David oleski

Two Green Apples 8 inches by 10 inches, August 2010 Private collection, Mclean, Virginia I carved out two different studies of the same two granny smith apples. I'm reminded of how fast and dynamic these very small paintings can be, with foundation and resolution happening in such rapid succession.

David Oleski on Instagram: "A colorful still-life adds an exciting impact of color to this charming country cottage in Westport. #countrycottage #countrycottagestyle #countrycottagedecor #westportct"

A Prune Plum, 5" by 7", oil on linen board, September 2008 Private collection, Saskatchewan, Canada I'm almost back to work again with a small study of a single prune plum.

A Tomato, 5" by 7", oil on linen board, March 2008 Private collection, Raleigh, North Carolina Of course I had to paint a tomato, what salad would be complete without a fresh and juicy vine-ripened tomato? I'm surprised to see how many colors other than red I was able to find.

If someone were to ask for the original reason for the twenty-five days of paintings, the real answer would not be about selling paintings, or making small practice paintings, or even adding to the range of inventory. To be honest, the biggest reason I do these is for the connections they create. People use them as gifts, to connect to their loved ones, and some people collect them just to slowly augment a growing connection with my work. For me, I enjoy reconnecting with collectors from…

A Yellow Onion, 5" by 7", oil on linen board, November 2008 Private collection, Fairfax, Virginia Just to study every shade of brown and yellow and gold, I carved out a small study of a single onion. This piece started to get fairly heavy and thick, reminding me of the big paintings I used to do so long ago.

A Small Porcelain Vase, 5" by 7", oil on linen board, December 2008 Private collection, Wayne, Pennsylvania Today I finished a study of a small porcelain vase. Painting the pattern of flowers on the surface reminds me of a portrait I did in art school, of a black woman wearing a black floral-patterned dress. What starts out looking like colored confetti takes shape as a pattern following a form.

Two Red Pears, 11" by 14", oil on linen board, October 2008 Private collection, Saskatchewan, Canada Just as they were about to turn into dog treats, I decided to carve out a larger study of two of these red pears. Something about the shape of a pear that is so comforting...if only they were larger, and warm, and could cook. I'm just kidding, they're just right the size they are.

On this eleventh day of the 25 days of Christmas, I'm back in the studio and painting fresh new paintings at a feverish pace. Today I decided to embrace and study the new Pantone 2018 Color of the Year, Ultra Violet. The fig is an excellent subject to study a broad range of colors and the subtle transitions that can be observed. This fig did not let me down, as I was challenged to find the colors that connect green to red through the transition of a subtle but visible passage of Ultra…

One Eggplant, 5" by 7", oil on linen board, July 2008 Private collection, Annandale, Virginia Today I carved out a small study of a single eggplant. Suddenly everything I thought I knew pales in the face of one tiny eggplant. My education is ever ongoing.