Dancing Brush - Art by Cheri Wollenberg

Garnet the January Cow

2012-01-28T21:14:00.000-08:00

9x12 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

Garnet is the name I decided for this Black Baldie cow. I wanted to give her a personal name instead of cow #3, or #4 so I named her for my birthstone which is this month, January. She is actually from a "cow" group picture I have. I liked her because she was clean nosed and she seemed to be looking back at me as intently as I was her (smile). She is described more thoroughly in my Etsy shop. Just click here.

Walking the Lambs

2012-01-14T15:15:00.000-08:00

Walking the Lambs

6x8 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

My two previous blog posts have featured lambs that our grandchildren are training for a Sheep Show this spring. As I am posting this little painting the children are working hard walking their animals to improve their muscles and stature. After they walk and excercise them they will practice setting them up. Setting them up involves bracing them so that their muscles will be displayed for the judge to feel. This is not as easy as one would think. Bracing animals that weigh more than you do is not the easiest thing to do. Today they went to a sheep show to observe how other people do it....many of them older children and much larger and stronger than our little kids who are only 7 and 9 years old. I admire their diligence and determination to be good showman. I also simply love them. This painting is available as a custom painting by me on Etsy.

A Sheep Called Kevin, Pancake or Syrup

2012-01-09T20:21:00.000-08:00

Kevin

Original Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

I had a small problem in titling today's painting. Our grandchildren have three sheep that they will be showing this spring in stockshows. My problem? All the sheep look alike! Their names are: Pancake, Syrup and Kevin. I finally decided on Kevin for the title of this painting because both Pancake or Syrup seemed to require the other's presence (laugh). All three of these sheep with their heads raised are almost taller than our grandchildren; but, with perseverance and determination the children will manage to train them to be show animals. It is a family effort and the parents are as dedicated as the children. I'll keep you posted (smiles). Kevin has a place in my Etsy store.

A Lamb Named Charlotte

2012-01-08T20:15:00.000-08:00

Charlotte

Original Oil Painting on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

Charlotte is a long haired sheep. She is a bottle baby that was given to our grandchildren. Those of you who have raised a bottle calf, lamb or any animal for that matter knows how attached you become to the infant animal that is dependent on your care. Our grandchildren are in the process of practicing showmanship with their lambs and pigs for the spring stockshows. Their little enterprise has grown from three show lambs to include three pigs, one bottle lamb (Charlotte) and two little goats. Each afternoon they go down to the stalls to work or exercise them. Before they get down to their serious business of working with the lambs, they let Charlotte out and they run and play with her. It is such a sight to hear them giggle and run and see that little crazy lamb run after them like a little puppy!!!! My next several paintings will be of some of their animals. I have been inspired both creatively and with love far beyond any descriptive words (smiles). You can find Charlotte in my Etsy store.

Black White Faced Cow Painting Felix

2011-12-11T17:40:00.000-08:00

Felix

12x12 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

Felix is a masculine bovine. The inspiration for this cow painting came when a customer and I were visiting and came up with a cross between two previous paintings. Thus, Felix was born (laugh)! I like him though. He has strong markings, a slight smile and very gentle eyes. When I paint a cow I usually like showing the gentle look in their faces. Cows can be wild.....they can be stubborn....they can actually be dangerous if they think their babies are threatened, but those gentle, large eyes usually get to me. Felix is listed at this link: http://www.etsy.com/listing/88460872/cow-oil-painting-felix-12x12-canvas

Delilah Cow Painting

2011-12-02T17:55:00.001-08:00

Delilah

16x20 Original Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

I painted my third snowman and I'm not to crazy about the results! I guess too much "reckless abandon" is not good. My artist "gut" feeling was to quit and do some other things. So, I have been working on this painting of a black baldie cow better described as a black cow with a white face. I finished her up today and placed her in my Etsy shop. You can see more about her by clicking here.

Christmas Snowman Painting II

2011-11-30T20:29:00.001-08:00

Christmas Snowman Painting II

10x10 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

This little snowman painting is the second one in a series ofsnowmen I'm painting for Christmas this year.
He is whimsical and playful. My inspiration came from a seller on Etsy who makes adorable felted animals. You can see her creations by following this link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/BearCreekDesign?ref=ss_profile. If you are interested in purchasing prints of my snowmen follow this link: http://www.etsy.com/listing/87566997/snowman-fine-art-print-of-original-oil.

Snowman I - Christmas 2011 Painting

2011-11-28T21:40:00.001-08:00

Snowman I

10x10 Original Oil Painting

Cheri Wollenberg

Every year I try to do a special daily painting for Christmas. This painting was for fun, it is not realistic but whimsical at best. I loved doing him. I felt like a child again and very playful. I plan to do several more of these little guys if the mood and brush so dictates. I was inspired to do this fellow when I saw the most adorable felted snowmen on Etsy by Teresa. Her handmade creations can be seen by clicking this link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/BearCreekDesign?ref=ss_profile. I am selling prints of my snowmen here.

Turquoise Green Cup and Yellow Poppy

2011-11-26T20:05:00.001-08:00

Turquoise Green Cup and Yellow Poppy

6x8 Original Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

Since we have moved I have come across many coffee cups. I like them, use them and I have a preference as to how they feel in my hand. This is a hard thing to describe, but it can't be too heavy, it must be attractive, cannot have a saucer and has to keep the coffee hot! The one in my painting here happens to be one of my favorite ones. It looks especially nice with a flower...in this case a poppy...placed beside it for a daily painting. It is listed in my Etsy store and for sale. Just click the title to find out more about it.

Green and Red Peppers in Blue and White Bowl Painting

2011-11-18T19:38:00.001-08:00

Green and Red Peppers in Blue and White Bowl

10x10 Original Oil Painting

Cheri Wollenberg

Moving is not easy! We have been moving to a different state during the last several weeks. Oh My!!!

This is one of the paintings that I have managed to complete since moving my studio. I'm getting use to my surroundings, and I needed the therapy that painting provides me. When I paint my troubles and stress seem to disappear. This particular still life painting was a little more tedious for me to do than some. Green and red bell peppers make such a wonderful complementary statement. Kitchens that have a lot of reds in them has to have green to create pleasing color balance. In this painting the blue and white bowl seemed to be the perfect container for this little still life. I loved the way the colors complemented one another and bounced around visually. If you are interested in this painting you can find it by clicking Peppers!

2011-11-06T15:15:00.000-08:00

Golden Pears and Blue Mug

6x8 Original Oil Painting

Cheri Wollenberg

This is the second of several pear paintings that I've worked on in the last several days. I'm still having a little trouble finding the right area in my new home to get just the right light for documented imaging. The cup is one that I made in a pottery class several years ago. I kept thinking that I needed to place it with something and the gold pears were the perfect companions for it. To buy this painting you can go to my Etsy shop here.

Golden Pear Trio Original Oil Painting

2011-11-05T19:13:00.000-07:00

Gold Pear Trio

Original Oil Painting

Cheri Wollenberg

This still life oil painting features juicy, golden pears against dark brown and rust colors. I will probably take a better image later. It is still wet and I am trying to find a good "picture taking spot" in the farm home we just moved to.....hence the wet surface caught more light than intended. I have suffered "creativity withdrawal" since we've been here. We have worked non-stop getting my studio ready to move more things from our previous home. Today, I could bear it no longer. I took out some photos that I had taken of fruit and decided to do a few pear paintings. It felt so good to get the brushes out, squeeze the paint onto the palette, and transfer the rich colors to the canvas support with my brushes (lovely experience!). I've already started the other one. It will be tomorrow's post. If you are interested in this painting as your own, you can click Golden Pears.

