White Peony in a Round Vase

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I'm back from maternity leave! The baby is doing amazing, and we are soaking up every single second. I won't be back to posting very often, but I did want to share peonies because peony season is so powerful and short and sweet. The last time I painted peonies was in 2022. If you're interested, see painting, life, and studio photos and follow me here. I also have some important news coming in one of my next couple of posts, so keep an eye out.

If you look closely, in the bowl you can see my self-portrait reflection. Here are a bunch of my paintings with self portrait reflections. If you enjoy this painting, you may also like to see Still Life with Pink Peony Buds (2021), bougainvillea in a glass cup (the light / the shade) (2018), or a bunch of my paintings of peonies or flowers.

To donate to support my work & studio practice, click here. To donate or apply to my Mindful Studio Practice Scholarship, click here. To get my painting in your inbox, sign up here.

Blue Skies Reflected in Brandy Snifter (present moment)

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Looking closely, you can see my reflection in the glass. Here are a bunch of my paintings with self portrait reflections. Also, this brandy snifter was given to me as a gift -- follow that link to see some of my still life paintings that were inspired by the generosity of others.

If you enjoy this painting, you may also like to see Sunset Reflected in Brandy Snifter (present moment) (2018), Hand-picked Pear with Leaves (present moment) (2021), or other paintings from my "present moment" series.

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Still Life with Grapes, Peach, and Drop Vase

Still Life with Grapes, Peach, and Drop Vase
oil on linen on panel, 2019, 5.5"x8"
Buy It Now or Make Offer

This painting is available for a buy now/make offer price because it is larger than my typical auction paintings. Framing is available upon request after auction closes.

If you look closely, you can see my reflection in the vase. Here are a bunch of my paintings with self portrait reflections.

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To purchase my work, view my Current Auctions and All Available Paintings.

Still Life with Oysters, Peeled Lemon, and Silver Pitcher with Self-portrait Reflection

Still Life with Oysters, Peeled Lemon, and Silver Pitcher (with Self-Portrait Reflection)
oil on linen on panel, 2018, 16"x12"
$6200
Update: Sold

If you enjoy this painting, you may also like to see Self-portrait in a Blue Vase and Eight Figs, Jug and Heirloom Tomatoes (with Self Portrait Reflection), Two Satsuma Tangerines, or a bunch of my paintings with self-portrait reflections in them or paintings with peeling fruit or my paintings of oysters.

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To purchase my work, view my Current Auctions and All Available Paintings.

Thanks in advance,

Still Life with Pear and Silver Cup in North Light

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When I can't paint for a few days due to an injury or illness (I fell down the stairs), when I am back at the easel, I tend to gravitate towards more complex subjects (such as silver). (The last time really was when I had pneumonia.) It's not a conscious choice. But perhaps it's because I'm just so thrilled to be back at the easel. #thankyou for all your kind comments and notes about my back. I am totally OK -- it's going to take some time for it to fully heal -- but at least I can paint.

If you enjoy this painting, you may also like to see a Still Life with Three Pears and Three Chestnuts or bunch of my paintings of silver.

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To purchase my work, view my Current Auctions and All Available Paintings.

Thanks in advance,

still life with lemon and greek bottle (the light / the shade)

still life with lemon and greek bottle (the light / the shade)
oil on linen on panel, 2017, 3.5"x4"

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the light / the shade exhibition at Arcadia
If you enjoy this painting, you may like to read more about abbey ryan: the light / the shade, my exhibition in the Harrison Gallery at Arcadia University on view from April 16 - June 16. If you enjoy this painting, you can also see other paintings from my the light / the shade series.

You can also click here to see a bunch of my paintings of yellow things.

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To purchase my work, view my Current Auctions and All Available Paintings.

Thanks in advance,

Antique Wire-rimmed Glasses and Blue Sky (the light / the shade)

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To purchase my work, view my Current Auctions and All Available Paintings.

