Size: 6″ x 6″ Support: Gallery wrap stretched canvas Description: A close-up painting of a red ladybug sitting on a red flower. This painting will not need a frame. Gallery wrap means the canvas wraps around the support. This allows the artist to paint around the edges of the painting.
Artist Comments: This painting is of a lady bug sitting on a red flower and the ladybugs’ color is almost the perfect camouflage. I named it “Almost Perfect Camouflage” because the red color of the ladybug blends in so well with the flower he/she is sitting on. A natural predator would have to look very close to see it.
Where did they get their name?Are all ladybugs female? What do you call a ladybug that is a male? How can you tell them apart? All great questions!
The name ladybug is the common name for Coccinellidae, a Latin word meaning scarlet, and is the American name for the insect Europeans call the “lady beetle” or “ladybird beetle.” Whether you call them a ladybug, ladybird or lady beetle, the name is thought to have its origins in an old legend from Europe during the Middle ages.
Legend has it that the Europeans agricultural crops were being destroyed by pests, so Catholic farmers began praying to the Blessed Lady (the Virgin Mary) for help. Soon afterward they noticed tiny black and red beetles in their fields eating the unwanted pests. Their crops were miraculously spared the damage from the infestation. The farmers attributed their good fortune to the tiny insects which they called “the beetles of our Lady.” The red color of the beetle represents Mary’s cloak and the black spots her sorrows. Through the years they eventually came to be known as ladybugs.
Even though they are called lady bugs, they do come in both the male and female varieties, and both sexes are called the same thing… “ladybugs.” To the naked eye it is hard to distinguish the male from female ladybugs, although, females are larger than males. And that is hard to distinguish unless they are next to each other.
This painting is part of a series featuring a ladybug. The next ladybug painting in this series is Ladybug #1 — Hanging On Tight.
Size: 6″ x 6″ Support: Gallery wrap stretched canvas Description: Close-up oil painting of a red ladybug hanging on tight to a leafy branch. This painting will not require a frame as the image extends around the edges of the canvas surface.
Artist Comments: This painting is the first of two featuring a ladybug. I actually worked on both paintings at the same time, i.e. Ladybug #1 and Ladybug #2. I painted the ladybug series on six inch by six inch canvases. For such a small creature, I felt 6×6 was the perfect size. I love ladybugs and had been wanting to paint one (or more) for quite some time.
I came across a really good deal on some small canvases and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to buy 24 of them. When my shipment of 6×6 canvases arrived, I thought this was the perfect time to paint the ladybugs. Before these two particular paintings it had been quite some time since I last painted on such a small canvas. It was a lot of fun and it didn’t take any time at all to finish it.
Now About The Ladybugs!
Ladybugs are wondrous little creatures! They are sometimes called lady beetles or ladybird beetles. They most commonly come in the colors of red, yellow and orange which fades as the beetle gets older. Some species have black spots while others have black stripes and still others are a solid color with no markings at all. Their bright colors serve to warn birds they don’t taste good.
Surprisingly there are over 6,000 different species of this particular insect. They are beneficial insects because ladybugs eat other insects like aphids that often damage agricultural crops and garden plants. As such, ladybugs are often grown commercially and sold to farmers and gardeners.
The life cycle of a ladybug consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Depending on the species, female ladybugs may lay as many as 1,000 eggs from spring to early summer. It usually takes four days for their eggs to hatch.
Size: 20″ x 16″ Support: Gallery wrap stretched canvas Description: Oil painting of a sunflower as seen from the backside of the blossom. Gallery wrap means this painting will not require a frame as the composition extends around the edges of the canvas surface.
Artist Comments: I love all flowers, however, one of my favorite kind is the sunflower. I love the bright sunshine yellow petals and huge blossoms that resemble the sun. Most paintings of sunflowers are from the front of the blossom, however, the back side of some flowers can be just as interesting.
Some Interesting Things About Sunflowers
The sunflower is a plant that is native to North America. Later it was introduced to Mexico and Peru. They can grow up to 6 feet tall and prefer dry, sunny places where their roots can dig deep into the soil.
