Laura Johnston Painting

2012-09-06T00:40:00.002-07:00

Cheesecake!!

This just makes me hungry! I don't even like blueberries!

2012-09-04T18:56:00.006-07:00

Foggy Boat

This was an experiment in gray painting using mainly middle values on a colored canvas.

It was also a study in light and reflection. I hope you enjoy it.

2012-09-04T02:09:00.004-07:00

Everything is coming up roses...

And pansies. This painting was an attempt to create a
still life floral arrangement using very few strokes for
each item.

2012-09-02T22:14:00.002-07:00

In the vineyard at sunset.

This painting was a practice in abstraction. The trees in the back are blurred down
to just shapes with the stark white buildings a focal point. The trees are just simple
shapes and strokes of color and shadow.
The foreground allows for depth and shadow to appear in both the rows and the
draping of the vines at the end of the rows. I'm not much of an orange fan but this
seems to work with the roof and sky. Hope you like it.

Everything is coming up roses

2012-03-15T12:21:00.000-07:00

Loose roses in glass vases

This is a 16x20 oil painting on canvas board. The glass vases are bold interpretations of glass water stems and reflection. The roses are loose interpretations of roses using bold light and shadow strokes.

Cliffside

2012-03-15T12:12:00.002-07:00

This cliffside ocean and rocky lagoon

is an 8x10 oil on canvas board and a study in light and shadow. The cliffside and rocks were created with loose layers of color creating depth in light and shadow.

Sunset on the hill

2012-03-15T12:07:00.001-07:00

Sunset painting on the hill

this spot is one that is frequented by plein air painters and runners. I have painted this several times although it always looks different because of the sky, lighting and the time of day. It is an 8x10 oil on canvas board.

Trees at the lake

2012-03-15T12:02:00.000-07:00

Painting plein air allows for some great location paintings

I believe this was at Big Bear Lake on a relaxing camping trip.

Local hills

2012-03-15T11:57:00.003-07:00

California hills

This California hills painting is a 9x12 landscape, oil on canvas board.

Quick Study

2012-03-15T11:53:00.002-07:00

This a little painting

that was done a s a quick study for the larger painting.

Desert in Bloom

2012-03-15T11:48:00.002-07:00

Under the hot desert sun

this painting is a 16x20 floral oil on canvas board.

Pony and a Boat

2012-03-15T11:39:00.002-07:00

OK so this is just a boat

It is a large 16x20 oil on canvas board. Like Lyle Lovett, if I had a boat, I'd go out on the ocean.

And if I had a pony, I'd ride him on my boat. And we could all together, go out on the ocean.

I'll sit upon my pony on my boat.

Sunset at the beach

2012-03-15T01:07:00.000-07:00

A bright sunset at the beach

this painting was about reflection on the sea and the rocks. It is an 8x10 oil painting.

Lunch

2012-03-15T01:01:00.002-07:00

An apple and an orange

this painting is an 8x10 study of light and shadow and was done in a studio setting.

Cups and tomatos

2012-03-15T00:55:00.003-07:00

Cups and tomatos with sparkle
highlights and glass were the focus on this painting. The shine on clear and solids objects was created with layers of color placed to create light and dark patterns. It is larger 12x16.

Painting on the side of the road.

2012-03-15T00:45:00.001-07:00

Painting in an urban setting

calls for creativity when looking for things to paint. Omitting things is sometimes necessary and artistic license is a must. This is an 8x10 oil painting of the side of the road minus sidewalks.

Upside down!

2012-03-15T00:39:00.001-07:00

This was painted upside down

for half of it and then flipped over to be finished. The clouds and sky were then added in. It is a local hill and mountain that is painted often.

cloudy day

2012-03-15T00:33:00.003-07:00

This painting is a 4x6 desert painting

done in oil on a canvas board. Depth and shadow are a focus as well as the use of vibrant desert colors.

Joshua Tree

2012-03-15T00:04:00.000-07:00

This simple painting was done on a paint-out
in Joshua Tree. It was an all day session of painting in the sun that proved to be quite interesting. The pallet used was more than I had with me but, led to a discussion limited pallets and the masters. This was done on a masonite board in oil.

Whew its hot out there!

2012-03-14T23:56:00.001-07:00

Even in the evening Joshua Tree

can be very hot! Be sure to bring plenty of water. This 8x10 painting was done in oil on a trip to the desert. The colors of the desert are much brighter especially the sky. If you can get out there to paint I highly recommend it just be sure to follow the safety advice.

Italy!

2012-03-14T23:49:00.002-07:00

The eat portion of Eat, Pray, Love

this pallet knife study of Italy makes me want to eat pasta and take a sunset gondola ride.

Evening field

2012-03-14T23:46:00.001-07:00

this evening field was a

quick pallet knife study in evening painting. It measures 5x7 and I honestly can't remember where it is.

Windy City

2012-03-14T23:42:00.001-07:00

This is an evening skyline

pallet knife study of Chicago. It was painted in a studio from a photo and measures 5x7. The land and water were twinkling in the moonlight against the lighted buildings.

Lone bush

2012-03-14T23:24:00.000-07:00

This is a lone bush.

Well that's not exactly true. I have painted this same bush many times so it really can't be lonely. I almost feel like I visit it. This is a 5x7 pallet knife painting at a local urban park.

Painting on a hill

2012-03-14T23:18:00.001-07:00

Painting on a hill as part of a plein air study of light.
This painting is one of many that I did at the same point on a hill. Each painting is different because the lighting changes as the day goes on. Those painted early in the morning are darker than the ones painted in full sunlight.