Impish

8x8, oil on board

Impish...don't you think?

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$95

Gifted

8x8, oil on board

This was the set up for one of my newest students, a gifted woman whose life long passion for drawing and watercolor painting keeps her wanting to learn more.  At 79, she has now taken up oil painting with such determination to learn how to use a medium that is so different from watercolor that I am sure she will work it out.  Not only did she choose to paint the white box and bow, she threw in the cherries for the pop of color.  I believe I have much to learn from her and it's not just about art.  Maybe when I am 79, I will take up watercolor!

Click here to bid on this painting in the DPW auction

$95

Front Window

8x8, oil on board

Every Friday when I teach, I bring in a variety of fruits, flowers and vegetables for my class to use as props in their still lifes.  This random scene was on a table in front of the window.  I loved how the light behind it illuminated it all so of course I had to paint it!

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$95

Maggie's World

8x8, oil on board

NFS

This is a painting I did for my niece's graduation from high school.  It is a much more abstracted version of a painting I did awhile back from this same reference.   Maggie is a young woman who thinks "outside the box" so it will be fun to witness all that the future holds for this young woman.  Lookout Georgetown, it's Maggie's world!

On another note, I am out of my studio for a short while.  Hope to get back to painting and blogging soon!!

Their Little World

11x14, oil on board

I seem to be painting a lot of children lately.  I just love how they live in their own little world.  In this scene one is burying the foot of the other under the sand oblivious to all that surrounds them including the artist taking their photo.

Please contact me directly for information about this piece.

First Day

 6x12, oil on board

NFS

One of the best feelings I get as an artist is capturing in paint a moment that is special to someone I care about.  The reference for this painting was taken on the first day of kindergarten for this little girl and now this young lady is graduating from college!  Congratulations to her and all the graduates out there!!

Perfect Pear

8x8, oil on board

I picked up this pear at the market for my class because it looked as close to perfect as any pear I have seen.  When painting it however I realized that what really appealed to me was the stem...go figure!

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$95

High Tide

8x8, oil on board

I am not sure if this boy is using the wave to catch a ride or is running from it.  Either way I wanted to have energetic brush work to express the scene.  I'm happy with the results...

For those in the area, I will be demonstrating at Chemer's gallery Saturday for the "Spring Fling" event along with other artists from 1-4 pm before the "Scenes Of Tustin" show.  It's sure to be a fun day!

This piece is available through Chemer's gallery

Sherbet Rose

8x8, oil on board

Though I'm sure that this type of rose is not named "Sherbet Rose" the soft colors in this reminded me of a bowl of rainbow sherbet.  Summer is coming!

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$95

In Step

12x24, oil on canvas

This is the second of two paintings that I will be on exhibiting for the "Scenes Of Tustin 2012" show April 28th thru May 12th featuring familiar images of local landscape, architecture and community. 

 All work is available for sale at the show.

The artist reception for this show is Saturday, April 28th, 5:30pm-8:00pm at Chemer's gallery.  This show will include the work of professional artists Janet Bludau,  Dori Dewberry, Nancy Goldman, Julie Hill, Linda Keyes, Ian Montelongo, Jonde Northcutt, Max Rodriguez, Sharyn Sakimoto, John Sawyer, Kim VanDerHoek and Jim Wodark and me...hope to see you there!

Those Eyes

8x8, oil on cradled Ampersand board

sold

After painting my dog in the last DPW challenge, I considered not participating in the newest challenge to paint "the up close animal".  A generous friend however offered me photos of wild animals she had taken to use along with the story of how this young giraffe took 5 tries to get a drink of water each time realizing the it's legs weren't spread far enough to drink.  How funny that must have been to watch!  I couldn't resist those eyes.  

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Church Parking

8x10, oil on board

sold

This painting is done from a reference photo taken outside a church in Prague. Something about this scene really appealed to me and obviously to someone else because it sold before I could post it...yea!

