Admiration by Kay Wyne

Admiration

36" x 36" Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas

Contemporary Still Life

Floral still life paintings are a favorite of mine to paint.  Admiration was painted in a couple of days...it was one of those paintings that the process was fun and exciting and I couldn't put my brush down.  Mixing piles and piles of oils allowed me to paint with muted colors in this still life.  The muddy or dirty colors are all harmonious, with subtle shifts of colors.  The free-form lines and shapes of the background are light and airy in contrast to the flowers in the foreground.  A wide flat brush and palette knife were used to paint this canvas, which is hanging at Dutch Art Gallery in Dallas, Texas.  Thanks for looking at this blog....Kay Wyne

Farewell by Kay Wyne

Farewell

30" x 40" Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas

Contemporary Palette Knife Painting

Piles of oil paint were on my palette, and with one palette knife I covered the canvas with a baker's dozen of roses.  It felt great to be back into the studio after a three week break.  I mixed my colors so that every layer of paint would be in harmony with the next layer.  There are small specs of rose, red, and turquoise spicing up the painting, but for the most part greys, lavenders and greens, and naples yellow dominate.  Contact Kay Wyne for purchasing info.  Thanks, Kay

Still Life by Kay Wyne

Sunflowers, Hydrangeas and Grapes:  A Still Life

40" x 40" Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas

Contemporary Still Life Painting

This still life is the latest art challenge going on in the studio.  I personally think it is interesting, busy and colorful...and it was fun to paint!  Obviously there is a lot going on, with 8 or 9 vases, 2 candlesticks, sunflowers, hydrangeas, grapes, an orange, leaves, 5 or 6 different fabrics, weeds, greenery, and just a lot of stuff.  The textures are wonderful...silver, ceramic, dried weeds, soft fabric, and I think there was a dead rat in there somewhere.  It was put together by Sharon, and everyone has been asked to paint it...or at least parts of it.                    

Here's my view of the set-up from my easel.  This painting is drying now.

Thanks for looking at my art posted here...Kay Wyne

Soaking Up Sunshine by Kay Wyne

Soaking Up Sunshine

14" x 14" Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas

Contemporary Floral Still Life

"Soaking Up Sunshine" is full of color and warmth.  This contemporary still life is very painterly, as I put a my strokes of color on the canvas, I left it alone.  You can see the brush strokes, as the color is vibrant and not muddy.  This small 14" x 14" gallery wrap canvas has the sides painted, so it is ready to hang. This happy and fun still life painting would make a wonderful Christmas gift for someone....contact ME for purchasing info.  Thanks, Kay Wyne

Passionate Petals by Kay Wyne

Passionate Petals

24" x 24" Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas

Contemporary Still Life Painting

There was a paint challenge that I participated among friends, and "Passionate Petals" was my contribution.  Each artist who participated were given the same image, but could choose the medium and size of the art.  Watercolor, mixed media, oils, and even digital art was shown and critiqued.  My painting is on a 24" x 24" canvas.  I took artistic liberties and changed several things to make the painting more interesting.  This painting is drying at the studio.  Contact Kay Wyne for purchasing info.  Thanks, Kay

Peonies, Fruit and Fabric by Kay Wyne

Peonies, Fruit, and Fabric

24" x 30" Oil on Canvas Panel

Contemporary Still Life Painting

I loved painting these peonies.  They were big and full, loose and colorful.  The background, apples and ceramic pitcher were more challenging than the flowers.  I was using a some new paints...Classic Oils, which I found to be very juicy and I liked the way I could move the paint around on the canvas.  It wasn't thick and gummy, it had the consistency of sour cream.  Concentrating on the shadows and the reflections, I was painting this still life in the Sahli Studio in Evergreen, Colorado.  Don is a wonderful artist and had some interesting set-ups in the studio.  Contact Kay for purchasing info.  This painting is framed in a dark moulding with gold lip.  Thanks for looking....Kay

Looking Forward To Tomorrow by Kay Wyne

Looking Forward to Tomorrow

20" x 20" Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas

Contemporary Floral Still Life

Today is Day #29 in the 30/30 Paint Challenge

I just pulled this canvas off my easel in the studio.  It is abstract, colorful and has thick brushstrokes of paint.  I have a new "thing" with this still life series...I put a "halo" in the composition...actually I decided to go with five of them.  I scratch paint off with a tool, then go in and put a color representing a pedal or part of the arrangement falling off.  I have put in two colors for each halo.  There are five halos in this painting.  The floral arrangement is busy and whimsical...giving this piece a fun and happy feel.  The edges of this canvas are painted, so framing is not necessary.  Contact Kay for more information on "Looking Forward to Tomorrow".  Thanks, Kay

Stop And Smell The Flowers by Kay Wyne

Stop and Smell the Flowers

Runner-up in the 2015 Catholic Foundation Plaza Arts Competition

Not For Sale

When I was painting this contemporary still life, I was thinking of the phrase, “Stop and Smell the Flowers”, which is the title of this painting.  I wanted to create a unique painting with the beautiful colors and interesting shapes in the arrangement that I had set up in the studio, and transfer them to the canvas.   There is something special about painting from life...it is so much better than painting from memory or even a photo.  Painting this floral arrangement from life gave me the opportunity to capture the true essence of the flowers.  I want the viewer to feel the fullness and freshness that I experienced while painting.  I used a palette knife and wide brush to apply the thick, juicy oils on the canvas.  

