Gold Plate (Still Life for Lawrence)
(30" x 24", oil on canvas)

I have a wonderful team of people who help me in my artistic pursuits, many of whom have absolutely no idea the small but significant roles they play.

There are the ladies from MacPherson who, while they specialize in doll-making supplies, carry some of my favourite brushes and have the best shipping department around. There is Anthony who works for UPS. His calm and quiet demeanour soothes my nerves when handing over 6 months worth of work to be shipped right across the country. And there is Lawrence, who works at my local market and always takes special care when handling my carefully chosen "props". Lawrence suggested pairing this newly purchased bottle with wild garlic, but I had already had my heart set on these artichokes. Still, a good idea and he should know how much I appreciate his input. This one's for you.

If you’d like to have your personal copy of the Painting of the Week sent directly to your desktop every Wednesday morning please write me at daniele@DanieleLemieux.com.

Classic White
(24" x 18", oil on canvas)

After careful consideration, I chose a somewhat spare approach for my first painting featuring this classically shaped pitcher. While it would have would have been equally good in an elaborate composition, I felt that a few carefully chosen elements would better accentuate the beautifully balanced form of the pitcher.

If you’d like to have your personal copy of the Painting of the Week sent directly to your desktop every Wednesday morning please write me at daniele@DanieleLemieux.com.

Ingredients #3
(24" x 24", oil on canvas)

I had been working on this composition, on and off, for two weeks before finally putting paint to canvas. I spent the first day roughing in the large shapes and the next rendering a glass jar filled with fresh tarragon sprigs. This latter part of the composition would be the first to fade, so I wanted to bring it to almost a completed stage before moving onto to the bottles. By the end of the day I realized that no matter how nicely painted, the jar and feathery herb shapes of the tarragon did not belong in this composition and, after about 8 hours of work, I rubbed it out, replacing it with the red bowl. As an experienced painter I felt I should have seen this compositional error sooner, but mistakes are often part of the process.

The next day back in the studio with fresh eyes, I realized I had truly made the right decision—the red bowl was an infinitely better fit. The end result is a great piece, much stronger than it would have been had I stuck with my original composition.

If you’d like to have your personal copy of the Painting of the Week sent directly to your desktop every Wednesday morning please write me at daniele@DanieleLemieux.com.

Special Request
(18" x 18", oil on canvas)

I believe it is only human nature that makes one want the painting that just went out the door under someone else's arm. Consequently, I frequently get requests for a painting similar to another, and while I try my best to meet all requests, it can be a bit tricky. What was the initial appeal...the colours? subject matter? format? Often, it is nearly impossible for the client to articulate what the attraction was and I am left to draw my own conclusions.

This painting was one such request, and while it is nowhere near a duplicate, it has the same basic tone and feel as the initial work. I do not know if this "substitute" will work for my dealer's customer, but I do know it's a very good piece and not simply a rehash of another. Now, I'll just keep my fingers crossed.

If you’d like to have your personal copy of the Painting of the Week sent directly to your desktop every Wednesday morning please write me at daniele@DanieleLemieux.com.

Summer Fruit Harmony
(18" x 36", oil on canvas)

Nothing says hot summer days quite like a slice of watermelon, so before the season completely runs out, I had to try my hand at this luscious subject. Its iconic triangular shape is softened by the addition of other fruit, making this composition not only about colour, but also about strong hard-edged shapes. Using the white jug as an anchor, the graphic shapes of the fruit fit together and create what I feel is lovely seasonal harmony.

If you’d like to have your personal copy of the Painting of the Week sent directly to your desktop every Wednesday morning please write me at daniele@DanieleLemieux.com.