"Irises" by Julie Riker

24"x24"

oil on canvas



I have hundreds of irises in my yard and started this painting when they were blooming in the spring.   Originally I just had painted the pitcher with the flowers in it but always felt it was off balance, so last week I added the flower on the table which really helped to complete the piece.

This painting, along with 4 other paintings of mine,  will be hanging in Gallerie 13 for the month of January as part of the Featured New Artists show.

Season's Greetings!

"Christmas Morning"

6x8 oil

on wood panel

Wishing all my client's and friends a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  Thanks to everyone who helped to support and encourage me through this economicallly challenging, yet artistically inspiring year.  Here's hoping for a great 2011 for all!

Coral Rose by Julie Riker

5x7 oil

This was my first attempt at a challenge painting for Lela Stankovic's blog http://paintanddrawtogether.blogspot.com/.  This was good practice in working from a photo reference and I enjoyed seeing how other artists interpreted the same image.

A Stately Entrance by Julie Riker

12x12

oil



I made arrangements for the Susquehanna Valley Plein Air Painters to paint out in the well tended gardens of the  PA Governor's Residence last week.   Even though most of the flowers had gone for the season, there was still a lot of beautiful color to see.  I particularly loved this shrub in the foreground with the firey red foliage.

It was a cold day to paint outside, but Tammy and the staff made us feel welcomed, even offering warm beverages and freshly baked cookies to warm us up.  I think everyone had a good time.

If you would like to see more of my work please visit my website http://www.julieriker.com/

Hunter's Valley View by Julie Riker

5x7

plein air oil

I painted this tiny oil last week at the Hunter's Valley Winery.  The colors were glorious that day.  The grapevines were beginning to turn shades of burgundy and ochre, and the valley and distant mountains showed the full fall display.



View from Samuel Lewis State Park

11x14 plein air oil

So, once again I have changed the background of my blog.  I am using a section of this painting that I did on the hilltop at Samuel Lewis State Park in Lewisberry.  It was a chilly, windy day and my painting session  only lasted a couple of hours. 

I like this as a background image...how the clouds travel behind the title and the soft colors and brushstrokes feel textural and painterly.

If you would like to see more of my work please visit my website http://www.julieriker.com/

River Rapids by Julie Riker

8x10

plein air oil

This is a little study I painted of water rushing over the rocks.  Being in that spot and listening to the rapids as I painted was very peaceful.  I enjoyed following the movement of the water with my brush markings.

If you would like to see more of my work please visit my website http://www.julieriker.com/







Erica's Mural

Erica shared some photos that she took while I was working on her kitchen mural this summer.
She contacted me about painting a Tuscan scene on this large white wall....


She wanted it to include some grapes and she LOVED purple...

The finished wall

and a detail...

She also showed me a scrapbook that she made for herself to document the entire kitchen remodel, which included 4 beautifully decorated pages of the mural project - showing her intial inspirations, my sketches, and photos of the process. I was quite impressed with her creativity in making such a lovely souvenier for herself.

It is great when customers are so happy with the work I have done for them. It is one of the things that makes my job so rewarding.

If you would like to see more of my work please visit my website www.julieriker.com

Last Bit of Green by Julie Riker

6x8

plein air oil

This was painted on a trail at Pine Grove State Park. I was attracted to the way the light filtered through the trees illuminating the trail. The colors were gorgeous that day - a great play of warms and cools. Fall is such a beautiful time of year. I am just a bit sad to see the lush foliage go.

If you would like to see more of my work please visit my website www.julieriker.com