stacked

Felt good to paint today. Have had a lot going on lately that has kept me from the easel.
I am still loving my new bowls. Love them so much that I went back to
kohls(oops) and got some more including the big green bowl. I hope people knew I was being facetious when I was going on and on about the bowls in one of my last posts.
I am headed to an art show up in the mountains of Alabama this weekend. Yes, we actually have mountains in Alabama. Foot hills of the Appalachians. I do not do too many shows but have really enjoyed meeting people in the ones I have participated in. Always nice to hear feedback. and sell!

11x14

on the move

 
Mr. Wonderful's friend. 5 x 7" linen canvas

Me, and my Girls

11 x 14" oil on canvas

Wake Up!

Refreshing break from painting still lifes.















12 x 12" gallery wrap

fiesta

Yeah, it's me. Painted this 8 x 10" piece yesterday while in class. I have recently started taking a class with Barbara Evan's on Wednesday mornings. The participants bring whatever they are working on. I am still so excited about my new bowls and plates that I took them with me to class. (There was definite bowl envy there.) I am a real traditionalist when it comes to setting up my still lifes. I use a two sided box with a direct light. In this room we had flourescent lights and no box. I did not have room to carry my box because I was already carrying my new bowls and plates that everyone wanted. So.....I set this up on top of a cardboard box and went from there. I bought this napkin to go with my bowls that everyone wanted. Out of my comfort zone but happy with the results.
Not telling you guys where I got my new bowls.

tomato fiesta

Painted this 5 x 7" late yesterday. This size feels so miniature to me now since I have grown up to larger canvases. This size is a pleasure to paint since I really like to paint alla prima. I picked up these colorful tapas plates and bowls yesterday and I am so excited about painting them.
footnote: sorry for being so uncomputer savvy that I can not even figure out how to edit my posts. When I go back in and try to edit the writing, all these little funny characters show up instead of the type. If I would spend a bit more time with it I am sure that I could figure it out. Five minutes is about my attention span with techno things.SOLD

Peach Glow

A better photo of "peach glow"

odd man out

I have really enjoyed using brighter colors in these last couple of paintings. I have to say that the colors in this remind me of Elizabeth Blaylock's work. If you are not familiar with her you need to be. Her paintings will brighten your day. I first saw her work in a shop here in Bimingham. I was intrigued with her colors, and geometrosized( I think I just made up a new word) brush work and shapes. This does not describe her work well at all. Just look at her blog or you can see her on daily painters.com. She has the fortune and misfortune at the present of living on the Alabama coast. A beautiful area that is taking a terrible hit.

8x10"

Apples on blue

This painting was a joy to paint. Tried to keep it simple so that I could enjoy an easy day. Speaking of an easy or hard painting...I am curious how many of you fellow artists eat your way through a bad painting? I paint at home so that I can be close to my pantry. I guess if I ever get a studio I will have to design a kitchen for it. Anyway, some days if I am struggling with a painting I will take a break and get a snack. I will usually start out with something healthy like almonds. But then...I will need a little something sweet to go with that. Back to the painting. A while later(15 minutes or so) I will think that having some protein might help me paint better. A half a jar of crunchy peanut butter later I head back to the painting. This pattern repeats itself until I complete the painting. Any othe guilty souls out there? I am happy to report that I can still button my jeans after finishing this painting.

५७

pink

Man, oh man. This "precious" little #*&# 5 x 7" painting took way too long to paint. I really struggled with it. I am trying hard to work through problems instead of scrubbing the painting out. My natural inclination is to give up. Part of this thought process is that the painting can get muddy and overworked. Anyway...I will end this by saying that I did not have fun painting this but am happy that I pushed through it instead of giving up.

Green Apples and Pink Flowers

It is a miracle that you are viewing this painting. Wanted to scrub it out over and over yesterday. A definite trial of patience. I am pleased that I kept working through it and it should be a good lesson for me.
Always a bit hard to get back into painting if you have taken a break. I find it so much better to paint every or almost every day. I keep a better hold on my confidence if I can practice that. But....sometimes life gets in the way. Thank goodness!





11 x 14"

say what?

One of my favorite paintings of Mr Wonderful. 8 x8" on gallery wrap.















sold

Mr. Wonderful

This is a photo of my barnyard muse. I have mentioned before that he is not very big. About a foot tall. Thought you might enjoy seeing a photo of him. It was hard for me to hold my camera steady many times because he made me laugh so much showing off.

Ma and Pa Pepper and the young uns

It is pretty early in the morning and I am trying to get ready to go out of town so maybe that explains the name. The yellow pepper shapes and colors were so fun to work with. Can't get enough of those bright colors. This is painted on an 8x 10" canvas.
Headed out for the mountains soon. Taking my paints with me but not sure I will get them out. My parents have a home in western North Carolina. Beautiful place on a scenic lake with mountains all around. Hope it will be cooler than the weather we have had. 90's and 130% humidity. I might be stretching that a bit. Happy weekend to all!!

waiting for the big one

The reference for this photo was a picture of my nephew taken last summer at Destin, FL. He just turned 15 last week so he has grown four or five feet since this photo was taken. I think he grew a foot last night. Great kid. Planning on getting his driver's permit today.













6 x 12"

working out the kinks

Made some minor adjustments after advice from my teacher. She felt like your eye went too quickly to the big orange square in the previous post. Think I like this better.

working out the kinks

Painted this musician on a 6 x 12" canvas. There was such a strong evening light hitting this guy. Took this photo in Asheville, NC. Spotted him up the hill as we were leaving a restaurant. I am trying to get in the habit of having my camera with me. So many times I have missed great opportunities.
Getting to travel to Asheville soon so am all geared up.

bathing beauty

Boy, Did I struggle with this one. Maybe I should not point out what I had a hard time with but...I am learning. This chubby little toddler had very fine, curly hair. I struggled to not over work it. Tried to really squint down just to see the big shapes. Am overall pleased with the result.
On a sad note, the reference photo was taken last summer at Destin beach, FL. Probably one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Sugar white sands and crystal water. Hope BP and our
government will do everyting possible to help restore our beautiful coastal areas.

Morning Strut

Mr Wonderful again. I painted this on a 20 x 20" gallery wrap. He is just too wonderful not to paint over and over again. I will post one of my photographs of him soon. I've got lots of pictures of him because he was such a ready model. I love this haughty pose.

pepper cocktail

Okay, I really hate photographing my work. I've gotten advice fron people and know there are blogs out there who discuss different methods. It boils down to my impatience. I am also missing my desktop 24" computer monitor. That computer is in the hospital getting rid of a virus. I am relying on a much smaller laptop for the time being. Sorry for all he whining.
I painted this piece on a 6" x 12" canvas. The pepper colors and shapes were lots of fun to work with.
Hope everyone has agreat weekend!

walking by the thames

I had the good fortune of exploring London with one of my older sons last year। Just now got around to painting this photo. Good lighting to work with. I am still trying to figure out when to forget the photo and just work on the painting. Tough.
I am happy to report that I am doing Karin jurick's workshop in Hilton Head this November। Happy birthday and Merry Christmas to me!!