Dolce Vita #3
(18" x 36", oil on canvas)

After completing two smaller paintings I felt ready to tackle a larger, more involved piece. I used lots of textures here and was especially pleased to find a pomegranate at this time of year.

Again, because of the perishable nature of the cheese and fruit, particularly under hot spotlights, I had to work quickly. To extend the life of my props, each night I wrapped the individual pieces and refrigerated everything, rebuilding my set each morning.

New Diary of a Painting:
I kept a visual and written diary of this painting. To see it, please click here.

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.

Dolce Vita #2
(18" x 24", oil on canvas)

This second composition in my Dolce Vita series has the same basic structure as the first, but has a stronger element of complementary colours. Also, the powerful graphic shapes of the cheeses add a dynamic element to the arrangement.

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.

Dolce Vita, #1
(18" x 24", oil on canvas)

This painting was inspired by my recent research into BC's Okanagan Valley, known in part for it's vineyards and wine festivals. This is the first piece in a series that I am titling Dolce Vita, or, good life, as represented by the bounty of the area. Compositions such as this are endless in their variety of colours and textures, a feast for both the palette and for the eye of the artist. The only possible drawback being a rather "fragrant" studio as the cheeses melt under my hot lights.

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.

Grapescape
(18" x 36", oil on canvas)

I have remarked here before that some paintings seem to paint themselves; such was definitely not the case here.

I started with a 12" square canvas of grapes sitting on that lovely white packing paper they often come shipped in. Once I was satisfied with my composition, I headed out to buy fresh grapes to replace the now wilted ones on my set. Back in my studio the new grapes would simply not sit right, and as a result of my fiddling around, the once crisp paper had lost its fresh shape. Frustrated I replaced the paper with waxed paper and though it did not have the same form, this paper did have a nice translucent quality. But now, instead of height, I had a width...and the width required more elements to make a satisfactory composition. Long story (and 3 alternative formats) short, I arrived at this painting.

Years ago, I naively believed that painting would be become easier as I gained experienced. Not so. As the bar is raised, it has actually become harder. Perhaps my next piece will be one of those elusive paintings that paints itself.

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.

Honey & Lemon
(20" x 30", oil on canvas)

The traditional pairing of honey and lemon brings to mind the comforts of home. I created this painting with that same thought in mind, and perhaps to offer an antidote to March weather and the seemingly endless days of winter.

News
I am very pleased to announce that I have joined Tutt Art Galleries in Kelowna, BC. http://www.tuttartgalleries.com/

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.