Two Apples, More Vitamins

Two Apples, More Vitamins

oil pastels, 5x7in approx. matted to 8x10in

more info and purchase, click here

Day two this year and I've painted a second apple, wohoo! The little pleasures. So I call this sketch Two Apples, More Vitamins. I like this medium, always come back to it as a ways to see things new. It is straightforward to judge the colour stick to the actual colour of the object. I then can either put it down or substitute by finding a different colour the same value. This creates little colourful flicks here and there that make the painting more interesting, more colourful. Well, a colour junkie talking here, haha.

Hope to find time again tomorrow for another little sketch. On Thursday another snow storm is expected, so I might be stuck inside still with the kids bouncing off the walls. At least the temperatures are expected to be higher and freezing water pipes are less likely.

Welcome 2018!

Welcome 2018! I hope you had a great start into this new year!
My very best wishes to you and yours! A new year upon us gives us a chance to reflect back and also plan ahead. I am in the midst of both. Here is a little vignette I created for my Instagram feed, it shows the nine most popular posts of the last year. Yes, I was travelling, painting as often as I could, hm, or should we say: walking the tightrope between my mommy life, wife life and artist life. Surely keeps things interesting, haha! I think for the most part it worked out thanks to my supportive family big and small. Thanks guys!

Welcome 2018 with an apple a day!

orig. oil pastel 4.5x6.5in approx.

purchase info click here

What am I looking forward to in 2018? I want to tackle my website, which likely means a complete overhaulin'. Painting regularly and especially POSTING more regularly. I have been pretty good on my social feeds, but my blogs and newsletter have been neglected somewhat.
In the spring I hope to do some renovations to my little Shasta travel trailer. This old girlie is in her 50's, so requires some TLC along the way...
Well, the year is young, so let's start with some fun and bright small sketches! Have taken my oil pastel set out and just finished 'An Apple a Day'. The system of applying paint is the reverse of watercolour, where I usually start with very light washes and work my way to darker and darker shades. Here i am very roughly outlining where my subject shouldbe on the paper and start with darker colours first before adding lighter tones and highlights last.
I'll keep you posted as I'll be working my way through hopefully more little sketches. I hope they'll help me judging values when painting from life.

I'm sending you my very best wishes for the new year, may your dreams and hopes come true, esp. health and happiness and God's blessings!

More Orange, More Vitamine C

Orange, Peeled

Oil pastel on pastel paper

5x9in approx. (ca12x25cm)

Isn't this the time of year to load up on Vit C? So, here is my toast to oranges!
Wonder how to fill the last spot on the paper?
See you tomorrow!                                                                                   Simone

Orange Collage

11.5x15in (30x40cm)

Ist nicht der Winter die Jahreszeit um Vitamin C zu tanken? So, hier nun mein Toast auf die Orange!
Hm, was koennte das letzte Fleckchen auf dem Zeichenpapier fuellen??
Bis morgen!                                                                                            Simone

Orange Slices

Orange Slices

Oil pastel on synthetic paper

4.5x5in approx.

Today a quickie post of a sketch I did while 'da Gang' was at karate: Orange Slices! Thanks Markus for giving me this hour!

Heute ein kurzer Eintrag von einer Zeichnung die ich machte waehrend 'die Bande' beim Karate war. Orangen Scheiben! Danke Markus, fuer diese extra Stunde!

Juicy Orange

Juicy Orange

Oil pastel on synthetic paper

5.5x6.5 inches

Today's Painting is of this juicy orange, yum! Good thing that those paintings can be sketched AND eaten!
To celebrate 100 likes on my 'Simone Ritter Art' Facebook page: as promised: the lucky winner of yesterday's watercolour painting is: C. Graham! Congratulations!
Thank you for all that commented. Let's do that again some time!

Das heutige Bild ist eine saftige Orange, lecker! Gut wenn man Fruechte zuerst zeichnet und dann isst! 
Um die 100 likes auf meiner 'Simone Ritter Art' Facebookseite zu feiern, hier der glueckliche Gewinner des gestrigen Aquarells:  C. Graham!  Herzlichen Glueckwunsch!
Danke an alle, die einen Kommentar hinterlassen haben. Lasst uns das mal wieder machen!

