Rosemary Sexton Paints

Sun and Wind - Jed

2012-01-09T08:55:00.004-05:00

This 14" x 11" oil on canvas portrait was my entry in the 2011 Gamblin Artist Materials Torit Grey Competition.

In a nutshell, every spring, Gamblin collects pigments from their Torit® Air Filtration system. They filter the air around the areas where dry pigments are handled so workers are not exposed to pigment dust. Rather than sending any of the high quality, expensive pigments into the landfill, Gamblin paint makers recycle them into "Gamblin Torrit Grey". Each spring in a Torrit Grey store promotion, through the end of April in celebration of Earth Day, participating retailers give customers a free tube of Torit Grey.

This year my special tube was mailed to me by my dear artist friend Zena King. She is fortunate enough to live near Jerry's Artarama in Raleigh, N.C. You may see all entries including Zena's and mine in the Gallery.

I am happy with the painting and grandson loves it and, while it was not one of the four top winners, all participants received a nice letter from Gamblin's Product Manager along with three 37ml tubes of paint and nice color brochures indroducing their oil paint colors and mediums. Since there is no entry fee - this is a win-win challenge!

Princess

2011-12-27T20:42:00.003-05:00

6" x 6" oil on wrapped canvas

This little painting may be seen at Gallery 86, Waynesville, NC in the Haywood County Arts Council's "It's a Small Works Show" through Saturday, December 31. These little studies were fun and have generated many positive comments from friends and family who attended one of the two receptions or otherwise took time to see this special exhibit during the holidays. The reference photo for PRINCESS came from Wet Canvas.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

2011-12-24T11:29:00.007-05:00

L'INNOCENSE by Bougeureau (detail)
14" x 11" oil on Canvas

Christmas Blessings and Happy Holidays to my wonderful blogging
friends. Thanks to all who visit and leave encouraging comments!
You are appreciated more than you know and I am forever grateful
for your support!

May the new year bring you peace, happiness and good health with
many creative opportunities!

Since copying the work of "old masters" is a worthwhile self-teaching tool for me, L'INNOCENSE by William Adolph Bougeureau provided the inspiration for our Christmas card this year. Even using a cropped version, it would have taken more hours than I could spare to do this piece justice. An old tube of Shiva Olive Green never before opened was used in the flesh tones. The mixes were interesting and I will continue to experiment with this hue. I do not know the size of the original but would like to download a high resolution photo and paint this favorite again in a large format.

First Merit Award - Faces and Figures Show

2011-12-21T10:11:00.003-05:00

A nice way to wind up the year - Christmas commissions completed and delivered and a pretty ribbon and cash award to wrap it all up! I'm smiling! Artist life is good! This show expressing the human form in a variety of media will hang through December 29 at the Visual Arts Center in Punta Gorda and was judged by Florida's Ambassador to the Portrait Society of America, Kerry Vosler. Thanks Kerry and thanks again to my wonderful models, "Morgan and Baby Girl"!

I'm Sorry

2011-11-30T11:32:00.004-05:00

6" x 6" Oil on Gallery Wrapped Canvas

Another little painting currently on the wall in the small works exhibit, Gallery 86, Waynesville, NC.

When our German Shepherd gets into trouble she brings a peace offering , usually one of her toys. She sits and stares pleadingly into our eyes and is, of course, instantly forgiven. When I came across this Wet Canvas photo reference, I was reminded of Jade and her actions thus the title.

Sun Kissed Kitty

2011-11-21T10:06:00.003-05:00

Oil on 5" x 5" Gallery Wrapped Canvas

This little painting is one of three currently showing in the annual "It's a Small, Small Work" Exhibit at Gallery 86, 86 N. Main Street, Waynesville, NC.

Show dates are November 15-December 31 with receptions to be held November 20 from 1-5pm and December 2 from 6-9 pm. This Haywood County Art's Council gallery is open daily Monday - Saturday from 10am-5pm . All entries are original with paintings not to exceed 12" in any dimension and are available for sale "off the wall" - no waiting.

Wet Canvas provided the reference photo for this little kitty and my two additional entries which will be posted soon.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Portrait Sketch - Brandon

2011-10-10T11:36:00.007-04:00

10" x 8" Oil on Canvas

Brandon and his brother Taylor play for Northwest High School’s Varsity Viking Lacrosse team in Greensboro, North Carolina. Last year the Vikings won the state championship! These boys are our grand nephews and we are so proud of them! They set the bar high for their peers as fine young men who excel at any endeavor they attempt. The serious expression on Brandon’s face as he prepared for a practice session begged to be painted! I enjoyed working within the face grid and playing with various red hues in the helmet and clothing. Soon I hope to paint Taylor with one of the horses he enjoys so much.

Mama- Beach Wrapped

2011-09-07T15:14:00.003-04:00

14" x 11"
Oil on Canvas

The spring day was bright but not too hot so, not planning to stay long at the beach , no umbrella was packed. We were having a fabulous time when we discovered Mama was becoming quite pink! No way was she ready to leave so my sister and I playfully wrapped her in a big beach towel and snapped a few photos.

I wonder what Mama would think of this little portrait? Surely she would laugh out loud! Always supportive of my every artistic endeavor, old paintings from high school still hung on her walls until she went to live with my sister in her 82nd year. I even tried to “buy” the old paintings (to burn them) and provided her new ones all along the way ! No way would she give them up - just hung the new ones and left the tired poor attempts in place or moved them to other walls!

This painting contains bittersweet tears mixed in with the paint. Our mother was an angel on earth. How I miss her ready smile and quick wit. Oh - for one more day at the beach with Mama….

Fruit and Glass

2011-08-07T10:11:00.003-04:00

18" x 24" Oil on Hardboard

Oh boy - this one was a challenge with each stroke yielding a delighted sigh or an “oops”. Not sure if it’s finished so will look at it for a while before signing. Painting glass may be addictive since I can hardly wait to arrange the next still life!

“Fruit and Glass” was started by toning the support with a neutral warm acrylic and transferring a very detailed drawing. The under painting was roughed in with acrylic before the switch to oils. The pears were painted with many thin transparent glazes as was the blue glass. The dark behind the pears is a deep green - not black as it appears in this photo. Romantically realistic - I do like this one!

Currently a portrait of my mother is on one easel and two commissioned portraits on others. The next still life reflective glass painting will get a back burner for now…

Hydrangea Basket

2011-07-04T15:26:00.004-04:00

Weeks ago this painting was started inspired by a Wet Canvas photo. When it didn’t seem to work … color harmony wasn’t satisfactory…the towel was way too important and almost the same size and shape as the flowers... it was put aside and I went on to the next projects!

I prefer to paint on loose canvas rather than stretched to make cropping easier and wish that had been the case here 'cause - you know, I couldn’t leave it alone - just had to fiddle with it! Part of the towel had to go as did the gloves. Using a utility knife to cut the canvas from the stretcher, the painting became a 10” x 12” now glued to hardboard. The gloves were replaced by a sprig of budding hydrangea and hopefully it’s finished.

Daddy's Girl

2011-05-21T08:59:00.004-04:00

8" x 10" Oil on Canvas

Commissioned by this precious little girl’s mother, their portrait will be her daddy's Father's Day gift next month. I was given permission to enter it in an early spring show at the VAC in Punta Gorda, Florida, and received lots of positive feedback and a possible new commission! It has now been delivered and I’m eagerly awaiting the father’s reaction! What a joy painting this one! However, a red dress on a baby was more challenging than I had imagined it would be.

Running Against the Wind

2011-05-16T19:45:00.003-04:00

The days turned into weeks and the weeks into months… how hectic these last few months have been!

I haven’t been posting but have been painting as usual! Lots of projects and a little traveling, but have missed checking in with blogging friends! Now to catch up!

My multi-talented son designed and built an awesome table easel for my March birthday. I’ve used it almost every day since and am totally in love with it. Thank you Edward! I shall treasure it always!

What a compliment that Jessica whose portrait I did when she was a little girl used that image for some of her graduation announcements! Thanks Jesse! Congratulations and best wishes to you!

In January David Darrow mentioned a worthwhile challenge - one year daily/weekly reading of the BIBLE on line. I’m not exactly keeping up - but am trying! Not sure I’m going to make it all the way through by the end of the year!

Also early this year Johannes Vloothuis began his weekend on line classes in landscape painting which continued through mid-April. What an opportunity - but very time consuming with homework and exercises! While I couldn’t get all the classes live, the recordings are available on line at very reasonable prices and I’m downloading the ones I missed. (Click No. 10 on the website for my sincere testimonial).

Will try and get a new slide show soon. Thanks for not giving up on me!
Now I’m off to see what my fellow bloggers are painting!

Morgan and Baby Girl

2011-02-10T15:58:00.004-05:00

14" x 11" Oil on Canvas

What a fun challenge! Purple cows we know - but a dog painted blue? - with a blue eye? Here is the finished painting (I think). Will look at it for a day or two, make a few adjustments, sign and varnish. Morgan is our grand-niece and such a beautiful girl! She will be seeing this for the first time on face book and here on the blog…so…I’m holding my breath but think she will like it. She is a wonderful model and I plan to paint her again soon (without Baby). Thanks Mo!

Baby Blue Eye - WIP - detail

2011-01-28T11:23:00.003-05:00

This detail is from a portrait underway of a beautiful young lady and her family’s recently adopted shelter pet, Baby Girl. Baby Girl’s blue eye has limited or no vision, however, she sees "ok" with the brown one and has stolen everyone’s heart with her sweet personality. The painting is almost ready to sign and I’m pleased with the way it’s going while also working on a commissioned portrait. Hope to
post both of these soon. Stay tuned!

Bailey's Sunbeam

2011-01-10T15:10:00.003-05:00

24" x 18" Acrylic on Canvas

A thoughtful young man in the Greensboro, N. C. area commissioned this painting as a Christmas gift for his wife. Last fall he and I looked at a number of photos (via email) and decided this one best represented the loving devoted personality of their adored pet recently lost at an advanced age. She had always been a part of their married life and it was difficult letting her go.