Cherries and a Sip of Tea - A Painting

2011-10-13T16:41:00.000-07:00

Cherries and a Sip of Tea

12x12 Oil on Canvas

Original Painting

Cheri Wollenberg

Red, juicy cherries larger than life are scattered in front of a small, turquoise colored tea cup and saucer in this painting. The cherries are approximately 3 1/2 inches wide. Placing splashes of pale oranges and greens that were less intense to complement the subjects seemed to calm the composition somewhat. This one is also for a show coming up.

White Enamelware Pot with Snow Ball Bouquet - A Painting

2011-10-12T09:43:00.000-07:00

White Enamelware Pot with Snow Ball Bouquet

Cheri Wollenberg

I have to confess.........I love the old Enamelware items. They make such nice subjects in still life arrangements. I can't resist them in the flea markets that I visit frequently. I have every color imaginable right now. My husband and I love turning something old and discarded into something useful. This oil painting is available on my Etsy site.

Rose Study

2011-10-10T17:45:00.000-07:00

Rose Study

6x6 Oil on Artist Board

A Daily Painting

Cheri Wollenberg

This small oil painting is of a study of pink and red roses. This particular study is not any set up or particular picture I have, but of a combination of resources. I love to paint roses. Sometimes I am satisfied with the results and sometimes I'm not! I like these pretty well. I tried to paint them with ease and confidence allowing the paint to trickle and smudge together. This little painting may be purchased in my Etsy store by clicking here.

Red Tomatoes

2011-10-09T19:42:00.000-07:00

Red Tomatoes

6x6 Oil on Artist Board

A Daily Painting

Cheri Wollenberg

Art Center of the Ozarks Presents 5x5

2011-10-05T13:52:00.000-07:00

In my post of August 18, 2011 I included an image of one of the 5x5 paintings I had given to the Art Center of the Ozarks for their Ninth Annual 5x5 Art Exhibition. This show is a fundraiser and gallery event they have every year in Springdale, NW Arkansas. If you live in NW Arkansas, this is a wonderful time to support them....plus, the art is varied and fantastic. The Art Center creates offerings for the community year round for children to adult ages. If you live locally please join us and I promise you will have a great time at this festive event and view some beautiful art work from some of the finest artists in NW Arkansas. This is their invitation for 2011 and you can see that the artwork is diverse and stunning. Check out their website and give them a call now.

http://www.artscenteroftheozarks.org/artscenter/

Sassy - A Small Charolais Cow Painting

2011-10-04T19:56:00.000-07:00

Sassy

A Small Charolais Cow Painting

6x6 Oil on Artist Board

Cheri Wollenberg

I never tire of painting cows. Moving back to the farm will bring new fresh subjects for me. I look forward to this chapter in my life. This painting is of a young Charolais bovine. She looks like a show animal, regal and clean....ready to show off for a crowd. This painting is in a collection for a gallery show coming up. If you are interested in her, you'll have to contact me personally.

Little Nest of Eggs - Daily Painting

2011-10-03T19:18:00.000-07:00

Little Nest of Eggs

6x6 Artist Board

A Daily Painting by Cheri Wollenberg

I am very busy right now moving to another home. I have studios in two different places, and I am preparing for two exhibitions. This little nest of blue eggs is one I enjoyed painting while I was on a trip to New Mexico last week. I have painted birds' eggs and nests before and they are quite fun. This painting will be for sale in a gallery I'm working with so if you are interested, you will need to contact me by email located in my profile.

Rooster - Rooster Painting

2011-09-24T16:53:00.000-07:00

Rooster 6

12x12 Original Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

It won't be long until my husband and I will be moving to our farm home. I mentioned in an earlier post (June 14) that my grandson and I had talked about raising some chickens. He has not forgot!!! Thinking about chickens again caused me to remember a painting that I did of a rooster. I never was very happy with the results. The compostion was not right for the support size. So this is what I did to this fellow.... I cropped him on the canvas, took my exacto knife and did a little "surgery". He was painted originally on a 16x20 stretched canvas. I cropped and cut a 12x12 image from it and I'm much happier now. The composition reads better. I glued the painted canvas to a heavy foamboard with archival glue and framed him. He is in my Etsy shop. You can see two views...one of him and one of him framed. Have a look at him. He is a very welcoming fellow:)

Strawberry Topped Cupcake - A Daily Painting

2011-09-12T10:40:00.000-07:00

Strawberry Topped Cupcake

8x8 Daily Painting

Cheri Wollenberg

I am so easily distracted....I will be painting on one thing and then I'm off trailing to another subject. I love painting. Can't get enough of it! I love food also. This cupcake was delicious!

If you would like to have this little painting hanging in your kitchen or propped up against a shelf somewhere in your home, click.

Red Poppy And Red Vase

2011-09-06T08:44:00.000-07:00

Red Poppy And Red Vase

12x24 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

Red! I love thecolor! It is is exciting and stimulating. I loved it as a child, and Ithink that I may be stimulated to it as a moth is to light. Red can have both positive and negativeconnotation as a symbol in our language. I would not want negative things thought about me personally, but I have a strong attraction for thecolor. I would not want others to think of me as being overly confident oroutrageous or some of the word language that it could imply, but I do tend tolove it in my wardrobe. A confessionthat I can make is that I have felt extremely “good” or “appropriately loud” at times in my life when I wore red (laugh). One thing I know…..red is beautiful, it is exciting, and it getsmy attention. My desire to paint with redis that I simply like it. I recentlypurchased a red vase. It has been “screaming”for me to paint it; but frankly, it is hard to place with other items in astill life. It is if this vase demandsto be the “star of the show” or the focal point. For some reason I’m challenged to pursue its possibilities andexperiment with this vase. I’m going topaint it in two ways. This is my firstpost where I believe I have suppressed its total importance (because of it's exciting color)……giving the firstfocal direction to a flower….the poppy. My next post about this vase will be that it is the most important focalpoint in an arrangement. Either way………..Red is beautiful!

Pumpkins I - Original Oil Painting

2011-08-23T20:50:00.000-07:00

Pumpkins I

6x8 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

The leaves are falling here in Fayetteville just like it was already fall. School has started, the kids are getting on buses everyday in their new school clothes, and there is always excitement in the air about football, new friends, various other things and change. Changes in the seasons are also exciting. The stores have changed their decorations themes. Pumpkins and harvest themes are already being displayed everywhere. Magazines are beginning to print new recipes and the newest fabrics and fashion trends. Artists are inspired by these changes too. I am inspired with the colors, textures, and aromas of new candles. So I decided to start painting pumpkins and gourds. I prefer to paint them from life but this one is from a picture. I took a lot of pictures last fall of various gourds and pumpkins so I may do several while waiting for the first fruits of harvest to show at the neighborhood markets. This is my first attempt for Autumn 2011. Click Pumpkin I to go to my Etsy Shop if you would like more information about it.

Cow Painting of a Hereford Called Hilliary

2011-08-19T15:05:00.000-07:00

Cow Painting of A Hereford Called Hilliary

18x18 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

Hilliary is the name of this cow; however I wanted to entitle this painting "Love, Love, Me Do".

To purchase her you can visit my chatterboxart store on Etsy. Just click Hilliary.

