Bruno with Process Photos

This dog is one of two done as a commissioned piece for a collector who wanted an "avocado--the color of old kitchen appliance" green background. Once again makes me appreciate commissions as it may not be a color I would have originally selected and I absolutely love it. It gives a kind of vintage feeling to the portrait.

I started with a black background, light grid lines, and drew the images with a white pencil. Painting on black was always my thing when I first started painting with palette knife, and I'm so glad to be revisiting it again. I love the way the color pops, and love the effect of allowing some chunks of black to peek through. On occasion I will do this with reddish-orange, but really love the black the best. Here are some process photos:

12x12 Oil on Museum Quality Panel 

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Queen Anne's Lace

I have taken so many great photos of Queen Anne's Lace this summer and fall and have been wanting to paint them for months! What has held me back?? It was the thought of painting those curved lines (of "the nest" as I call them) with my straight palette knives. 

This last round of pictures were taken recently. My three-year-old and I were on a bike ride and saw these along the trail. We pulled over and trekked through to an opening, got down on the ground, and started exploring angles. I loved how this particular image showed three phases, so knew it was the one. 

8x8 Oil on Museum Quality Panel

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Seeds of Autumn

Was on a bike ride with my husband and boys, and as often happens, I had to stop the bike to get a few photos. We were riding past huge fields of fall colors, everything seeding and looking beautiful. The blue sky and warm sunny day was just an added bonus.

11x14 Oil on Museum Quality Panel

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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

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Cafe Verrazano

My husband and I went to Florence before having our boys. We had more than one book on places to eat while there, and only one place we loved so much we had to go back twice. Cafe Verrazano was a hidden little gem of a place that you would hardly even notice if you weren't looking specifically for it.

I can still remember letting the waiter bring us whatever he wanted... The wine was amazing and had us hunting it down when we got home. He brought out the most delicious focaccia (panini) sampler that I tried numerous times to duplicate. And finally chocolate cake with fresh strawberries. Yum. We never wanted to leave.

Here it is! "Vini" must mean drink a bottle of wine with your lunch? DOCG, for you enthusiasts! 

8x10 Oil on Museum Quality Panel

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Trumpet Vine

These gorgeous vines are a sight to see! Long ago I wanted to plant one in my own yard, until I learned how powerful the vine is. I've seen them growing on tipped fences, bent posts, and even up trees. You would need a pretty stable structure to withhold the strength of this vine.

This painting just flowed so easily--love when that happens!

8x8 Oil on Museum Quality Panel

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Elephant Surfing

I have been busy doing a few commissioned pieces this past month. This piece is the third painting of elephants for this collector. The first two were a front and rear view in bright greens, blues, and yellows. For the last piece he wanted an image showing his son surfing an elephant. You know I am always thrilled to do elephant paintings and really appreciated the cool idea! 

Looking forward to seeing the three pieces together in a custom frame the owner will make himself. 

6x8 Oil on Museum Quality Panel

www.halliekohnart.com