Old Fashioned Peony

©A.K.SIMON - Old Fashioned Peony - 8"x8" oil on linen - $100)

Today's Quote: Earth laughs in flowers. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

As near as I can guess this is a "nice gal" variety of peony. The only reason I call it old fashioned is because this is the kind my Mom grew when I was young. And, it was introduced by William Krekler in 1965. Special starting bid price on this one - it is still an
8" x 8". You may bid on the painting at Dailypaintworks. Just click the icon on the right.

A Little more info about the "Nice Gal" peony and it is a wonderful site to visit just to look at all the varieties of peonies.

http://www.theplantexpert.com/peonies/PeonyList.html

Large, deep rose-pink blossoms, which fade to a silvery pink; when fully open central tuft of golden stamens and deep rose stigmas is visible; flowers are placed near the foliage; great landscape variety; sturdy bush — no staking needed; produces so many flowers that foliage is almost hidden

Unwrapping the Cyclamen

©A.K.SIMON - Unwrapping the Cyclamen - 8"x8" oil on linen

Here's another Red and Green painting. Who knows why this happens but as artists we always tend toward colors that sooth our psyche. Mine seem to be red and green and I am going to make a valiant effort to step outside this comfort zone. I think a challenge for me will be to take a scene and adjust all the colors away from what's in front of me. All of this said, I like this painting and that's mainly because of the bold red and green and the fact that it's a granny smith and it makes the best apple pie. Ahh, it just occurred to me that my sugar addiction is what's driving my color choices. Oh and I am thinking about that carmel apple pie in the kitchen as we speak!

Here's a little fact about cyclamen that I found intriguing:

http://www.cyclamen.com/en/consumer/find-out-about-cyclamen/cyclamen-stories/journey-through-history

Did you know?

In antiquity, the cyclamen was recognised for its therapeutic virtues, due to the presence of cyclamine, a bitter substance with purgative powers. It is a basic remedy in homoeopathy for depression, hidden sorrows, or when one is turned in on oneself....li

I found this out about the cyclamen after I had named it. It sort of gives new meaning to the word "unwrapping" in the title. Coming out of "oneself" is a sort of unwrapping.

Maybe I should have eaten the cyclamen to figure out why I tend toward red and green in all of my paintings! (just kidding - but I could use some more greens in my diet). 

Bunch of Stuff Going On this Fall

© Fruit, It's What's for Dinner 
12"x12" - Currently In an Exhibit at 

Stone Village Gallery

Opening: 11/1/2014

© Garden Bounty - Oil on linen - 12"x16" Currently in an exhibit at 

High Road Gallery

Opening: 11/2/2014

© An Apple Today - Oil on linen -
8"x8" Currently in an exhibit 

Motorists Ins. Co. Art Gallery

Building remains open on weekends
for gallery viewing - show starts
Oct. 24 but you must enter through the front door on Broad St.














Today's Quote: We cling to our own point of view, as though everything depended on it. Yet our opinions have no permanence; like autumn and winter, they gradually pass away.

                                                                                                                   Zhuangzi

1.  I am currently exhibiting with the Canal Winchester Art Guild at the Motorists Insurance Co. at 471 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43215. The Show starts October 24 and you may see it even on weekends by entering through the Broad Street doors.

2.  Today (Nov. 1) is gallery hop in the Short North Area of Columbus, OH. I will have work along with other members of the German Village Art League in the Stone Village Gallery at the corner of 4th and 2nd. The gallery is just two blocks east of High Street on Second. This is a very open, beautifully lit, friendly gallery space. It's well worth the trip off the beaten gallery hop path: Here's a link to the space: http://www.stonevillagechurch.org/#/art-gallery - they have VERY nice opening reception!

2.  Garden Bounty is one of the works I have hanging in the High Road Gallery show this month. As President of the Collage of Women Artists I was chairperson for the final show that High Road Gallery will exhibit. The current curator wishes to retire and will be changing the space into individual artist studios. Here's an invite if you live in the area and would like to attend. This is a group of VERY talented women: Address is 12 E. Stafford St., Worthington, OH - http://www.highroadgallery.com/

3.  Though Studio 7.5 will not be having our annual open house, we will be participating in the Moonlight Market Shop Hop on November 13th, 5-9 PM. Here's an invitation: http://www.artstudio7-5.com/