Monday, July 27, 2009

Boats on Parade, 16x20

(Sold)
I really loved the strong light on these boats, and especially the vantage point of looking down on the scene. The color in my painting is a good bit stronger, higher-key, than the actual scene, but I am not trying to reproduce an exact image, but rather to push the color...I didn't initially intend to do this, but virtually all of my paintings are 'pushed' to a higher saturation level....it is just the way it comes off the brush. This painting is currently exhibited at the MAC (McKinney Avenue Contemporary, Dallas, TX) 15th anniversary show.

Just Desserts, 16 x 20


2nd place jury award: Rally Round Greenville 2009

This interesting man sat at the counter of my favorite diner last week. It is HOT in Texas right now, but there he was, properly attired for the English countryside...well, we can dream. If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please contact me.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Let's Talk, 24x24


Poolside, last Saturday, I watched this couple for an hour or so. They never spoke, and the only thing moving was their thumbs. I so wanted to ask if they were texting each other or??? I ultimately decided they didn't need my intrusion. The light was strong, and it made interesting shapes and shadows in this summer scene. This is one of my favorite paintings. Framed, custom Larsen Juhl + s/h. To purchase this painting, contact me.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Quiet, please...we're napping, 24 x 20


My dear friend, Beth, was visiting from NC recently. My big brown (ok, magenta is the same as brown, yes?) Labrador really loves Beth, and they made a peaceful pair at nap-time. Portrait work is difficult for me, but this actually looks very much like Beth, so I am breathing again. Gift to Beth!

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

No Sunscreen Applied, 30x40


Several years ago, I walked the upper deck of a ship clad head to toe in what likely appeared to be a burka (it was not exactly warm). Peering over the rails, I observed the pool deck w/quite a few folks determined to get a jump start on the tanning season...and the terrific striped towels made all sorts of interesting visuals. I knew that photo could be a painting, but I put it away. Still, the photo kept my interest, and I recently decided I would just abandon caution and common sense (so brave) and paint these women anyway. All expectations to the contrary, I like this painting, and now I need to get back on a ship and take lots more photos, make lots of sketches, etc, because I think I could develop this thematically on a larger scale...at least that is my excuse for a trip, and I am sticking to it. $900 unframed + s/h. To purchase this painting (so that my niece can take another trip with me, HA!):





These Cows are White, 11x14


Honestly, these cows ARE white....at least when they were sitting in the field. I recently purchased some Sennelier oil pastels, partly because they remind me of crayons, and partly because I liked the story of Picasso and Henri Sennelier collaborating to develop this media...whatever. Painted on gallery panel, no need to frame. If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please contact me.

Glazing Secrets,16x20


A few years ago, niece Kelly and I were exploring a small town in Crete, Greece, when we stumbled upon a potter's studio. He was hard at work, and we couldn't share spoken words, but we could share a love of his work. I loved his old workbench with its many jars of glazing compounds, and his well used notebook of 'recipes'. It is my favorite memory of this trip. To purchase this painting:





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See the delicate flower beat me into submission, 8x10


I post this to remind myself that the most simple things in nature can absolutely pummel the unprepared artist...I mean, how hard can a 6-petaled yellow flower be? I was attending the workshop w/ Quiang Huang (very talented Austin, TX, based artist and workshop instructor), and Quiang made flowers (and pretty much everything else) look so easy....Ahem. This lone flower represents a monumental struggle (I lost that battle) for me...My sweet mother-in-law, Hazel, loves this because, well, her kitchen is yellow. That works for me, but I am not proud of this flower. I know that the 'simple' flower paintings of Georgia O'Keefe are anything but...Flowers are tough. Local Dallas, TX, artist Donna Page executes the most brilliant and detailed flowers generally on a giant scale (she is a glutton for punishment). If you love flowers, check out her website www.donnapagefineart.com Meanwhile, my flowers are embarrassed. SOLD

Morning Tea with Lemon and Grapes, 6x8


I was fortunate to attend a workshop with Carol Marine, (a favorite Austin, TX based artist), at the Andreeva Gallery in Saldado, TX, earlier this year. It was a riotous group, and we not only had lots of fun, but learned so much from Carol. Painting small is a terrific exercise, and I found it extremely challenging. I generally feel 'squished or confined' by a small canvas, so forcing myself to integrate Carol's lessons and technique was very instructive. I like the simplicity of these small still lifes, and I plan to do more of these. To purchase this painting:





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Monday, July 13, 2009

Georgia, 12x12


This is my favorite painting of Sweet Georgia Brown, and was immediately scarfed up by my husband...his 'private collection' rights, ahem. Georgia seemed to approved of this one...I like the brushwork in this piece, as it reflects her gregarious personality. NFS

Istanbul Flower Market, 36x24


This is currently a favorite...perhaps because of the memories of Istanbul w/ my niece Kelly. We loved the old city, and this flower market was very near the beautiful domed mosques. To purchase this painting:





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Saturday, July 11, 2009

Portrait 1, 11x14


This model had such a strong, interesting face. This is my first real person portrait, and I was completely terrified the entire 3 hours that I had to work on it. I don't know this model's name, but I think we would be friends. SHE was pleased with this work, which was the ultimate compliment. I have attempted several portraits since this one, all with disastrous results. How can this happen?

Saulsalito View, 16x20


Ok, I am gradually getting the hang of this 'posting' stuff. I feel like I have just crawled out of the cave. Nevermind.
This landscape demanded a whole new color palette, which wasn't the intuitively natural thing for me to render, but I am happy with it. Generally speaking, green is not my friend, but the cool grey- greens in this work are still satisfying...now, if I could just remember how I mixed those, ahem. To purchase this painting:





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Still Life with Pumpkin, 12x12


I was fortunate to attend a Qiang Huang workshop in Austin, TX last year. This is the painting from the second day of that workshop...Still life is new to me, but I think I would like to explore it more. This painting was accepted to a show at the Bath House Cultural Center, White Rock Lake, Dallas. To purchase this painting:





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Friday, July 10, 2009

Route 66


This old time gas station sat abandoned, but visually inviting. I couldn't resist the old gasoline pumps, the porch, and other items...except for the movement of chickens, the scene was locked in a time warp.
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Napping Friends


The animals in this painting are near and dear to me. The cat is 17 yr old 'Sweet Baby Jane', and her canine friend is 'Sweet Georgia Brown Dawg' who was 6 at this time. Jane passed away peacefully last year. When I found her, Georgia Brown was sitting silently beside her. They had an unusual relationship of tolerance and respect.

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