Dark Beauties

Here are two more little paintings that that I've been working on for the Holiday Open Studio on the 30th. I used think, glossy, dark oil paint to cover the top of the gessoboards. Then I carved and wiped away sections of the surface as I started laying in the lighter, brighter colors. The contrast between the fragile subject matter and the deep, heavy background feels very Victorian to me. It's a total departure from my usual work, but I'm kind of digging it!