..."And Then She Wept" Contempoprary Still-Life Oil paintings by Paula peacock

"...And Then She Wept"
by Paula Peacock
Oil on Eucalyptus on Birch
18" x 24"

I did this painting after being contacted by a non-profit who wanted an image for their website representing the fight against domestic abuse against women and children. "..And Then She Wept" brings awareness to women being abused physically, emotionally, sexually, mentally with the violence spreading to the children. She is trapped in a relationship knowing that it hurts to stay in & would hurt to get out of. She is broken in mind, body, & spirit & has grown too weak to protect her children.

The painting was on their website for many years. If you know of someone in such a relationship don't stand idly by. Contact the authorities and put the situation on their radar. For purchasing info contact Paula HERE. See more of my work HERE

'Looking for Me', Contemporary Realism Still-Life by Paula Peacock

'Looking for Me'
by Paula Peacock
30" x 24"
Oil on Canvas

" I wonder if I've been changed during the night. Let me think. Was I the same when I got up this morning? I almost think I can remember feeling a little different. But if I'm not the same, the next question is 'Who in the world am I?' Ah, that's the great puzzle!" (Alice in Wonderland)

After my son was murdered in 2014 I started a series of paintings and sculptures which I call 'Altered Soul'. This is one of those paintings. Major depression had set in and my world and as well as myself had changed, never to be the same again. I was missing what life used to be for me and I was searching for healing.

I heard Buddhism is not a religion but an education in searching for the 'self.' The 'self' is who I lost when I lost my son. I was, and still am, on a journey of healing. I am much wiser and understanding now and have gone through that tunnel to the light at the end.

The eucalyptus symbolizes caution and the Buddha is indicative of my search for peace and serenity.

Saturday Weekly Oil Painting Classes for Beginner Art Students covering painting techniques, color theory, composition, featuring the subject of Still-Life. You will gain an understanding of the oil painting process as you learn about color mixing, values, complements. Canvas prep, varnish, framing, mediums and paintbrush care will be discussed. Each student is encouraged to work at their own pace. For Materials List contact Paula Peacock.
Location: Peacock Art Studio, 1515 Main St., Longmont, CO  80501
Cost: $45 per 2-hour class
To register: text 720-938-9661 or email paulapeacock@rocketmail.com

For purchasing please contact Paula at paulapeacock@rocketmail.com To view more of my work go to www.paulapeacock.com

'Gulliver's Pear' Contemporary Still-Life Paintings By Paula Peacock

Gulliver's Pear

by Paula Peacock

8" x 8"

Oil on Canvas

Painting is a journey of self-discovery where we lose the mask we wear every day for the protection of our ego, our heart, our soul and bare it all for all to see. It's a scary thing to show your paintings to the world. To show people who you really are, to allow yourself to be vulnerable and judged. So we either conform to what's expected of us and discard who we are,-- or love ourselves for who we are, do what we love, take a chance, step out there butt naked and moon the world.

Once upon a time, I tried to conform. I painted pretty little pictures that matched your decor and sold those pretty little pictures very well.  Don't get me wrong. Artists paint gorgeous paintings that I wish I had the talent to do, but it just wasn't me or my personality. Ask anyone who knows me. I But, I was bored out of my ever-lovin' mind! It got to where I didn't look forward to going to my studio to paint what someone else expected of me. Even though I was selling and making money it made me angry I'd turned my passion into a job. I FINALLY asked myself, "What's more important, losing my soul while I made money or being me?" I gave the art world the finger (while mooning them at the same time) and chose the latter.

I may be poor in the ways of money, possessing material objects, but I am oh, so, so happy and am humbly grateful for what I have; I have my SOUL, a roof, a meal, transportation and lots of art supplies.

What more could an artist ask for?

'Metamorphosis of a Bi-Polar' Contemporary Still Life Oil Paintings by Paula Peacock

Metamorphosis of a Bi-polar
by Paula Peacock
12" x 24"
Oil on Canvas

Raising my grandson from the age of 6 years old, I watched him struggle with severe bi-polar his entire life. He is now 28 and the bipolar is somewhat under control. But, at the time, I wasn't quite sure about bi-polar or how to help someone through the nightmare as such as his. I think I did this painting as my way of trying to understand what he goes through. From being highly manic and violent to being down, depressed and anxious that nobody liked him. Rarely were things 'peachy' for him or the family. The peach representing the middle ground or what we would call 'normal' was rarely present. It seemed he was always morphing from one mood to the other throughout the day. The peppers represent his manic stages and the mushrooms, the depressive stage. Until someone pointed it out to me I didn't realize that out of the vine I had created his profile, at the top, and hands and legs (and a tail?)on the middle and lower levels. Talk about inadvertently painting ones' sub-conscience!