Teal Cup and Orange Poppy

2011-08-18T14:45:00.000-07:00

Teal Cup and Orange Poppy

5x5 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

This little 5x5 painting is a donation to the Art Center of the Ozarks for the Ninth Annual 5x5 Art Exhibition. The art center hosts this exciting fundraiser and gallery event in Springdale, NW Arkansas. Each miniature has to be created on 5x5 canvas that is given to local artists from the ACO organization. Any media may be used as long as it stays the original dimensions. The miniature works are then placed for auction during a fabulous evening event. All the

proceeds are given to the organization for some really great worthwhile offerings to our community during the year. Artists and art collectors in NW Arkansas look forward to this event every year. There are 350+ entries every year. Visit ACO here to read more about this festive affair.

Red Zinnia and White Pottery Teapot

2011-08-16T19:48:00.000-07:00

Red Zinnia and White Pottery Teapot

10x10 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

I thought I would try painting another red flower and teapot today for my daily painting, and believe it or not.... I'm the creator of this white teapot. When I was working on my masters degree in art education I was limited to the art classes I could take during the summer. I taught classes in high school so I couldn't take too many classes during the week during the school year either. I attended SWOSU in Weatherford (a great place...by the way). Since it is a small university, their class offerings during the summer were limited to pottery and commercial arts. I opted for the pottery and had a blast. I was more successful in handbuilding than in throwing on the wheel, but this is one of the few things that managed to survive the wheel and the kiln (laugh). This painting can be purchased in my etsy store by clicking: Painting

Red Poppy and Yellow Vase

2011-08-15T20:11:00.000-07:00

Red Poppy and Yellow Vase

6x8 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

Primary color schemes are sometimes the most fun to paint. I picked this unusual yellow vase up at a local flea market a while back, and it has become one of my favorite subjects to paint lately. This little daily painting can be purchased by clicking here!

Bell Peppers - Bell Pepper Painting

2011-08-11T08:46:00.000-07:00

Bell Peppers

6x8 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

Ummmmmmm! Fresh vegetables! There is nothing like eating these bell peppers in a number of different recipies either fresh or cooked; however, their color make them a favorite for nearly all artists to paint. Very exciting!

Bell Peppers can be found in my Etsy store.

Brass Pot and Red Apple

2011-08-09T21:12:00.000-07:00

Brass Pot and Red Apple

8x8 Oil on Artist Board

Cheri Wollenberg

This painting features a little brass-like pot that I picked up somewhere at a flea market. It is more like an aluminum metal and is very yellowish. I've always liked the shape of it, but the color is not too desirable. It doesn't reflect things like I thought it might. It needed a punch of color and the red apple seemed to do it. To buy this painting click

Brass Pot and Red Apple.

Sunflowers III

2011-08-06T20:08:00.000-07:00

Sunflowers III

16x20 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

Here in Fayetteville, Arkansas we have had many weeks of dry and "hot" weather. Like so many cities and states we have had record-breaking temperatures. Many states now have had temperatures in three digits for over 30 days. The sunflower is one wildflower that seems to withstand these temperatures. They have become wilted and dry, but those beautiful yellow petals still hold a beauty that so many of us cannot resist. Several weeks ago we were invited to a friend's home to see her son off on a journey that he is taking. My friend (who is an artist) had decorated the tables and various places in her home with these magnificent flowers that had come from her father's garden. She shared these particular ones with me and I have started several paintings from photos that I had taken of them in several different compositional stills. Sunflowers III can be purchased by clicking here.

Green Vase with Red Radishes

2011-08-04T08:54:00.000-07:00

Green Metal Vase with Red Radishes

8x10 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

The process of painting radishes is a most enjoyable experience and a great subject. I think the actual color of these should have a little more alizarin crimson color to them. I purposely used more cadmium red because I enjoyed the complementary effect with the green vase. "Artistic License"...a great thing even though it has gotten me into a little trouble before.....not serious....just cornering me into a defensive conversation:) This painting is for sale in my Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/listing/79109565/green-metal-vase-with-red-radishes-8x10

Lilacs in Antique Cream Pitcher

2011-08-02T20:18:00.000-07:00

Lilacs in Antique Cream Pitcher

Cheri Wollenberg

Lilacs are some of my favorite flowers. They always remind me of my grandmother. She had huge bushes that were so fragrant and sweet smelling. They lined the drive going up to her home. It's funny how scents can bring visual images to mind. I can see her when I smell the lilacs. I can see her stooped over picking blackberries and then making blackberry cobbler. She made wonderful jams and buttermilk busquits. She was 4'11" but we grandchildren we had a great respect for her. She was loving but firm. Her fragrance and beauty was as sweet smelling as the lilacs to me.

Pink and White Peonies

2011-07-14T18:43:00.000-07:00

Pink and White Peonies

18x18 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

Last spring one of my students brought some pink peonies for my class to paint in a still life arrangement. I had some white ones that we mixed with them to make a fuller bouquet. I can almost smell the fragrance they made as I write this post. Their aroma is extremely pleasing to me. As I painted this composition, I changed the peonies to a more peach colored pink in this painting. They were actually an intense or hot pink color, but this particular "vignette" of peonies, I wanted to do warm tones. I enjoy the challenge of the anatomy of the particular flower, peony. Since this image was taken, I've painted the bud in the foreground a little sharper. I felt it didn't need to be quite so lost and it needed to come more forward. I have set my white peonies in still lifes every year for about 9 years now. Each year I find that they are a challenge. I don't know why they are a little difficult, but I thoroughly enjoy the process of painting them and hope that I learn more each time. To see the price of this painting you can click Peonies.

Radish Bunch

2011-07-09T16:00:00.000-07:00

Radish Bunch

10x10 Original Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

There is nothing quite as beautiful as fresh veggies picked from the garden. Not only are they beautiful, but they give great pleasure to the gardener who grew them. Radishes have been some of my favorite veggies since I was a little girl. I loved digging them up, taking them to a water hose and cleaning them off and I like the hot, spicy taste they bring to the palate. Delicious to eat....delicious experience of painting these beauties!

Cottontail Rabbit

2011-07-05T15:35:00.000-07:00

Cottontail Bunny

6x6 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

Here at our home in Fayetteville we have two decks....an upper and lower deck that faces the north. In the mornings between 6:00 and 7:00 am we go to the upper deck to drink coffee. Many times there are deer that are passing between the forest treelines on the east and west of our house. There are other little forest creatures that grace us with their presence too. For the last several weeks there have been two little bunnies that jump, run and play. They have been a delight to watch. One morning I decided to take my camera out and try to capture them. All my shots were from above and not too conducive to painting, so I decided to sneak downstairs, and see if I could quietly get some photos of them. Needless to say, I had to zoom in quite a bit. I took a lot of images to get a few that gave me what I was looking for as resources to paint. I found that painting this image was rather challenging. First, there was a lot of green around them, and second, the values were very much the same. I had to take a lot of artistic license when I painted the small one. I will have to try this little guy at least one more time or the other fellow. Both were so cute. Below are other images of them. I think this one thought he was hiding from me and I thought I was hiding from him (chuckle). To check this little fellow out, click Cottontail Rabbit.

Hiding?

Posing?

Strawberries in Blue and White Bowl

2011-07-04T16:56:00.000-07:00

Strawberries in Blue and White Bowl

8x8 Original Oil Painting

Cheri Wollenberg

Happy 4th of July to Everyone. This is the closest I came this year to something for the holiday. The colors red, white and blue might count!! To see this painting's details, click Strawberries.

