Wild Flowers Series - Four

2012

Mixed Media

40" x 30" x 1.5"

Mixed Media on Gallery wrapped canvas

An abstract palette knife painting of wild flowers in pink, green, red, peach, brown, sage, mint showing with heavy texture.

Wild Flowers Series - Two

2012

Mixed Media

24" x 36" x 1.5"

Mixed media on gallery wrapped canvas

Wild Flowers Series - Three

Wild Flowers Series - Three

2012

Mixed Media

24"x 12"x 1.5"
Mixed media on gallery wrapped canvas 

Wild Flowers Series - One

2012

Mixed Media

40" x 30" x 1.5"

Mixed Media on Gallery wrapped canvas

Wild Flowers Series

The past few days in Utah have been uncharacteristically warm and sunny which has brought on an early dose of spring fever. I've been known to get pretty severe cases come mid-February but this year, I'm jumping the gun and ready for the heat say... now-ish. Since I can't really control the weather I've decided paint it. This new series explores my love of the beauty in springtime -- that can't get here soon enough.

2012 Calendars

I've had some requests for prints of my work and inexpensive options to support my art. While I'm not a fan of prints, I want everyone who's interested in my paintings to be able to enjoy them. Plus, the term "starving artist" isn't too far fetched. I appreciate the support of any admirer and hope this calendar gives those who want to purchase my work an easy and inexpensive option. Please pass this link along they are only available for a limited time!! $23.50 each  Click here to purchase

- T

Abstract Landscape

Abstract Landscape
40" x 30" x 1.5"

This weekend I've been working on a minimalist approach with the knife. The canvas show-thru is my favorite element of this abstract approach. As I worked on this piece I was a little discouraged by the way it was coming together. Then I took a break and when I came back in the distance is what made this one come together. I'm not sure how the picture will turn out online but I'm really happy with this one in person.

"By Sea"

"By Sea"

Trisha Lamoreaux (C)

18" x 20" x 1"

Gallery Wrapped Canvas

in Oil

* Ocean, tide, wave, sea, blue, sky, white, sunset, dark, night, dawn, impasto, knife painting, seascape

"Up"

"Up"

24" x 36" x 1.5"

Gallery Wrapped Canvas

in Oil

*Texture, messy, impressionistic, abstract, purple, violet, blue, green, red, orange, yellow, sunrise, painting, sunset, knife painting, impasto, thick, heavy, bright, lanscape, original

"Gust"

"Gust" 

36" x 24" x 1.5" 

Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Oil

*Abstract, floral, impasto, green, lime, yellow, brown, white, wind, movement, texture, oil, original,

The Little Details

The importance of details can be dissected in writing, parenting, relationships, business, politics and everywhere in between.  In every aspect of my life the magic happens in the details. It can be a quick "Hello" and smile from a stranger or Lucky Charms in bed with my kids.  The bulk of life is pretty mundane for most of us; go for a run, pick up the house, go to work, groceries, fold the laundry, pay the bills etc. But small and simple things make the biggest difference.

Art is no exception. The details are those quiet things that speak to each of us. For some of us it's the lighting. For others it's the dynamics of the color palette or the subject or style of a work of art. For me it's all about the texture. I love messy texture. For those of you that read my blog regularly, this isn't surprise.

I'm a texture junky what can I say?

Recently, I've been experimenting in the studio with textures and even went back to some older inventory to review textures. I'm loving the way the round knife creates the depth of a flower petal. If you were close enough you could pinch the edges with your fingers. I also love how easy it is to create water with a knife.  The reflection and movement of water jumps off the canvas almost effortlessly with a straight edge knife. The puff of a cloud or the gradient in the sky is just a stroke and the direction you hold the knife in your hand.  

I was once asked what knife painting is like.  After some thought, I realized it's a lot like frosting a cake with really flexible frosting. If you can frost a cake then you can paint with a knife. Give it a try but here's some helpful hints for painting your own palette knife painting:

1. Choose the right size.

Your going to use A LOT of paint. Start with a small canvas if you don't have a large amount of paint. The bigger the canvas the more paint you're going to use.

2. Variety of knives.

When you're trying to decide what kind of knife to buy remember to get several different varieties. Rounded edge are great for leafs and flowers. Angled edges are good for straight lines and smaller knives are great for precision and on a smaller canvas. 

3. Paper Towels. 

Mix. Load. Apply x 2. Wipe. 

Get a bunch of paper towels. I typically go through 2 - 3 rolls of paper towels per painting. You usually only get 2 - 3 swipes of the knife and then have to wipe off the paint and re-load.  Less is more with knife paintings. You'll end up with mud if you keep messing with it.  

4. Impasto Gel.

To stretch the paint and aid the drying process get an impasto gel but make sure you paint in a vented room because it's really smelly. 

5. Trust your placement. 

The first placement is usually right. Don't second guess yourself. Study the lines you're trying to create first and then apply the paint. 

6. Rock some good tunes. 

Music is a must. Just sayin...

Good luck!!

If you have any thoughts please leave a comment!

*How to paint with a palette knife, tutorial, guide, details, close up, texture

Hobble Creek Storm Soccer Painting

One of our boys plays soccer for the Hobble Creek Storm.  He's new to the team this year and seems to be enjoying himself.  In an effort to raise funds for their team, I painted/donated this painting to the club.  One of the team mom's ended up taking it home.  If you're interested in commission sports paintings for your kids please contact me at my email address listed at the top of the screen.

*Soccer field, blue sky, black shorts, red socks, green field, close up soccer ball, kick, run, play, sport, painting, texture, palette knife

Autumn Road I and Autumn Road II

 Autumn I

8" x 10"

 Autumn II

8" x 10"

The Grand Canal

The Grand Canal

24" x 36" x 1.5" 

I was able to complete this landscape of Venice, Italy while attending the local Arts in the Park festival. It was a beautiful day. The weather was perfect and being surrounded by other artists is always a fun experience.  

Art in the Park

I had a wonderful time at the Arts in the Park festival in Orem this past weekend.  I was able to demonstrate my technique to the folks passing by.  I never get tired of hearing people say nice things about my work or hearing them find themselves in the painting.  When someone says, "that reminds me of..." it fills me.  

It surprised that so many people hadn't heard of palette knife painting, even to the point I heard "She paints with a spatula".  

I made some great contacts and had several invites to upcoming exhibitions that I'm excited for.

The Orem Arts Council Presents "Arts in the Park"

If you're in the neighborhood please stop by tomorrow (noon - 8) or Saturday (10am - 8pm) at the Orem Arts Council's Arts in the Park and say hello and see some of my work. 

Orem City Courtyard 56 N. State Street

Palette Knife Painting Slideshow

When I paint I hope to let others see, in a way, what I see and also hope it creates an emotional response for them. Sometimes for me it's just a impulse to run my fingers over the texture of the paint. If you have such an impulse then I feel like I've done my job. This video is a slideshow of some of my palette knife paintings and a little of me in action

'Augusta 12th' - Golf Course Series

"Augusta 12th"

This is my original impression palette knife painting of Augusta National's 12th hole.  I use a wet-on-wet impasto technique to create the layers and depth of the landscape. The texture is heavy and the colors deep.  And realistically, it could take months to dry.  

Attending the Masters is on my list of things to do before I die.  Who knows, maybe the gentlemen at the beautiful Augusta will take a trade; Painting for a ticket. Going once... going twice... I guess I'll keep my options open.  

-T

Pebble Beach 7th

'Pebble Beach 7th'

24" x 36" x 1"

I love to golf.  To me, there is nothing (aside from painting) that clears my head better than 18 holes on a sunny day.  I'm not thinking about the groceries I need to stop and get or what book report I need to remind one of the kids to finish up; all I'm thinking is it's a 7 iron to the center of the green. 

I wish I could say I'm a scratch golfer but my handicap card has a few double digits on it.  My local club is Hobble Creek.  It's fantastic!  Nestled in the mouth of Hobble Creek Canyon you're surrounded by blankets of trees, the sound of running water and the occasional wild turkey or deer making it's way across the fairway.  One Saturday morning, I remember teeing off the first hole and a moose came strutting across the fairway.  He causally wandered his way into the pond and dunked his head in the water.  It was so beautiful!   

In honor of my love of golf I started this new series this week.

-T

'Sunset Rig' - the "oil-oil painting"

'Sunset Rig'

30" x 20"

Little bit of irony... 

I painted this "oil" painting for my husband who works in the "oil" industry.  This is my Oil-Oil Painting.  

If you're interested in a similar painting by subject, design or style please inquire about a commission via the email address at the top of the page.

*Orange and yellow sunset with an oil rig silhouette painted using palette knife and impasto gel.