Breakfast at Trumans

Breakfast at Trumans 14 x 18 oil on canvas by Heather Dixon

In October I had the opportunity to attend a plein air event at Big Cedar Lodge with over 100 other artists. I finished the above painting in my studio after returning. I enjoyed painting outdoors in the Ozarks but I still gravitated, as usual, toward figurative subjects. Truman's bakery, where I ate a number of meals, provided me with an intriguing opportunity for a painting. I feel compelled to paint more of these types of figurative paintings depicting slices of life. I have recently heard this genre referred to as "conversational figurative" which I think is a pretty appropriate description.

Figurative Painting on a Small Canvas

Playtime 11 x 14 Oil on canvas board

I have been painting figurative oils on a small scale the last few months. This is very different then painting the large canvases upon which I paint portraits. It has been a fun exercise. Above is on of my favorite paintings that has resulted from this new endeavour. It is of Oliver playing with a favorite toy on the sofa. A benefit of smaller paintings is they fit just about anywhere. This one will be making an appearance at my husbands office. Who said you can't have original oil paintings in your cubical?