It’s a pleasure to say this client was a joy to work with giving me helpful email feedback every step of the way! Bailey is snoozing in a sunbeam waiting for her two little boys to wake up and play. Shortly after Christmas a phone call from the recipient assured me how pleased she is and that the portrait will be a prized keepsake keeping Bailey's memory alive. That call meant so much! Better than ribbons!!

Anything That Breathes

2011-01-02T11:20:00.004-05:00

Happy me with the merit award for EDWARD in the Venice Art Center’s juried “Anything that Breathes” show! Upon arriving at the lovely reception December 17, I was delighted to find my painting displayed on an easel glowing in great light enhanced by a pretty ribbon! Woo Hoo! The judge was Sharon Tritschler and this unusual and exciting show may be viewed through January 12 at 390 Nokomis Avenue, Venice, Florida.

Jade's Anniversary

2010-12-27T19:43:00.007-05:00

Two years ago today we brought a nervous five year old female shepherd home with us from the local animal shelter. We were told her “family” had lost jobs and their home and could no longer keep Jade. After seeing her photo on the website, we just had to go meet her! It was love at first sight!

She kept her name and we began getting acquainted. Terribly insecure and not wanting us out of her sight, we feared she might be a “Velcro dog”. Slowly she gained confidence and started molding us to her satisfaction! German Shepherds always own their people and in no time at all she seemed satisfied we had potential and she could make us a family!

Jade has so enriched our lives - she keeps us walking every day, reminded me how much fun obedience classes can be and we adore her. She is a jewel - we could not ask for a better pet! Happy Anniversary Jade!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

2010-12-24T10:25:00.006-05:00

Oh Holy Night
Oil on Canvas

Christmas Blessings and Happy Holidays to my wonderful blogging
friends. Thanks to all who visit and leave encouraging comments!
You are appreciated more than you know and I am forever grateful
for your support!

May your new year bring you peace, happiness and good health with
many creative opportunities!

For this year’s Christmas card, the portrait of Starlin and Skylar (see August 29 post) provided inspiration and models! My thanks to them and to Sue and Joyce.

This One's For Me

2010-11-15T23:21:00.004-05:00

30" x 15" Oil on Hardboard

Years ago we found two triangular pedestels - probably fern stands - while on a trek through antique stores in Eastern Tennessee. Never got around to properly refinishing them so they have been in and out of the attic or tucked in a dark corner of one room or another. Now I'm finding they make good stands for still life arrangements. One has a marble (broken) top and the other one a smooth top of wood.

A blank wall in the dining room begged for a vertical piece so I painted this one using "faux" fruit to enhance that space. Framed and hanging, it didn't feel "finished" so back on the easel it went. I'm still not happy with the background but tonight it's back on the wall...at least for the time being.

Silvia Williams Workshop

2010-11-07T22:39:00.005-05:00

Last weekend I was happy to be one of six artists participating in an experimental mixed media workshop taught by Silvia in her bright well equipped mountain top studio. As a realist painter, I can’t tell you how delightful it was to be pouring paints and ink through coffee filters, gauze, cheesecloth, etc. onto various supports from watercolor paper, foam core, mat board and even my choice - primed unstretched canvas, to watch the magic happen! Various collage materials were used - cheesecloth, plastic screen, tissue paper, etc. Silvia was amazing as she worked on at least a dozen designs while we watched in total awe before giving it a go! I am somewhat reluctant to post my efforts since it’s obvious they are a bit color-wild and somewhat lacking in design. Just fun, fun, fun!

Thanks Silvia! You make it look so easy! Will see what I can do with these “starts” and post them later.

Goodbye Peanut

2010-10-29T11:54:00.005-04:00

16" x 20" acrylic on canvas

When we lost our mother five years ago, her faithful and adored little Peanut joined our sister's household where she continued being a sweet spoiled prissy little princess. This week Marcy had to make the painful decision to let her go at fourteen years old. It was time.

Mama was known for her beautiful quilts, so when I painted Peanut’s portrait for her it was fun placing a special quilt in the foreground. She loved this painting which has been posted before but I felt the family might enjoy seeing it on the blog again. The idea for placing Peanut on pillows came from a favorite reference book, “Paint Radiant Realism” by Sueellen Ross.

Mama was thrilled when Florida Artist Wanda Carter known for her portraits of people and pets also celebrated Peanut with a portrait in pastel and even used the image on her brochures and greeting cards!

Goodbye Peanut and thank you Marcy!

Morning Stroll - Kristin and Madison

2010-10-12T11:41:00.005-04:00

8" x 10" Oil on canvas

How I enjoyed painting this beautiful young mother and Baby Madison! Little Madison, so animated with ever changing expressions, made selecting a photo reference difficult! The family is delighted with the portrait and so am I! At the moment there is still another baby/parent commission in the works so stay tuned!

Autumn's Shy One

2010-09-26T12:46:00.004-04:00

30" x 24" Oil on Canvas

This painting was one of five that went to Susan Livengood’s Sleeping Stones Gallery for next weekend’s county wide Annual Artists Studio Tour sponsored by the Haywood County Arts Council. Susan’s big, bold, energetic art is so exciting as is her gallery and I am honored to have been invited to participate. Thank you Susan! The address and a map may be found on the above websites.

While this piece was started a while ago, turning leaves outside my studio window, a brisk fall nip in the air and Susan’s invitation provided the inspiration needed to get it back on the easel. Seems I can’t get away from painting horses!

Susan and Ella

2010-09-14T11:57:00.002-04:00

10 x 8 Oil on Canvas

This mother-daughter portrait was commissioned by an aunt as a gift and painted from photographs. I couldn't resist the bow and frilly dress in this pose. Capturing Susan's personality in her lovely dark eyes and rendering her beautiful teeth were the challenge!

What a joy it was to paint another young mother and her baby! Susan has now received the painting and I am told is thrilled with it! That makes me happy! And - in the meantime, there is still another commissioned mother-daughter portrait on the easel! Life is good!

wip - Starlin and Skylar

2010-08-29T15:13:00.007-04:00

10" x 8" oil on canvas

The completed photos and scans of this recently delivered painting are deeply buried in the hard drive of my crashed computer. This one was taken nearing completion - probably about 80 percent. I am so pleased with the finished painting and with the client's positive reaction to it!

Wispy hairs blowing across starlin's face were added at the end and not in this photo. More work was done on precious Baby Skylar's face and the skin tones of both color corrected, blended and softened.

This pose was so unusual making it a thrill and challenge to try and capture the sweet gentle face of this beautiful new mother with her tattoo and piercings in a mysterious woodsy setting! I love being an artist!

The dead computer is going to Florida where a tech-y friend can hopefully retrieve the data from the hard drive and I will post a photo of the finished painting this winter.

Wouldn't a large variation of this portrait make a great competition piece? I may request permission to paint it larger for myself!

Stampede

2010-08-25T12:13:00.002-04:00

4" x 20" - Acrylic on Illustration Board

Here is the completed painting...I'm pleased with the way it turned out and feel this is what the client has in mind. These horses were fun but a challenge to say the least! I am soooo ready for larger brushes!

The old computer could not be revived (at a reasonable expense) so brought home a shiny new desktop and I'm a happy blogger once more! It's been about two weeks since I've visited your blogs so can't wait to see what you've been painting/creating while I was "unplugged"!

WIP - Stampede

2010-08-15T16:23:00.004-04:00

4" x 20" - Acrylic on Illustration Board

Stampede is a commissioned piece I've been putting off starting because the reference photo is poor quality, and because it's so small and because I procrastnate! It's starting to be fun and I hope to post the finished piece soon. It is to be picked up September 3rd and there's nothing like a little deadline pressure to light a fire!

This post could just as well be titled "August Woes" - since it was one week ago today my computer crashed and was rushed to a tech for emergency treatment. Because I wasn't sure if I wanted to repair the four year old desktop or shop for a new computer was slow giving the go-ahead to order the necessary part (power supply gadget). Maybe it will be home by mid-week! In the meantime my sweet hubby is sharing his notebook - with Windows 7 - a whole new ballgame that I think I'm beginning to like!

So sorry I'm not making it to your blogs with comments but will try and catch up next week when "Old Trusty" is back in the studio! Soooo lost without it...need the monitor to zoom in on details with these horses - not to mention needing recent files for two other commissions! Everything was backed up to July 1! From now on, daily back up of art and photo files will be the norm!

Our local newspaper's WEEKLY GUIDE gave Jean, Silvia and me some much appeciated publicity in Wednesday's edition! Woo Hoo - We are enjoying the comments from family and friends! The show comes down tomorrow.

Happy Me!

2010-08-03T10:24:00.003-04:00

"Collecting"
24" x 36" watermedia on illustration board

The Swannanoa Valley Fine Arts League 43rd Annual Juried Members Exhibit at the Tyson Library, Black Mountain, NC will hang through August 15 showcasing 73 pieces representing 40 artists. When we arrived for the reception Sunday afternoon surrounded by misty mountains and a hazy sky, it seemed the perfect setting for an art show! Exhibiting artists are not given advance information as to awards - so - I was surprised and totally delighted to find my watermedia painting "Collecting" had been honored with a second place ribbon! This show is extraordinary with brilliant pieces in all seven categories! Judge was Asheville, N.C. artist Sharon Trammel.

Silvia Williams had two pieces juried into the show as did Beth Dix. Jean Baldwin took a second place award in the drawing category, and Karen Paquette a second place for her fabulous mixed media piece! You can just imagine how much fun this reception was for me with so many old and new friends! Family members also showed up and the perfect afternoon flew by!

Yesterday two commissioned portraits left my studio going north! I am happy with both and trust (hope) they will be well received. A bit nerve wracking in the meantime!

Win or Lose

2010-07-24T16:13:00.004-04:00

20" x 12" oil sketch on canvas

When our performing arts theater, HART, presented GUYS AND DOLLS local artists were invited to enter paintings incorporating this theme to display in the lobby for the duration of the show. What fun! I did a number of small oil sketches toward working out a composition for a 30" x 24" oil painting. The mat area in this piece is painted.

Currently working on portrait commissions, I'm not at liberty to show the works in progress... so will show you these small pieces and then the completed painting which was my entry for the show.

