Paintings by Don Ripper

Finished! Happy 4th

2010-07-01T16:22:00.001-04:00

Getting closer

2010-07-01T16:21:00.002-04:00

Saving the flags

2010-07-01T16:21:00.001-04:00

Started a good one for the 4th!

2010-07-01T13:29:00.001-04:00

Facebook | My Photos - Pixelpipe Photos

2010-06-15T16:51:00.000-04:00

Facebook | My Photos - Pixelpipe Photos

Multimedia message

2010-06-15T16:04:00.001-04:00

Sasha end of first session

Sasha at 15 minutes

2010-06-14T16:51:00.001-04:00

Starting a new Sasha painting

2010-06-14T16:29:00.001-04:00

3 sessions @ 45 minutes

Smoked beercan chicken anyone?

2010-06-13T18:33:00.001-04:00

Yup that's carmleized onions underneath

Painting with head flashlight

2010-06-12T23:57:00.001-04:00

Also from last night

Getting dark out

2010-06-12T19:31:00.001-04:00

(from last night)

Getting started

2010-06-11T22:05:00.001-04:00

Beer then paint

2010-06-11T17:48:00.001-04:00

Hoping for one of these when I paint tonight

2010-06-11T17:22:00.001-04:00

Multimedia message

2010-06-10T19:16:00.001-04:00

Does this work

Don't mind me

2010-06-10T00:07:00.001-04:00

Just a tester. Sorry
Trying to figure some tech out.

Is this bigger

2010-06-09T23:59:00.001-04:00

Is it?

Does this work?

2010-06-09T23:54:00.001-04:00

Does this picture work?

I sure hope so

tailgate food from redskins-chiefs

2009-10-25T21:41:00.000-04:00

Here is the menu for the Redskins-Chiefs Tailgate

Sweet potato hash (leeks, sweet and regular potatoes, buttermilk and biscuick batter drizzle prepared in bacon fat)

12 oz ribeyes cooked medium, and 2 eggs over easy.

Sierra Nevada

I am putting this up now so that I can gather suggestions for tomorrows Monday Night Football redskins tailgate.. Thinking fried cheese grits and seafood for the appetizer. and?

New Dictionary Paintings

2008-06-09T22:18:00.008-04:00

Howdy!

I have not been blogging much lately, but I have been painting!

Here are the 3 latest from my Dictionary Series (posted on eBay every Monday)

"Seacoast" - my take on a fantastic J.S. Sargent painting.

currently on eBay

"Illuminate" painting candles from life is tough.

"Spill" My kids did get to eat the cookie after I painted it.

The next post will show you a few of the major works that I have finished in the past few months.

American Girl "felicity" painting

2008-03-31T14:34:00.009-04:00

Hello again. This is a quick note to all of my friends with American Girl oving daughters that might want a cute (and cheap) Don Ripper orginal painting.

The ebay auction ends this Evening! (click here to go to the auction)
or go to ebay and search don ripper

Some of you know about my weekly "Dictionary" series that I paint on the pages of my old grade school dictionary. This weeks word is "Doll" you can view the entire series here

I painted my daughters Felicity doll just as I paint any of my serious portraits.

I start with charcoal

then paint

and keep on painting. (notice the barrette change)

See you all soon,

Don

New Stuff

2008-02-28T22:04:00.013-05:00

Hi everyone!

I am trying to get better with getting the word out on my latest work.

I have been on a roll lately and want to share with you a few new projects I have been working on.

"The Dictionary Series"

A weekly project painted on the pages of my high school dictionary.

"Antietam" currently 19 paintings of the rural landscape

I have also been working on several portraits that I will get together for next weeks post.

Thanks for all of your support! I could not do it without you.

If you have any great ideas for me, or just want to chat, please feel free to drop me a line.

mailto:donald.ripper@verizon.net

http://www.donripper.com/

I am Back yet again!

2008-02-20T18:36:00.009-05:00

This is the Antietam Series.

So far it has 19 paintings. Go here to see the first 7

One day a couple of years ago I was on my way home from Nema-Colin Woodland Resort. The traffic was horrible and I decided to take the Sharpsburg - Antietam exit to see what I could find. I was rewarded with these fantastic farm scenes that I sketched and painted until the traffic let up.