Round Hay Bales in the Summer

2011-06-30T20:22:00.000-07:00

Round Hay Bales in the Summer

12x12 Original Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

Summer brings heat and hay harvest. It is a good time for family get togethers, apple pie, and watermelon. Country folks continue to bale hay, feed the chickens, cows and other farm animals. Summer also is a time for riding horses, fishing and mowing the lawn (over and over and over). We have been working at our farm home. It is so hot this year that we work for a couple of hours and then cool off and drink lots of water and tea. I'm thankful today for the earth and its beauty - Psalm 104:5

By clicking Round Hay Bales, you can find out more about it.

Eggs II

2011-06-27T20:03:00.000-07:00

Eggs II

6x8 Original Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

I've wondered the last several days how creative an artist could be in painting eggs. I think since I seem to be consumed with this topic and chickens lately, I'll explore it a little bit. These eggs certainly tasted good. They were supposed to be laid by cage-free hens. They are a pretty golden brown color and I enjoyed painting them. It makes a nice subject for a daily painting....lots of practice and just plain fun! This painting is listed in my Etsy store. You may take a look at it by clicking Eggs II.

Miss Hen and Eggs - Two Paintings That Go Together

2011-06-14T19:51:00.000-07:00

Miss Hen

8x10 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

As I get older I have this crazy desire to do things I never did before. It may be the "bucket" thing....I don't know. My husband and I will be moving back to a farm home in the near future, and I have decided that I would like to have a couple of hens. There are several reasons for this.....I think it would be nice to have fresh eggs; I think chickens are fun subjects to paint; and, I have a little farmer grandson who get's really "wide-eyed" when he thinks he is fixing to embark on a new venture. We have raised cattle, lambs, pigs, and crops, but never chickens! At one time of my life raising chickens would have been the last thing I ever wanted to do. My grandmother had them and when we grandchildren went barefooted in the summertime.........well, you know the rest! Anyway, I'll probably extend this post at another time and write about some of my previous experiences with roosters and chickens, but today....I wanted to post two related daily paintings that I finished a couple of weeks ago. The hen above and the eggs below can be seen on etsy if one would be interested in buying them. I enjoyed painting both of them.

Egg and Broken Shell

6x6 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

Country Tree

2011-06-13T17:16:00.000-07:00

Country Tree

6x6 Oil on Artist Panel

Cheri Wollenberg

Back in November, 2010 my husband and I were in Oklahoma for a few days. He was sowing wheat on an acreage close to our home there. I rode for a couple of hours in the tractor with him and took photographs all around the field. This painting is from one of those photographs. It is a simple painting but sometimes I need "simple" (laugh). Great fun. Click tree to see more about it.

Pears IV

2011-06-09T16:56:00.000-07:00

Pears IV

18x18 Original Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

Painting oversized pears create an extremely impressive composition. In today's new homes the ceilings are high and to place a painting almost halfway to the ceiling dewarfs many subjects. The pears (one in the foreground and two in the background) are four times the size of a real pear, casting shadows across the white table cloth that dissapears to a rustic, dark red background. This is my fourth painting this year of larger than life pears. The others were requested by different buyers. Click Pears to get more information about the size and price:)

Pink Peonies and Black Kitty Cat

2011-06-03T21:13:00.000-07:00

Pink Peonies and Black Kitty Cat

8x8 Oil on Artist Panel

Cheri Wollenberg

I picked this little ceramic cat up at a local flea market several years ago. I have wanted to paint it with something for a long time, but never had just the right objects to place with him. But as I worked with the peonies and black vase, it was like he was purring and trying to get my attention. He worked out perfectly for this simple still life and he looks like he has found a place of importance (laugh)! You can find him here.

Painting Demo of Bouquet of Daisies - Daisy Dance

2011-06-02T14:41:00.000-07:00

Daisies are cropping up all over alongside the roads in Northwest Arkansas. I find myself dreaming up how to paint them as I travel on the road. What is really scary is that I would like to stop.....doesn't matter where....and pick some of them. Is this stealing? They are wild flowers and they don't look like they belong to anyone! I fear I have been a thief on occasion. Tempting they are and I have decided to give you a very small story in pictures about this painting - a painting demo starting at a decision making point. Here goes:

No....I didn't pick these daisies along the road! Yes, they are fake! I prepared a canvas with acrylic paints and did a quick, rough underpainting of the daisies. I started my imagining a little too late, but I painted gray tones where I would place the daisies and I painted the vase brilliant yellow. When it was dry I began to paint over the underpainting with my oil paints.

I have a tendency to over-do everything!!! I had such a good time painting the daisies that I tried to get them all on the painting support. This created a perfect ball for a bouquet (a manicured topiary!) (laugh). I decided I needed to take some of the daisies out!

Daisy Dance

12x12 Original Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

This is better even though the bouquet is a little tight. I could paint more flowers out, but this is where I'll stop. I will paint another one with some real daisy flowers. This was good practice! Click here if interested:

Daisy Dance

Lemons

2011-05-30T07:21:00.000-07:00

Lemons

6x6 Original Oil Painting on Art Panel

Cheri Wollenberg

Speed painting! Quickly done and needs improvement, but great practice! I'll probably paint it again. Purchase can be made by clicking: Lemons

Golden Onions and Crock

2011-05-14T09:42:00.000-07:00

Golden Onions and Crock

8x10 Original Oil Painting

Cheri Wollenberg

It has been an extremely busy week for me, but I managed to finish a few paintings I had started. This painting of onions and crock is one of them. My brush danced until I started painting the loose onion skins. Expression with the brush comes hard and fast for me most of the time, but when approaching a more complicated area in a compositional set up, I begin to choke up the speed, get in another gear, and look a little harder at the elements of some subjects. My first inclination is to say to myself, "This is hard, what were you thinking, why challenge yourself, and you don't have time?" Then I find myself (using the left side of the brain) thinking out logically that it is only a matter of shapes and lines, don't get bogged down with the subject matter, and get on the other side of the brain and enjoy it. So, I enjoyed this one!!!! To purchase this painting click Golden Onions and Crock.

Announcement of an Event

2011-05-12T06:11:00.000-07:00

If you happen to be in Fayetteville, AR this evening, please accept this as a personal invitation to come by and see some of Cari Humphrey's and my paintings. If you cannot attend our opening you are welcome to stop by Arsaga's Expresso Cafe at Crossover Ave and Mission any time during the dates noted above.

White Peonies in Pink Vase

2011-05-06T06:30:00.000-07:00

White Peonies in Pink Vase

10x10 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

I have white peonies that bloom every spring in my yard. Each year I hardly can wait to paint them. Their anatomy is so delicate and beautiful. There are yellows and oranges that radiate out in the middle and through the slender petals from the center of the bloom itself. Then on the outside of the bloom away from the bulbular center fall these very pale pink and white petals that catch light blue reflections from the sky and artificial light. Peonies are a little challenging to paint, and sometimes I feel more successful in painting them than other times, but they are always a joy to try to emulate. The pink vase is one of my still life favorites and I save it for very special flowers. It is like a favorite child (laugh). This year it seemed to cry out to me, to place these few peonies in it. They compliment one another very well. This painting is pretty high-key and has a pastel overtone. To buy it you can click Peonies.

Pansies in a White Gravy Boat

2011-05-04T15:37:00.000-07:00

Pansies in a Gravy Boat

9x12 Oil on Linen

Cheri Wollenberg

My painting students wanted me to create a still life for them to paint this week. I decided to arrange these cute little pansies in this wonderful ceramic piece that one of them had left with my still life container collection. It made a delicate subject and extremely enjoyable one to paint. The background was a gold piece of fabric and the gravy boat sat on a light teal colored cloth. I decided to push the golds some by adding rusts and siennas so that there would be an orange hue to complement the teal colors. The golden colors enhanced by the light made a great background for the purples of course. The linen canvas is glued to heavy foam board so the painting requires framing.

