Sunday, May 9, 2010

"Dubious Welcome"

When I was visiting the lake, I was invited to check out the outdoor sauna. I had never seen one and was amazed with the way one would light a fire to heat at least nine buckets of water to create steam for a cedar lined room. The experience was described as one of great relaxation and cleansing. I didn't get to experience this but I was struck by a little changing room next to the fireplace. The only light in the room was the one coming from the open door. Because of this lighting, I thought the room was giving me a "Dubious Welcome"


I may attempt to paint the sauna room in the future. It was quite small and beautiful.

I also had to share the breakfast my 12 year old surprised me with this morning. Happy Mother's Day!




36x12 oil on canvas


30 comments:

Kim VanDerHoek said...

Aw, what a sweet breakfast! I like your painting, it has a moody atmosphere and unique composition. Happy Mother's Day!

Gail H. Ragsdale said...

I agree, what a sweet Mother's Day breakfast!

I love your painting!

Anonymous said...

Sheila...how precious....enjoy your mothers day!

painting is lovely too!

Unknown said...

Cute breakfast, too cute to eat

Unknown said...

The chair painting is awesome!

dominique eichi said...

Love the chair but the breakfast takes the prize. Blessings to you, Happy Mothers Day

Celeste Bergin said...

your breakfast looks so cute! Like you chair painting too..!

Natasha said...

That breakfast is an amazing Mother's Day present.

The title is just perfect for that paining.

Gwen Bell said...

Really strong, dramatic lighting...love it and the title.

What sweet kids you have and creative just like their Mom!

Unknown said...

Really nice painting Sheila, I love the lighting very moody)

Suzanne said...

awwwww

happy mother's day shelia

Unknown said...

Your painting is really great! I like the viewpoint and deep shadows. Your daughter is a real sweetheart!!

Autumn Leaves said...

What a sweet daughter! I love this lovely chair and that fabulous wall color. Just a sweet little spot to have captured in paint, Sheila! Such a delightful piece, both mysterious with its light and welcoming with that delicate chair of yesteryear.

Dean H. said...

I especially like the lighting of the picture frame...Excellent!

Looks like a heart-y breakfast! Egg-cellent! Sweet!
I wish you a belated Happy Mother's Day.

Sheila Estep said...

Love the Breakfast! so sweet!
Ooo... the painting is great and I agree, with your title. :-)

-Don said...

It looks like somebody loves you... Cool breakfast. I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day.

I love the mood you created with composition, lighting and color in your painting. Sweet!

-Don

Michelle said...

Very dramatic painting!

What a fun mother's day breakfast...very sweet! Hope you had a nice day!

john lee said...

LOVE the painting, cool dimensions!

Mary Paquet said...

What a lovely Mother's Day breakfast. I can tell how much your kids love you, Sheila!

Becky Joy said...

So sweet. That really put a smile on my face. You obviously had a great day. A wonderful start. Nice work that you have been doing.

martinealison said...

Très belle assiette pour une fête des mamans! Très belle peinture aussi... Après une séance de sauna rien de mieux pour se relaxer sur la belle chaise que vous avez peint...
Amitiés.

James Parker said...

Such a neat breakfast sentiment!! And a sharp painting, too. Costa Rica has quite a few of those "boil your own" rustic sauna rooms.

Tracey Clarke said...

It is amazing how uncomfortable that painting makes me feel. Like something is about to happen......very cool.

David Larson Evans said...

Always a joy to visit your blog. I wish the chair was something I had painted .

Lokelani Forrest said...

Sheila...how very thoughtful and sweet of your 12 year old. Love your "Dubious Welcome."

L.Holm said...

That is so sweet! What a great daughter! And creative like her mom! :-D
Love this chair..really tells a story.

Dean Grey said...

Love the dramatic lighting of this painting and the lovely green walls!

Hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day, Sheila!

-Dean

Crazy RAvens Studio said...

That breakfast is what memories are made of. I miss my girls bringing me breakfast in bed. I really like the sensibility you brought to the chair painting and great title.

Anonymous said...

Sheila, I came across your blog today and was so intrigued by the title and your story. “From Forensic to Fine Art”… I love the alliteration. I found it fascinating that you came from such a dark and disturbing profession to create colorful and generally light-hearted paintings. You must have seen so much during your career as a forensics officer. The only painting that seemed to allude to your past is “Dubious Welcome”. The dramatic lighting contrasts with the dainty white chair and gives the piece an element of fright. It feels like a still from a horror film. I imagine a petrified women hiding from a murderer just outside of the frame. I certainly have the desire to have a seat in that chair. This painting is of an illuminated chair, yet, it really conjures up intense imagery and emotions. I love the size, the ultra-rectangular shape of this painting. I am a photographer and have also played around with painting. I find a lot of inspiration online by browsing other artists .

Mary Sheehan Winn said...

Precious!!
I love the chair painting.