Using the sketches and small plein-air paintings, I developed this series that I loosely title Antietam. There are 19 paintings in the series, but I have not photographed them yet. Almost all of the series is either sold or spoken for, but if you are interested please contact me and I will let you know if another painting becomes available.

Back from the Beach!

2007-09-04T22:55:00.001-04:00

Howdy!
I am so fresh and recharged from our family vacation.
Sitting on the beach, playing with my kids, and painting all day long makes a week go by awfully fast.

I painted under a big umbrella sitting right in the sand. I finished 5 paintings, and nearly finished 3 more. Of the finished paintings, 3 were sold right off the easel! There is no better feeling (artistically) than selling a plein air painting to strangers who shared the same perfect day that you captured on canvas.

The painting above was the first painting of the week, and was the first to sell.

These are someone elses kids (mine were moving around too much)

Here is my sandy paintbox.
Thanks for a great time Rehoboth!

Shady Side Beach

2007-07-30T12:01:00.000-04:00

I painted this beauty with the wife and kids out on the eastern shore.
I did most of the work fighting the wind and gulls on a long pier.

It was a great weekend in which I started 7 paintings. This one measures 11" x 14" and is waiting to be framed. I will show you another later in the week.

This painting is available for sale in my Del Ray Gallery 709-519-6949. Please let me know if you are interested.

Don

Lynn's Lilies #2

2007-06-26T16:56:00.001-04:00

I finally got around to taking a photo of part two of my water lilies.
It measures 18" x 14".

Just as the other painting in this series, the light is from the evening. I may well go back before the end of summer and paint more.

Spring Lake Study

2007-05-15T21:15:00.000-04:00

I did this painting on site at my hometown lake.

It was my first true spring painting of the year. I enjoy finding the early touches of light green when they are outnumbered still by the winter browns.

This painting measures 11" x 14" and is available in the Del Ray Gallery.

Below is a picture that I took by hanging the camera from a nearby tree limb.

Jenkins Farm House

2007-04-30T13:39:00.000-04:00

I finished this commission a couple of weeks ago. It measures 4 feet wide by 2 1/2 feet tall. It is painted on grooved panel. The red tin roof from the farm house sparked the texture and color pallet for the painting. I was lucky to have a pair of wonderful patrons for this commission who gave complete freedom to experiment.

After planning originally to paint on red tin, I chose the wood panel because the smaller scale of the grooves were a better fit. I painted it with several coats of red primer on the front and back to prepare for the painting. In the end I found it interesting that the most dynamic element of the painting, the red tin roof, was entirely unpainted in the finished painting. I simply painted around it and let the red primer show.

Snow Road

2007-04-01T18:50:00.000-04:00

This is really truly my last winter painting of the year.

This was in the works a month or so ago, and I have grown comfortable with it. It has an abstract quality to it. I started it as a study for a commission I have been kicking around all winter.

She measures 11" x 14" and is drying in the Del Ray Gallery.

Winter Road

2007-03-19T21:12:00.000-04:00

With the weather trending warmer I proclaim this my last winter painting for the year.

I have been tweaking this for a while. Originally it was quite monochromatic. I later spiced it up by adding some warmer colors. I then found that the the painting looked too happy (sappy). I finally removed some of the color and dimmed the lights by shifting the values lower.

There is a ton of texture in this painting! She measures 30" x 40" and will be available soon.

On to warmer things....

Brothers and Sister

2007-01-29T19:06:00.000-05:00

This was a fun painting. (oil on linen 19" x 16")
I had great subjects combined with an even greater mom.
I was very late in finishing this and never once did I fear for my life.

Water Lilies for Lynn

2007-01-25T18:09:00.001-05:00

Here are some Water Lilies that I have recently finished.
It has a nocturne feel to it. I love painting flowers as long as they are not overly happy.
This is the first of three related paintings. I started them in the fall. and have been kicking them around ever since. I painted them for one of my favorite clients. I hope she likes them....

New Years Resolution

2007-01-03T21:58:00.000-05:00

It has been a long time since I have posted, but I will be doing it a lot more in 2007!

I have been painting a ton over the past few months. My goal this year is to post 3 times a week. I may on occasion put a painting up for sale on eBay, but most of my next few paintings are spoken for.

