Crayola - Daily Painting by Darren Maurer

6" x 3"

Sometimes the best paintings are the most simple. I placed the Crayola right in the center of the composition. I'm not one that usually has symmetrical composition in my work. I think in this case the very balanced composition does make the painting better. I also used a warm background color which makes the painting softer by not having a high contrast area in the subject. This is painting 259 in my Painting A Day Series. Painting Sold

Ice Cubes #3 - Daily Painting by Darren Maurer

5" x 7"

I borrowed a few ice cubes from the neighbors again. I like the fact that their refrigerator doesn't have an automatic ice maker and they use the "old fashion" type of ice cube tray. These ice cubes have character. I love painting ice cubes. All the little details make them fun to paint. The little bubbles of air trapped within the ice and the subtle color changes of the ice due to outside lighting just make them fun. I may need some professional help here. This is painting 258 in my Painting A Day Series. Painting Sold.

PB&J & Sandwich Baggie - Daily Painting by Darren Maurer

6" x 6"

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are one of my all time favorites. If I had an official sandwich for myself this would be the one. I have painted this subject before but tonight I decided to paint the perfect sandwich as it might appear just removed from a sack lunch. This is what Glad Fold Top Baggies were made for. I think the bag adds a certain amount of interest to the composition. When painting the lightest highlights into the wet paint underneath you have but one chance to make the brush stroke. These are the last strokes to go onto the canvas and when you make the brush stroke that is that....no second chances. Those strokes make the painting real. This is painting 257 in my Painting A Day Series. Painting Sold.

Hershey's Kiss - Daily Painting by Darren Maurer

4"x6"

I never tire of painting Hershey's Kisses. The foil always looks so cool. I like all the little subtle reflections within the folds and creases of the foil. The final touches of the highlights always brings the painting to life. This is painting 256 in my Painting A Day Series. Painting Sold.

Popcorn - Daily Painting by Darren Maurer

6" x 10"

My mother would sometimes surprise everyone with popcorn when I was growing up in Grand Island, Nebraska. We didn't know what a microwave oven was yet and pre-bagged microwave popcorn was science fiction at the time. Most often she would start the process unannounced without asking anybody if we wanted popcorn. She would get our popcorn popper, pour in some oil ,dump in some popcorn and begin to heat it until the first kernel popped. The popcorn popper was the only one I ever remembered having and it was missing one of it's legs. We used the wooden handle of an old butcher knife to prop up the side of the popper that was missing the leg. It never took me very long to smell the popcorn from anywhere in the house and would make my way to the kitchen. While the oil was heating she melted butter in a small pan and would pour the warm melted butter over the freshly popped corn and lightly salt it. It was always a big time treat for me and not knowing about it beforehand made it extra special. I have been wanting to finish a painting of popcorn for awhile now and leave it to me to complicate the matter as much as possible. Once again there is not only lighting contrast in this painting but also the contrast of loose style painting with a tighter style for the box. This is painting 255 in my Painting A Day Series. Painting Sold.