Celebrating Friendship

2010-07-17T15:00:00.003-04:00

Very Rough Watercolor Sketch
4-1/2" x 9"

A life changing event occurred in 2004 when I joined a small line dance class with an awesome instructor, Carol, and met Marlene and Nancy. Marlene and I discovered we lived in the same neighborhood and the four of us became close friends as we continued to dance, travel to line dance events and have great fun! Our husbands enjoyed each other's company but had their own interests that did NOT include dancing! Line dance was keeping me out of the studio and the urge to paint was ever present - so - slowly my dance slippers came off and I began to make up for lost time with the brushes. However, dancing or not, we four had formed a strong bond and have remained close getting together for special occasions and for our annual days at the beach. Two have health issues at the moment - so - this post is let all three know how special their friendship is to me. This little watercolor sketch was done in preparation for similiar watercolor paintings for each of them a few years ago. Nancy is wearing a bracelet since she designed and created friendship bracelets combining our four birthstones, Marlene is reclining, Carol's bag holds step-sheets for practicing on the beach ! I am under the big hat...

These strong women light up my life and I wish them well and happy!

Just Kids

2010-06-30T10:21:00.003-04:00

20" x 16" Pastel

Last week I received a call from a collector who had purchased an early pastel quite a few years ago from one of my very first shows. She was redecorating and wanted to move the painting into a room with lots of light and wondered if I would help her reframe it using non-glare glass. I can't tell you how excited it was to find this piece not only still exists but is valued! It was a bit emotional seeing it again - like running into an old friend. Resisting the temptation to grab a few pastel sticks and go back into the piece was quite a challenge since improvements (corrections) could easily be made and the work strengthened with just a stroke or two! A reminder by my husband that this lady is enjoying her painting "just the way it is" kept me at bay. (Actually he was a bit firmer than that... like... "Don't you dare!") I didn't. With fresh mats and a lovely new frame it's back on her wall without the glare and she's coming back to select another painting to hang along with it!

Tears of the Innocent

2010-06-21T19:39:00.003-04:00

24" x 18" Oil on Stretched Canvas

A few days ago watching an aloof but determined pelican dive into the canal to proudly bring up a small catch, I was reminded of his relatives elsewhere along the oily Gulf Coast. He might be crying if he knew their horrible plight...an "a-ha" moment of inspiration! I was recently touched by Sherry Massy's painting depicting an oily beach also created with a heavy heart. We want to hit someone or scream but... instead we make our statement as artists often do, passionately applying our feelings of helplessness to canvas or paper.

I used a "distressed canvas" - on which I had earlier glued tissue and/or rice papers for wrinkles and texture. I knew I could work around the wrinkles for the feathers and texture would add character to the beak. The crinkles are great for water by dry brushing across the darks and letting the light bounce off the raised ridges. Horizontal waterlines somewhat offset the stark vertical of the big bird. The water is brown and black with only blue to explain the "dirty"...The tear drop is larger than the eye - because this disaster at the moment is larger than most of us can imagine. It is most doubtful pelicans (or other birds) have tear ducts? I didn't research - just painted as I listened to the news that tar balls were washing ashore in Florida's panhandle and a dead whale had just been found in the area of the flow....when and where will it end?

Wanda's Pitcher

2010-06-12T14:57:00.009-04:00

16" x 20" oil on stretched canvas

Portrait commissions are still taking most of my time not to mention traveling back and forth between NC & Fla! We are back in Florida now dealing with a roof issue - not serious - must have ridge vents replaced before leaving for the season.

I'm showing you another older but special piece. A print of this painting hangs in our kitchen and brings back a happy memory of one of our group's painting sessions at Wanda Carter's studio. She set up this still life and four or five of us painted our versions in acrylics, oil and pastel. I completed the painting back here in the studio using the above photo reference. That little flat pitcher is adorable - but it was difficult to portray as flat and not as an askewed round one! We didn't take time to paint together as a group this past winter and I missed it! "Wanda's Pitcher" is sold and hangs somewhere in Pennsylvania.

Frank's '49 5-Window Chevy

2010-06-01T08:30:00.003-04:00

16' x 20" oil on canvas

My husband has a passion for classic autos. Right now we do not own one but he's always on the "look-out". This old truck from his past (before me) was really special to him. Except for this one photo, all pictures of the truck were lost during several moves and a divorce. A few years ago, a watercolor painting of an old truck with flowers in the bed adorned the cover of a Cheap Joe's catalog. That lovely painting was my inspiration to try and capture Frank's truck to make up for his lack of photos. The catalog is long gone and I'm sorry I have no idea who painted the watercolor. I'm glad he enjoys his oil painting as it hangs in his office and is quite a conversation piece!

Where's Mama?

2010-05-24T10:26:00.003-04:00

24" x 18" oil on stretched canvas

We are back in Maggie Valley, N.C. for a couple of weeks opening the house, cleaning, etc. This painting of bunnies and field stones roughed in last season greeted me from the easel when we arrived. Still in a "fur-mode" from painting Mitzi and Daisy, I couldn't wait to squeeze paint and get busy! The trusty palette knife worked to achieve rough, hard texture for the field stones to contrast with the soft furry bunnies. The knife was also used for grasses and wild flower petals. There is color in the areas that appear black in the photo. I have portait commissions underway, but it was fun to relax with this playful painting using larger brushes and the knife!

Where's Mama" was inspired by a poem by James Cox entitled "At the Edge of the Unreasonable Forest"

"...along pathways of yellow and green

encroached by blackening shadows,

the pathways lined with luminous wisps

lifting slowly in the shadows..."

Thanks James!

Daisy

2010-05-14T19:44:00.003-04:00

9 x 12 oil on stretched canvas

Another furry portrait commission! With this one I could see the eyes! Had a disk of photos to work from and wouldn't you know, Daisy always had those little front paws tucked under her. Wonder what that means in "kitty speak body language"? Such a pretty cat - and with those big yellow eyes - so paintable. Since this was a portrait of Daisy, the kitty beside her was given less detail. I'm becoming very fond of cats! Daisy is now in her new home in Pinellas Park and I'm missing having her and Mitzi in the studio where the two of them have spent lots of time looking at me from the monitor and the easel as I squinted back at them!

Mischievous Mitzi

2010-05-07T08:14:00.005-04:00

12" x 9" oil on stretched canvas

This portrait of sweet little Mitzi was delivered yesterday and I'm happy to say the client loved it - no changes or adjustments! Yea! For this painting I found myself again mixing with the neutral warm and cool gray tube colors from the Sandin Pro Mix Color System for flesh tones! I would have preferred a reference photo with a more direct gaze since a cat's eyes are so amazing! At least the green color shows and a hint of her personality comes through as she plans her next "adventure"! I am told Mitzi is always "up to something", and that she's very affectionate.

Study for Mr. Howard's Mail

2010-04-24T20:54:00.003-04:00

8 x 10 Oil on Canvas

Recently a lovely lady asked if I would compose a painting with these elements in the the following order of importance - A mailbox with her late father's name, roses, a rustic fence, a cardinal, a path and maybe a birdhouse! Since it was impossible to know what she was "seeing" in her mind's eye, a few pencil sketches were presented from which she chose this particular fence and an open mailbox...We decided the bird house was not needed and I tried to work in all her other elements plus a few glads for flower variety. She has now approved this composition and I like it too! Challenges such as this one keep studio days interesting! For her painting, the colors will probably be muted, but it was fun going bright and bold with this little one!

Big Bad Bruce Finished (or not?)

2010-04-19T12:21:00.004-04:00

8 x 10 Oil on Canvas

The second Wednesday of each month our critique group, a number of serious award winning artists sharing helpful hints and suggestions, meets for an informal review of the each others works in progress. All intermediate artists are invited and newcomers are given more gentle positive critiques than those of us who want to be hit with all suggestions as to areas that are working and those that might be improved upon. Each artist must evaluate suggestions and decide whether or not he/she agrees and take it from there.

I was aware the circled areas were really bothersome before the critique group got hold of Bruce. First of all, the green is "foreign" to the painting but wanted that color reflected in the glasses. The shape of the green color lined up with and repeated the shoulder shadow shape. Baaaaad...however, I waited to change it until after critique in case there were other needed fixes I didn’t see. My solution - for the moment at least - has been to paint out the green and maybe that draws more attention to Bruce’s face? He enjoys riding in the country exploring back roads and I felt the green expressed that... so it’s still in the glasses. And, know what? Maybe I would like a little of it back in the painting ...so...you may see this one more time! I will be more careful of the shape and the color! Am thinking about painting this "larger than life" - 24" x 30" just for Bruce and for the drama!

Big Bad Bruce wip

2010-04-12T16:22:00.005-04:00

8" x 10" oil on canvas

This is Bruce, our son in law on his Harley enjoying some time off! Doesn't he look like a B-AA-DD dude? Bruce is a teddy bear - but I think he enjoys looking kinda mean! Still have a long way to go and trying not to get carried away with detail.

A fellow blogger emailed to ask if my methods for detail were "secret" - absolutely not! I am always willing to share and feel that's what blogging is all about! If the email had come before starting this one, I would have documented from the beginning. My steps are to first find a photo I really like hopefully with lots of high contrast, "play" with the photo in Photoshop Elements until it's the way I want the painting (or think I do), print the photo to size in black and white, trace it onto tracing paper and using graphite, transfer to canvas or board. Sometimes the support is toned - sometimes not. Bruce was started on white canvas after a couple of extra coats of gesso had been applied and sanded to smooth out the canvas bumps.

Another in the "Shades Series" notice - no eyes, no teeth, no ears! Yea! Can a portrait subject get any better! I knew the fine lines in the rims of the sunglasses would be difficult so started there using the Prismacolor Verithin Pencils. What wonderful tools they are and totally compatible with oil paint! Next the hair on the face - I LOVE painting mustaches and beards! Every color in the painting is in those hairs but you may or may not see all of them. I worked the dark patterns with the pencils and then started painting. Later going back to the facial hair, the sharp points on the pencils were used as brushes to apply paint and then scratch into it. I'm not "afraid of the dark" even though the really dark areas (no tube black paint is used) tend to give the piece a photographic look which may or may not be desirable. Was the little crease on his neck necessary? Probably not - but this is an exercise for me and I wanted to see if I could do it!