Thanks for hanging in there with me! I appreciate all of you kind emails!

Some of you might know where this is. It is a salt water taffy shop on the boardwalk of Rehoboth Beach Delaware. I finished it this past fall, and it is currently hanging in my new gallery in Delray.

Back from vacation!

2006-09-10T09:56:00.000-04:00

I am back from a very refreshing vacation in Rehoboth Beach.
I feel ready to paint up a storm! Speaking of storms, this is how the ocean looked as tropical storm Ernesto came ashore. I can't decide if I am going to throw this up for sale on eBay, or save it for our new gallery in Del Ray? If you are interested in it, please drop me a line.

Don

Portrait Study

2006-08-22T20:48:00.000-04:00

Although I have not posted my regular series of "daily" sketches, I thought I would share with you a study that I recently tweaked for a client.

Big Bayscape in progress

2006-08-17T08:50:00.000-04:00

This is the large painting I was working on last month.
I am trying to get it ready for our new Gallery in October. You can
see the smaller plein-air painting next to it. I am not looking to duplicate the smaller painting of the Chesapeake, but rather use it as my inspiration.

Belle Haven Marina Revisited

2006-08-09T22:15:00.000-04:00

I simply love this spot to paint. I painted from the same spot a few months back, so I wanted to see how it changed.....not much. Obviously I have slowed down in my painting series. Lately all I can muster is about one a week. This is a temporary slowdown that should correct itself by the end of summer. Please hang in there with me...

Pink Hydrangea Flowers

2006-08-02T22:19:00.000-04:00

This is the last call for vibrant hydrangea florals! This one is from our front yard. Before you know it the blossom will be dried up and in a floral arrangement.

Blue Ridge Foothills 2

2006-07-26T19:10:00.000-04:00

This is another of my paintings from Charlottesville, Virginia. It would be a wonderful place to paint for the summer, but I am looking forward to painting at the beach!

Foothills of the Blue Ridge

2006-07-19T21:47:00.000-04:00

I had a wonderful weekend at my sister in laws house near Charlottesville, Virginia. This is the view from their front door. I think my daughters want horses for Christmas.

River Farm Roses

2006-07-12T22:37:00.000-04:00

Click here for purchase info

Today's painting is a little larger than normal. I am getting a little burned out on 5" x 7" This is painted 9" x 12" on stretched canvas. The wonderful roses at the River Farm bring out the lighter side in me. This is about as colorful as I get....

4th Nocturne

2006-07-05T22:28:00.000-04:00

This was our view of the fireworks for the 4th! Most of the big bursts went high above the trees as my daughters ran for cover. I like the eerie haze that the smoke left behind.

Peonies in a vase

2006-07-03T20:51:00.000-04:00

These were in a clients house and I could not resist them. I am using this as a study for a larger peonies still life. For some reason I brought my A game today. I painted with a certainty that can make you feel good for weeks at a time.

New big painting

2006-07-02T10:43:00.000-04:00

This is the very, very, beginning of a large landscape. I am using some sketches and smaller plein air works that I painted at a clients house in Shady Side, Maryland for the inspiration. It sits on the Chesapeake. I hope to finish it as I begin two more portrait commissions.

After a week off, the "three a week" series of small studies sold on eBay will start up again on Monday! Thanks for all of your support, and a special thank you to the wonderful lady who bought 3/4 of my eBay store!!!!!

Finishing the big portrait

2006-07-02T10:23:00.000-04:00

I have delivered this painting to my client, and will be without it for at least a week or so while she stares at it and decides if any minor changes are needed. For example originally we had a birthday party going on in the background complete with balloons.

This is the stage of the painting when it is the most exciting, and the most nerve racking. Sharing your painting with the mother of the children! Lucky for me I have a great client who seems to like it!

Hydrangea in Vase

2006-06-21T22:31:00.000-04:00

This came from my backyard. We have tons of them. I think this type of hydrangea is called Annabelle?

Tiny Ballerina

2006-06-15T22:49:00.000-04:00

Super cute she is in her purple tutu. This is the first painting I have posted that my wife will probably bid on. This is her first year in ballet class, and this is a study for a painting I am thinking about.

Tree berries?

2006-06-13T20:58:00.000-04:00

I found these little berries on a tree near our house. If anyone has a clue as to what they are called, please drop me a line.

