ANTIQUE TEAPOT AND ROSES by Tom Brown

“ANTIQUE TEAPOT AND ROSES”
8x10 inch original oil painting
To purchase this painting, email me at tombrownart@gmail.com
SOLD

Yesterday I posted a photo of this painting during its development. At that time only the teapot itself was completed. The silver teapot is a family heirloom that belongs to my wife. This is the finished painting, complete with flowers, tabletop and background. It may be interesting to compare this with yesterday’s image.

I want to thank all of you who have emailed me such wonderful comments about the recent paintings I have posted here. That truly makes my day! As always I’m interested in your reactions or comments about this one (positive OR negative). Let me hear from you. tombrownart@gmail.com

Today’s thought to smile about:
Being a good friend to someone in need

UNFINISHED PAINTING IN PROGRESS by Tom Brown

“ANTIQUE TEAPOT AND ROSES”
8x10 inch original oil painting in progress
SOLD

Yesterday I posted an example of a very loose painting that bordered on the abstract. Today for a change of pace I thought it would be interesting to show a much more detailed piece during its development.

This is a work in progress that will include two roses next to an antique silver teapot on a tabletop when it is complete. The silver teapot is a family heirloom that belongs to my wife.

I am working on a gray-toned panel so that the bright reflections on the silver finish will show up against the color of the panel. A creamy white rose will be on the tabletop to the left of the teapot, and on the right will be a red rose.

If you look closely you can see a preliminary sketch of the flowers on the panel. The reflections of the flowers have already been painted in the teapot so that the paint in these areas of the teapot could be blended wet-in-wet. Come back tomorrow to see the completed painting.

I want to thank all of you who have emailed me such wonderful comments about the recent paintings I have posted here. That truly makes my day! I’m also interested in your reactions or comments about this one (positive OR negative). Let me hear from you. tombrownart@gmail.com

Today’s thought to smile about:
Reflections in silver

SUNSET CONTEMPORARY ABSTRACT OIL PAINTING by Tom Brown

“CITY LIGHTS”
Representational Abstract Painting
8x10 inch original oil painting
SOLD

Here’s something a bit different from my usual landscapes. It’s done WAAAY looser than I usually work, but I couldn’t help myself. I was totally pumped and it shows! This piece is pure emotion spread across a canvas in liberal quantities for all to see and enjoy! It straddles the line between abstraction and realism, and it’s definitely not for the timid soul. Some areas were even painted with my fingers and the sides of my hands. In fact the paint is so thick in some areas it’s nearly a sculpture.

The sun is a fiery red ball, descending behind a slash of blue-purple clouds low in the sky while city lights begin to sparkle in the distance. But this is about much more than the apparent subject.

This is an experience. It’s all about colors, and values, and composition, and the texture of thick gobs of paint slathered on the canvas. It’s about the sense of urgency and freedom captured simultaneously. This one is a piece of my heart and soul, captured forever on canvas. I had fun doing it; hope you like it.

I’m interested in your reactions or comments (positive OR negative). Let me hear from you. tombrownart@gmail.com

Today’s thought to smile about:
Treating yourself to a good massage

TIN CAN CONTEMPORARY DAILY PAINTING

“MY STUDIO BRUSHES”
8x8 original oil painting

SOLD

I will do another FREE PAINTING GIVEAWAY next month. I did this a couple of times last year. Someone will win a gallery quality painting absolutely FREE. It could be you. Even shipping is free. It’s just for fun and there are no strings attached. Keep an eye on my blog for details.

If your New Year’s Resolution is to learn Oil Painting or Plein Air painting, my newest CDs are just what you need. They’re like art books on your computer, where I share all my inside secrets, tips and techniques that you can use right away.

“OIL PAINTING MADE EASY” is for absolute beginners, and will get anyone started in the right direction. I give the short list of supplies to get started easily. I show how to begin a painting for guaranteed results. I give detailed color mixing formulas, show how to use brush strokes and lots more.

“PLEIN AIR PAINTING MADE EASY” covers my approach to outdoor painting in a variety of situations. I show how to work on toned panels, how to capture quickly moving light and how to approach a painting when you can settle in and take your time. I show equipment you can use that costs next to nothing and how to get started if you’re completely new to Plein Air painting.

Each CD is $30 including shipping. Email me to order tombrownart@gmail.com

Today’s thought to smile about:
Alphabet soup
(I love to watch small children discovering the letters in it.)