I do not follow any formula for fleshtones unless you call "hit or miss" a formula! I keep the photograph on my monitor as I paint and try to match the colors I see, but am more interested in the warm and cool tones and value shifts. The Sandin ProMix set is helpful. I don't use any of the tube colors alone but do use some of them in mixes. The three tubes shown are favorites. Neutral 3 is helpful in achieving good color for teeth. I was introduced to the Rembrandt oil transparent oxide colors brown, red, and orange by David Darrow and will always have these colors on my flesh palette. Love them!

Our critique group meets Wednesday and it will be interesting to see what suggestions are made. I will then finish and post again. I don't always work this way but for these small family portraits, it's a fast way to get past the drawing and to the easel!

Linda, I do hope this has been helpful and I appreciate your interest! Please let me know if you have more questions.

Bruce - whadda think?

Stephanie - Quick Study

2010-04-01T17:22:00.002-04:00

10" x 8" - oil on canvas

This is a study in shapes. I really tried to stay away from detail and look at shapes rather than features. Another in the "Shades Series" - this is daughter, Stephanie, painted from a photo taken on a hot day at the Great Smokey Mountain Railway Station in Bryson City, NC. The challenge was in playing with the light and shadow, and in contrasting her soft skin and hair against the rusty rail car. I'm not happy with the hair (Sorry Steph) ...but this was fast work for me and I'm pleased with most of it! There was a cast shadow in the photo that fell across her head and ear and down her back. I didn't include that at first but decided it provided an interesting way to break up shapes so painted it in and I think it works.

Blog Anniversary

2010-03-24T19:46:00.003-04:00

"My Song" 36" x 48" oil on stretched canvas

Last March - one year ago - my blog came into being with an older oil, "My Song" the first painting posted. Somehow it seems fitting to post it again since, as my all-time favorite, it's the one I consider my "signature piece". And, yes, I sold it - almost before the paint was dry! Didn't mean to sell it! Entered it in a show with a price way beyond what I thought someone would pay and, at the end of the show, it went to live in Brevard, North Carolina. The collector sent a photo of the painting on her wall in a lovely room which warmed my heart! That was so thoughtful of her and showed me "My Song" had found a special home! The painting began as a self portrait of me at my piano - well, didn't end up being "me" exactly but is a good portrait of my piano!

This year has flown by and via the blog, I have a journal showing me what I've painted and a reminder that I probably need to accelerate! Last March I had no idea whatsoever that anyone outside my family would ever visit, or that I would meet so many wonderful people and become blogging friends with artists around the world! Thanks to each and every one of you who visit and especially to you who leave comments! You mean more to me than you know! My intent is to make the posts more interesting in the year to come and to visit your sites more frequently and to leave comments!

Keep Looking Up

2010-03-14T15:06:00.003-04:00

11 x 14 - oil on stretched canvas

Meet my sister-in-law, Monte. Her nickname is Sunshine and, while she now lives in central North Carolina, she is a "beach girl" at heart! A guest bath in her home is decorated with a beach-theme and she heads to the shore every chance she gets! This is another in the "Shades" series. My intent to showcase the shadow holes from the brim of the straw hat so attractive in the reference photo, - didn't work!! So, painted over the face which muted the stripes leaving a few "dots" for interest around her eye and mouth. This is much looser than I usually work...even used a palette knife on her shirt and the surf! I my revisit this little painting in the future, but for now will put it aside to look at later with a fresh eye. Monte's motto is "Keep Looking Up" and I hope she likes this interpretation of her reverent and fun-loving spirit!

Frank and Me

2010-03-04T10:45:00.004-05:00

10 x 8 - oil on canvas

This is a painting of my wonderful husband using a reference photo from an outing last spring. He wasn't concerned about how I painted his face but he wanted that cap to look just right! Aren't men funny! Anyway, the legs in the reflection of the sunglasses are mine and thus the title. I painted this last week, and Monday it was juried into the "Arts of March" show at the Cape Coral Art League Center, 516 Cultural Park Boulevard, Cape Coral, and will hang through April 5! The show judge is watercolorist Joan Klutch and the opening reception takes place this evening! Getting in is an honor and I'm eager to see the show!

Sunshine Award

2010-03-02T10:00:00.005-05:00

Thanks so much to Ann Rogers and Pat Koscienski for nominating me for this blogger award for creativitiy and positivity!
The rules for accepting the award are:
Put the logo on your blog or within your post.
Pass the award onto 12 bloggers.
Link the nominees within your post.
Let the nominees know they received this award.
Link to the person from whom you received this award.

Picking only 12 is really impossible - so I'm taking some liberties (we artists often do that, don't we?)- here are some artists you may or may not know and will certainly enjoy visiting!
Desiree
Ruth Bodycott
Lois Anderson
Lokelani Forest
Dennis Bailey
Colette Theriault
Jo Castillo

The Path

2010-02-22T09:50:00.003-05:00

6" x 12" - Oil on Masonite

Plans are underway for a one woman show in the summer of 2011. While that sounds distant, the days will fly by! Some older pieces are coming out for another look, tweaking and maybe frames. Yesterday this oil on masonite was 16" x 20" - today, thanks to my hubby and his trusty saw, it's 6" x 12"! Nothing of value was lost in content, and the narrow format is more interesting. The scene was loosely adapted from a photo taken at a park near Daytona Beach eight to ten years ago - actually the old fence being replaced by the new one is all that's authentic to the reference photo. Wood and masonite are favorite supports because they are easy to crop! I am seldom so bold with color - and this scene is certainly more romantic than realistic.

Portrait of Karin Jurick

2010-02-13T11:25:00.003-05:00

10 x 8 oil on canvas

Via her blog DSFDF Karin Jurick has brought together a family of artist bloggers who participate in ongoing challenges throughout the year. The year end challenge is a portrait swap with Karin pairing participants at random to paint each other's portraits. This is a huge undertaking involving many hours of her time. As a way to let Karin know how much she and these blog challenges mean to us, fellow artist and blogger, Jill Polsby, coordinated a project whereby each of us would paint Karin from the same photograph. She then had a book printed which has just been presented to Karin as a token of our gratitude. Here is a photo page with the 118 paintings contained in the book.

Everyone must have used their best brushes because the portraits are awesome with many interpretations of Karin's lovely face! Thank you Karin!

Jill, this was such a great idea! Congratulations and thank you! The book is wonderful!

Meet Baby Addison

2010-02-04T23:56:00.004-05:00

8 x 10 Oil on Canvas

This painting celebrates the arrival of a beautiful granddaughter for our good friends, Joyce and Mike, parents of mother, Jill. I tried to capture the joy reflected in Jill's eyes from the reference photo taken by the baby's dad. Little Addison was born just before Thanksgiving which seemed perfect timing to me! They live in New Jersey and this evening "Grammy Joyce" is flying north with this first portrait of her little angel! I enjoyed every brush stroke in this painting!

Yesterday I learned that one of two oil paintings accepted in the Fort Myers, Florida juried show, Feb Fest, has won an award! Yea & Yipee! The judge,
Greg Biolchini is a fabulous artist whose work I have long admired! It is a thrill being juried in and this award is indeed an honor! Feb Fest is at the Art League of Fort Myers Gallery, 1451 Monroe Street, and will hang through February 25th. I'm looking forward to the reception tomorrow evening!

Playing Again

2010-01-28T10:08:00.003-05:00

6" x 6" oil on prepared masonite

Over the weekend, I completed one portrait and started another. The new one, a mother and baby, is slowly coming along and I'm really enjoying the journey but needed another little break from details! Soooo...since this arrangement was still on the table why not another fast study - same palette - same attitude. No timer set for this one. Had to take time out for dog training, running errands, etc. but total painting time was probably no more than two hours yesterday.

Well...sometimes they work, sometimes not quite. However, mission accomplished in that I'm ready to get back to details! Will be posting the portraits soon. In the meantime, these loose "play time" paintings could be habit forming!

Play Time

2010-01-18T10:03:00.011-05:00

Lately most of my paintings have been slow and detailed. Yesterday the urge was to simply loosen up and play with paint. Faux fruit and veggies were hastily arranged (too carelessly I'm afraid) and, giving myself a two hour time limit, I picked up the brush! The light was reflecting the red fabric onto the little pitcher in an exciting way. Guess I'm still seeing red from those roses!

Some years ago in a plein-air workshop with New England artist Charles Movalli on a stormy stay-inside day, still life arrangements were set up for ala prima studies. In a critique of my work, Master (and he is) Movalli suggested I study the work of Leon Franks ( 1914-1970 ) as my style seemed to echo his! I was astounded since I had begun oil painting on my own as a teenager copying from old "how to" books by Leon Franks published by Walter Foster! Check the original price on the one I found on e-bay to show you!

This little still life reminded me of that long forgotten workshop and the teachings of Messrs. Movalli and Franks! This was fun and I wish I had handled the lighting and arrangement more carefully. If this were a serious piece, I would use real produce, not plastic and spend a lot more time with the set-up and lighting. As it was I happily moved paint this way and that and it felt good!

"It can't look like you've worked hard and long, even if you have. A painting should be done quickly with both your intellect and your nerves. When they give out, stop." (Charles Movalli)

They gave out - I stopped! Didn't go much over my time limit! Play time...I need more of that!

The "Best" Portrait

2010-01-06T16:00:00.005-05:00

Oil on Canvas - 30" x 18"

This portrait was completed in November - a commissioned Christmas gift for a beautiful young couple who live and teach music in the public school system near the North Carolina coast. After Christmas Mrs. Best contacted me to let me know they are thrilled with the painting! Yea! That news makes me soooo happy! Their portrait was a joy to paint except for the red roses! I wanted more variation in the color and values of the red tones, but didn't want to draw even more attention than red itself commands! Was a dilemma but I feel with less detail rather than more in the roses, the eye is directed to the faces. Oh, it was so much fun painting these pretty people! The tiara was a challenge as were the sequins and beads on that lovely dress!