On another subject, I want to thank all who commented on the painting of my dog below.  I was overwhelmed by the response.  Going into that painting, my goal was more than painting my dog but about using expressive brushwork and his fur was the vehicle.  There was intention, experimentation and even risk that I might end up with a pile of muddy paint but no painting.  My work is in a state of flux and hopefully growth.  With that there are going to be some successes and probably just as many bombs.  The process of pushing through however is exciting and even a little scary but ultimately what I need to do.

p.s. Sam thanks you too! :)

In Repose

8x8, oil on board
sold

"In Repose" was painted in response to the latest DPW challenge to paint something in repose.  

This is my dog Sam.  Don't let his calm look fool you.  We were just told he can not return to the kennel where we board him because "he doesn't play well with others".  His two moods, happy and happier, weren't appreciated by the other dogs (or staff I suspect).  So look quickly at the painting, this scene doesn't last long!

Spring-y

8x8, oil on board

These ranunculus seemed to be on springs.  I set them up in class yesterday only to find that they kept moving...up and down and all around...Happy Easter!

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Dani

11x14, oil on board

nfs

I just got back from a wonderful family wedding in Scottsdale.  It was a great time for celebrating the nuptials of a niece and catching up with family I haven't seen in a long time.  Meeting the newest members of the family was the icing on the cake...pun intended.  

Welcome baby Dani!

This Way

10x10, oil on board

This is similar to a painting I did recently for the Scenes Of Tustin show, but this one made the cut!
This piece will be available through Chemer's gallery.

Really Me

8x8, oil on board

NFS

I realized yesterday that it had been a long time since I have painted a self portrait.  It's a wonderful way to chart your growth as an artist when done on a regular basis.  Though unfinished, I think it is really me.

With a mirror in front of me, a soft light to the left of me, I held this position as best I could allowing only my eyes to move from the palette, board and mirror resulting in a stiff neck and this portrait.  It is a lesson in seeing and humility.  Wanting it/me to look good, yet also wanting to portray an accurate representation brings an internal battle that is hard to escape.

This was posted on Facebook as my avatar for a nanosecond when I realized some tweaking needed to be done.  Tweaking done, lessons learned, moving on!

Scene From Tustin

10x10, oil on board

This is one of the many scenes of Tustin that I have painted recently for the aptly named "Scenes Of Tustin" show next month.  Many local professional and amateur artists are participating in this great show.

I'm not sure yet if this one made the cut, but it's definitely in the running.

She

6x6, oil on board
sold

At least I think it is a she.  I know very little about cows but I thought she was cute enough to paint...my first cow ever!

Bob

7x5, oil on canvas board

Bob is the husband of one of my students.  Today I painted this side-by-side with my student painting it too.  Having never met Bob, I was able to just paint without being too concerned with an exact likeness.  It was very freeing and fun!

Have a great weekend everyone!!

Summer Friends

12x12, oil on gallery wrapped canvas
sold

I loved this image of these young friends sharing a moment.  Getting together with friends is always a treat whether it is talking art or ice cream.

Wrapped

10x8 oil on board

Just over a week ago I took a fun, one day workshop with Tom Balderas.  I painted this today from his reference of his wife and child.  Tom is a very talented and generous artist and mentioned by Frank Gardner in his top 20 artists to watch!

 Both artists and many others will be at the Fine Art Collaborative in June in southern California, hope to see you there...I can't wait!!

Fill Er Up!

8x10, oil on board

This is a fun, always crowded local restaurant called "The Filling Station".  It once was a real filling station, or gas station as we now call them.  

Painting in plein air with Karen Werner, we set up early in the day across the street with the sun breaking in and out.  As the morning passed we were dealing with people, most very nice, with an occasional odd ball who wanted to point out my mistakes, or jump in front of my easel just for laughs.  No distractions there. Then of course the traffic got heavy around lunchtime along with those who would park their large trucks right in front of me just feet from where we were painting.  We gave up, went across the street for lunch and I finished it in my studio today.

I think it's official...I have now earned my plein air badge!

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Study In Green

6x6, oil on board

Greens can be challenging to mix so I set up this combo of greens and added the plum for pop.

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Move Over!

 8x8, oil on board

This piece was all about the color combination of these three fruit in the market, on the easel, and hopefully on your monitor.

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