CALIFORNIA IMPRESSIONIST PLEIN AIR LANDSCAPE

“MOUNTAIN HOME VISTA”
6x8 inch original oil painting
Click headline to bid on this piece.
SOLD

I met with a group of fellow artists last weekend to paint at this scenic location. We had a wonderful time together and this was my second painting of the day. I was drawn to this view by the cluster of white stucco homes on this peaceful mountainside. Wouldn’t it be nice to live in a spot like this? Some people do. I hope you enjoy the painting and have a beautiful day.

PS: I will do another FREE PAINTING GIVEAWAY next month. Keep an eye on my blog for details.

Today’s thought to smile about:
Books – all kinds of books.

CALIFORNIA IMPRESSIONIST PLEIN AIR LANDSCAPE

“CALIFORNIA VISTA”
6x8 inch original oil painting
Click headline to bid on this piece.
SOLD

A group of artists and I met last weekend to paint at this peaceful location. The early morning air was clean and sweet as I began this painting, and the sunlight was just beginning to brush across the distant mountains. I especially liked the bold shapes of the palm trees in contrast with the soft and misty colors in the distance. I hope you enjoy the painting and have a beautiful day.

PS: I will do another FREE PAINTING GIVEAWAY next month. Keep an eye on my blog for details.

Today’s thought to smile about:
The clean, sweet smell of the air after it rains

HERSHEY’S CANDY DAILY PAINTING

“HERSHEY’S CACAO RESERVE WITH HAZEL NUTS”
6x8 inch original oil, ready to frame
To purchase, email me at tombrownart@gmail.com

Everything about this one was a joy to paint. Chocolate. The wonderful colors on the wrapper. The hazel nuts in the chocolate. The crumbs of chocolate on the table. And the light sparkling on the foil.

Enjoy it! If you have a taste for this one, email me at tombrownart@gmail.com for payment instructions.

PS: I will do another FREE PAINTING GIVEAWAY next month. Keep an eye on my blog for details.

Today’s thought to smile about:
Jokes involving monkeys

CALIFORNIA IMPRESSIONIST PLEIN AIR SUNSET LANDSCAPE

“CATCHING THE SUN”
6x8 inch Original Oil Painting
To purchase, email me at tombrownart@gmail.com
SOLD

During a recent plein air workshop at Vasquez Rocks, students watched as I raced the setting sun while shadows advanced across the landscape. I thought of that as I painted this, and I felt a special thrill in capturing this moment so that it can be shared with others.

Sunlight filtering through the atmosphere gives the mountains and sky a magical glow at this time of day. The land seems to smile and breathe a long sigh of pleasure before settling in for the night. Enjoy the feeling.

PS: I will do another FREE PAINTING GIVEAWAY next month. Keep an eye on my blog for details.

Today’s thought to smile about:
Candles at dinner

URBAN ABSTRACT CITY FREEWAY OIL PAINTING-A-DAY

“TAIL LIGHTS”
(FREEWAY SERIES)
Representational Abstract Painting
5x7 inch original oil painting
Want it? Email me: tombrownart@gmail.com

Tomorrow I will return to my impressionist paintings, but before that here is another in the same abstract series as “EXTREME GAMING,” which I posted two days ago.

This reminds me of extreme video gaming. A horde of competitors jam the freeway as they descend upon Paradise City. Some will make it to the next level, some will burn out. This is real life, not a video game. Feel the energy!

Rather than capturing specific details I simply wanted have fun with the surface texture of the paint and work with the design and color of the piece. I stayed loose and free, and I allowed the tactile effects of the paint to take on a life of its own. (Look at the gobs of thick, juicy paint in the detail photos.)

When I arrived at this point, I was finished. I felt that any additional work would kill the energy of the piece. I’m interested in your reactions or comments. Let me hear from you. tombrownart@gmail.com

Today’s thought to smile about:
Free painting giveaways
(Next month I will do another free art giveaway. Keep watching.)

FULL MOON CONTEMPORARY ABSTRACT OIL PAINTING-A-DAY

“RISING MOON”
Representational Abstract Painting
8x8 inch original oil painting
Email me if you are interested in this piece: tombrownart@gmail.com

SOLD

I love to create abstract paintings, both nonobjective as well as representational abstracts like this. I am known best for my impressionist paintings, but today I thought I would show you a different side of my work. Yesterday I showed an abstract of a freeway scene, today’s abstract is a rising moon.

The foundation of every good realistic painting is a solid abstract composition. Sometimes the abstract is better than a realistic piece could ever be and I felt this is one of those times.