When the plant is in the bud stage, it will face the sun following its movement across the sky from horizon to horizon. This movement allows it to get the maximum amount of the sun’s rays. Once the flower is fully opened into the radiance of yellow petals, it faces east only. It is not known why it does this. One theory is it is possibly a defensive response to prevent the sun from scalding the seed pod during hot summer days.
The sunflower is often equated as a symbol of spiritual faith, worship, adoration, loyalty and longevity. Perhaps because it is always seeking the “Light”.
Size: 12″ x 16″ Support: Gallery wrap stretched canvas Description: A closeup representation of a tractor tire. This painting will not need a frame as the painted composition extends around the edges of the canvas.
Artist Comments: This oil painting was an interesting one to do. What I like most about it is all of the different textures present in it — the wood, the rubber, and even the rusty metal rim. It was a enjoyable challenge painting all those textures and getting them just right. In addition, there are the warm colors that contrast against the cool ones. There are so many neat things happening in this painting it was just a fun one to paint!
I believe an artist’s environment has a huge influence on the type of art they create — I know it does me. I can always find some interesting objects to paint here on our small Texas ranch, however, I don’t limit myself, I do paint other locations too. When we go on vacation I always take my camera with me to capture as much as I can in photos that will be used someday as reference material for future paintings.
This painting would be the perfect art piece for the man cave especially if you love farm tractors or even cars. I can imagine no one would have ever thought a tractor tire would be the focal point for a painting, but it isn’t the only farm equipment I’ve painted. A few years back I did a painting of some horse tack too. Check out Barn Door with Horse Tack.
Still Life with Tractor Tire reminds me of another panting I did several years ago. It also has a lot of texture. It is called Still Life with Boat Fenders.
Size: 16″ x 12″ Support: Gallery wrap stretched canvas Description: A landscape painting of the famous Lighthouse geological rock formation of Palo Duro Canyon. This painting will not need a frame as the painting image extends around the edges of the canvas.
Artist Comments: In 2015 my husband Robert and I traveled to Amarillo TX on vacation. While there we visited the Palo Duro Canyon State Park several times as it quickly became the highlight of our trip. The Lighthouse Monument is one of many “must see” attractions when visiting this park. Multiple visits to the canyon also provided me with a lot of photo ops that will be used as reference material for future paintings of this park.
Fun Facts About Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Palo Duro Canyon State Park is located in the Texas Panhandle near Amarillo TX. Also called “The Grand Canyon of Texas” because of its size and its resemblance to the Grand Canyon located in Arizona. It is the second largest canyon in the U.S. measuring 120 miles long, 20 miles at its widest point and 800 feet at its maximum depth. It also has over 29,000 scenic acres for the tourist or vacationer to enjoy. Just like the Grand Canyon in Arizona, the Palo Duro Canyon features dramatic geological features, multicolored layers of rock and steep mesa walls.
For the park visitor there are hiking trails, camp grounds, horse back riding and more! The canyon is also host to TEXAS Outdoor Musical, the longest running musical ever performed on stage. This world renown musical drama has been performed on an outdoor stage in the canyon since 1965.
For more information about this Texas state park visit their website.
Size: 16″ x 20″ Support: Gallery wrap stretched canvas Description: An oil painting of the profile of a large white dog, perhaps of the Great Pyrenees variety. In the background is a field of yellow wildflowers. Gallery wrap means this painting will not require a frame as the composition extends around the edges of the canvas surface.
Artist Comments: This is a painting of a large white dog, possibly a Great Pyrenees. The Great Pyrenees has been one of my favorite breed of dog ever since Lobo, our Pyrenees mix dog, showed up at our door one day and decided to stay. Living out in the country as we do, means we get a lot of strays who wonder up to our door looking for a place to call home. We don’t know where they come from, but we never turn them away. We try to find their owner, if possible. If not, then we find them a new home or we wind up adopting them ourselves. This painting isn’t of Lobo, but the dog portrayed in it sure does reminds me of him.
A Few Fun Facts About Great Pyrenees
The Great Pyrenees dog makes a great family pet. They are calm, devoted and well-mannered canines. They also make great guard dogs, especially around livestock. They are very devoted to those they love and will protect family with their very life if need be.
