Limoncello, by Kim Blair


Limoncello
(8"x10" oil on canvas)

When we were in Sorrento, Italy a few years ago we toured a local lemon grove that produced Limoncello,  a special Italian liqueur produced mainly in southern Italy, around the Gulf of Naples and the Amalfi coast. This lemon liqueur is traditionally served chilled after the evening meal to aid with digestion and is gaining popularity outside of Italy.  Often used in cocktails, it imparts a sweet lemon flavour to a mixed drink without the harsh bitterness of straight-up lemon juice.

With the holiday season fast approaching you may want to consider adding a bottle of limoncello to your apres dinner offerings... or perhaps a painting instead!
:0)

Enjoy!

8"x10" oil on canvas


Fiesta Orange by Kim Blair


Fiesta Orange
8"x10" oil on canvas

As previously mentioned, Canadian artist Mary Pratt's paintings of objects on tin foil have inspired me over the years.  Fiesta Orange is another painting in my series of fruit photographed on tin foil, then painted in oil paint on canvas.  Of course I take some artistic license when reproducing the reflections from the shiny crinkled surface... 'cause that is what being an artist is all about!

Many people still use the older term 'tin foil' even though tin foil was first replaced by aluminum foil in about 1910 when the first aluminum foil rolling plant opened in Switzerland.  My research revealed that the reason one side of the foil is shinier than the other side is because the rollers are oiled... so the side of the foil that touches the rollers comes out shinier!  Who knew?  Supposedly it makes no difference which side of the foil you use when cooking or freezing food, but I only use the shiny side for my still life set-ups.

*Click on the image to see the thick textured passages of paint... making the orange sections feel three dimensional.

8"x10" oil on canvas




Hollyhock Light by Kim Blair


Hollyhock Light
(12x12 oil on canvas)

Hollyhocks can grow up to 12 feet tall, and on my back alley walks in our neighbourhood I discovered numerous plants that height!  Most seem to be around 5 to 6 feet tall, but the giants are out there...
Raspberry red blooms with a bit of sunlight falling on them, offer some dramatic photo opportunities.  The silky tissue paper thinness of the petals shows off the delicate nature of the blooms, quite a contrast to the strong fuzzy stalks that support them.

I love the name 'Hollyhock', and noticed in my research that the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright, designed a house that was given the name HollyHock House.  Built in 1921 in Los Angeles for Philanthropist Aline Barnsdall, it has an interesting design (and history).  The exterior, (for me) is reminiscent of ancient Mayan temples and homes.  I guess Frank had to get his inspiration from somewhere.
Hollyhocks were Aline's favourite flower, and Frank (we're all on first name basis) abstracted the hollyhock to create motifs and designs utilized on the exterior, and throughout the house.  It is interesting to see how far he took the abstraction, which again looks rather Mayan to me.   I would love to see this house in person.

Have any of you been there?

12x12 oil on canvas



Framed by Kim Blair

(Three citrus paintings framed and hung in collector's home)

Lime Twist
Blood Oranges
Yellow Boats for Vincent

I thought you might enjoy seeing how this collector framed and hung the three citrus paintings she purchased from me.  Although my paintings on stretched canvas are painted on the edges, which allows them to be hung without framing, I suggested this collector have the three pieces framed in order to give them more visual weight on the wall she choose to hang them on.

* If you click on the individual photos you will be able to see the intricate detail of the frames and how they work perfectly with each piece.


Apricot Sky, by Kim Blair


Apricot Sky
(14"x11" oil on canvas)

It's that luscious time of year when the sun creates a warm golden light that accentuates the rich fall colours.  There is an urban farm not far from our home here in the city.  I watched their sunflowers grow all summer long... and one day when I was driving by there was a young woman working in the garden, so I stopped and asked if I could come in and take some photos of the  sunflowers.

Apricot Sky was inspired by one of these photos... a thick stalky stem supporting a voluptuous chocolate brown seed head surrounded by a fringe of yellow, set against an apricot sky.

*(Click on the image to view the thick texture of the petals.)


Apricot Sky

14"x11" oil on canvas (needs some drying time)