Take weekly oil painting classes with Longmont Artist, Paula Peacock. Private Lessons and Group Workshops Available
Go to www.paulapeacock.fineartstudioonline.com for additional information about art classes or email: HERE

 If you are interested in Purchasing email me HERE

"Lilies with Critters' Contemporary Realism Still Life by Paula Peacock

'Lilies with Critters'
by Paula Peacock
24 in. X 30 in.
Oil on Canvas

This painting signifies an awakening for me. After the killing of my son, I went into a major depression and found myself creating dark paintings. I realize now I was creating a visual journal of depression and grief. Thirteen paintings & six sculptures later the heaviness left me and this painting is indicative of me waking up, coming out of my cocoon. It represents an active Springtime when insects and birds become busy with an air of excitement, renewal, and growth. You will find a snail, a ladybug, a butterfly and a hummingbird. Art really is therapeutic and I would be the first to say, it saved my life.

If you are interested in learning to paint I holdWEEKLY OIL PANTING CLASSES & Bi-Monthly Workshops

Every Monday and Wednesday11 am - 1 pm  (ex. holidays) Come join a great group every week for mentoring, painting and good company. You can paint with oil paints, watercolor or acrylic. Come for advice on your current project, critique, ideas or just to explore your creativity doing something different. Bring your own supplies. Contact paulapeacock@rocketmail.com

For purchasing the above painting please contact Paula at paulapeacock@rocketmail.com To view more of my work go to paulapeacock.fineartstudioonline.com

'Looking for Happy' Contemporary Still-life by Paula Peacock

'Looking for Happy'
by Paula Peacock
24" x 30"
Oil on Canvas

In 2014, my little sister lost her battle to breast cancer at the age of 51. Five months later I received a call from the Denver Coroner telling me my son had been murdered. Two days after that horrific phone call came yet another; local police informed me my art studio had been broken into and vandalized. Five of my paintings had been damaged or destroyed. Needless to say, major depression took over my life and I embarked upon a 5-year journey of creating dark paintings and sculptures as my way of expressing my grief. This is one of those paintings-

The Buddhas depicted are known as the Happy Buddha. In this painting, they remain somewhat hidden, in the shadows or behind objects. This is representative of a search for happiness but not quite finding it. One feels it’s just around the corner but never fully in view.

The string is our connection to the different aspects of our lives that define our happiness. Life is represented by the twig of small flowers, not in life-sustaining water, but in cold marbles. The twig has been cut from its’ Mother tree.

The two hanging pendants, one the Endless Knot representing a connection and link with our fates and karmic destiny and second, the Golden Fishes symbolize happiness. The Asian vase, for the most part, is random Chinese characters. But, at the bottom of the centerline are characters representing ‘Mother’ and ‘Warrior’. The left vertical line actually says ‘Christopher’ in English followed by the symbol meaning ‘Son’.

The singing bowl at the top is purposely left vague indicating a silent song or nothing to sing about and the teapot is representational of a hope for emotional healing herbs.

Take weekly painting classes from Longmont, CO artist, Paula Peacock. Private, group lessons available as well as individualized workshops. For more information got to http://paulapeacock.fineartstudioonline.com/

For purchasing please contact Paula at paulapeacock@rocketmail.com To view more of my work go to http://paulapeacock.fineartstudioonline.com/

'Coming Out', Contemporary Still-Life by Paula peacock

'Coming Out'
by Paula Peacock
11"x14"

Oil on Canvas

This painting was inspired by one of my students whom I taught for 5 years. At 13 years old, she announced to me she was gay. A year or so later she announced she was bi-sexual, then transgender/transsexual, then simply said, "it's complicated". She kept this information from her family for at least 5 years. Her teenaged angst was multiplied ten-fold while she struggled with her identity, hiding who she really was. Towards the end of our time spent together teaching and learning, she finally came out to her mother. There was an overnight change in her personality. She was relieved, happy, elated, , light as a feather, sunshiny and danced on-air to name a few emotions. I thought of her as a butterfly emerging from her cocoon and was free to fly like the beautiful person she was.
She graduated high school and left for college. I miss seeing her weekly for our 2 hours of making art and talking and trying to solve the woes of the world. She's an extremely intelligent person who I know is out there somewhere taking on the world by storm.

Before this painting sold, it traveled around to a couple of galleries and museums and was favorably written about in 'American Arts Quarterly'

Oil Painting Tip

Sometimes if you make a mistake in color, try neutralizing it with its complement on the color wheel.

Coming up Jan. 11, 2020

Mixing Neutrals and Grays - $25

10am – 11:30am

For additional information Email Me Here

Take weekly oil painting classes with Longmont Artist, Paula Peacock. Private Lessons and Group Workshops Available

For additional information Email Me Here