The Great Pyrenees is a dog of great intellect with a mind of their own and love to figure things out by themselves. While this is a wonderful trait, it can create a bit of a challenge when it comes to training.
For more information about this breed of dog, visit this website.
Below is a list of all my oil paintings on this website. If you don’t find the painting you are searching for here, then chances are it is not one of mine. Of course this list isn’t exhaustive. I’ve been painting since my preteens and that was before the Internet arrived on the scene and I built my website. Unfortunately I don’t have any photographs of those early paintings either, only my memories. So there are some paintings by me out in the world that will only be enjoyed by those who possess them.
Now that you have bought this beautiful oil painting, you will want to take measures to insure that it stays that way. One very important thing to do is make sure it has received several coats of non-yellowing varnish. Varnish is a final, clear protective layer applied to a painting after it is finished and completely dry. The artist should have already done this before selling the painting. It is an important first step in preserving the work of art so it lasts for generations to come.
Cowboy Sunset
Landscape by Teresa Bernard
24″ x 18″
Oils on gallery wrap stretched canvas
1. Varnish saturates the colors making them pop. Varnish brings out the vibrancy of the colors and gives them that just painted look and shine. In addition, varnish helps to keep those beautiful colors from fading as the years go by.
2. Varnish creates an even sheen over the entire surface of the painting. Oil paint colors dry very differently because of the different pigments that go into making up each individual color. When completely dry, some colors appear matte, some satin and some glossy. A layer or two of varnish will even out the final appearance of the painting, giving it a consistent overall look.
3. Varnish protects the painted surface from atmospheric elements and makes the surface easier to clean. All paintings will require cleaning as time goes by; however, varnish will reduce the frequency of those cleanings and reduce the risk of any possible damage to the painting. If the painting isn’t varnished, over time dust, grime, dirt, grease, moisture and pollution in the environment will change the look of the painting. These can dull the colors, causing them to crack and chip off as the years go by.
When should a painting be varnished?
An oil painting should be allowed to dry for a minimum of 6 months. Depending on how thick the paint is applied it might even need as much as 12 months of drying time before applying varnish. It’s crucial that the oil painting is completely dry before varnish is applied, otherwise the varnish may crack. This is because varnish dries before the oil paint does. As oil paint dries it moves slightly and since the varnish is already dry it begins to crack.
If your painting has never been varnished, you will need to wait at least a year and then take it to a reputable frame shop. They maybe able to varnish the painting, however, it will most like be for a fee. Or is you know of an artist in your area who is an oil painter they may varnish the painting for you as well.
One final solution is to varnish the painting yourself, however, I wouldn’t recommend this if your painting is an extremely valuable piece of art. If you do varnish the painting yourself be sure to use varnish designed for fine art oil paintings. Be sure to follow all instructions on the label. It is not recommended that you use varnish obtained from a hardware store as this kind is to too harsh for the painting and could wind up damaging it.
Taking good care of your sunset oil paintings will ensure they last throughout the years and the colors will stay vibrant. Here are few things to consider:
Cleaning Your Painting
Over time your sunset oil paintings will become soiled from dust, lint, cobwebs, dirt, cigarette smoke, or just plain old wear and tear. This can cause all the beautiful colors of the sunset to appear dull and less vivid. With some simple cleaning techniques it is easy to keep the dazzle in those brilliant shades of yellow, orange, blue and purple that make up your sunset canvas art.
The first thing you need to do is remove your painting from the wall. Never try to clean it while it is hanging. You should also remove it from the frame as well. Dust does get into the crevice where the frame overlaps the painting sometimes it is impossible to clean it out while still in the frame. When cleaning be sure to use a soft cloth. Old cotton t shirts or even cloth diapers are great for this purpose. For dusting you can use a feather duster or a Swiffer Duster to remove light coatings of dust, cobwebs and lint. For grimy, oily or sticky areas of the painting you can use an emulsion cleaner that can purchased at an art supply store. Never use a strong detergent as this can damage the colors of your sunset painting.