Thanks in advance,

chora reflected in farm door, noon (the light / the shade) (+ August solo show)

chora reflected in farm door, noon (the light / the shade)
Oil on linen on panel, 6x4 inches, 2017
AVAILABLE - Contact me at abbeyryan@gmail.com for purchase information

Chora is the capital of Patmos, a 13-square-mile Greek island off the Aegean coast of Turkey. Last June, while on Patmos for my fellowship painting research, my studio was on a working farm in Kastelli, not far from the port area of Skala.

April 16-June 16, 2018 the light / the shade exhibition at Arcadia
If you enjoy this painting, you may like to read more about abbey ryan: the light / the shade, my exhibition in the Harrison Gallery at Arcadia University that opens this Monday, April 16. You can also see other paintings from my the light / the shade series. I'll share details about abbey ryan: the light / the shade next week.

Upcoming solo exhibition
In August 2018, I'll be mounting a solo exhibition of new larger paintings at Gleason Fine Art in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. If you are nearby, I will be at the artist reception on Friday evening, August 3. A bit about Gleason Fine Art: "Established in 1985, Gleason Fine Art has become a fixture.... In addition to selling 19th through 20th century art, Gleason Fine Art offers collection consulting, art appraisals, and restoration services. From the beginning, their goal has been to offer the finest work by established painters and sculptors..."

If you enjoy this painting, you may also like to see a bunch of my paintings about reflections.

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To purchase my work, view my Current Auctions and All Available Paintings.

Thanks in advance,

Pear with Snow and Self Portrait Reflected in Silver Cup (+ "the paths that birds make")

My new studio is on the 3rd floor, and the view is inspiring. In this cup's reflections, you can see me in my new painting hat (it's cold in my studio) and snow on the ground with late afternoon light coming through the distant trees.

In addition to my oil paintings, I also make large ink paintings on paper (if you're interested in seeing some, click here). One in particular, which consists of two 35 x 42 in. panels and usually hangs in my living room, was partially inspired by a murmuration, or flock of starlings. In light of that, I just have to share this Jan. 2018 National Geographic magazine article, "If Birds Left Tracks in the Sky, They’d Look Like This." It features amazing works by Barcelona-based photographer Xavi Bou. Prepare yourself and click the link. (Note: There's a slideshow at the bottom of the article with 16 images.)

If you enjoy this painting, you may also like to see Still Life with Blue Vase and Asian Pear (First Snow of 2016), Still Life with Silver Cup, Two Blueberries, & Muscat Grapes (Live Demo Painting), Still Life with Apple & Silver Cup (A Meditation on 8 Years), or a bunch of my paintings of silver objects.

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To purchase my work, view my Current Auctions and All Available Paintings.

Happy Friday,

Still Life with Blackberries and Silver Cup (with Self-Portrait in Winter Hat)

Still Life with Blackberries and Silver Cup (with Self-Portrait in Winter Hat)
oil on linen on panel, 5 x 6 inches, available
Email abbeyryan@gmail.com for purchase information

"To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of the arts." ~Thoreau

As you can see my brightly colored winter-indoor-hat, there's a self portrait of sorts in this silver cup's reflection (here are a bunch of other reflection self portraits, too).

If you enjoy this painting, you may also like to see Still Life with Acorn and Silver Pitcher, Still life with Silver Pitcher & Muscat Grapes, or a bunch of my paintings of silver objects or blackberries.

Signature view


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Best,

Clear Skies Reflected in Bifocals Belonging to my great-grandmother, Elizabeth Ann Longstreet Parker (the light, the shade)

Clear Skies Reflected in Bifocals Belonging to my great-grandmother, Elizabeth Ann Longstreet Parker (the light, the shade)
4 x 6 inches, oil on linen on panel, 2016.

Today is Robert Lax's birthday (born: November 30, 1915, Olean, NY; died: September 26, 2000, Olean, NY).

