quick glance

 I took this photo this past weekend during one of the ten or so stops we made on the way to and from the Florida panhandle. Ten stops to take pictures.  I have to give props to my husband and youngest son for being so patient.  It was  worth it because I have lots of new pictures that I can not wait to paint.  You will be seeing lots of cows and kids playing on the beach if you follow my blog. They will not be in the same painting but that might be interesting.  What would a cow think about being on the beach?  And....playing with kids?
This is painted on a 5 x 7" raymar linen panel.sold

doodle

 I took the picture of this golden doodle last Saturday at the art show.  It was an art / dog show.  Not in reality but that is what it felt like and I loved every minute of it.  I saw this one cute dog and asked the owner what type it was.  She sheepishly replied that it was a chiweenie.  Yeah, half chihuahua, half dacshund.  Really cute.
I have always felt like golden retrievers have the best smiles.  This dog had the happiest face and demeanor that I had to paint him.  He is painted on an 8 x 10" gallery wrap canvas.
I am headed to the beach for the weekend so no posting for a few days. Hope you have a great weekend.
One quick note.  My photographs of my work are really lacking lately.  I am getting used to new living conditions in the APT so be patient with me.  Working it out.
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baby fresh

 Not much cuter than a baby chick.  My Mom's father raised poultry and I loved being at their house when the baby chicks arrived.  I am so thankful for the time I was able to spend at my grandparent's farm when I was growing up.  Wish all could have some farm experience.

Speaking of farms...I am participating in an art show May 5th in Valley Head, Alabama.  It is called "art at the barn".  It is being held at a beautiful sheep farm in northern Alabama. Can't wait to get some pictures of sheep.

This is painted on a 5 x 7" gallery wrap.

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carter

 This is the little brother of Kendal from yesterday's post.  He is not so little anymore.  He just turned 21 and is a something, something physics major at Rice University.  Not only is he super smart but he is a great actor who is in many of Rice's productions.  This is painted on an 11 x 14" gallery wrapped canvas.  Both of these last two paintings were painted on a black ground because my friend liked the graphic look it allows.  I do too!
I am happy to report that I have been juried into Daily Painters.com.  This is a great site that has been an inspiration to me for a long time.  Found some of my favorite artists and teachers on the site.  Honored to be included in this distinguished group.

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kendal

 This is the daughter of some of our best friends.  Spin commissioned me to paint their two kids for Lynn's birthday. The kids were feeling slighted because they had paintings of their dogs but no kids.  This pose reminds me of one of my fondest memories of Kendal.  Kendal was on my twin son's tee ball team and she played a tough right field.  One day she was playing the field and was squatting facing away from the field picking wild flowers when the ball hit her in the behind.  She turned around with surprise and it took her a while to realize what the white, round thing was. She is a great, amazingly bright girl who has recently graduated with honors from Rice University and is living and looking for a job in Boston.  Wonder if the Sox need an outfielder?
This is painted on an 11 x 14" gallery wrap canvas.

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in a pile

This was not an easy paint. The final commission piece for a family.  I am really pleased  that I stuck it out because I am happy with the outcome. He had this great little smile that I never captured but it is close enough. The commissioner knew I do not do portraits and just wanted a likeness but there is a fine line that I require of myself. This is painted on a 5 x 7" panel.
Participated in the Mountain Brook art association show yesterday and had a great time.  The weather was pretty perfect.  Plan to enjoy a sunny and cool day out today.  Hope yours is good as well. sold

cutie pie

 One day I am going to get one of these.  It will have to be in the grandchild form but I am hoping to get one.  Since none of my sons are dating anyone in particular I better be careful what I wish for.  I can wait.
This is a commission piece for a couple that I have done several kid paintings for.  I have not painted on this type of panel or a black ground in a while.  I love the way the colors pop on the black ground.  A la one of my all time favorite artists Karin Jurick.  This is painted on an 8 x10" ampersand panel.
Good news....my chances of getting wet at the Saturday art show are down to 30%.  I prefer to think of it as a 70% chance I do not get wet.sold

white beauty

 Not sure what possessed me to paint a horse.   It is hard to do their beauty justice. This is painted on an 8 x 8" gallery wrap canvas.
The challenge this week on Daily Paintworks is to paint an "up close animal".  This is my entry.
Preparing to do a one day, outdoor art show here in town.  It is the 31st annual Mountain Brook Art Association Show.  Keeping my fingers crossed that the rain comes in AFTER the show.  The hours are 9-4 so bring your umbrella and come see me if you are in the area.

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young one

 This calf has not quite grown into it's ears yet.  I painted this Sunday before I had a meltdown painting session. Yesterday I  spent three or more hours painting a scene only to scrape it off after trying to make it read.  It never learned to read.
This calf is painted on a 5 x 7" linen canvas.sold

peggi kroll robert's workshop

Returned from Peggi's workshop in Atlanta late yesterday.  What a great and beneficial time.  I would recommend Peggi to anyone from a beginner to an advanced painter.  She is so dedicated to helping others understand the basics of a good painting.  She stressed how important drawing was and does one minute warm up blind contour drawings before she starts her painting sessions.  That was the way we started each day. She also drives home how important value and color relationships are to your paintings.  The exercises you see pictured here are an example of the way we warmed up each day.  Ten minute , two value or color paintings of a model.  The only exception was we added more color to the part that was in the light on the sketch on the top left. The purpose of these was to define where your source light was and portray what was in the light and what was not. 

The painting that looks more finished was an exercise using only high key colors.  I did not exactly nail the challenge but I liked the way the painting turned out.  These were all completed in 20 or so minutes.

Lastly,  Peggi painting one of our models the last day when we were able to paint outside. The chilly weather kept us inside the first two days.  Peggi is a gift to the art community and I am so happy to have had an opportunity to take a workshop from her.

floating around

 I accidentally ordered some 4 x 6" raymar linen panels.  Kind of a pleasant surprise because I have enjoyed painting them.  This floater is painted on one of them.  Quick gratification.
I am headed to a three day workshop in Atlanta with Peggi Kroll Roberts.  I have admired her work and heard that she conducts a great workshop.  This workshop is called "the figure in the field".  Looking forward to challenging myself with some plein air painting.  I am also looking forward to staying with my artist friend, Beth, that I met at an earlier Atlanta workshop. I am so thankful for the friends I have met through workshops, shows, and blogs.  Such a fun and kind community.sold

pennichella

 I am hosting the "lying down challenge" on Daily Paintworks this week.  My challenge was very challenging to me.  Probably would have punted it if I had not sponsored it.  Good to test my patience and resolve. This is painted on an 8 x 10" and the figures felt very small to me.  I took the photo in Italy and you can see it on the Daily Paintworks site. The female's head is behind the male's head so it is a little confusing. I decided to edit out all the things in the background and it was hard to decide how I wanted to handle it after that.  Happy with the outcome after toiling way too long yesterday.  The challenge is to paint something or someone in a state of repose.  Hope you will join in.

I thought you left

 I am always fasinated at how some cows will pay so much attention to me when I am photographing them and others won't even look at me.  This sweet one kept an eye on me the whole time.
This is painted on a 6 x 6" gallery wrap canvas.  I am trying to paint a good bit in preparation for an upcoming show here in town.  The annual Mountain Brook Art Association show is Saturday, April 21. A very fun show that is located in the middle of a beautiful community where folks walk from their homes with their kids and dogs in tow.sold

keeping an eye out

 Same painting as yesterday.  I feel like I am getter better at painting large paintings.   It is hard to keep the same character as small pieces but it is possible. You have to use the largest brushes possible.  I personally like soft instead of stiff brushes.  My favorites are windsor and newton monarch flats and filberts.  They do not make that series in big sizes.  My biggest brushes are the silver brand ruby satin brights. I would love to hear your brush preferences especially if they are the sable type. I don't think I will ever go a stiff brush unless I change painting styles.
This painting is 4 x 4' and I really like her.
She makes me happy.
Have a wonderful Easter weekend!sold

almost finished

 I decided to photograph the painting in this manner so that you could have a little perspective of how large it is.  4' x 4'.  It's big.  I think this is one of the most handsome cows I have ever painted.  I was really drawn to his questioning eye. Love his coloring and markings.  I will photograph it close up tomorrow so that you can see more detail.sold

colorful critter

 Who hasn't heard of the Easter cow?  Painted on a 6 x 6" gallery wrap.sold

cheep,cheep

 This is painted in response to Carol Marine's Easter challenge on Daily Paintworks.  I took this picture of one of my sister's chicks.  They are not easy to photograph.  The chick did not want to have anything to do with the little glasses and hat I had bought her.  That reminds me of all of the Easter outfits I wore especially as a young girl.  We had special shoes, panty hose, gloves and all to match our dresses.  My mom usually made most of our clothes.  We have lots of pictures of my siblings and me squinting into the sun and looking uncomfortable in our fancy Easter clothes.
We were hard to photograph too.
This painting is painted on a 6 x 6" gallery wrap canvas.  Happy Easter!sold