Rather than capturing specific details I simply wanted have fun with the surface texture of the paint and work with the design and color of the piece. I stayed loose and free, and I allowed the tactile effects of the paint to take on a life of its own. (Look at the gobs of thick, juicy paint in the detail photo.) When I arrived at this point, I was finished. I felt that any additional work would kill the energy of the piece.

I’m interested in your reactions or comments. Let me hear from you. tombrownart@gmail.com

Today’s thought to smile about:
The texture of thick, juicy strokes of oil paint

URBAN ABSTRACT CITY FREEWAY OIL PAINTING-A-DAY

“EXTREME GAMING”
Representational Abstract Painting
8x4 inch original oil painting
Want it? Email me: tombrownart@gmail.com
SOLD

This abstract reminded me of extreme video gaming. A horde of competitors jam the freeway as they descend upon Paradise City. Some will make it to the next level, some will burn out. This is real life, not a video game. Feel the energy!

I love to create abstract paintings, both nonobjective as well as representational abstracts like this. I am known best for my impressionist paintings, but today I thought I would show you a different side of my work.

The foundation of every good realistic painting is a solid abstract composition. Sometimes the abstract is better than a realistic piece could ever be and I felt this is one of those times.

Rather than capturing specific details I simply wanted have fun with the surface texture of the paint and work with the design and color of the piece. I stayed loose and free, and I allowed the tactile effects of the paint to take on a life of its own. (Look at the gobs of thick, juicy paint in the detail photos.) When I arrived at this point, I was finished. I felt that any additional work would kill the energy of the piece.

I’m interested in your reactions or comments. Let me hear from you. tombrownart@gmail.com

Today’s thought to smile about:
Video games

SOUTHWESTERN SUNSET PAINTING FROM PAINTING-A-DAY SERIES

“MAGIC HOUR” by Tom Brown
6x8 inch original oil painting
SOLD

I pulled the car off the road near Palm Springs to capture this majestic desert sunset in oils before it disappeared. Billowing clouds framed the mountains, which were alive with color as the sun slipped toward the horizon. Sunset is one of my favorite times of day to paint on location and this particular day was especially rewarding.

Thanks for looking. Take the time to truly enjoy this day, and pass that feeling along to someone else.

Today’s thought to smile about:
Cloud-watching

OCEAN, SURF, BEACH PAINTING-A-DAY

“SHIMMERING SANDS”
8x8 inch original oil painting
SOLD

I went to the beach expecting a sunny day but there was a marine layer when I arrived. It created a very “grayed” and muted color scheme. Not what I hoped for, but the waves and surf were wonderful so I decided to simply make the best of it. I sat in the sand just beyond the water’s edge to paint this, using my little $20 laptop paintbox. I later realized that the sand was damp when I sat down, oops.

Seagulls were circling over something in the water that I couldn’t see, and I felt they added a nice touch to this scene so I included them. The air was clean and fresh; there is something invigorating about salty sea air. The beach was quiet except for the surf and cries of the gulls. It was a beautiful morning. I had wanted sunshine and clear skies, but now I’m glad I decided to stay and paint this.

Thanks for looking. Let HAPPINESS be a part of your day, and pass that along to someone else.

Today’s thought to smile about:
Seagulls floating on air currents

CONTEMPORARY IMPRESSIONIST DAILY PAINTING

“A GOOD VINTAGE”
6x6 inch original oil painting

SOLD

These daily paintings shown on my blog are small, affordable pieces that are a great way to begin a collection or add to your existing collection. You can see larger paintings on my website at http://www.tombrownstudio.com/

Thanks for looking. Let JOY be a part of your day, and pass that along to someone else.

Today’s thought to smile about:
Cork

IMPRESSIONIST DAILY PAINTING BY TOM BROWN

“HOME SWEET HOME”
SOLD

I am honored to have one of my paintings featured in the February issue of Art Calendar magazine. My painting and a number of my comments are used in an article by Diana Moses Botkin about the Daily Painter’s movement. Thank you, Diana, for including me in the article. To view paintings that are available on my website, click the headline above this image.

The daily paintings shown on my blog are small, affordable pieces that are a great way to begin a collection or add to your existing collection. I also work much larger than this, so if you’re interested in a large piece for your mantle please feel free to email me and let’s talk.

Today’s thought to smile about:
Relaxing by the fireplace in the evening

IMPRESSIONIST DAILY PAINTING BY TOM BROWN

SOLD

I am honored to have this painting featured in the February issue of Art Calendar magazine.