I can't wait to see the winner of the Plaza Arts Competition...the unveiling of the art on the building will take place next month.  Congrats to the winner, Stuart Hausmann.

I am back in the studio getting ready for an exhibit in February, 2016...sounds like it is far away, but actually it is right around the corner.   I have several more florals on the easel, and working on some equine paintings.  Thanks for looking at this blog....Kay Wyne 

Contemporary Still Life Painting by Kay Wyne - Untitled

Untitled

40" x 30" Oil on Heavy Duty Gallery Wrap Canvas

Contemporary Abstract Floral Still Life

This is Day #11 in the 30/30 Paint Challenge.  This painting has been on my easel for a couple of weeks, and I can now say that it is completed - I think.  I will look at it and probably have my art friends critique it.  I need to put a name on it...so if you have any suggestions, feel free to email me your suggestions!  

As I was painting, I took some picture along the way...it is always good to go back and look at the stages of the painting.  Here you can see I took magenta and indian yellow and scrubbed in color, covering all of the canvas.  Nothing like going bold on the color!

At this point, I did not know what I was going to do.  I have a habit of immediately starting a new canvas with paint left over from my last painting.  

I have been on a floral still life kick, and looked at this canvas thinking it would be a very strong composition if I filled the 40" x 30" canvas with a mixed bouquet of flowers.  We had a nice arrangement in the studio, so that was my starting point.  Here I loosely placed the arrangement on the canvas-drawing with a large filbert and paint.

I wasn't sure what I was doing with the vase at this point, and did some painting upside down.  It is always good to look at the painting backwards on the computer or upside down.  I was happy with the placement of the subject matter, so I continued to work on the flowers.  I tried to keep my oils clean.  I wanted the colors to be fresh and vibrant.

I started adding greenery and more layers of paint.  The reflection in the water has breaks in the color.  I  did pull out a small filbert to put in some finishing touches.  I wanted the flowers to overlap and have variety in shapes and sizes. I also wanted my darks very dark and my lights very light for contrast.  I did not use any medium on this painting...the paint is very thick and textured.    

So after debating on adding a piece of fabric on to the background, I decide that would be too much.  So I painted in three small leaves implying that they fell off the arrangement, signed it and now it is drying in the studio.  This painting has a contemporary feel to it, especially with a very thick (2 1/2") deep stretcher bar/canvas.  I painted all the sides, so framing is optional.  It is ready to hang!  Thanks for looking at this blog.  Contact Kay with any comments or questions.  Kay

Lovely Day by Kay Wyne

Lovely Day
8" x 8" Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas
Contemporary Still Life

I have been into small still life paintings lately, and this one is drying on my easel.  I used a #12 Bright on this canvas, and was able to put down crisp, angular strokes.  No blending or fussing with it...I put a stroke of color down and left it.  I named this painting, "Lovely Day" because most person have lovely days when they give or receive bouquets of flowers.I am spending all of my time in the studio getting ready for a several juried shows and one three-woman show.  Feel free to contact me at MY EMAIL with any questions or comments.  Thanks for looking at the art posted on this blog.  Kay Wyne 

Jar of Petals by Kay Wyne

Jar of Petals

10" x 10" Oil on RayMar Cotton Panel

Contemporary Oil Painting

My color palette is very vibrant in this painting....which I just completed in the studio.  It is too hot to paint outside in Texas under the hot July sun.  I had fun with this one....I wanted all of the flowers to sing with color.  Here is a pic of my palette that I was working from.

There is more brushwork than palette knife on this panel.  I wanted my colors to be bright, vivid and intense.  This painting will be drying in the studio, then I will frame.  Contact ME if you have any comments or have an interest in purchasing.  Thanks for looking....Kay Wyne

Homegrown by Kay Wyne - Sold

Homegrown
Sold

8" x 10" Oil on RayMar Cotton Panel

Contemporary Floral Still Life Painting

Northern Michigan is beautiful in the summertime, and we just returned from a Charlevoix ten day family vacation. I took my easel, shipped my paints and had a grand time painting the landscape.Kay  The first day I arrived I found the most beautiful garden in the backyard of Chris Heroy's cottage.  I immediately went to visit her and get permission to set up in her yard.  Chris gave me a tour and snipped off some lovely homegrown roses and put in a beautiful antique glass jar.  Here is a pic of Chris' roses.  Thank you to Gilda for purchasing "Homegrown"...this painting will have a new home in Little Rock, Arkansas!  Thanks for looking at this blog...more Michigan paintings are coming!  Contact Kay for more info on my art.  KMW

Oh Happy Day! by Kay Wyne

Oh Happy Day!

