Practice!

I usually use a practice board when I'm working on a project so I can try out colors, brushstrokes, design, etc. I didn't like the flower to the right of the center flower because it had no personality. Instead I painted the orange/yellow bud, which I think looks better. What do you think?

My latest finished project

I started this plate last spring, and finished it up this week. Now I'm eager to start something new.

Finished projects

I finished all three projects from my class in July. Now I have to wait until the paint on the blue plate is totally, completely, absolutely dry so I can erase the guide lines. Then they all get varnished.

After that it's on to the next project.

My new contraption

I call this my mini-easel-turntable. Some of my friends in Decorah had them, so I had to have one, too. It holds the work at a better angle and since it's higher off the table, I can sit up straight while I paint. Better for the back! Now let's see if it improves the painting.

The beautiful acanthus

Here's a picture of the beautiful acanthus plant. The leaves are quite large, over a foot long.

Here's the plate I just completed. The leaves are stylized but have the same feel and "flounce" as the real thing.

What I learned in Decorah

My class this summer was in the Gudbrandsdal style of rosemaling. It's based on wood carvings of the acanthus leaf. The acanathus doesn't grow in Norway but its use as a motif in art came north through Europe till it got to Norway--about as far as it could go.

The acanthus leaf has many lobes and folds, so these flowers and leaves have more depth than other types of rosemaling. It's fun to paint.

These are the practice boards I painted. Now I have to paint  some plates.

A new project

I finally finished the oval box I was painting to match the mitten box. Here it is.

an

Now I've started a dark green tray. I'll attach handles on each end once it's painted.