Mystery Solved

2010-01-04T16:11:00.005-05:00

This mysterious artist has been identified! She is Becky Drees in Massachusetts! I received an email from her that she is pleased with the portrait and loves the green sweater! ;-) Here is Becky's blog where she has posted the portrait she did of me from the very bad photo I provided. I love the portrait and have tried to post to her blog but so far, no luck! I'll keep trying, Becky! Just want you to know you did a fantastic job!

The DSFDF Youtube video Part 4 includes mine and Becky's photos and paintings. What a fun challenge this was!

Woman of Mystery

2009-12-30T15:24:00.005-05:00

10 x 8 - Oil on rough canvas

This is my entry for Karin Jurick's DSFDF Year End Challenge - Swapping 180 Photos. I enjoyed painting this pretty mystery artist and want to thank her for posing with her mouth shut and ears covered! Just kidding - but I'm always uncomfortable painting teeth and ears! I used a scrap piece of unstretched canvas thinking the off white would substitute for toning only to discover it wasn't properly primed! So...this challenge was more difficult than it needed to be! Since I had already started over once, I kept going and am pleased with the way it turned out. It seems to have a pastel look to it due to the rough canvas and thin paint.

My first attempt was on a white canvas board in blue tones...didn't feel I had a likeness and wasn't happy with the white support or the palette...so...started over...

This was fun and I am so eager to learn the identity of this Woman of Mystery!

Karin, thank you for the opportunity to participate in the portrait swap and Happy New Year to you and all our blogging family!

Merry Christmas Blogging Friends!

2009-12-21T22:55:00.006-05:00

LISTEN!
9" x 8" Oil on canvas

It was fun looking back through old photos to find a puppy as a subject for this year's Christmas card. Our second shepherd, Joshua, had a terrible time keeping his ears up! He was almost three months old before he held them up all the time and what a precious little terror he was at that age! An old photo of him looking for trouble while playing outside provided reference for the puppy. We've never had cats so the kitty reference was from a photo in my file.

Hope you are enjoying a wonderful holiday season and your new year will be a healthy, happy and creative one!

Mary Cassatt's Children on the Beach (1884)

2009-12-05T12:35:00.004-05:00

Oil on Canvas - 36 x 24

This is my entry for Michelle Burnett's Following the Masters monthly painting challenge. For this entry we could choose an artist who had influenced our work and, since children are my favorite subjects, for me it's Mary Cassatt.

Mary Stevenson Cassatt (May 22, 1844 – June 14, 1926) was an American painter and printmaker. She lived much of her adult life in France, where she first befriended Edgar Degas and later exhibited among the Impressionists.

Cassatt often created images of the social and private lives of women, with particular emphasis on the intimate bonds between mothers and children. A few of these paintings may be seen here. (Wikipedia)

I painted this a number of years ago for a lady who lives by the water and wanted this reproduction to complement her family room's "beach decor". I remember how hard it was to "cut off" the little girl's legs! I even asked if I might incude feet (which would have probably made Mary Cassatt roll over)! The portrait class I was taking at the time stressed that we were NEVER to "cut off" limbs at amputation points...i.e, wrists, ankles, etc. Guess that really made an impression - at least I've never forgotten it! Looking at the photo of the painting now, maybe I should have been more concerned with softer edges and more colorful shadows! I wonder if it's still hanging in the "Dockside Room"? Thanks Michelle for reminding me to take another look at this one!

Jason

2009-11-25T11:10:00.005-05:00

18 x 24 Acrylic on Canvas

A lovely young lady commissioned this painting of her late brother as a Christmas gift for their mother - what an honor for me! I am really pleased with the way it turned out and so is she! You may find my method for "painting" the fishing lines interesting using a pizza cutter and white and black gesso. Since this was heavy tackle, the cutter lines were just right! Hey, it works for me! I would really enjoy hearing how some of you might have approached this "fine line" challenge?

November has been more than hectic with commissions to complete and deliver prior to our departure from North Carolina this past Sunday. I am waaaaay behind visiting blogs and am so eager to catch up and see what everyone's painting! We are back in Florida and I plan to relax and enjoy catching up this holiday weekend! Happy Thanksgiving!

Mural Challenge

2009-11-18T11:15:00.005-05:00

Before 12" x 8
After

This fall our son and family moved into their dream home - a large house where grandsons have lots of room. Since the home was previously occupied by a family with girls, some changes were in order ASAP! Twelve year old Jed found himself in a bright comfortable room with one serious flaw - a wall mural featuring beautiful winged fairies! This gave me a chance to be a " nana-super-hero"...with a paintbrush! We are off to a fun start! Toy soldiers were used for our models and the transformation is underway! Jed helped paint the sandbags and requested the turtle be spared. We have not completed the mural but there are no visable fairies since remaining ones are temporarily hidden by furniture until we can continue the project in the spring.

Splash # 5

2009-11-11T20:33:00.007-05:00

27" X 19" acrylic on illustration board

This is my entry for the current Florida Watercolor Society Non-Signature Member Online Show. I have previously painted splashes in blue tones, brown tones and now green tones. My husband "posed" lying on his stomach on the sofa with his feet in the air. He's such a good sport! The splash came from on site observation of grandsons in the pool, stones tossed into the lake, playing with the garden hose, etc!

I've had fun with this series and may see if I can come up with still another splashing idea!

Ann Vasilik's Watercolor Demo

2009-11-08T11:55:00.007-05:00

Thanks to artist Vickie Beck for these photos from our Blue Ridge Watermedia Society's October meeting. Please visit Ann's ">website to see many more of her fabulous watercolor paintings and read about her recent trip to Russia! Ann is an accomplished Asheville, N.C. artist and her demos are very popular with our group! She loves light and shadow and starts by transferring a detailed drawing from tracing paper onto 140 lb Arches. Her paintings begin with juicy washes. She uses four vaues alternating warm, cool, warm, cool across the painting...saving the white of the paper. Finishing touches were added via calligraphy setting out details to make the piece sing! Ann, thank you for sharing many tips with us as you performed your magic!

Double Trouble

2009-10-31T08:52:00.004-04:00

30 x 18 Oil on Canvas

"Double Trouble" left my easel for its new home this week! This painting of Jackson and Sugar was commissioned as a companion to the portrait of Jackson's sister, Jordan. A few years ago I painted Jordan at this same age wearing the same little bibbed overalls holding her doll. That portrait appears in the slide show. Jackson and Sugar posed in front of Grandma's and Grandpa's brick house where Jackson has enjoyed climbing the old knarled tree since he was a toddler. Every brushstroke in this one was fun! Jackson, Jordan and Sugar are adorable and I am honored to have had this privilege of painting them

Mountain Art and Artists

2009-10-27T10:02:00.004-04:00

110 Broadway
Black Mountain, North Carolina

Bight sunshine, a brisk breeze and glorious autumn color surrounded us as
Silvia Williams, her sister Gache, and I loaded paintings to take the 40 minute drive past Asheville to Black Mountain for a special day of art. The guest speaker for the October SVFAL meeting was Karen Chambers, award winning pastel artist and instructor who often serves as a jurior/judge for shows. Karen gave us a critique of member paintings with emphasis on what a judge looks for in our art as well as it's presentation offering her personal insight, tips and suggestions. The Applachian Pastel Society's 2009 Member's Juried Exhibition was our next stop! What a feast for the eyes! Then we were off to Black Mountain Bistro for a totally delightful group luncheon where I was introduced to a "Carolina BLT".. red tomato slices replaced by yummy fried green tomatos! Try this with a side of sweet potato fries! Sil, Gache and I topped off our day with a visit to the Sourwood Gallery where a number of our fellow SVFAL members showcase and sell their work. It has been lovely this season getting better acquainted with so many of these friendly and talented artists. Thank you Martha Raines, Denise Geiger, Ann Whisenant, Jack Williams, LaVerne Hueston and Marguerite Welty for inviting us to your beautiful gallery! I will be returning to Florida in a few weeks and will miss you as I look forward to more Black Mountain art in the spring!

Work in Progress - Detail

2009-10-17T10:03:00.004-04:00

oil on canvas - detail

Am winding up a commission - a little boy and his cocker spaniel puppy, Sugar. Yesterday I painted Sugar and decided to post as a wip as it's been a while since I've completed a new painting to share ! A few tweaks are needed...but...Sugar is almost there...now back to the little boy! This one is fun!

In Celebration of Artists

2009-10-12T18:22:00.006-04:00

Swain County Center for the Arts in Bryson City, North Carolina invited regional artists whose work has been obtained by the Center for their permanent collection to display up to four new pieces through mid-November. Saturday evening the participants were honored with a lovely reception and concert. Each artist was recognized on stage by Director Jenny Johnson who introduced us and offered a brief bio. The photo was taken at a distance and is a bit fuzzy but is a memory of a lively and fun-filled event! Thank you Jenny Johnson!

The current edition of THE BLACK MOUNTAIN NEWS has a story and photos celebrating the Montreat Show held last month! Wow! What a weekend!

Kreativ Blogger Award

2009-10-06T11:55:00.003-04:00

Recently I was honored with the Kreativ Blogger Award presented by Pat Koscienski, a plein air, landscape, abstract, portrait, figure, animal, wildlife, and still life painter is Pennsylvania. Her work is fabulous! Check out her blog! Thank you Pat!

Seven things about me:

I realize my inspiration and talent for painting are a gifts from God.
I love my wonderful husband, supportive family and friends
My grandsons light up my life
Our German Shepherd is my best painting partner...always by my side.
I am so happy we can divide our time between the mountains of North Carolina and the beaches in Florida
I am addicted to caffine and chocolate
My days and nights never have enough hours

The seven deserving artists to whom I'm passing the award are:

Silvia Williams
my dear friend and a wonderful watercolor artist.
Art for the Animals Artists working together to save the animals - Most worthwhile - Please visit this site.
James Cox who extends another venue in our artistic endeavors. I am so honored that he has been inspired to create poems based on some of my paintings
Jo Castillo Whose blog is by far the most creative, informative and never ending source of fun and inspiration I've discovered. You go Girl!
Lisa Gloria fabulous artist and instructor offering on-line workshops
Janice Crawford Another artist here in our North Carolina Mountains! I found Janice via Susan Carlin's painting broadcasts
Patty Cooper who along with her sister Susan are making San Antonio, Texas a more beautiful place. Patty co-owns an art gallery, goes to school and creates wonderful art.