Finish of the Bottle Trio

San Pellegrino

Oil Pastel on synthetic paper

5x10in approx

Today I finally added the missing last bottle in this series. San Pellegrino is mostly known for bottled water, but they also make this yummy orange drink. I like the colour and texture of the bottle in contrast with the other bottles. Have a nice Sunday- I hope it can be your day of rest!    Simone

Finished Series

'small bottles'

available at 

Europa Open House December 7, 9-3

Heute habe ich nun die letzte, fehlende Flasche gezeichnet in dieser Serie. San Pellegrino ist berühmt fuer feines Mineralwasser, aber sie haben auch diesen feinen Orangendrink im Sortiment- sehr lecker! Ich mag es, wie die Farben des Getränkes und die Textur der Flasche kontrastieren mit den anderen Flaschen. Schönen Sonntag, ich hoffe es kann auch euer Tag der Ruhe sein!  Simone

Peppers- Colourful Spice of Life

3 Hotties

Oil Pastel on synthetic paper, 10x13in approx.

$120 unframed contact me to purchase

Sorry for not posting the last few days, life has been very busy.
I visited byDesign Gallery in Bangor to drop off some of my recent paintings.
If you are in Bangor, please stop in and say 'Hi' to Rod, the owner, a very talented photographer.

Dinghies by the Wharf

watercolour on paper, 22x30approx.

purchase at ..byDesign Gallery, Bangor, Maine

As I have been 'limping' in posting, I drew 3 sketches today to make up for it, using my artists' oil pastels.
I just love the colour, shape and reflection on peppers, I always come back to painting them;-)

Rod and I next to my painting 'Fishing Boats' in the window display

Vintage 7up Bottle

7up Bottle

Oil pastel on semi transparent pastel paper

8.5x 5in approx.  

When we renovated the back part of Europa Inn Building, we found all sorts of vintage souvenirs.
From Entrance Stubbs for AndreaLeo Hall (as it was called back in the 20-70's) to Newspapers to Bottles in the walls. Today I've painted this vintage 7up bottle that was found inside a wall on the 2rd floor, above the ceiling of the catholic church part. Wohoo! Unfortunately the top was broken off, so I searched online for a photo how the neck used to look. See you tomorrow again!                                                                  Simone

Yesterday's Coca-Cola and today's 7up

Als wir den hinteren Teil des Europa Inn Gebäudes renovierten, fanden wir verschiedene alte 'Souvenirs'. Von alten Kino- oder Live Musik Eintrittskarten zur AndreaLeo Hall (so war unser Gebaeude genannt von 1920-70er Jahre) ueber Zeitungen bis hin zu Flaschen in den Waenden. Heute malte ich diese alte 7up Flasche die wir in der Wand im 2. Stock, ueber dem Kirchengewoelbe der katholischen Kirchenteil des Gebaeudes. Wohoo! Leider ist der Flaschenhals abgebrochen, so suchte ich online ein passendes Foto, damit ich den Flaschenhals getreu zeichnen konnte. Bis morgen!                                 Simone

Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola Classic

Oil Pastel on Pastel Paper

11x5in approx. 

Late night tonight, Thursday is always packed to the brim, but I've made it!
Here's another take of the classic Coca-Cola, lots of wavy lines and reflections and semi transparent colour changes- not to get bored;-)             See you tomorrow (or better: today).         Simone


Heut' ist's wieder mal später geworden, Donnerstag ist immer vollgepackt bis unter'n Rand, aber ich hab's durchgeboxt! Hier wieder eine klassische Coca-Cola mit vielen geschwungenen Linien und Reflektionen und Halbtransparenten Farbverläufen. Da wird's nicht langweilig;-)      Simone

Eye Shadow & Finished Set

Eyeshadow

Oil Pastel on Pastel Paper

5x5in approx.

And Eyeshadow shall be the finishing touch for this 5-part Set. Thanks to a friend for the suggestion!  Now, looking forward to see what strikes my fancy tomorrow;-) 

Thanks for visiting!                                                                                          Simone

Girl's Best Friends

Make-up Set 5-piece

Oil Pastel Sketches

Und Lidschatten ist mein abschliessender Kosmetikartikel fuer dieses 5-teilige Set. 

Nun bin ich mal gespannt, was mir morgen ins Auge sticht um gezeichnet zu werden. 

Danke fuer deinen Besuch!                                                                        Simone

Lipstick- the Magic Ingredient

Lipstick

Oil Pastel on Pastel Paper

4x4in approx.

Of course, we cannot forget the lipstick in any girl's make up routine! (Funny enough though, that I had to borrow one from a friend to paint today's painting!) What's still missing on this page? Please let me know by tomorrow (I'm looking to fill the last spot).
A big smooch to all of you for your encouragement! Thank you! 
Bis morgen!                                                                                                        Simone

What should fill the empty space?

