Pedestal Dish
(16" x 16", oil on canvas)

Put anything in a pedestal dish and it is immediately elevated (no pun intended) from the mundane to the extraordinary. Although I've used similar elements as last week’s abundance-themed painting, here I was aiming for a more contemplative, pared down tone.

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.

Fruit Frieze
(20" x 30", oil on canvas)

A recent (and long over-due) cleanup of my prop room yielded this lovely urn. I'd used it many years ago, but as I add props to my collection, treasures often get pushed to the back. I love the classical tone of this painting and abundance of fruit that suggests timeless indulgence.

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.

Fresh Fruit II
(12" x 24", oil on canvas)

This is my second take on last week's subject matter. Taking full advantage of what is known as "artistic license" I made the pot a little wider than the first painting so it would sit better in this canvas shape. I eliminated the top berry and added a few scattered ones leading the eye of the viewer from left to right to rest on the pot. And to fill out the composition and add a spark to my reds, I added a few green grapes.

Where last week's piece was restful, this one has more movement owing not only to the placement of the objects but also the addition of the complementary greens.

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.

Jumbo Berries
(12" x 12", oil on canvas)

Strawberries are popular subjects, perhaps because they often speak of a long awaited spring. These were huge berries, making it easier for me to get a really good look at them. I was mindful not to include too much detail when doing the berries, as they quickly lose that fresh appeal if overworked.

I could not make up my mind whether this painting should be a 12" square canvas or a more elongated shape, so I decided to do both. Each canvas shape has it's own dynamic. While a square canvas is usually restful, an elongated shape calls for tension in a composition. Next week you will see my second variation.

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.

In the Pink
(12" x 12", oil on canvas)

Though I do not like to think I am governed by my emotions I must admit that when things aren't going well, my work follows suit... and the converse is also true. A situation I felt untenable has suddenly been resolved, a relationship I greatly value has been saved and I couldn't be happier. I think this sunny little painting is a direct reflection of my mood.

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.

Fait à la maison
(16" x 16", oil on canvas)

I grouped three objects that I felt had a homemade feel to them giving this small painting a charm that speaks of simpler pursuits. The uneven surface of the enamelware gave me the opportunity to add bits of colour reflected from elsewhere in the painting making for a cohesive colour 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.

Lady Alice Apples
(12" x 24", oil on canvas)

I stumbled across this new variety of apples at my local grocer and was admittedly drawn not only to the colour, but also to the name. My Internet "research" tells me that this is indeed a relatively new offering, coming out of Eastern Washington, and is named after the growers' late grandmother. It is my hope that the original Lady Alice would have liked my interpretation of her namesake.

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.