"Favorite Things," an oil painting by Lesley Spanos. © 2008, all rights reserved.

“Favorite Things”
Oil painting on hardboard panel, 11 x 14″

A few of artist Karen Jurick’s favorite things. This was painted from her photo on her weekly artist’s challenge, Different Strokes From Different Folks. Go to the blog to see the reference photo we were given to use, and the many interpretations submitted by artists.

Somewhere I have a similar painting I did ten years ago, of some of my favorite things at the time: A white ceramic Buddah given to me by a friend in college, a glass and black metal votive holder with lighted candle, a carved brass vase from India via Pier One, and some tiny yellow mums (not my favorite) to bridge the composition. I could have easily used hydrangeas instead – I always have dried hydrangeas, cat mint, and statice hanging in the kitchen. My hydrangeas are a light lime green.

There were too many things demanding my attention this week, so I really struggled with this painting, spreading it out over three short sessions due to lack of time. I never really got into the “zone.” There are still things that bother me about it, but I’ve tortured it enough. Sometimes you’ve just gotta clean those brushes and move on to the next thing!