I hope you will enjoy visiting these blogs and will leave comments!

Welcome Autumn!

2009-09-22T19:10:00.002-04:00

Hello Spider

Mixed Media on Arches 300 lb. cold press
13" x 10-1/2"

How can autumn be here so soon! What a whirlwind summer! To celebrate the changing season I had hoped to paint a sprig from the turning dogwood beside our driveway...leaves of greyed alizarin crimson and muted thalo yellow green with Grumbacher Red berries! No time...so am posting this one of Mama's Manx cat from some years ago. She had found the tiny tailless kitten on her doorstep and immediately fell in love with him. They had many happy autumns together and I have bittersweet memories missing both of them.

Yee Haw

2009-09-12T12:35:00.003-04:00

20 x 16 Oil on Canvas

I had been wanting to paint this young roper for a while and just couldn't work it in. Michelle's Western Theme for Following the Masters...was just the boost it took! This is my second entry celebrating the west, the first being the old master copy. For my personal challenge with this one, larger brushes, less detailed drawing to start, thicker paint...well...you get the picture! Miles out of my comfort zone! Have been keeping up with Dave Darrow and Susan Carlin on their U-stream broadcasts. They make it look so easy! Anyway...need more days to take it to my usual detailed style...but am pleased and stopping right here. (At least for now). There is more detail in the face than shows, however, since he's "moving"...maybe less is better? The challenge ends Tuesday. Thank's Michelle! Can't wait to see what's next!

What an Honor!

2009-09-05T00:01:00.004-04:00

10 x 8 Oil on Canvas

Remember this painting of Grandson Jed? I posted it in April as a study for a larger painting. Still haven't painted it larger but worked some more on this one and entered it in the Swannanoa Valley Fine Arts League Special Members Show at Montreat College in Montreat, N.C. Our beautiful great niece Morgan is a junior there so I thought it would be fun to hang in the Hamilton Gallery on campus! I had no idea an award would be forthcoming and didn't even attend the reception last weekend! The judge was Beverly Kies, a pastel artist from Hendersonville, N.C. Thank you Beverly! I am humbled and thrilled. The exhibit will be on display through September 29.

Daddy's Hands

2009-08-26T10:14:00.001-04:00

Oil on canvas - 24" x 30"

Allen, our great-nephew, flew to Texas this week to start a new career with the U.S. Air Force. We are so proud of him and will miss his handsome smiling face around here!

This is an older painting from a photo I took of him celebrating his fifth birthday as he intently watched his dad adjust the seat on his new bicycle! How quickly the years flew by! The painting is hanging in the home of Allen's parents. Now I shall look forward to painting him in his uniform!

Tribute to Eanger Irving Couse - American Painter - 1866-1936

2009-08-20T10:31:00.008-04:00

22" x 26" Oil on masonite

This is a post for Following the Masters Challenge Six - Western Art hosted by Michelle Burnett. While I am working on an original for this challenge, this one painted a few years ago certainly fits the theme. The reference photo was found in my late mother-in-law's elemetary school teacher's files. As a post card type photo, there was no artist signature so I never really knew if the original were by Couse or Joseph Henry Sharp. The gridded photo in Antiques and the Arts Online, removes all doubt but that the painting was by Couse and that Ben Luhan had been his model. The pose, pot, blanket, headdress, etc. are as in the reference photo (which I have misplaced). The background was taken from other paintings by either Couse or Sharp and my imagination. A practice piece just for fun, this fellow lives in my attic! Thanks Michelle for the opportunity to bring him back into the light!

Sunday Morning

2009-08-10T18:52:00.009-04:00

10 x 5-1/2 Oil on Canvas Mounted on Board

Oh My Goodness! At the last minute I decided to attempt Karin Jurick's DSFDF Challenge for weeks 44 and 45 and immediately found myself so far out of my comfort zone a map was needed just to stay on track! First of all, in order for the painting to be the least bit "Romantically Realistic" (as is my style), the power poles and lines had to go. Right? Maybe not... I see many artists worked them into charming design elements as did Karin in her piece. I seem to have lost the depth and rolling hills! Darn! And I tried to create a focal point by placing a red car near the traffic light in the left corner. Not many cars on my street so guess it had to be Sunday morning, thus the title.

Whew! So this is why it's called a challenge!

Wow! - Best of Show Award

2009-08-03T11:54:00.005-04:00

36 x 24 Oil and Love on Canvas
Portrait of Son Edward

Maybe I shall wake up and it will all have been a lovely dream...but meanwhile...I'm savoring the moment! Sorry the glare on the top half of the painting washes out the color, but isn't this the prettiest ribbon ever! I am in the clouds!! Never before had a "Best of Show" so this is one special day! The silly grin I'm wearing is indeed a happy one!

The show is the 42nd Annual Swannanoa Valley Fine Arts League Juried Members Exhibit judged by fine artist and educator, Cathy Futral art and humanities professor at South Florida Community College, Avon Park, Florida and author of the new book "Art Lessons Notebook". Thank you Cathy!!

The show will hang in Black Mountain, N.C. through August 16.

.

Copy - Severin Roesen Still Life

2009-07-24T20:52:00.004-04:00

22 x 28 Oil on Canvas
Severin Roesen - German-born American Painter, ca.1815-1872

This is my entry for Following the Masters Challenge Five - Flowers & Gardens. Michelle's current challenge brought to mind this painting which was started some time ago and never finished. Since the reference photo was nowhere to be found, I mixed imagination with paint to complete this tribute to Roesen. There are numerous websites featuring his detailed floral still lifes painted in the tradition of the 17th-century Dutch and German painters. Sumptuous and highly realistic, they are feasts for the eyes!

Composition in a Nutshell

2009-07-20T16:16:00.003-04:00

Collage and print transfer (detail)

"Arrange dominate shapes, tones, lines, colors, texture, size and
direction of an interesting, well balanced pattern that will lead the eye
through the painting from the off-centered, well placed focal point. Gradate,
repeat and vary the elements as well as within the elements. Use a little
contrast of elements especially at the focal point and the result will be
unity and harmony." Author unknown (to me)

The paragraph above is framed and hanging in my studio along with the "Art is long" painting. Funny how often I glance up to critique work in progress via these pointers. "Art is long" reminds me to use the best available materials assuming the work is going to last over time.

The painting is acrylic, tissue paper collage and a print transfer using
Elmer's Squeeze 'N Caulk on a mat board support.

Still Life With Blue Kettle

2009-07-12T22:42:00.010-04:00

18 x 24 oil on canvas

For a while I was really really bad about putting a tea kettle on and forgetting it! In the name of safety, the children gave me this nice blue kettle with a little bird that fits into the spout to whistle when the water begins to boil! Yea, that worked! However, for this painting I removed the bird. Even placed on the table, it seemed to change the mood from "serious still life" to "cutesy" ...so... no bird. Now I wish I had included it!

The bowl is actually stainless steel. The entire painting was completed from a set up in the studio using only black and white acrylic. The oil colors were glazed on over the dry acrylic underpainting. The glazes were built up over a few days allowing for drying between the layers.

Once again I am delighted that this painting inspired a beautiful poem by James Cox at Diamond Poetry What an honor. Thank you Jim!

Blue Kettle Tea my Blessed Daughter

The eastern sky
stands blue behind the Sandia Mountains,
but in the west a thunderhead approaches.
Teresa Chino comes down
from the mesa
to dig fresh clay for her pottery.
After the day’s work,
tired from the carry and the walk,
she climbs the sandstone stairs to Sky City,
ancient Acoma pueblo.
She looks forward to her daughter’s tea
made in the blue kettle:
they eat bread baked in a clay oven,
and strips of elk cooked all day
with carrots, potatoes, and wild onions.
In the evening, in sand by the door,
they draw designs
lit by moonlight and firelight,
their eyes in shadow, their hearts free.
The next morning,
they grind the stone.
In the weeks ahead,
she will teach her daughter
the secrets of pottery.
Teresa prays to the sun and the stars –
May her temper give her making strength
and the hard will of the Acoma way.
May her spirit give her making beauty.
In the evening, as we listen to the kee kee yah
of hawk coaxing black rabbit,
may you guide me in my lessons.
May we have rain and a cool wind tomorrow.

Rower

2009-07-06T15:17:00.008-04:00

5-1/2 x 15 Oil on wood panel

This is my entry for the DSFDF Challenge for Weeks 39-40. Reference for this painting was a photograph provided by Karin Jurick on her blog Different Strokes from Different Folks where artists are encouraged to paint or draw their own interpretations. Once again painting on a prepared wood panel enabled me to crop the painting when it became evident the boats in the background were adding nothing to this piece beyond my struggle to include them. My intent was to combine the photo of the rower with one from Wet Canvas. Traces of the boats and reflections still provide a bit of color. This was fun but I prefer painting tomatos and onions! A face and hands this tiny are indeed a challenge!

James Cox at Mountain Diamond Poetry sent this poem inspired by the painting. What a compliment! Thank you very much, Jim!

The Rower

Flat out into the water,
the rower leans to the pull
then digs hard, pulls hard,
and the boat skims forward,
a rush forward
though she faces back:
looking that way
she sees where she has been recede:
where she goes
will be her late discovery.

Peanut

2009-06-30T07:56:00.003-04:00

Acrylic on Canvas 20 x 16

While studying the techniques described in a book by Suellen Ross titled PAINT RADIANT REALISM IN WATERCOLOR, INK & COLORED PENCIL, I painted this portrait of Peanut. The photo reference was taken outside without a flash. The use of pillows, background fabrics and patterns was also inspired by the book. Suellen Ross is an award winning domestic animal and wildlife artist and her book is a favorite in my collection. When painting animals I refer to it quite often regardless of the medium I'm using. For me her pet portraits are unsurpassed. My animal portraits now almost always include a background "setting" to better describe a pet's personality. You know just by seeing Peanut on these soft pillows she is loved and pampered.

Often I underpaint in acrylic and then finish the painting in oil. This time I achieved the results I was after using only acrylics.

