painting habit - so its time to kick that back up into high gear.  along with the beachy stuff, I want to practice painting flowers - so you'll be seeing some of those soon
- Also starting an open painting group in my studio - which is something Ive always wanted to do

Cherries - flowers, still life oil painting,debbie miller

6x6" oil on panel.
So the other day - I had planned on staying home and doing laundry and cleaning the house. 
BUT we lost power.
  Had my paints handy and this little scene sitting on my kitchen counter.
Perfect.
 I'ld rather paint anyhoo. 

About Face - a portrait project, faces, debbie miller

My wall is starting to fill up! and I'm hitting my stride with these portraits.  More! I want More!
send me a message if you'ld like to come sit for me.
See more HERE

For the Love of Music

16x16 oil - sold.  this is a commission I did that was a gift for a beloved music teacher - isnt that such a great and special gift?  She must be an amazing teacher... such a nice project to do

National Seashore -daily painting,debbie miller,beach scene

6x6 oil - oh how I love the Cape Cod National Seashore and those huge sand cliffs

OM - daily painting,beach scenes,debbie miller

6x6 oil on panel

Chance - pet portrait,daily painting,Debbie Miller,dog

6x6 oil on canvas sold
You know I just can't resist a doggie pet portrait. Say Hello to the lovely "Chance" - a beautiful red husky adopted from the pound.
Don't you love that name?

Lindsey - portrait painting,Debbie Miller,

10x10" oil on panel.
With out a doubt - painting faces - is my favorite thing to do. It never gets dull.
Sometimes I see people and think 'ooooh great face, I would love to paint that face".
So if you know me and I'm looking at you funny - dont worry - nothing is stuck in your teeth... I'm just working out a painting in my head :)
check out more HERE

Dads Day - beach scene, children playing at the beach,Debbie Miller

sold. Fathers Day is right around the corner - why not a little beach painting for the special Dad in your life? send me an email if you want to commisssion a painting

What are your favorite color combinations? daily painting, still life,orange

Orange, eggplant and light apple-ish green is a color combo that sings, isn't it?
Not exactly the forcasted colors for 2011 but great fun anyhoo.
While working on a batch of commissions - taking a 'fun' break is what its all about

Domestic Goddess #2 - daily painting, Debbie Miller,laundry,blue

6x6 oil on panel.

Another 'goddess' of laundry.

Domestic Goddess - daily painting, Debbie Miller,washing machine hat

6x6" oil on panel.
Working on some commissions and office stuff - took a break to 'sketch' with paint.
Painting whatever came to mind - and lately its been fancy hats and laundry and how to balance art with chores
so here you go.

A Sweet Treat - cupcake painting,Debbie Miller

6x6" oil on panel.
Hope all the Mothers out there had a wonderful day!
Gorgeous day here in the N.E.

Fascinator - portrait painting,Debbie Miller,red roses

10x10 oil.

Now that's a fascinator hat. I had fun painting this one.

Great hat + beautiful girl makes for easy painting.

You can see more of my portraits HERE

Cherry on Top, cupcake painting,Debbie Miller

6x6" Yum.

On the Horizon,Debbie Miller, Beach Scene,children

6x6" oil