Blue Hydrangea in Fruit Jar

2011-04-26T15:56:00.000-07:00

Blue Hydrangea in Fruit Jar

12x12 Oil on Canvas

Cheri wollenberg

One of the great things about being an artist is getting to know more about flowers. I have to admit there is so much "science" in raising beautiful flowers that I am sometimes overwhelmed when I put my "gardener's hat" on. I have this crazy desire to raise my own flowers for floral paintings. I have a lot of wonderful friends who have shared starts and seedlings of plants and flowers with me, and I am successful occasionally in following through with the discipline in caring for these prized gifts! Hydrangea is one type of flower that I have become interested in during the last several years. I found out that soil is usually what dictates the color of these gorgeous florals. I have to admit that painting them is still my favorite thing even though it is absolutely delightful to cut some live flowers for a bouquet from my own flower beds. There is defintely a connection in arts and sciences!

Green Apples

2011-04-25T21:14:00.000-07:00

Green Apples

9x12 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

'Going green' can mean several things I suppose. In this case I am painting green apples instead of the red ones that my brush has been actively producing lately (laugh). I have finished a total of seven apple paintings in the last week. A few of them I'm contented with....a few of them not so much, but I've experienced great enjoyment and my brush has danced!

Apples and White Enamelware Pitcher

2011-04-23T06:13:00.000-07:00

Apples and White Enamelware Pitcher

9x12

Cheri Wollenberg

I don't know about the old saying, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away", but I know that apples are exceptionally fun to arrange in still lifes to paint, and I don't think I am speaking out of turn when I say that artists can't do enough of them. I bought these Granny Smith apples at the neighborhood market, and I have placed them in many different and interesting compositions. I have this desire to paint each composition before going on to some other subject! Obsessive? I suppose so, but there is a certain (if not - temporary) satisfaction in obsession.....at least, until it is played out! This painting can be purchased by clicking Apples or the Title anywhere on this post.

Pansy in Rice Bowl

2011-04-19T20:28:00.000-07:00

Pansy in Rice Bowl

8x10 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

Pansies are such charming little garden flowers. I guess they are most known for their "faces". They are related to the violet and are very hearty. My favorite color combination is the purple on white. They are a joy topaint. This little pansy can be purchased by clicking pansy.

Apples and Crock

2011-04-17T11:42:00.000-07:00

Apples and Crock

8x8 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

Painting apples has been the subject I have explored for over a week now. It is sort of like eating one thing until I'm really tired or burned out of that particular food group. This may be a condition.....I don't know (laugh)! I have grandchildren who do this, and we worry about them and their nutrition. My ability to be consumed with things drives me as inspiration until it is played out to my satisfaction. Then I have to go on to the next thing. Since I've created all these apple paintings, I have started pansy paintings! I'll begin posting them as soon as all the apple ones are "blogged".

To purchase this painting you can click Apples and Crock.

Red Apples and Cup Towel

2011-04-07T14:26:00.000-07:00

Red Apples and Cup Towel

8x8 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

This painting features two bright, juicy, red apples resting on a colorful print cup towel. I was inspired to paint this daily painting by the cup towel that somehow shows up in my paintings once in a while (grin). It is funny how we have our favorite items and paint them over and over. I just happened to have some bright, red and juicy apples to place on the cup towel and they became my focal point. My fabric still may be a little intense. I tried to subdue it somewhat, but all and all I am pleased.

Strawberries in a White Tin Cup

2011-03-31T15:00:00.000-07:00

SOLD

Strawberries in a White Tin Cup

8x8 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

Spring Break and vacation time was the venue for last week for my husband and I. Sounds good, but this always means work for us! We have an old ranch style country home in Oklahoma that we have been remodeling. I took along my oil paints hoping that I will be able to paint sore muscles and all (laugh). One morning I arranged this still life on a shelf I have in the mud room. The sun was bursting through the windows creating an extreme high-key composition. It was beautiful! I decided to use contrasts in temperature leaving the strawberries to create contrast for the darkest values.

Pam's Bunny III

2011-03-18T19:07:00.000-07:00

Pam's Bunny III

12x16 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

This bunny has white with brown spots. He is a flopped eared rabbit, but his ears have never flopped as they should. Instead they look as if they are airplane wings and he is fixing to fly somewhere. I've painted this little bunny several times. When I painted him this time I was doing a demonstration at an art walk in Rogers, Arkansas. Of course I painted him from a picture, but after I finished him I had to make a decision of what kind of environment I would place him in. I decided to paint some rolling hills with tree lines in the distance. Thus, Pam's little bunny had a place to roam! If you are interested in purchasing this little guy and giving him a home, click Bunny.

Footnote: Pam is one of my painting students and she agreed to bring two of her pet rabbits to class one day because she knew that my grandaughter was going to be at class. My grandaughter was about 5 yrs old at the time and was afraid of them!!!! In her defense, they really were big. I bet we took more than 100 images between the students and myself to get "one" good resource picture for paintings of those little critters. They are NOT good models (laugh).

Apple Pies to Bake

2011-03-06T12:13:00.000-08:00

Apple Pies to Bake

12x12 Original Oil on Artist Panel

Cheri Wollenberg

This painting of apples and a rolling pin became a subject of inspiration for me when I was on a treasury with another etsy seller. I loved the photograph she had taken of the item that was featured from her shop. I asked her permission to do this painting and she graciously told me I could. Just click Apples to read a further description and link to her shop.

Mixed Rose Bouquet

2011-03-05T18:48:00.000-08:00

Mixed Rose Bouquet

12x12 Original Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

Roses come and go and I'm through with this particular arrangement. I took lots of photos of the same roses so I'll try them again in a different container. If you are interested in purchasing this painting click:

Roses

Mixed Rose Bouquet II in Progress

2011-03-01T15:32:00.000-08:00

My roses have now died, my bowl is still floating and my surface (cloth) needs more dark values. I'm not sure whether I'll put the corner of the table in or paint the edge of the table straight across. I'm thinking about adding a little of the cloth decoration. I have realized that I have the roses way to focused and the edges are too severe, and I haven't honored the focal area. I squeezed the top rose in while I should have let it go out of the picture and now all of them are too crowded......I think the roses "grew" before they died (laugh). Many decisions I have to make while I'm painting on some other things, and then to make things worse....I place guilt trips on myself for not posting often enough.....who told me to post often....myself, of course.

I need to have a dialogue with someone else! Hope my husband is ready when he comes in this evening:)

Three Apples and Blue and White Bowl

2011-02-28T17:47:00.000-08:00

Three Apples and Blue and White Bowl

9x12 Oil on Canvas Board

Cheri Wollenberg

This painting is an older one that I painted a couple of years ago. Some paintings I can't hardly give up for one reason or another. I've never quite figured it out. My husband says, "You can paint another one!" But, there is something that keeps me bonded with them (like Velcro). Is it because I love the subject matter....the color.....design.....the end result (product)? I wonder if it is that deep down.... I'm afraid that I couldn't quite duplicate it if I tried. All artists know that we really can't duplicate something exactly and maybe....just maybe....that magical thing called "process" is what we bond with. Who knows (smiles)?

