Brande Arno Art

5 x 7 inches, Oil on Gessoboard Donated to Bethany House Sunflowers.  When in full bloom, its hard to believe they start from small seeds.  About 5 minutes from my house is the little village of East Bloomfield where, talented green thumbs who know how to make the most of a quarter acre live.   On these quarter acres, you'll find small sunflower patches as backdrops to colorful flowerbeds or lining the sidewalk leading to the porch, or even horseshoeing the rural-route mailboxes. Stunning and much inspiration for this artist.  

8 x 8 Inches, Oil on Panel Mother's day, 2015 was quite meaningful for me as my daughter and granddaughter made a 4 hour trip to visit. When you live more than a fews hours away from family, warmth fills the heart when you're in each other's company. My mom, who will be 87 next month, lives with me and my husband. How blessed we were to have four generations present at the table. My daughter carried in roses. Beautiful roses, a dozen each of coral and magenta. As I put them to water in vases, I was being bit hard by the inspiration bug. I bided my time. I generally have common sense when it comes to barking up the wrong tree, but not when it comes to painting florals. I say this because I always have problems when painting florals and roses in particular. Over the years, struggles and trials at the easel have resulted in resolve to accept what I can do in the "roses" department. I like the outcome of "Mother's Day Roses" it's j...

4 x 4 inches, Oil on Gessoboard  Sold - Thank you This painting will be part of the Nibblefest Art Contest that will start March 20, 2015.  The theme is Flowers and what better flower than the daisy.  While I was trying to make a simple composition, the inspiration came to include a Big-Bottomed Bee.   Nibblefest Art Contests are held on ebay with bidding starting at just .99 cents.   The link that is included with this post will be live shortly after midnight on March 20.  The auction will run for seven days.

"Retro Daisies No. 3" 5 x 5 inches, Oil on Board- $ 55. Buy on Etsy Not able to paint at all last week.  Looks like it will be difficult to paint for the beginning of this week also.  At least I can say I enjoyed a wonderful week with my granddaughter.  My world is better when she visits.

"July's Daisies" 8 x 8 inches, Oil on Board  $ 120.   Click to Buy I've been working at creating this painting longer than I thought.  Florals are deceptively difficult to capture in paint.  I'm sure if I painted more flowers, I'd have a better plan of attack.  Anyway, the daisies are from my daisy patch, which is bursting with blooms.  

"A Spot of Lavender" 5 x 5 inches, Oil on Board  $40.   Buy on etsy If I had to pick a favorite in the flowering herb world, hands down it would be Lavender.  I love the way it smells and looks.  I tried to grow my own without success.  I might try it again, buying more plants and putting more effort into their care. I decided to paint Lavender yesterday and would have posted if I could have gotten a proper photo.  This morning the light was right.

Rose Challenge, 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Panel I would love to be able to paint roses better than I do.  I only have myself to blame as I don't paint them often...I'd rather paint little critters and all things farm.  I cannot reveal how many times I scraped my previous attempts and still maintain some semblance of artistic competence...so I won't.  Just that I'm happy with today's attempt.   Now I'm off to the salon.

Iced Roses, 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Board Sold! - Thank you It's a cold, very cold and overcast day.  I thought I would cheer myself with a painting of roses.  Although It helped, nothing beats hearing my daughter's voice and it warmed my heart to talk to her today.  

Is That A Hummer Overhead? - 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Gessoboard Sold - Thank you This painting is inspired by another flowerbed at Wool Works.  The Hummingbird is my idea.  I love Hummingbirds and I think many of you do also.  Knowing that these little creatures love flowers, I just had to add one to this painting.

Wool Works Lily Patch, 5 x 5 inches, Oil on cradled Gessoboard Sold - thank you! This painting is my impression of a beautiful Daylily patch that was set against the lighter tones of the oil & stoned paved road and the lush forest.  Wool Works is a charming little gift shop that features wooly items like socks and sweaters.  Also there are cookbooks, including Amish cookbooks.  I purchased a book on preserving food.   Someone at Wool Works  has a green thumb and I took pictures of their mature and beautiful flower beds.  The master gardener has planned the beds so that flowers that end their season of bloom, are followed by  flowers that bloom later.  You just want to roll out the picnic mat.

Summer Love, 6 x 6 inch Oil Painting of a Sunflower Sold, thank you! I was at the market yesterday when I happened upon a group of sunflowers in pots.  Price was only $ 2.99 each, so I bought one in anticipation of painting the little bugger for this week's Daily Paintworks Challenge.  Summer Love, will be one of a crop of sunflowers painted by a variety of artists.   On another note, please remember the risks our founding father's took in signing the Declaration of Independence yet they did it anyway.  Remember freedom isn't cheap and we are blessed to live in the USA because of the bravery and conviction of those who walked before us as we enjoy BBQs & Fireworks this 4th of July..

Vintage Rose, 6 x 6 inches, Oil on Board Click to Bid This painting was inspired by a vintage greeting card.  No corny verse, just brushwork and my very own spin.