Liza, 18x24, NFS

My husband and I were guests of our god-daughter's family last summer at Sea Island, GA, for a wonderful beach vacation. My favorite photo from that trip is of our god-daughter, Liza, when she was playing on the beach, writing her name in the sand. As this posts, Liza will be the flower girl in my oldest niece's wedding, so we will all be together in Florida for the big event. This painting is a gift to Liza's parents. If you have interest in other paintings or commissions, please contact me.

Retrieving Dilemma, 18x24

Still painting the retriever, and she has a real dilemma here. Should she keep the wonderful stick, or drop it for that great lime green tennis ball? Tough choice. This particular dog will try to put both in her mouth and will likely succeed. She has a great heart. I hope I have captured just a hint of the brief moment of her indecision. SOLD

Augusta and John, 20x24

If you have ever been blessed by a retrieving canine in your life, then this is a familiar and happy scene. This golden will swim thru the waves for her tennis ball for hours and hours and hours. Her 'person' (my dear friend, John G) waits on the beach to throw the ball yet again. I was trying to paint this from the dog's vantage point...had to borrow the neighbor's retriever for photos, as my own beloved labrador didn't get the memo that she hails from a long lineage of water loving champion retrievers. (She hates water and wouldn't even be tempted if I threw a steak out there!) Dogs are a favorite painting subject for me...it is possible that I like them better than many people, at least I understand them better.

(Sold): Addendum 1-11-11: This painting was commissioned by John's wife, Jane, as a surprise gift for him. It is especially poignant now, as we have all recently learned that Augusta (the retreiver subject of this painting is ill and may not be with us much longer, so we are all really sad about this. Augusta and John have one of those very special relationships.)

What Color is your Buffalo?, 24x30

Yes, I am still painting the large beasts of the western plains, albeit not in their native colors. My buffalo(s) are turquoise/ lilac, orange, etc, and it makes a good contrast to the early winter grasses, yes? I like the repetition of the hulking form, and would like to paint it larger, much, much larger...a herd, large herd of multi colored buffalo.....Thanks for viewing my work. If you are interested in purchasing this or any other painting, please do contact me.

Buffalo King, 24 x 30

Many thanks to friend & fellow artist Mark Malone who shared his photographs of buffalo from a recent trip to New Mexico. I've always be fascinated with these beasts...particularly their mass, their bulk, their texture. They are just great big hulks of power and texture. I like that. This particular buffalo was on a fenced ranch, and somehow I suspect he might not have appreciated that fence, but he at least accepted it for the moment. Please contact me if you have interest in purchasing this or other works.

Red-Gold Still Life, 30x24

OK, loved painting this still life.....and definitely need to paint more of them. Sometimes I think that the still life genre sounds so very boring, but honestly, I just loved doing this. I realize that the 'real' items are more 'still' than my brush work, but it is the brush work that brings it to life for me. Sold.

Chama River, 20 x 16

Thick paint, this may not dry til next year....but I like where this is going....it just feels right. It began from an old photo taken at the Chama River in New Mexico. The topography there is so wonderful...it is no wonder so many artists live and work in that area of New Mexico. I want to make more paintings in this genre...I just like the way the paint feels. If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please contact me.

Cafe Cat, 20 x 16

I am enjoying painting with lots of luscious, heavy paint.....it really is all about the paint. Something is changing in my painting. We will just see where this goes. Sold.

Barcelona Ava, 24x24, (sold)

Friend Julie and family enjoyed a fabulous summer vacation in Barcelona, Spain. They were guests of a family and stayed on their estate outside the city. Evidentally, they were royally entertained and wanted to give the host & hostess a special gift. Julie sent me a photograph of the hostess, Ava, and her little dog, while they were resting on the veranda hammock. She asked me to paint the scene, and this is the result. So, this is Julie's thank-you gift to Ava and her husband! So much better than flowers or wine, yes???!!!

Trinity River Cactus, 14x11x2

This is a small work on panel, a study of cactus found along the river's edge last summer. My studio group is mounting a show at the Texas Discovery Gardens at the Texas State Fair. The show will be on display thru December 31, 2010, so if you go to the State Fair, stop by and see the show. The art show is free, and the building itself is wonderful, as are the fabulous gardens, and the Butterfly Exhibit. If you are interested in purchasing this painting, you can do so at the Texas Discover Gardens, or just contact me.

Untitled Commission-60x48x3 (sold)

This painting was commissioned after the client saw another work "Just a Country Song Waiting to Happen" which is on display at the Dutch Art Gallery, Dallas, TX. Both paintings have a beautiful dress in common, but then they part ways. This painting is rich in symbolism telling a story of many important events in this couple's life together. The client requested that the painting contain the special dress, the colorful bow-tie that was worn by the groom at their wedding, and a special piece of jewelry, and a representation of their wedding date. I chose to perch the dress form's magic melon on a tight rope (because balancing marriage, career, family is like a tight rope, yes?), the melon being a fertility symbol. The eggs in the bird's nest represent the couple's children, and the nest the safety of their family. The groom's jacket hangs from the jungle vines (the jungle representing the challenges of his professional career). The yellow bird holds a scroll with their wedding date in the Roman calendar. A humming bird holds a strand of pearls representing one of the many pieces of jewelry the husband has gifted the wife for special occasions throughout their marriage. The blue dragonfly is a symbol of the warm hospitality that this couple continuously offers their many friends and family members. It was a challenging and rewarding commission. I was honored to work with this couple on their special painting!

