Leaning Over to see Myself

As I leaned over, it was a pleasant surprise to see myself – my reflection was beautiful! All this time I thought of myself as being quite ugly, being surrounded by murky water. It was a miracle to realize the beautiful world and all the wonderful blessings!

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Leaning Over to see Myself - 11x14 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Garden Reflections

Title: Down beneath
I haven't been able to think of a creative name for this painting. Any suggestions? Let me know.
We always draw and paint regular paintings, but this was fun to do upside down.
What is your impression - does it look like a reflection or an upside down painting?

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Garden Reflections - 24x18 inches, Oil on Hardboard panel

With this painting I have graduated myself to a little larger size. The most I have done so far is 20x16 inches, on readymade canvas board. This is 24x18 inches, this size was not available, so I bought hardboard in home depot, got it cut to this size. To prepare the board for painting, I primed it with 2 layers of liquitex gesso, both front and back. This is also to protect the board from moisture etc. It was a great experience to paint on this surface. I think I prefer this to premade canvas boards.

Down the Shady Path

I painted this from Susan Sarback's book titled - Capturing Radiant Light & Color. It had been long time I had not tried out any demo from this book, so it was fun doing it.
After finishing and signing the painting, I felt I should have painted the first tree on the right, a little more shady; Painted a man sleeping under that tree with a basket on his side; and a few monkeys on tree with caps on. It would be a perfect illustration of the story "Cap seller and the Monkeys". Do you know this story? Ok, see the painting first and I have the story below it for you to read.

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Down the Shady Path - 8x10 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel

Here's the story:  Cap seller and the Monkeys
Once a cap-seller was going to sell his caps in a village market. He was going through a forest. He was carrying a basket of caps on his head. It was very hot and he was tired, so he lay down under a tree to take rest. He put his basket on the ground. He fell asleep.
There were monkeys on that tree. They came down and took the caps. Then they climbed on the tree. When the cap-seller woke up, he was surprised to see that all the caps were gone from the basket. He looked up on the tree and saw monkeys were wearing his caps. He became sad. He thought of a plan. He threw his own cap on the ground. The monkeys also threw down their caps. He collected his caps and went away.
Moral: Wit works where strength fails.

Bird Enjoying Spring

This bird is sitting on a rock and singing spring time song! I painted this landscape for my Oil Painting Class I am currently teaching.
Artisans Winsor and Newton - water mixable oils are used in this painting. I was fun to use a limited palette from the beginner's set - U. Blue, Ali. Crimson, Yellow, White. 

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Bird Enjoying Spring - 14x11 inches, Oil on Canvas Panel