Click here for purchase info

Little hands in the kitchen

2006-06-12T22:22:00.000-04:00

I was struck by how much my daughters hands have grown. I had to paint them. They make for a great hand study

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Sea Shell

2006-06-06T22:56:00.000-04:00

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Another from the sea shell bucket! I can't wait until my beach trip!

"Saltine Crackers"

2006-05-31T23:32:00.000-04:00

Crackers with cheese or with peanut butter?

"Lemon"

2006-05-29T21:06:00.000-04:00

This is one big lemon. It is destined to be squeezed on some chicken piccata!

"Asparagus"

2006-05-25T23:17:00.000-04:00

Asparagus. I like it charred and drizzled with olive oil.

Rehoboth Beach Dusk

2006-05-23T21:09:00.000-04:00

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Today's painting is sadly not from life. It is however where my head is as we tilt toward Memorial Day Weekend. For me this is the most special time at the beach, when sunset turns to dusk. This painting is 5 minutes from being a nocturne.

"Biscuit"

2006-05-17T23:23:00.000-04:00

I love good bread. This was leftover from a dinner party we had at our house with none other than Karin Jurick, My friend from Atlanta, that has grown so very much as a painter. over the past few years.

"Apricots"

2006-05-11T22:05:00.000-04:00

These little guys were fun to paint. They look to me like a cross between an apple and a peach...

Garlic 2

2006-05-09T21:07:00.000-04:00

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A mainstay of my homemade pizza. When I am desperate for something to paint, garlic is always there for me.

More painting

2006-05-08T22:42:00.000-04:00

I have been painting a lot this week. I have started a painting at River Run Farm in Alexandria, Va of the azaleas. This is a plein-air painting that will be finished in the studio. It promises to be very colorful

I am making great progress on the brother sister portrait. I will bring the painting out to landscape at River Run Farm in order to get closer to the wonderful flowers.

"Candles on the Window"

2006-05-04T21:44:00.000-04:00

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This is an odd window in our hallway. My wife placed these wire candle holders there. I like the way in looks in the morning.

Moving along

2006-05-03T12:35:00.000-04:00

This commission is moving along.

I have finally made some progress on the girl.
I hope to finish this within a week or so.

More Changes......

2006-05-03T12:23:00.000-04:00

I am slowing down on the daily mini paintings until I can catch up on my commissioned work.

I plan on posting the mini work here as well as ebay two or three days a week.

The progress of other larger works for the Gallery in Old Town and commissions that I am working on will be posted here as well.

Please stay tuned.....Don

Buttercups

2006-05-01T21:25:00.000-04:00

These buttercups were growing out front of my daughters school. I may tweak it tomorrow.

"Red Chili Peppers"

2006-04-28T20:58:00.000-04:00

I started painting chili peppers many years ago. Sometimes the paintings have been 30" x 40" You can see that one in the gallery!

Potomac River Nocturne

2006-04-27T22:35:00.000-04:00

This was painted along the banks of the Potomac river near Old Town Alexandria.

"Room with a view"

2006-04-26T22:41:00.000-04:00

This is the guest bedroom of our house. Outside the window is a wonderful dogwood tree.

More of Belle Haven

2006-04-25T21:33:00.000-04:00

I am still working on at the Belle Haven Marina. I may paint a larger version for the Gallery. If anyone is interested I can give you a preview. It is a wonderful time of the year for plein air painters!

Belle Haven Marina #3

2006-04-24T21:01:00.000-04:00

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I started working on this one and several others at the Belle Haven Marina. I am painting a larger version for the Gallery. If anyone is interested I can give you a preview.

"Red Sewing Thread"

2006-04-21T22:45:00.000-04:00

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I decided to go with a lonely approach for tonight's painting...

Belle Haven Marina #2

2006-04-20T21:44:00.000-04:00

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I painted this and started a new larger painting along the Potomac River here in Old Town Alexandria. I also got my first sunburn of the season!

"Pinky the Flamingo"

2006-04-19T22:44:00.000-04:00

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Another of my kids stuffed animals. This one is called Pinky or Bingo depending on who you ask. I treated her as I would any portrait sitter.

"Swirly Sea Shell"

2006-04-18T21:06:00.000-04:00

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Once again I dip into the sea shell bucket. This one is a bit looser than the others I have done.

