"Candy Apples" and cold starts

Oil on museum quality, archival 1/8th inch ampersand gessobord panel - 5" x 7"

New Orleans and this new MAC have taken their toll on me.  I did get some fun reference while I was down south which will show up in the next few days and weeks, but once again I am forced to face a cold start at the easel after a week off.  This is always a frightening thing.  What if I forgot how it all works?  I purposely picked something that would allow for some fun color and paint but was not too challenging or complex.  So here it is; a fluff piece to get me started.  

BTW   I love the MAC but it has taken some getting use to.  Things are not where they were.  

"Gâteau au fromage avec le fruit glacé"

Oil on panel 6" x 6"
When I choose to paint this piece, I thought it would be a walk in the park. Little did I realize that the myriad of hues in all that fruit would translate to way more time than I would have imagined analyzing and mixing colors? I wanted it to be free and glistening and that it is. The cheesecake is held in place with a clear collar which reflected nicely the gold fluted plate. When I am finished with this Paris series, you will be well on your way to learning the French language. Pay attention – there will be a quiz. Répetez après moi - fermez la fenêtre.

"petit déjeuner français"

Oil on archival, museum quality, 1/8” Ampersand Gessobord™ panel - 6" x 6"

O.K. campers, here is the first little painting of the new year. I am going to Paris at the end of the month and this plate of croissants and bread is a small reminder of my last sojourn across the big pond.