My painting and a number of my comments are used in an article by Diana Moses Botkin about the Daily Painter’s movement. Thank you, Diana, for including me in the article.

To view paintings that are available on my website, click the headline above this image.

Today’s thought to smile about:
Country Style Cooking

CONTEMPORARY IMPRESSIONIST STILL LIFE, DAILY PAINTING

“A CORDIAL MOMENT”
6x6 inch Original Oil Painting
Got a taste for this painting? Set your own price and email me with your best offer. tombrownart@gmail.com

If your New Year’s Resolution is to learn Oil Painting or Plein Air painting, my newest CDs are just what you need. They’re like art books on your computer, where I share all my inside secrets, tips and techniques that you can use right away.

“OIL PAINTING MADE EASY” is for absolute beginners, and will get anyone started in the right direction. “PLEIN AIR PAINTING MADE EASY” covers my approach to outdoor painting in a variety of situations. Each is $30 including shipping. Email me to order tombrownart@gmail.com

Today’s thought to smile about:
Using the shuffleplay setting

IMPRESSIONIST DAILY PAINTING, POUNDING OCEAN SURF

“THUNDERING SURF”
8x10 original oil, ready to frame
(The price? Make me an offer.)

This one is a simple but powerful composition: golden sunlight on craggy rocks, pounding surf. You can almost smell the salty air. If you are interested in this painting, please email me at tombrownart@gmail.com and make me an offer. I accept PayPal or personal checks. I ship only to the U.S. Thanks for looking.

If you have a moment, check out the newly designed look of my website (courtesy of my son) http://www.tombrownstudio.com/

Today’s thought to smile about:
The paintings of Edgar Payne

(An early California impressionist)

IMPRESSIONIST DAILY PAINTING, CONTEMPORARY STILL LIFE

“CLASSIC COLORS”
6x6 original oil
SOLD

This painting is already sold, but if you like it please leave a comment below, or email me at tombrownart@gmail.com

If you have a moment, check out the newly designed look of my website (courtesy of my son) http://www.tombrownstudio.com/

Today’s thought to smile about:
The sweet, fluid tones of Pete Fountain on clarinet

DAILY PAINTER PEPPER SHAKER OIL PAINTING

“PEPPER SHAKER”
6x6 original oil
Set your own price and email me to purchase this.
tombrownart@gmail.com
SOLD

This was a personal experiment to find the beauty and interest in commonplace objects. Yesterday I posted a painting of a lowly salt shaker. Today I am posting the companion painting, a pepper shaker. I feel beauty is everywhere if you look closely.

I try to capture the little details that give something like this a sense of uniqueness and make it worthy of being seen as a work of art. Let me know what you think.

If you like this one set your own price and mail me with an offer. tombrownart@gmail.com I take PayPal and personal checks. I ship to US only.

Today’s thought to smile about:
Having a best friend
You gotta be one to get one!

DAILY PAINTER SALT SHAKER OIL PAINTING

“SALT OF THE EARTH”
6x6 original oil
Set your own price and email me to purchase this.
tombrownart@gmail.com
SOLD

This was a personal experiment to find the beauty and interest in a commonplace object: a lowly salt shaker. I feel beauty is everywhere if you look closely. Here are some details I found interesting and decided to capture just as they were.

The top of this old shaker was bent from being dropped, and I decided to paint it that way. The thick glass created interesting and uneven distortions and color changes. Light was reflected from the left side onto the tabletop, creating a bright glare. Salt had spilled onto the table to the right of the salt shaker, and I decided to keep that in the painting too.

I feel these little details give it uniqueness and make this humble subject worthy of being seen as a work of art and preserved in oil paint. Let me know what you think. (A very kind viewer just emailed some interesting comments, which I have placed in the "comments" section below. Have a look.)

If you like this one set your own price and mail me with an offer. tombrownart@gmail.com I take PayPal and personal checks. I ship to US only.

Today’s thought to smile about:
Lyrics in Country & Western songs
You gotta love ‘em!

DAILY PAINTER TIN CAN & PENCILS

“Tin can with pencils from my studio”
6x6 original oil
Email me to purchase this.
tombrownart@gmail.com

SOLD

This is a personal favorite of mine. The composition is deceptively simple, yet bold and powerful. It's a humble subject, the tin can of pencils from my studio. But it has really loose, juicy brushwork that makes it sing! I used only the good strokes when painting this one.

In addition to the brushwork I also like the muted color. Yes, it appears to be gray, but there is beautiful color in there, too. (No black paint was used in the making of this piece.) This one really rings my chimes.