Play Ball, 30x40

I totally love dogs and their consistent excitement about every little thing. This golden retreiver, like most, LOVES to chase her tennis ball...every time is like the first time. I hope my painting captures a tiny bit of that joy. I guess painting dogs, as subject matter goes, may not be considered 'high brow art', but I believe the human species would be alot happier if we approached our lives like dogs approach theirs. I will likely paint more dogs.
This painting is gallery wrapped linen, finished edges, so no need to frame. If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please contact me. Thanks!

Sun Goddess in Pink, 20x16x2

This is the third sun goddess this week, and I am enjoying the graphics of these compositions. This is painted on gallery wrapped linen, so no need to frame. (sold)

Sun Goddess in Black, 20x16x2

Hmmmm...the second of the current sun goddess series. She looks uncomfortable to me, but I can't sit still long enough to sunbathe, so what do I know? I am painting on linen w/ clear gesso, which allows the grey-taupe tone of the linen to show thru. I am experimenting with leaving some of that canvas unpainted. This is gallery depth linen, so no need to frame. If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please contact me.

Sun Goddess in Green, 20x16x2

I have a good bit of reference material of people soaking up the sun in various degrees of undress. My favorite perspective is looking from the deck above...it was easy to observe the patterns, colors, and shadows without intruding on the individual's solitude. I plan a series of these...they could be interesting hung together, but each will stand on its own composition. I am currently painting on gallery depth linen, so no need to frame. (Sold)

Grandma's Kitchen, 20x16x2

I painted this from an old family photo. The lady in lilac was my maternal grandmother, and the other women were 2 of her 5 daughters. Grandma's table was always full of good, country cooking and conversation. My mom will enjoy this for Christmas. NFS

Cow and Calf, 16x20x2

These beautiful cows were enjoying a sunny day in south Texas. The light was crisp, and I liked the shadow shapes. This is oil on natural linen, gallery depth, no need to frame. If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please contact me.

Strawberries and Orange Slices, 10x8, oil on linen

Spring is busting out all over, and we are really enjoying the fresh fruits right now. This is a small study, oil on linen, framed in a beautiful carved frame, silver finish....great Mother's Day gift???? If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please contact me.

Spring Peas, 8x10, (Sold)

Spring has been especially nice this year in north Texas. These early peas lasted just long enough to be painted, and then made a tasty addition to a fresh salad. (Sold)

Tuba Parade, 40x30x2, oil on gallery canvas

I totally love parades, and especially the bands...all of them, especially the giant tubas which remind me of stampeding elephants (and frequently sound similar to the pachyderms, ahem). It takes a special person to play a tuba, don't you think? This piece stands on its own, or completes a triptych of the Memorial Day Parade pieces: see prior posts of 'Memorial Day Bagpipers' and 'Canines on Parade'. All are painted on gallery depth canvas, completed finished to the edges, so no need to frame. If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please contact me.

The Diner, 60x36x2, oil on gallery canvas

A great diner is one of my favorite things. This one is in Dallas, owned by a friend of mine, and is just a great place for food and friends. The strong morning light through the back windows added an interesting touch to this composition, making all the condiments look like mini-landscapes (well, that's how it looked to me!). If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please contact me.

Unknown Father and Son, 60x36x2

This father and son shared a tender moment at the Dallas Arboretum last spring. This is, for me, a large work, and I am happy with the rendering of this moment. Thanks for viewing my work.If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please contact me.

Driving Miss Daisy 11x14

Old truck, old dog, what could be better? Enough said.
If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please contact me.

Sharon Hodges: Not Exactly Fishing, 24x30

Not exactly, but I believe these boys would have grabbed one if they could! It was a beautiful day with strong light dancing off the water and the boys...a good day.
If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please contact me.

Canine Unit on Parade, 40x30x2- (sold)

This is the second painting from the Nantucket Memorial Day Parade. Again a figurative piece, new for me, and I am pleased with this one. I love that the dogs show movement and aren't looking at us, heck, the dark one is running out of the frame!
SOLD.

Memorial Day Bagpipers 40x30x2

OK, yes, I am alive, albeit traveling, and trying to catch up on posting. Ahem. I shot some parade photos in Nantucket in spring 08, and loved several of them. I knew they could be interesting paintings, but I kept putting them off...probably because they are figurative. If you are following my blog, you will note these next few posts are all figurative...what's up w/ that? Generally, figures strike fear in my heart, but nothing ventured, nothing gained, and I like the graphic quality of these next few paintings. If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please contact me.