Tabasco and Hot Peppers

2011-02-22T20:51:00.000-08:00

Tabasco and Hot Peppers

6x6 Artist Board

Cheri Wollenberg

Hot sauce is something we've always had around our house. We like spicy hot foods and I thought it would be fun to place some peppers around a Tabasco Hot Sauce bottle for a composition to paint. This was a "warm" subject to paint after some extremely cold and snowy weather here in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

To purchase this painting click: Tabasco and Hot Peppers

Mixed Rose Bouquet

2011-02-21T18:03:00.000-08:00

Mixed Rose Bouquet

11x14 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

I love to paint roses. I just finished all of my small series of musical bovines and I'm feeling like spring. Flowers are calling!!! My husband brought in the prettiest mixed bouquet of roses to me for Valentines Day. I have arranged those beautiful roses in dozens of ways and I'm anxious to get started on one. They are a week old today and I have clipped the stems twice and they are still absolutely gorgeous. This painting is one from an older image. To buy this painting you can click: Roses.

Tattoo The Pig

2011-02-11T13:01:00.000-08:00

Tattoo

6x8 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

I have painted this little pig in a lot of different ways. I like to experiment with him. I guess you might call this one my Valentine Pig. He has been my Christmas pig - Piggy Pudding, Wilbur, Yanni and some other titles. You can purchase prints of him by clicking: Tattoo. Anyway.....Happy Valentines to all Bloggers and readers of blogs, artists, or to those who are addicted to cute pigs!

Archie

2011-02-08T09:48:00.000-08:00

Archie

12x12 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

This painting features a portrait of a black and white crossbred steer that I named Archie. I was asked when he was being scanned what his name was and I couldn't think of anything at the moment until I happened to notice a box of archival paper nearby. Instantly, I knew what I was supposed to name him.....Archie!!!

Tah Dah! After "archival" paper! To buy a print of Archie you can click:

Archie

Palomino

2011-01-29T17:05:00.000-08:00

Walker the Palomino

9x12 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

Last summer I was teaching a painting class in my home and one of my students had made arrangements for us to visit a relative's horse farm. They have some show horses, long horn cattle and ponies. We took all kinds of photos for references to paint from and this one was of a very young Palomino horse. He looked so quiet and docile until we approached him a little closer and his ears perked up and he jumped in the air and snorted. He begin to kick around and run as if he was showing off for us. What fun! Horses are such beauties. My husband used to rope in rodeos and we always had four or five horses around. I miss them. This one made a wonderful model. To purchase this painting click Walker.

Eddie's Lamb

2011-01-28T11:53:00.000-08:00

Eddie's Lamb

9x12 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

I painted this picture from a reference photo I took at my son's home. I took lots of images because the lambs kept eating and eating. Their heads were down constantly and finally this shot as this one looked up. He was in front of a fence that the afternoon light was shining right through. You can purchase this painting by clicking Eddie's Lamb.

Constanze

2011-01-24T17:55:00.000-08:00

Constanze
12x12 Oil on Canvas
by
Cheri Wollenberg

Constanze was one of the Weber girls in Mozart's life. It sounds as if he was attracted to all of them in some way, but Constanze through special circumstances became his choice. This is another interesting item of knowledge (or trivia) that I have enjoyed learning. A print of Constanze can be purchased here: Constanze

Mozart

2011-01-24T17:54:00.000-08:00

Mozart

12x12 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

I have learned a lot lately about Classical Musicians. When I went to art school we spent little time on visual artists' contemporaries...the "other artists". I was never assigned a paper on any artist other than visual...the ones I was studying. My art history books were full of the different art movements, but my focus, as was my discipline, was so much on the visual that I missed learning about some of the great musicians and writers...what a shame for me? Since I started this small series of naming my paintings after these famed musicians, I have done a little research on each one. I had read and seen movies about Beethoven, but had not personally read much of the other classical composers to any extent. There are so many fascinating, different opinions about these composers' personal lives. One unofficial quote of Mozart, "People make a mistake who think that my art has come easily to me. Nobody has devoted so much time and thought to composition as I. There is not a famous master whose music I have not studied over and over," rung a bell for me as an artist. I feel like I can listen now to classical music with "even more" enthusiasm. Mozart's life was absolutely too short. It sounds like he had so many people who influenced him...both good and bad. I think he had compassion for people as well as "passion" for music. I wish he had been born in our times. Something I am impressed with most as I study anything...the more we know, the more we know we don't know about everything! "Mozart! How I love your music!" Prints are available at : Mozart

Handel

2011-01-14T19:45:00.000-08:00

Handel

12x12 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

This "bovine muscian" painting was actually the first one I painted. I named him Handel right off. I don't have any particular reason why this name came to me except that he does look gentle and thoughtful. He is relaxed and eating his grass. He didn't seem to mind that I was taking a lot of pictures of him. In fact he seemed to pause occasionally like he wanted me to get a particular shot (laugh).

Beethoven

2011-01-11T10:47:00.000-08:00

Beethoven

12x12 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

The story behind my Beethoven bovine (the second in my "Musician Bovine" series) is that as I was about to finish him I asked my husband what he thought of him. He grinned....I knew that he was going to give me his honest opinion. He said that usually when cows' ears are down it meant that they were sick or running a fever! Oh well, as I have expressed before, I like to embellish and my comeback to him was that he was running up to my camera - which he was. But I thought this is the best bovine to represent Beethoven. Even with the handicap of deafness, he overcame and produced great music. My Beethoven has ears that would remind folks that a handicap can be overcome with determination and a lot of encouragement from others.

Bach

2011-01-10T20:55:00.000-08:00

Bach

12x12 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

I am working on a new series of cow paintings. This particular group will have musicians' names. I have finished three and working now on the fourth. I have lovingly called them "bovinia" in the past for those who give me a hard time....you know.....people like my husband. He has raised cattle all his life. He also has his own idea what a good bovine looks like, and I like to embellish them a wee bit (laugh). Prints of these guys are available at Bach

Cherries and Tea

2011-01-03T08:06:00.000-08:00

Cherries in a Group

6x8 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

Cherries and Tea

6x6 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

The cherries are calling to me again! I wanted to paint something with reds for the new year so I got all my images out and found some photos of cherries from a little "photo shoot" I had back when we had some fresh cherries at a nearby market. I thought I might experiment in several ways so here are a few of my results. I plan to post some more. Both these paintings may be purchased on my etsy site at chatterboxart by simply clicking Cherries.

Lilacs in Vintage Vase

2010-12-30T21:21:00.000-08:00

Lilacs in Vintage Vase

12x12 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

This painting features a vintage vase with a bouquet of lilacs that I saw on a blog post about a year ago. I contacted the blogger who posted it, and it was her photo (http://giddyappony.blogspot.com/). She agreed to let me use her excellent photograph for inspiration for this painting. The beautiful lilacs are arranged in a yellowish and fluted vintage vase that has delicate florets on the side.

White Tulips I

2010-12-28T18:50:00.000-08:00

White Tulips

8x8 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

Pansies in Copper Pot

2010-12-27T10:05:00.000-08:00

Pansies in Copper Pot

12x12 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

Pansies are so hearty. Hearty flowers are for folks like me. One of my goals in life is to become a great gardener. I plan to spend some time raising these favorite flowers one day and have gorgeous flower beds.....goals or dreams, maybe a little of each. I have grown pansies though, and they stayed beautiful for months at a time. Since they can endure a lot of cool weather they seem to relish in the spots that I have placed them in the past. This still life includes one of my favorite copper items, a blue pottery vase that was given to me by a sweet little friend in art school, a white rice bowl and pansies of whites and purples that I had in a large garden pot this fall.