Email me if you can’t live without it. tombrownart@gmail.com I take PayPal and personal checks. I ship to US only.

Oh, check out my newest CD Art Instruction e-Books on my website. By the way, my entire website has been renovated with a fresh new look. I hope you will take a moment to visit: http://www.tombrownstudio.com/

Today’s thought to smile about:
Huell Howser’s enthusiasm about everything
If you’ve never watched one of his shows, you owe it to yourself to Google him and check it out.

FARM HOUSE, IMPRESSIONIST PLEIN AIR LANDSCAPE

“OVERGROWN”
6x8 inch original oil painting
SOLD

This aging farmhouse shows years of decay and neglect since it was abandoned. Weeds and vines have overtaken it and the building is beginning to crumble. When I come upon scenes like this I can only imagine the stories that are contained within the walls of this ancient relic that was once a home.

Hope you like this one. Set your own price if you would like to own this piece. Email me with any offer. tombrownart@gmail.com I take PayPal and personal checks. I ship to US only.

My new TV show begins filming next week, where I will show how to paint on location. Watch for details. Also check out my newest CD Art Instruction e-Books. Details are on my website. By the way, my entire website has been renovated with a fresh new look. I hope you will take a moment to visit: http://www.tombrownstudio.com/

Today’s thought to smile about:
Soap Box Derby races

MY FIRST PLEIN AIR PAINTING OF 2008

“FIRST PAINTING OF 2008”
6X6 inch Original Oil Painting
Want this painting? Email me with an offer. tombrownart@gmail.com

I've been tagged by Liza Hirst. This is a fascinating new phenomenon among daily bloggers. I am sure you will see many more “tags” among bloggers in the coming months.

Here are the rules I was given when I was tagged:
1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.
2. Share 5 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog

Okay everyone, here are 5 facts about me (some random, some weird):

1. I have wanted to be an artist since I was a toddler. My Mom and grandfather were artists. I was the illustrator for the school newspaper all through high school, and illustrated the yearbooks in my sophomore, junior and senior years. We won a national award for my senior yearbook. I spent a number of years in advertising before turning to fine art full time.

2. One of the most influential people in my life was Pop Storey, who owned the art school I went to in Cincinnati. He and his wife Nina virtually adopted me during my art school years and I formed a very close lifelong bond with them. Another major influence was Art Magee, who ran the top advertising illustration studio in Chicago. He was my first employer in advertising. Art taught me many things about life, art and kindness and emphasized that I pass it on. I’ve been doing that ever since.

3. I am the 4th of 8 children (5 boys, 3 girls).

4. Weight training has been a hobby since I discovered it as a 130 pound teenager. I eventually added enough muscle to bench press 305 pounds and deadlift 450 pounds. For a number of years I marketed my own mail order bodybuilding course quite successfully.

5. I spent my teen years in rural Kentucky. The virgin woods surrounding our home had been undisturbed since the time of Daniel Boone, and we often found Indian artifacts while hiking there. The entire area has now been developed as a series of housing tracts and the woods are gone.

I would like to tag these artists:
JUSTIN CLAYTON,
KARIN JURICK,
BELINDA DEL PESCO,
PETER YESIS,
J MATT MILLER

Today’s thought to smile about:
Hopes, dreams and possibilities for the year ahead

MY FINAL PLEIN AIR PAINTING OF 2007

“FINAL PAINTING OF 2007”
6X6 inch Original Oil Painting
SOLD

This is my final plein air painting of the year, painted on December 31, 2007. My wife and I were shopping at Foothills Ranch and the spectacular scenery inspired me to grab my mini paintbox from the car to create one final painting of the year.

While I painted this from the edge of the parking lot my wife was able to enjoy a bit of shopping time alone. This was a bonus for her because I’m a typical “male” shopper. I go in, get what I want, and check out. My wife is more of a “recreational” shopper and likes spending a bit more time in stores than I do. (Men are from Mars, etc.) This way everybody was happy.

Here is a photo of the actual scene for comparison, and a picture of the mini paintbox I used. My Midwest friends may find it hard to believe but this photo was actually taken as I painted outdoors on December 31, with temperatures in the 70s. I love the weather, the sunshine and the stunning scenery where I live. Hope you can see that in this painting.

Want this painting? Email me with an offer. tombrownart@gmail.com

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM CALIFORNIA!

By the way, my entire website has been renovated with a fresh new look, check it out. http://www.tombrownstudio.com/

Today’s thought to smile about:
Do an unexpected kindness today, and let that set the tone for the New Year.