A Feather in her Bonnet

2009-06-23T18:26:00.005-04:00

14 x 11 Prismacolor Pencil on RIVES BFK Printmaking Paper

Now settled in and back to painting, my focus is on catching up with commissions. That means posting a few more pieces from the past. The painting above is "one of a kind" in my personal collection created a few years ago in a Jeanne Norman Chase colored pencil workshop held in Sarasota, Florida. The workshop took place in her to-die-for studio, a free standing former residence converted to thrill any artist! Pictured above is my piece in a waterbath being prepared for embossing and I am also showing you her lightbox. I don't even own a small lightbox and Jeanne's is huge! This was used to transfer my original drawing onto the Rives paper.

Source material was my photograph of a period dressed manikin taken at the Canton, N.C. Historical Museum.

First the image was completed on the Rives BFK printmaking paper in Prismacolor pencil leaving space for embossing and cropping. Color pencil is a slow process of layering and blending and the painting took the entire first day to complete. The following day, on a piece of matboard, I traced around a pattern of the image of the face and hat increasing the size about one inch. With ongoing instruction from Jeanne, I then cut out the traced image using a very sharp heavy duty X-Acto knife. After a waterbath to soften the paper, the cutout template was gently placed over the original damp painting which was then scored following the shape of the template to get the embossed effect. Magic! There may have been more steps and I'm sure I made notes (where are they?) and I worked on more than one piece, but this one turned out just the way I hoped it would! Jeanne's very aura whispers "Artist"! She is a wonderful instructor and from this workshop, I happily discovered Rives BKF Printmaking Papers! What a find, not only for color pencil art but the strength makes it a great support for the acrylic mixed media/collage pieces I play with from time to time.

There is a link below to Jeanne's website. Go there...see one of her embossed pieces...you will enjoy her gallery, especially "Patterns".

Zena's Visit

2009-06-21T08:51:00.003-04:00

Roses (in progress) by Therosha King 9 x 12 oil on canvas

Friday was a delightful day with forever-since-high-school-friend, Zena (Therosha) King visiting from Raleigh! Her work in progress "Roses" is from a Cindy Procious virtual workshop. There is a link below to Cindy's website. After giving Zena a quick tour of my studio and new paintings (captive audience), we were off to visit more galleries. First stop, Blackberry Winter here in Maggie Valley where Zena purchased a delft pepper mill (nutmeg grinder) before heading to Leapin' Frog Gallery in the historic Frog Level section of downtown Waynesville. Gallery owner and dear friend, Melissa Burrell, showed us her new pieces - wonderful, colorful creations in fabric incorporating yarn, beads, buttons, twigs, and any other treasure she deems fitting. Larger pieces are shadow box framed and so tempting! We were disappointed co-owner Vickie Beck wasn't there but many of her original handwoven baskets were...more temptation! We couldn't resist purchasing small pieces by Melissa and local artist Silvia Williams! Refreshed by lunch next door at Panacea, Buddha's Belly salads and iced mango tea, we departed Frog Level for Main Street and a visit with Jo Ridge Kelley in her gallery, Ridge Runner Naturals. There is a link to Jo's website below also. Her paintings are breathtaking and most of us own an original or at least a print! She paints our Western North Carolina world in all it's glory as only she can! Had to end the day with our traditional book store stop-and-shop! Full day of eye candy, inspiration and never ending chat...mostly "art-speak"...Fun, fun, Zena! Wish you could have stayed longer...hurry back!

Summer Vegetables

2009-06-16T15:30:00.003-04:00

8 x 10 Oil on canvas

This is my entry for the Different Strokes From Different Folks Challenge for weeks 37 and 38. Link to DSFDF blog below. A fun painting from start to finish. As we all should have learned in the first day of Art School 101, look at the subject, squint and simplify, simplify, simplify. So, what did I do? As if the plate Karin gave us was not already overflowing, I tossed on a few more goodies! Growing vegetables has never been a part of my adult life, however, growing up in Canton, North Carolina, a summer garden was a given. My parents had green thumbs and thoroughly enjoyed the growing, harvesting, freezing and canning! My sister, brother and I...well...we did what was required as healthy helpers and most certainly we relished the bounty!

So...for this painting I tossed in a potato for sister, Marcy, who still enjoys them raw with a shaker of salt, some hot peppers for my dad who so appreciated his peppers, and a few radishes for my mom. Brother Lowell and I will have to be satisfied with tomatos, corn and onions! No more room for cabbage or string beans!

Thank you, Karin! I really like my painting!

Last Year's Photos - Maggie Valley, N.C.

2009-06-12T12:17:00.008-04:00

Last year we arrived three weeks earlier and what a difference three weeks makes! Turning onto Balsam Shadows Road last May, we found it lined with blooming rhododendron bursting in peak color! Our yard and driveway were breathtaking!

Sadly, this year the rhodies and azaleas are spent. At 3200 feet, we are not on a mountain top. While there is still lots of color at the higher elevations, our only bloomers at the moment are day lilies and mountain laurel. So...today it's off to the Red Barn Garden Center for hanging baskets of ivy geranium for the deck and bedding plants to start the garden! Let summer begin!

Corn Chief

2009-06-07T11:08:00.002-04:00

Egg Tempera on prepared Masonite - 20 x 16

Hopefully you will see a face profile and wild headdress in this chief sculpted from Indian Corn!

This piece is an egg tempera painting from past endeavors. Egg tempera was a phase. I passed through it and never returned. The process required much preparation, applying many coats of gesso to a support with lots of sanding in between. Now these supports are readily available in art supply stores! Then came the careful mixing of real egg yoke with gouache and distilled water. I know egg tempera comes in tubes...but I was a purist! This piece was special even though I didn't realize it at the time. During my egg tempera period, our pet was a sweet male German Shepherd named Tanni. Actually his name was "Rosemary's Baby Satan". My late father in law, a Baptist minister, didn't like Satan's name at all! Father Sexton began calling him "Say-Tan"...and then "Tanni". Tanni was much more fitting even though he was more black than tan in color...Tanni sounded gentle and "good". The name stuck. Father was right. While he was my baby, he was much too nice a dog for the evil name, Satan!

When this painting was approximately one-half finished, I had left the studio for a few minutes. Upon returning, Tanni had licked at least two ears of corn and probably four hours of labor off the panel! Guess the egg was tasty or maybe he was just helping me! Soon thereafter the finished painting was entered in a "Faces Show", received an Honorable Mention and sold from that show. Now I would happily buy it back!. Maybe artists shouldn't feel like this or at least not mention that we do? I know others who have felt the same way after letting a special piece go only to regret it later. Every time I run across this photo, my heart floods with happy memories! I trust someone somewhere is enjoying CORN CHIEF.

Stephanie

2009-06-03T11:14:00.003-04:00

Detail - oil on canvas 30 x 24

Travel time! Time to leave Florida for the mountains of Western North Carolina where we will stay through the fall. It's such a hassle getting packed and ready to go with the installation of the hurricane shutters being the last step! Art supplies are packed so I am not painting. The home studio in Maggie Valley is as well equipped as this one...but still, there are some tools I simply can't do without and don't have in duplicate, i.e, mat cutter, French easel, etc. There is room for these things in the motorcycle trailer...but Heaven forbid they get too close to the Harley!!

The next few postings will be old pieces that were really fun to create or that are simply dear to me. As you know by now, I paint the family! Daughter Stephanie sat for this oil sketch a while ago! She has it in her home or I would take a better photo today for posting! It's time to paint her again and to paint our son-in-law Bruce for the first time!

Jade is a Canine Good Citizen

2009-05-29T14:54:00.003-04:00

Over the past few weeks Jade has been working hard to earn the AKC's Canine Good Citizen Award which certifies that a dog can be a respected member of the community using good manners in the presence of people and other dogs. Dogs need not be registered with the AKC to train and test for CGC. This test would be a bit premature since Jade hadn't quite completed the entire seven week course. However, since we hope to leave Florida within the week, we thought it would be good if she could get her award and be ready to start Rally-Obedience when we return in the fall.

Ready to give it a go Wednesday evening, we arrived at the gym where a number of dog training classes were being held! At this point I must say we simply cannot praise our trainers May and Russ Inman enough! They are great! Also, their wonderful Golden Retriever, Molly, and Golden Doodle, Espresso have been so helpful in Jade's training for the past weeks! We met our AKC Evaluator, Jennifer Pingleton and her dog, Logan. Jennifer's and Logan's calm demeanors instantly put us at ease and we were ready to start the tests. As we entered the ring, May invited the rest of the class to take seats on the bleachers and watch! Oh...Oh...More pressure! Ha! Jennifer is very professional and conducted the evaluation with competent enthusiasm. Thank you, Jennifer! We are so thrilled Jade did well! What a sweet, hard working girl she is! After receiving the award, May presented her with a fuzzy bright pink squeaky toy and does she love that toy! She squeaked it all the way home and is asleep with it under a front paw as I type. I think she knows she "earned" it! Thank you, May! Also, our thanks to Al and Ileane Taylor who introduced us to Peace River Dog Fanciers! We look forward to seeing all of you in the fall!

And, by the way, Jade's DNA test (mentioned in a previous blog) proved her to be a PB German Shepherd...not a Belgian! Who knew?! We don't care what she is, she's our precious girl!

Pennsylvania Landscape

2009-05-26T13:42:00.008-04:00

8" x 16" Oil over Acrylic on wood panel

This is my entry for Karin Jurick's Different Strokes From Different Folks Blog Challenge Weeks 35 & 36 working from a black and white photo. We were encouraged to choose our own colors and to be creative! I'm afraid I fell into what Karin calls "the boring trap" using mostly traditional colors for this landscape. It didn't start out that way! First I chose a high chroma palette with the idea of getting into the pure joy of color! Maybe I would have blue and purple grass, or possibly red and orange and so off I skipped into Creative Color Land. In no time at all I was lost...and looking for the comfortable light green, dark green, etc. I don't do many landscapes and the ones I paint usually have a palm tree somewhere! Realizing it's color and value that energize a painting's function and that I was in the deep woods, green grass was looking better all the time! With my style being "Romantic Realism" the path seemed a natural way to enter the painting (remember I'm coming out of the deep woods)! Also a little lake beyond the barns? Why not! This was fun...an adventure! Thanks Karin!

Painting Finished?