Preserving the Color
Preserving your sunset oil paintings so they will last a lifetime and even into the next century is a simple task if you follow this easy commonsense technique to care for your artwork. Do not expose your painting to direct sunlight or ultraviolet lights over an extended period of time. Doing so will result in the bright yellow, orange, blue and purple pigments that make up your sunset to fade over time. The best lighting is diffused natural or artificial lights.
“Camelthorn Trees of Africa”
Landscape painting by Teresa Bernard
24″ x 24″
Oils on stretched canvas
Oil paintings need to have some exposure to diffused lighting, if left in storage or in an unlit room for extended periods of time, the linseed oil in the pigment will turn yellow. However, this is a naturally occurring event that the oil goes through. The yellowing can be reversed by putting the painting in a room with natural or artificial lighting. After a couple of days the yellowing in the linseed oil will fade and restore the painting to its original color.
Protecting the Painting
Atmospheric conditions can also affect oil paintings. If you want to make sure your sunset painting will last a hundred years and beyond then you need to take certain steps to protect your canvas art from damage by the environment. Every part of a painting will expand and constrict due to atmospheric conditions. This will cause stress on the painting which can result in premature aging and damage to the artwork. Undergoing rapid changes in temperature and humidity will create the most stress on a work of art. The best environment for a sunset painting is a controlled one where there is a constant 65° temperature.
If this isn’t always possible, the next best thing is to take these precautions. It is best to avoid conditions of extreme dryness and heat or humidity and cold that can occur if the painting is displayed in areas where they are directly under air conditioners, heating vents, fireplaces, etc. Also kitchens and bathrooms can create conditions of rapidly changing heat, cold and humidity. Long term exposure to such conditions can cause the paint to flake, the canvas to rot, or the pigment to discolor.
A setting sun is loved most for its warmth, charm and most of all its vibrant colors. Just about everyone loves the view a sun creates while rising or setting in the sky. What a wonderful way for the Creator of all the universe to say “Good morning!” or at the end of a working day to see Him say, “Good evening.” There’s just something about rays of sunlight bouncing off the clouds creating all those vibrant colors that appeal to us. Is there any wonder why artists from all over the world love to capture the setting sun in all its grandeur and splendor and to forever immortalize a fleeting moment like that in one of their oil paintings? The sun sets quickly and lasts for only a few minutes but the beauty of one can last for a long time when an artist takes it and creates a wonderful work of art on canvas.
“Calvary at Sunset”
Landscape by Teresa Bernard
20″ x 16″
Oils on stretched canvas
The world over artists have captured the setting sun in all its splendor in their paintings of sunset. The colors they use are brilliant yellows, oranges, blues and purples in the sky and along with dark shadows of dark browns, deep blues and rich blacks. Yellows and oranges are warm colors which make up the majority of the sinking suns rays. Blues and purples are cool colors that balance out the warmth. On the ground, the warm browns added with black give the warmth of the earth, while the blues added to the black in the shadows give us that impression of cool. And don’t forget the setting sky is always reflected in any body of water.
There is nothing that can substitute for quality wall art in your home, especially when it comes to sunsets on canvas. Oil paintings hanging on the walls in your home or place of business create a welcoming atmosphere for visitors and family members as they view them. Sunset paintings give warmth and charm to a room like no other work of art can. The vibrant colors instantly capture of the eye of anyone who happens to walk by. Sunset oil paintings also make wonderful gifts for a housewarming or grand opening for a business. Not only on those occasions, but for the holidays, birthdays and anniversaries too. Next time you need a great gift idea consider a sunset oil painting rather than a boring ol’ house plant.
If you are a collector of fine art, sunset paintings make great additions to your collection. Some famous artists like Claude Monet and Thomas Kinkade, to name a few, have painted some well known paintings of sunsets. Or if you prefer, up-and-coming new artists who are not as well-known also provide great works of sunset art to enjoy. There is simply something for everyone when it comes to enjoying beautiful artworks of the setting sun.
Below is a list of all my oil paintings on this website. If you don’t find the painting you are searching for here, then chances are it is not one of mine. Of course this list isn’t exhaustive. I’ve been painting since my preteens and that was before the Internet arrived on the scene and I built my website. Unfortunately I don’t have any photographs of those early paintings either, only my memories. So there are some paintings by me out in the world that will only be enjoyed by those who possess them.