18" x 36" Oil on Heavy Duty Gallery Wrap Canvas

Contemporary Still Life Painting

My favorite canvas shape is the square, but I really like the canvas I picked for this horizontal still life.  The vase of flowers is intentionally off-center.  The bouquet fills the canvas and is spilling over the edges, implying that the bouquet is full and over-flowing.  I used the palette knife on most of this painting.  The canvas has plenty of texture color.  I focused on lavenders and greens and greys and mixed piles and piles of oils when I painted this.  This painting is for sale, and is hanging at Dutch Art Gallery in Dallas, Texas for the "Local Color" exhibit.  It will be up for the next week, then a new show, "It's A Small World" begins June 6th.  Thanks for looking at this blog....Kay

At Last by Kay Wyne

At Last

24" x 12" Oil on Canvas

Needs a frame.

This still life painting was inspired by the beautiful violet tulips that were in the studio last week after the reception and exhibit for Lynn Rushton.  A celebration of Lynn's Master's Thesis brought so many of her friends and family together for a wonderful evening.  This floral arrangement was one of several that spoke to me...and so I am dedicating this painting to Lynn finishing her Master's Thesis.....At Last.  Feel free to contact Kay for more info on this painting.  Thanks, Kay

Just Because by Kay Wyne

Just Because

36" x 36" Oil on Heavy Duty Gallery Wrap Canvas

Contemporary Floral Palette Knife Painting

My inspiration for this painting was a beautiful arrangement that son in-law Wes gave to daughter Lindsay. I asked what the occasion was......."just because" was the answer that I got. I used thick strokes with the palette knife.

Here is a close-up of the painting....the paint is built up on the canvas. Contact Pam Massar at The Dutch Art Gallery Dallas TX if you are interested in purchasing.  Thanks for viewing this art blog.  Have a good day...Kay

Joyful by Kay Wyne

Joyful

18" x 24" Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas

Contemporary Still Life Painting

This contemporary oil painting has been drying at the studio.  It is on a chunky (2 1/2") stretcher bar, and sides of the canvas are painted.  So frame is optional.  The colors are crisp and clean.  I was careful not to mix my oils too much, which could lead to the dreaded MUD.  The corals, oranges and rosey colors pop with the grey/blue background.  Hints of green, turquoise and whites make the florals come alive.  Contact Kay for more information on this painting.  Thanks for checking out this blog!  Kay

Happy by Kay Wyne

Happy

18" x 18" Mixed Media on Cradle Board

Contemporary Abstract Still Life

Bold colors, torn paper, acrylic paint, crayon, and handmade paper were used to create this floral still life.  It is abstract, whimsical and colorful.  Contact Kay for purchasing information.  Today I am recovering from Christmas with the family.  Here are a few pics from yesterday....

This little guy (to be named) was a surprise to daughter Lindsay from her hubby, Wes.  We all loved the surprise and seeing it all unfold!  

Bucket of Color by Kay Wyne

Bucket of Color

14" x 14" Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas

Contemporary Still Life Painting

Last weekend Merriam and Blake went to a wedding reception and brought home one of the table decorations, a small silver bucket with a beautiful arrangement in it.  I took it to the studio and set up a still life to paint.  I loved the colors and variety of shapes of the flowers and greenery.  This painting is drying at the studio, but is looking for a new home.  Contact ME for more information on this painting, or any other painting posted here.  Thanks, Kay

Blue Vase by Kay Wyne

Blue Vase

24" x 24" Oil on Canvas

Contemporary Palette Knife Painting

Thick paint and oil bars were used to create this floral still life painting.  I used the palette knife to layer the paint and build up the texture for the vase and flowers.  This contemporary abstract still life painting looks great framed up!  Contact Kay for more information.  Thanks for viewing...Kay

Just Because by Kay Wyne

Just Because

36" x 36" Oil on Heavy Duty Gallery Wrap Canvas

Contemporary Palette Knife Painting

Hanging at Dutch Art Gallery in Dallas, Texas.

My inspiration for the contemporary palette knife painting

 was a beautiful floral arrangement that 

son in-law Wes gave daughter Lindsay.

This canvas has lots of texture because the paint was 

applied with a palette knife.  If you are interested in

this painting, contact Pam Massar or Kay Wyne.

Thanks for viewing!

KMW