This painting is part of my the light, the shade series that I began back in December 2012. I wrote about how Robert Lax was the inspiration for my "the light, the shade" series here. Generous support for my "the light, the shade" series from June 2016-June 2018 is provided by the Norman Johnston Fellowship at Arcadia University.

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Best,

Still Life with Cherries and Silver Bowl, 8x10 (+ #digitaldetox Innernet)

Still Life with Cherries and Silver Bowl
Oil on linen on panel, 8x10 inches, 2016
AVAILABLE - Email abbeyryan@gmail.com for purchase information

My 1-week e-course "The Innernet" includes two live calls with me, a phenomenal course packet, and a few days offline. Email me if you want a coupon code for you and 10 friends (to create your own innernet community). #InnernetMovement  #diveintoYourInnernet  #bethecloud  #digitaldetox

Here's some feedback from the inaugural Innernet class in June 2015:

• "Abbey’s Innernet class is an enlightening confirmation about practicing your creative practice, without getting distracted by the virtual world, social media, emails, and texts. The true connection is about using your time to create and engage with the people in real life. The class confirms that Abbey's not only a Master Painter, she's a brilliant role model. A gracious thank you to a beautiful soul leading the way!" ~TG

• "I enjoyed being off line more than words can say. Thank you for offering a course that gives us all permission to disconnect and more importantly reconnect. Absolutely take this class! I think we all just need a reason to give ourselves permission to be still." ~KP

• "I celebrate your generous spirit and your willingness to share and teach what life has taught you. I printed out your Official Course Packet and find it to be a fantastic resource of contemplative nuggets of wisdom and peace. Thank you for your inspiration and invitation to take my own Innernet journey - no expectations! Hallejulah! Freedom! What a wonderful gift you present -- spoken directly to one's soul!" ~JS

Read more Innernet feedback here. 

Auction ending soon in 2 hours at 12:15 PM EST
Still Life with Four Cherries on Marble

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To purchase my work, view my Current Auctions and All Available Paintings.

Best,

Still Life with Four Cherries on Marble

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These cherries were so shiny that I could see in them the exact reflections of my studio windows.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

To purchase my work, view my Current Auctions and All Available Paintings.

Best,

Self-portrait in a Blue Vase and Eight Figs (+ re-post of Archival Materials issues)

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In September 2015, I shared a long post about archival and health issues for painters. If you're new to my blog or want to re-visit that, you can find it here. The health risks related to and archival nature of oil painting materials is something I get asked a lot about in workshops and my private painting mentoring/instruction sessions. All artists need to make decisions about what materials are right for us individually, so it's good to be as informed as possible about archival issues and health risks. I'll post more about paint and solvents later, but for now, I hope the post is helpful to you!

To purchase my work, view my Current Auctions and All Available Paintings.

Best,

Fig and Reflections in a Japanese Cup (+ private painting mentoring)

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This cup was a recent gift from my brother-in-law, who brought it back for me from Japan. I am so grateful!

If you're interested in studying painting with me, read about my Private Painting Mentoring, which I have been offering since 2012. You can read what painters who have worked with me have to say here.

To purchase my work, view my Current Auctions and All Available Paintings.

Best,

Silver Cup and Red Pear (+ Sedona Arts Center update)

Still Life with Silver Cup and Red Pear, 6 x 8 inches, framed
Available
Email me for purchase information

Can you see my self portrait in the silver cup reflections? Also, if you're on facebook, join in my #PaintingGuessingGame. I just posted a new challenge.

Sedona Arts Center Update
My May 19-23 workshop in Sedona (see Sedona here) is already about half full has only 3 spots left. If you're considering this workshop, secure your spot right away.

Space is limited, as I like to keep my workshops very small to allow for plenty of one-on-one instruction.

If you're interested, view all my Current Painting Auctions and Available Paintings.

Best,

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Here's how this painting looks in its frame: