New paintings, hot off the easel, and some thoughts on art and life ...

My latest painting is inspired by the dahlias blooming in my garden now, and just for fun I thought I'd share with you how it progressed from sketch to finished painting. I didn't do lots of photos for a time-lapse, but you can get a sense of how the work progresses.

First, a couple of rough thumbnail sketches.  

Then I make a drawing directly on my painting surface - Gessobord. I start painting and at the end of the first session, I've blocked in most of the flowers. The first three photos below show the results of three main painting sessions, then the fourth is the finished work.  

Well, I think it's finished ... but it has to sit in my studio for a few days, maybe have a few more adjustments, then I'll release it to the world.