Onions and Green Beans

2010-12-21T12:30:00.000-08:00

Onions and Green Beans

6x12 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

(SOLD)

Finally finished this little painting! It had been roughed in since last summer. I sometimes get ahead of my paintings (with other paintings). This painting reminds me of years of having gardens and the harvest that comes with it. We raised wheat for years and when it came off for harvest so did my green beans. I always planted too many and therefore I was overwhelmed with doing beans at that time of the year. Finally, I guess after many open complaints of frustration, my sweet husband told me something like this one day, "Cheri, don't worry with those beans anymore. If you just have to have fresh green beans, there are enough vegetable stands around here to keep us eating for weeks." Right now this little painting is featured on an etsy sight that you can follow by clicking this link:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d10491f672f8eefb3cae82c/down-home-country-elegance

Pink Roses and Copper Plate

2010-12-19T20:35:00.000-08:00

Pink Roses and Copper Plate

12x12 Original Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

Roses, roses, roses......I never tire of painting them. I hope to master them one day.

This painting may be purchased by clicking: Pink Roses

Apples and Glass Compote

2010-12-18T15:27:00.000-08:00

Apples and Glass Compote

Cheri Wollenberg

When my friend Pam brings apples from her tree in the late summer and early fall, we always have such fun painting them. This painting is from one of the images I made of the still life set ups with the apples. This year was a bad year and she only made a few...they were very green when she brought them in, so I'm thinking the photograph I used here was from a year ago....still had a good time.

This painting can be purchase by clicking: Apples

White Peonies 2010

2010-12-15T19:37:00.000-08:00

White Peonies

Cheri Wollenberg

My husband and I grew up in Oklahoma. We live in a different state now. We live in a university town where we are blessed with many diversified cultures and wonderful people. We love living here; however, we have found that the differences in how we pronounce words are not only with people who are from foreign countries. I have to laugh as I write this because I have had to learn how to pronounce the flower (above), the peony as "pea-a-knee" rather than the "country" or "Oklahoman" way. I had always called them "pea-o-knee" ....with an exaggerated accent on the "o" (laugh). But, one thing I know....they are a beautiful flower and these were my yearly bouquet to emulate into a painting. Their excellence of beauty is hard to capture, but I am satisfied that I painted it with energy and love.

Christmas Painting 2010

2010-12-14T20:08:00.000-08:00

Christmas Painting 2010

Cheri Wollenberg

Each year I try to get a painting done for Christmas cards. This is one that I am using this Christmas. I set this still up for a couple of paintings classes that I teach every week.

Piggy Pudding

2010-12-09T20:42:00.000-08:00

Piggy Pudding

8x8 Fine Art Print of Original Oil Painting

Cheri Wollenberg

Occasionally I get some crazy ideas that I have to try and this is one of them.

Merry Christmas Everyone.

To purchase this print just click Piggy Pudding.

Blue Enamel Pot and Red Tomatoes

2010-12-05T12:53:00.000-08:00

Blue Enamel Pot and Red Tomatoes

12x12 Original Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

This painting is from an image I photographed several years ago. An artist friend brought in a basket full of very ripe tomatoes, green beans, and black-eyed susan flowers. My goodness did we ever have a "photo shoot". We arranged them in baskets, pots, and in every possible way that we could imagine in a matter of very little time. The experience we had was in itself beautiful. The delights that artists have are so playful and childlike. To my knowlege, I think the tomatoes were the only things I actually painted from life. What a shame! But, I have countless resources and sometimes I open that folder and remember my dear little friend - who has since moved away to another state. I enjoyed painting Blue Enamel Pot and Red Tomatoes. It has a real country mood to it. Reminds me of other times in my past.

Turnips - You Either Like Them or Hate Them

2010-11-22T22:11:00.000-08:00

Turnips

9x12 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

Recently I found some beautifully colored turnips at the nearby market and I decided that I was going to do a painting of them. I remember a time as a child that turnips were being cooked in our home, and the aroma was very repulsive to me. I had tasted raw ones before as my mother peeled them, and didn't mind the taste too much; however, the cooked ones really turned me off. Today, I still can't appreciate the taste of the cooked turnip. It is one vegetable that I do not like the taste; however, I do appreciate the beauty of them! I love the crisp texture, the purple, green, and creamy white colors and their circular shapes. I had this sensational desire to paint them larger than life so I did!

Maude - A Cow Painting

2010-11-21T18:10:00.000-08:00

Maude - A Cow Painiting

16x16 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

This painting may be purchased by following this link: Maude

Geese Klatsch

2010-11-20T19:44:00.000-08:00

Geese Klatsch

9x12 Oil on Canvas

by Geese Klatsch

Cheri Wollenberg

(SOLD)

Painting everyday can be a challenge some of the time! Life challenges don't get in the way....they just detain an artist a bit! So, I am going to have to get back in the swing of things. Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Besides all these wonderful inspirations for paintings that have been going around in my head lately, I have pumpkin pie on my mind too.

This painting can be purchased at my etsy store by following this link: Geese Klatsch

Nameless Has Been Named!

2010-11-14T19:51:00.000-08:00

The contest is over!!! I promised that my husband and I would pick the name that would fit this gentleman (or gentlecow:) by November 14, 2010. I must confess that I knew a few of the participants personally because I posted on Facebook....so I had to back out of the decision making process. When I saw all the creative names and titles coming in, I was so pleased and it was great fun, but I knew I wouldn't be able to choose. I decided to bless my husband with all the responsibility in making the choice! He does not read my blog anyway! So I felt he wouldn't be biased and would have no problem. Well.....I gave the names and comments to him this afternoon as we traveled back from a trip to our farm home in Oklahoma. He had 4 1/2 hours to decide:) He narrowed it down to four and finally decided. I asked him to explain why he picked this name. He said, "Having had a few cattle (hundreds) in his lifetime, he recognized a look out of this guy's eye. This look means handle with care and caution. If things don't work out between 'me and thee', give that fella an opportunity to get to know someone else (laugh)." The winner is Mary Jahn, comment posted on October 25, 2010 - SALE BARN SAM. Thanks Mary for entering. Will you please contact me through email to give me your address...............and by the way folks, this is the real guy.

Heidi

2010-11-05T21:03:00.000-07:00

Heidi

16x16 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

(SOLD)

This painting is another one of the "exotics" in my son's pasture. I took some pictures one morning about 8:30 am and oh my, what beautiful lighting. I thoroughly enjoyed painting this hereford with the rusty reds of her coat highlighted with yellow oranges and oranges in the morning light. To purchase this painting, click Heidi.

Name My Bovine (CONTEST), Ends November 14, 2010

2010-10-22T18:22:00.000-07:00

Nameless

9x12 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

This truly is a contest!!! I need a name for this painting. First, you must hear the story of this cow. Actually he is a bull. He has been painted a few times because he has a charming look about him, but looks are deceiving! He kind of looks innocent in this painting, doesn't he? This is probably the interpretation of my brush. Is he (she) saying something? Is there an underlying attitude? He is a troublemaker! He is wild, unruly, rebellious, undisciplined, and stubborn. He has leaped the fence more than a half-dozen times, and he is not happy with his home! He is one of my sons adopted "exotics" as he likes to call them. I thought about calling her "Flower" and my husband thought about calling him "Leaper". Free spirit or not......this bovine has caused us all a lot of trouble.