Natürlich darf ich nicht den Lippenstift im Makeup Kästchen vergessen! (Zum Schmunzeln ist es aber, dass ich den Lippenstift fuer dieses Bild von einer Freundin leihen musste!) Was fehlt noch auf dem letzten Platz? Bitte lasst's mich wissen bis morgen!
Einen grossen 'Schmatz' euch allen für eure Treue und positiven Kommentare! Danke!
Bis morgen!                                                                                                           Simone

Silky Power

Silky Power Finish

Oil Pastel on Paper, 4 1/2 x 5 1/2in approx.

Today's painting is to follow the theme of make-up sketches.
I love the feel of the oil pastels, so buttery soft.
As you can see I haven't cut the paper, thinking it might make a good bigger art piece for 
a bathroom.

Die heutige Zeichnung folgt dem Thema der letzten Tage, Make-up.
Die Ölpastells sind angenehm aufzutragen, butterweich und pigmentgeladen.
Wie ihr sehen könnt, habe ich das Pastellpapier noch nicht geschnitten. Ich denke 
es könnte ein interessantes Kunstwerk werden fuer ein Bad.

Beautiful Eyes

Mascara 

Oil Pastel on grey-toned Pastel Paper

4x6in

Today St. Andrews is sporting its first ice-rain-storm. After Mass we more slipped home than drove...  Anyhow, it felt so lovely to spend a couch potato Sunday watching old movies and cuddling on the couch (while snacking Halloween candy). 
Here I painted the trusy friend of many ladies: the mascara. 

Heute haben wir unseren ersten Eissturm der Saison in St. Andrews. Nach der Messe sind wir mehr heimgeschlittert als gefahren. Es ist der perfekte Tag um alte Spielfilme auf der gemütlichen Couch mit der Familie zu schauen (und Halloween Süßigkeiten zu naschen).
Heute zeichnete ich die gute Freundin vieler Frauen: die Maskara.

November Sketch

Nail Polish  

5 1/2 x 6 1/2 inches, artists oil pastel

I have caught up with laundry after the September challenge of painting daily, haha! So, when I heard that Caren-Marie Michel- an accomplished plein air artist from Maine- is putting out a challenge to sketch a painting each day of November, I hopped on;-). Thanks Caren, for putting the challenge out- it was so much fun to journey with you during the September Challenge;-)
These sketches will be small and likely something from my daily surrounding as I will have to squeeze this into our daily family routine. Today I sketched with my oil pastels that I have always 'ready-to-go' in our bathroom as a fall-back when the kids are taking a bath and mother (me) is waaaaiiiting for them to get all soaped up and cleaned and out...
I like to paint from life rather than photographs, as it sharpens my perception and the colours and shadows are true and not garrish and distorted. If I have to, I'll paint from photographs, especially for bigger pieces and so it helps a lot when you have painted your 'mileage' in real life to know how to interpret what's on the screen or on the photo. Today is 'All Hallow'ed Day', it was always a very special celebration with my family in Germany.
All the Best!                                                                                             Simone

This year's Halloween I sent Markus out with the kidlets 

and I enjoyed the quiet to finish laundry

Ich bin nun wieder auf dem Laufenden mit meiner Bügelwäsche nachdem September vollgepackt war mit täglich malen. Eine Bekannte, auch Künstlerin, Caren-Marie Michel aus Maine (USA), rief befreundete Künstler auf, jeden Tag im November etwas zu zeichnen, und nachdem wir gemeinsam im September die Herausforderung angenommen haben und es so viel Spass gemacht hat, möchte ich sie nun im November auch unterstützen.

Diese Zeichnungen werden klein sein und oft kleine Stillleben aus meiner täglichen Umgebung, da ich die Zeit irgendwie in unseren Familientagesablauf eingliedern muss. 

                             

Die heutige Zeichnung ist in Ölpastel, mein Set ist in unserem Badezimmer geparkt, sodass ich spontan was anfangen kann während die Kinder in der Badewanne sind und die Mutter (ich) waaaaaartet muss bis sie mit ihrem Waschspass fertig sind. 

Heute ist 'Allerheiligen', morgen 'Aller Seelen': in meiner Kindheit in Deutschland waren das ganz besondere Feiertage mit vielen Tanten und Onkels die auf Kaffee und Kuchen gekommen sind- schöne Erinnerungen;-)        Ganz liebe Gruesse!                 Simone