Primrose

Another painting inspired by my local garden shop. I love primrose. Every time I hear the name now I will think of Catniss' sister from The Hunger Games novels!

6x6 on 1/8" museum quality panel

www.halliekohnart.com

Flower Bouquet

This painting feels like a culmination of all of the different things I have been working on. It's done with palette knife, but finally has the looseness I have been wanting. This larger scale allows for that. So enjoyed myself while painting this!

20x24 oil palette knife painting

www.halliekohnart.com

a close-up of the juicy colors and knife marks

Peonies in the Yard

We have two varieties of peonies which have the most beautiful and fragrant blossoms. Although they are full of ants, I can never resist clipping some to bring in the house. They last quite a while in water and definitely bring the summer in.

Took this photo in our yard and thought it had great light. 

8x8 on 1/8" Museum Quality Panel/Brush

www.halliekohnart.com

Some detail photos:

Goldfinch on Cone Flower

It has been a while since I have painted with my palette knives. Doing a very similar painting to one that I recently painted with brush really allowed me to compare the way I paint with each. When I went at the prior painting with a brush, that is exactly what I did, just went at it. On the other hand, for this painting I made grid lines and did an under drawing with pencil. Not as fun, or as loose, but I still love the result.

8x10 on 1/8" Museum Quality Panel

www.halliekohnart.com

Husband

Normally when I do a painting, I make grid lines and draw it out with a good amount of detail. For this one I did a sketch in yellow with my brush and just got right to it. I kept intending to switch to palette knife along the way, but was liking it so much I just stuck with the brush. I have to say, painting so loosely felt awesome. Must. Do. More. Often.

Years ago my husband and I had a pair of goldfinches in our yard, and I always referred to them as Husband and Wife, thus the title. I did a painting very similar to this one in 2009, and knew it was time for an update. He is paired with some coneflowers, which are one of my favorite flowers. This painting just makes me happy.

12x12" oil on 1/8" museum quality panel/brush

www.halliekohnart.com

Hummingbird on Bee Balm

Deciding what to paint is often a challenge for me, something that I know a lot of artists struggle with. When this happens I typically go through all of my photos (over and over again) looking for inspiration. However, there are often times when I get tired of my selection or nothing is really calling to me.

Luckily, I was inspired by the little visitors we've had to our yard the past two weeks or so. I knew I wanted to paint a hummingbird, and my bee balm also started opening this week--which they love! It was a match made in (painting) heaven. 

8x10 oil on 1/8" museum quality panel/brush

www.halliekohnart.com

Unfurling Zinnia

We have been spending a lot of time by our zinnias this last week. There have been hummingbirds, hummingbird moths, and even a few monarchs visiting and collecting nectar. Captured a bunch of great photos and hope to paint more of them. Here is one of the zinnias just grabbing its first few breaths as it opens.

8x8 Oil on Museum Quality Panel

www.halliekohnart.com

Kohn Cone

Love the peaceful and subtle feeling of this painting. The Cone Flower is one of my favorites and not only because of it's name! They are so easy to grow and I love the bright pink and orange combination in my garden. Took this photo last year and decided to paint it as I anxiously await the opening of this years flowers!

8x10 Oil on Museum Quality Panel

www.halliekohnart.com