"Three gumdrops"

2006-04-17T20:51:00.000-04:00

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Here are a few treats that stick to your teeth. I painted it this afternoon with my two year old sitting on my lap.

"Dogwood Flower"

2006-04-14T21:48:00.000-04:00

I picked this flower from a tree outside the post office near my gallery. The petals drooped quickly and made me paint in high gear.

"Kiwi"

2006-04-13T22:56:00.000-04:00

Wow! I almost had to throw in the towel on this one. I have never finished a painting so late before....

"Pinkish Tulips"

2006-04-12T22:17:00.000-04:00

I just love the way tulips look the day before they first open.

"Violets and Dandelions"

2006-04-11T21:26:00.000-04:00

I had to paint this colorful clump near my mailbox before I start up the lawn mower for the season...

Pansies

2006-04-10T21:00:00.000-04:00

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I picked these outside of our front door. Lea reminded me that we are not to pick the nice flowers...

Studio

2006-04-09T23:01:00.000-04:00

This is the other easel I use for medium sized work. I use an old fashioned big hand pallet.

Below is a commission that I am getting on with. I can't wait to get her features in.

I will be back to my daily painting tomorrow!

Thanks for looking, -Don

Studio

2006-04-09T22:33:00.001-04:00

It is chilly out today and I have a fire going in the studio along with a Nats game. This is my home studio. I have another studio at the gallery, but it is currently full of work waiting to be restored. I work on small paintings here.

Weekends Off

2006-04-08T20:15:00.000-04:00

Hi,
Because of a new commission, I feel the need to make a change in my daily painting routine. I will now complete my daily paintings Monday - Friday. On the weekends I will post the daily progress of the commissions I am working through. I will start Sunday by showing you my studio and the paintings I am working through....Thanks!

"Plains of Esdraelon"

2006-04-07T22:19:00.000-04:00

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This is my quick version of a painting by J S Sargent.

"Pink Cherry Blossoms"

2006-04-06T20:31:00.000-04:00

Last call for cherry blossom paintings.........

"Evil Green Haired Troll"

2006-04-05T21:07:00.000-04:00

This troll chick, standing on her box pedestal, had me in a serious trance. I swear she has hypnotic powers. Or, perhaps it was the new Flaming Lips album....

"Small Sea Shell"

2006-04-04T20:19:00.000-04:00

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Yet another from the shell bucket. I enjoyed painting this one. It seemed to click instantly.

Cherry Blossoms in DC

2006-04-03T20:55:00.000-04:00

This truly is a magic time of the year to live near DC. With the storms that came in this evening I hope some of the blossoms held on so that I can paint another.

"Purple Wildflowers"

2006-04-02T18:57:00.000-04:00

I have no idea what the name of these little guys are, but they sure are little. I could have spent a week on them. I promise a landscape is in order for tomorrow.

"One Big Olive"

2006-04-01T21:17:00.000-05:00

I got a very late start on this one today. While making the evening martini to enjoy during the George Mason game I painted this!

"Pink Gerber Daisy"

2006-03-31T20:59:00.000-05:00

Wow what a beautiful day! I thought I would paint something bright and cheery. It’s a good thing that the Gallery is located next to Nicole’s Flower shop. Thanks Tim! For everyone who wants me to paint more up-beat paintings, my mom included, this ones for you!

Flying proud on 14th and New York Avenue

2006-03-30T21:29:00.000-05:00

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What a wonderful spring morning it is in D.C. I think I will begin a series of Old Glory flying proud throughout the D.C. area. If you have any suggestions of good flag sightings please drop me an email.

"White armored knobby Starfish"

2006-03-29T20:54:00.000-05:00

Another favorite from our sea shell bucket.

"Evening parade on 95 south"

2006-03-28T21:46:00.000-05:00

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It’s a gloomy and rainy evening in the suburbs of Washington D.C. Today’s painting pays tribute the commuter and their fantastic lighted vehicles.

"Sasha's Pink Ballet Slipper"

2006-03-27T20:45:00.000-05:00

Today’s subject is my two year olds pink ballet slipper.
This little painting was chugging along and I was near finished when Sasha snatched it from my paint table. She probably saved me from ruining it.