Oma's Old Coffee Pot

© Debbi Smith Rourke

Oma's Old Coffee Pot    8x6"

Oil on panel. SOLD.

Many of you know I lost my dear, sweet Oma (grandmother) last month. She was 98. And a half. At that age you start counting half years again. In honor of her and to remember her home  of 60 years she loved so much, I am starting a series of paintings devoted to her. You will see a combination of still life paintings from objects I received from her, or settings in her home and gardens. So stay tuned. I finished the first new one tonight, but alas, too dark to photograph. So I am starting with her coffee pot I painted last year. She thought it would make a good painting subject - and it did. Then she kept asking for her coffee pot back! Ha! My uncle Don has it now. Think he plans to brew some coffee the old fashioned way.  

Gourds Galore

© Debbi Smith Rourke

Gourds Galore 12x12" 

Oil on gallery wrapped canvas. $175 + tax (TX only) + $15 sh/h.

I love these fall gourds - so many shapes and colors. Have oodles of them. They also remind me of one of my favorite towns in Provence - Gordes. Stayed very near there for a couple of weeks a few years ago. Loved it!! This painting started slowly but then came together in the end rather quickly.  So thankful for my lovely painting days with painting buddy Amy. Have you noticed I love teal?  OK, food painting recipe time. Since gourds are from the pumpkin family, here's a link to a Praline-Pumpkin Torte (cake) I've served at 2 different Thanksgiving feasts and was always a big hit. Enjoy.

Cream and Sugar

© Debbi Smith Rourke

Cream and Sugar 8" x 10" 

Oil on canvas board framed in wide, decorative gold frame.
$175 + $35 sh/h

This painting currently graces the bar area in my kitchen. Happy to send pics of it framed. My inspiration for this came from an array of vivid colors that popped in my head one night. I saw a vision of glowing lime green surrounded by lots of white, with deep aqua around the outside. So I found some items around the house to design a still life that could mimic the same color combination as I don't typically paint abstract paintings. It worked, though this is clearly more traditional than my vision. But I love this look. Kinda Van Gogh-ish! Enjoyed painting with white - I don't do it often.

A Likely Pair

© Debbi Smith Rourke

A Likely Pair  8 x 10" 

Oil on canvas board. $110 + tax (TX only) + $15 sh/h.

Working in my studio is a pleasure. I'm enjoying creating new still life set ups. So many ideas, so little time. Finding out why odd numbers are preferred in painting. Composition is key - but each day is a new lesson. This looks very nice framed and now sits in my kitchen by the coffee maker. It could sit by yours, too if you like. :)

Three of a Kind

© Debbi Smith Rourke

Three of a Kind  8 x 10" 

Oil on canvas board. SOLD.

Just painted this yesterday. Haven't cooked the apples yet. Hope to get another painting out of them first! Also hope the photo shows the variety of hues and temperatures I worked to capture in the reds. Was fun. Love the depth - feels like you an just pick one up!

Red Bell Pepper

© Debbi Smith Rourke

Red Bell Pepper 8" x 6" 

(aka Red Hot Mamma for Love of Art exhibit)

Oil on panel. SOLD.

Today I got to do two things I love. Paint and cook. First, I painted this red pepper in my studio - and was quite pleased. Love it when the painting seems to paint itself!!! Then I took the pepper, cleaned it thoroughly, diced it and put in in my roasted corn and shrimp chowder. Yum. We needed something hearty for our colder evenings (had been pretty warm here lately, until now). Was a good day and we had a lovely dinner. 

In the Spotlight

© Debbi Smith Rourke

In the Spotlight  6x8"

Oil on panel. NFS

Enjoyed this simple still life. Was a Christmas gift to a dear friend. I have so many great photos now of Lake Austin and the 360 bridge, I think I may start some landscapes next.