Now, this is what you can do.......In the comment section of my blog tell me what you think his or her name should be. As you can see he(she) is animated a bit. Perhaps this will give you a creative spark.

The PRIZE? It will be a giclee canvas print of this painting.

The TIME FRAME? I will let the comments come in until November 14. My husband and I will judge which one best fits this guy (gal). I will announce the winner on my blog on November 15. The winner will have to allow me to contact them by email so that I can get their mailing address. Thanks for participating! I think this will be great fun. I trust that all entries will be made with a good, fun heart, and no inappropriate language or connotation will be posted. Any inappropriate entries will not be published.

THANKS, Cheri.

Meadow

2010-10-22T07:34:00.000-07:00

Meadow

6x6 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

(SOLD)

The inspiration for this little painting came from my daughter-in-law who sent an image to me from her iphone. She had been out feeding their cattle. I have a difficult time painting landscapes on small canvases. I am determined to do some plein air painting this fall. Painting from life is always more invigorating and satisfying. I am spoiled with still lifes because I can set them up in the setting of a comfortable studio and they are "still". I will challenge myself this autumn to paint outdoors!

This painting may be purchased at: Meadow

Pete and RePete

2010-10-19T20:40:00.000-07:00

Pete and RePete

18x18 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

Golden Pears II

2010-10-19T15:01:00.000-07:00

Golden Pears II

11x14 Oil on Canvasby

Cheri Wollenberg

(SOLD)

This painting may be purchased by clicking this link: Golden Pears II

Last of Mom's Zinnias 2010

2010-10-15T18:02:00.000-07:00

Last of Mom's Zinnias 2010

6x8 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

(SOLD)

When we made our trip to Oklahoma last we worked on my mother's lawn. She has lovely flowers that she grooms faithfully spring, summer and fall. In one corner she keeps a bed of zinnias. The plants themselves were beginning to appear straggly (if this is a word). The last few blooms were still so brilliant and colorful I asked her if I could have them for a painting. Of course she clipped them for me and I set them up in a blue and white vase that has a frogged cover. A beautiful primary color scheme began to appear. This painting can be purchased here:

Last of Mom's Zinnias 2010

Turquoise Pitcher and Gourd VI

2010-10-14T21:36:00.000-07:00

Turquoise Pitcher and Gourd IV

8x8 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

Gourds are still calling me to paint them. I have this little turquoise pitcher that seems to scream at me every time I look at my still life items. Depending on the light source and the other items that are reflected into it determines it's color. It never ceases to fascinate me. I haven't got to paint for over a week and I found myself doing this painting rather quickly....almost as if I was gorging food (laugh). I like some of the attributes of the painting, but if I were to do it again. I might hone a few things. I like it though so I'm done with this one! To buy this painting click here: Turquoise Pitcher and Gourd IV

Aspen Windows

2010-10-13T13:24:00.000-07:00

Aspen Windows

18x24 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

(SOLD)

This painting was created in my studio from a photograph taken in Glorieta, New Mexico. I was drawn to this view because of the sections between the trees. They reminded me of windows. I thought it very interesting how each natural window had its' own composition. New Mexico is one of my favorite states. I probably have as many photos taken in that state as all others I've traveled combined. I use to want my husband and I to retire there, but as grandchildren began to enter the picture I began to rethink my desires. From an artist's point of view every state of the United States of America has a certain beauty. We are indeed a blessed people to live in such a great place in the world.

Lovell's Barn

2010-10-03T21:14:00.000-07:00

Lovell's Barn

16x20 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

Pink Roses in Antique Vase

2010-10-02T18:22:00.000-07:00

Pink Roses in Antique Vase

11x14 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

I think there is a lot to be said of discovering the pleasure of something....learning can be a pleasure. I experience several sensations when I'm thinking about what I want to paint. First, what is it that interests me or inspires me? Inspiration can come from curiosity, admiration, excitement, exploration, challenge, experimentation.....oh my, the list goes on. Next, the decision making process brings intuitive sensations. How will I present what interests me. I plan, compose, decide what size of support I want to use and I begin thinking about the color palette and/or other designing principles. Third, I proceed, express, and act out the plan. Oh my, what pleasure there is to painting. Words cannot express the pleasurable sensations in each step of the painting process. What a gift we receive in the process! This painting is one that I finished several years ago when I had a great desire to explore pink. It can be purchased in my etsy shop by clicking: Pink Roses in Antique Vase

Ducks Waddling Home

2010-09-29T07:46:00.000-07:00

Ducks Waddling Home

9x12 Oil on Stretched Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

(SOLD)

This painting was quite fun for me to do. When we go to our farm in Oklahoma I am so inspired to do animals. There are horses, steers (cows) and so many different types of fowl going south this time of the year not to mention the dogs and barn cats, possums, armadillos and the cats of "white and black" that are not so welcome! The ponds are a retreating place for geese and ducks on their journey south.

I had one of those artists' moments while we there this last time.....one that all of you artists friends can relate to.... One morning as I was drinking coffee on our back porch, a huge group of egrets were surrounding the cows in the pasture at the bottom of a hill behind our house. Something startled them and they began flying and they all flew toward our house into the trees in our back yard. As they were flying in to land on the branches their legs straight behind their bodies, necks forged ahead, and their large wings spanning out like airplanes, they were so interesting and exciting and............you guessed it.........I was without my camera! It was one of those moments that all us think to ourselves that we need our cameras to record such a wonderful moment, to capture a shape or position, to catch an exhilarating feeling of awe! They were gone almost as fast as they flew into my presence and all I have is one vision that sticks in my mind, but one that will inspire me to do some research on those magnificent birds that companion the cattle this time of the year.

Maybe I will paint them someday....but in the meantime I will paint the duck pictures I have (laugh). I think I may be chattering! I haven't posted in a while and for any readers that have actually made it to the end of my story.....now you know why my father's family called me "chatterbox".

This painting is available to buy by following this link:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/57483362/ducks-waddling-home-original-oil

Gourd III

2010-09-22T21:08:00.000-07:00

Gourd III

6x6 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

Oh my.... I do get a little stuck on subject matter, but I'm having such a good time painting these beautiful gourds. This painting may be purchased by clicking here: Gourd III

Red Vase and Gourds

2010-09-21T20:00:00.000-07:00

Red Vase and Gourds

6x8 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

Decorative gourds have a long shelf life so I can count on using them as subjects for several weeks. The possibilities for creative and different compositions are endless. I enjoyed placing this red vase with these two particular gourds. The "warts" on gourds are a lot of fun to paint too. I scooped up a lot of paint for each one of them....sort of like frosting a cake with thick icing.....enjoyed myself immensely!

This painting can be purchased by clicking Red Vase and Gourds

Autumn Gourds II

2010-09-18T19:30:00.000-07:00

Autumn Gourds II

6x8 Oil on Canvas

Cheri Wollenberg

This little composition of beautiful gourds of orange, green whites, and teaberries was very exciting to paint. I wanted the colors to be brilliant and energetic against a dramatic dark background. I became curious before this post about gourds so I decided to do a little research. There are so many colors and varieties. It is quite an art to raise these beautiful decorative "vegetables". Yes, they are considered vegetables. The meat from them can be eaten early; however, as they grow they are not edible because the meat becomes very bitter. I always wondered about this! I found this blog that I thought some of you might be interested in visiting sometime. Besides I liked the name of the site: http://www.thegourdfather.com/.

To purchase this painting click here: Autumn Gourds II

Have a fabulous weekend!