2009-05-21T13:59:00.002-04:00

Oil on canvas 36" x 24"

The painting is signed. Hopefully that means this painting of our son sailing "STILLWATER" in the Gulf of Mexico is finished. It's so difficult knowing when to stop and say, "That's it...that's all I can do". Actually...with the ropes, maybe a few more strokes? Will give it a few weeks and look with a fresh eye. This one is for us. It's going to live on our wall. Ed is a wonderful young son, husband and father. We are so proud of him and I never tire of painting him and his family.

Did I OD on HGTV?

2009-05-16T10:02:00.003-04:00

"The Bird" 30" x 24" Acrylic on Canvas

Usually when I'm painting in the studio, Richard Schmid, Roger Bansemer, Helen Van Wyk or other much accomplished artist talks to me via DVD or laptop and hopefully their remarkable words of wisdom are finding their way into my long term memory and eventually to the tips of my brushes! However, sometimes the HGTV channel is my painting buddy. Its fun to watch the decorators make "art" in a matter of minutes! Actually they do create some nice pieces for temporary use until homeowners can shop for the fine art that will someday decorate their walls. Thus my inspiration for "The Bird".

On a bicycle ride around the neighborhood a bird graphic as a logo for a gated community caught my eye and an idea was born. Came home, grabbed an old pre-used canvas and went to work ! In no time at all I would have a wall decoration incorporating room accent colors! Thinking gold leaf would be a nice touch, a metallic gold pen from Michaels was a faster option. A quick trip to Home Depot for lattice strips for a frame, some black spray paint...a little help from my husband, and that troublesome wall is no longer bare! The HGTV staff would be proud! Actually this summer we may commission a wall sculpture for that space but for now..."The Bird"

Little Joe

2009-05-07T16:05:00.004-04:00

Detail Gouache on gessoed WC Paper

I sat down a little while ago to drool over the new Springmaid Beach Watermedia brochure for the Fall '09 Workshop. Someday....I wistfully tell myself...Someday I will make it to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina in the fall for Springmaid! Five days...oceanfront...to paint and paint and paint! www.springmaidwatermedia.com

Carla O'Connor A.W.S.-D.F., N.W.S. (www.carlaoconnor.com) is one of the instructors again this fall. A few years ago I did take her workshop here in Florida. Was wonderful. She's a crazy lady! Lots of fun but serious about art! I just looked through some pieces ...mostly unfinished ...from that workshop. Today I am posting "Little Joe". This is gouache on dry gessoed 140 lb Arches paper. I absolutely love the hair and beard! As I recall, working from one of our own photos, we were given 15 minutes for this exercise...and then it was on to the next one! No time to fiddle and piddle...Carla's compositions are based on the figure stressing a strong bold design using the human figure for inspiration.

Carla is only one of a number of award winning artists participating. The drawback for me is that it's strictly "watermedia" no oil...however, maybe I can deal with that since acrylics are often my medium of choice anyway... so....Someday...

2009-04-29T16:14:00.001-04:00

16" x 8 " Acrylic on wood panel

Whew! Here is my entry for the Different Strokes Challenge. Tonight is the deadline...so guess I just made it.
This one really was a challenge. Acrylic can be so frustrating. I have an ongoing love/hate relationship with that medium! Am going back to oil for a while!

Quiet Time

2009-04-26T12:05:00.007-04:00

Acrylic on Canvas 14" x 18"

A few days ago we went to "dog-friendly" Hathaway Nature Park on Shell Creek in Punta Gorda. Watching Roger Bansemer's on line recordings of his lovely Florida "shorescapes" had greatly inspired me to paint palms and water! Roger's negative painting of "sky holes" is fascinating...but...not quite as easy as he makes it appear. There is a link to his website below.

No sooner had we arrived and walked out on one of the docks than we heard a splash. A quick glance told us an alligator had just slipped into the water across the creek and was swimming toward us. Could have been attracted to Jade since they find cats and small dogs tasty treats...but... Jade is 89 pounds! Anyway, we watched it approach and then move on before we started exploring the paths. The mosquitoes are not buzzing yet but the sun was pretty hot in the early afternoon. Here are a few of the reference photos for "Quiet Time". I thoroughly enjoyed this painting and appreciate the critiques of Irene, Ileane and Zena!

Pretty Jade - Waiting to play ball

2009-04-23T14:59:00.002-04:00

Last night Jade graduated from her Basic Obedience Class! She was promoted to the "Canine Good Citizen Class" which will begin in two weeks! It has been almost four months since she came to live with us! She is an amazing dog! It's still a mystery why and how a family could have given her up. The shelter told us it was because they lost their jobs and home. I could go on and on about how sweet, smart and obedient she is! We adore her! The only thing we might change would be her tendency to be so vocal. She barks when she wants something and when she's excited, and her bark is loud! She carries a toy around with her most of the time which we think is so cute. Our male German Shepherds usually carried tennis balls or dirty pieces of rawhide! In this photo she is waiting for her "daddy" to play with her. About ten days ago we sent a DNA sample for testing to find out exactly what makes up her pedigree. She is a Belgian Tervuren Shepherd...but may be a mix. We will know soon! There is still some question as to her age, somewhere between three and five years old.

Am going to take a short break from painting people. This afternoon we are going to a nature park to walk the trails and take some photos. Roger Bansemer has inspired me to paint another Florida landscape. It's beautiful sunny day here ...78 degrees with a slight breeze. Just can't stay inside! Will paint tonight!

Scooter - Study for portrait of Jed

2009-04-16T19:28:00.004-04:00

10" x 8" Oil on Canvas

This is painted from a photo taken by me about three years ago. I love the way the light is tickling his face! I'm not a great photographer, so am pleased I captured his impish smile in this one! Jed's quite a character. Not sure what size the portrait will be. Will not crop so closely...will include his arms. Will change the division of the grass and driveway. I am keeping color notes but am not yet satisfied with the warms or cools in the skin tones...so, more mixing but am eager to satisfactorily finish this little study so I can go to work on the portrait!

A New Mouse in the House

2009-04-15T09:41:00.005-04:00

Yesterday Frank gave me my very own Studio Mouse. A Black and Decker Mouse Hand Sander! Perfect timing for preparing a board for the Different Strokes Challenge. It's so cute I just had to chat about it. Using the sander, my 16" x 8" board was ready for Gesso in no time along with two 6" x 8" pieces. First I sand, then I paint the back and edges with white craft acrylic paint (which costs less than gesso). When that is dry, the front is gessoed and left to dry totally. Then, another sanding. These steps may be repeated if necessary. These prepared boards are my favorite supports. The surface is smooth for detail whether painting in oil or acrylic. I even got started on Diana for the Challenge after printing Karin Jurick's reference photo. This start is in acrylic but I may finish in oil.

Work in Progress

2009-04-12T10:56:00.003-04:00

36" x 24" Oil on Canvas

Our son Edward on the water. This is a labor of love...I am painting from a favorite photograph which was almost destroyed in Hurricane Charley! Since this one is for "me"...it keeps going to the back burner. Now about 70% complete...maybe I can finish it this month!

After taking Lisa's workshop, my eye is catching more detail in the photo of the face...so today I am reworking the mouth and teeth. Hopefully the finished painting will be posted very soon. The waterways chart or nautical map is posing a problem. Haven't decided how to handle that yet.

Virtual Workshop - Day 2

2009-04-09T11:05:00.003-04:00

Apples and Spoon, 6" x 8" Oil on wood panel

Sunday at noon we resumed painting the apples and spoon after remixing the palette of colors if needed. Carefully guided and encouraged by Lisa, we painted toward the finish. The transparency was an aid in checking and rechecking the drawing. Lots of emphasis on taking time to really see every little nuance inside the reflective surfaces. On Monday a photo of the completed painting was sent to Lisa for a final critique. She took time to really look at my painting and provided a thorough critique. Thank you, Lisa!

I sometimes tend to be careless and if something looks "close" I might just leave it. Lisa reminded me that "close" isn't acceptable when a little more concentration and a bit more effort will result in a finer painting. This was a much needed refresher course on warm and cool body and cast shadows. Lisa suggested that I pay closer attention to edges by asking myself, "what the edges mean, why is something soft, what effect does it have, when does it need to change"...Of course, those of us who have been painting a long time "know" these things, right? ...so...we concentrate on other areas where we aren't so confident and forget to pay attention to the obvious! A workshop like this brings our efforts into focus on the parts and not just the whole...

I am pleased with my painting! Lisa Gloria conducted this workshop professionally, Ustream glitches were minor, participants were friendly and it was fun visiting with them on the chat line. I look forward to taking another workshop with Lisa and highly recommend her virtual workshops to anyone wishing to perfect his/her painting skills! No travel, no carting art supplies around, just do the workshop from ones own studio!! Gotta love the internet!

A photo of Lisa's completed apple painting and the paintings of other workshop participants may be seen at her blogsite http://lisagloria.blogsite.com

Lisa Gloria Virtual Workshop- Day One

2009-04-07T10:13:00.007-04:00

Saturday at noon the first session of the experimental on line workshop began. http://artstudiosecrets.com/2009/03/20/virtual-workshop-experiment/
Lisa is a fabulous artist and a great instructor. She pre-mixes all the colors on the palette. Not my usual way so thought it would be interesting to try her method. Oh, it was! Interesting yes...easy NO! All participants had been sent a photo and a transparency. Five colors were used plus Flake white and Ivory black The mixing was a struggle since we were trying to closely match selected color areas of the photo, background, apple skin, flesh, etc. with five values. Then the freehand drawing and the wash, followed by the first layers of color using a drying additive. After approximately 3-1/2 hours the session ended and we were asked to email a photo of the days work to Lisa for a critique, and let the painting dry overnight to resume again Sunday. Critique notes: I had gone too far for the first day, edges were too hard, but otherwise was off to a good start.

Ava Grace

2009-04-03T11:19:00.006-04:00

10" x 8" Oil on Canvas

Here is my very first attempt at painting our great niece, Ava. I have never painted her beautiful skin color before and am clueless but learning. I chose a pose in a red dress to capture the reflected red throughout. A peek at Chris Saper's book "Painting Beautiful Skin Tones with Color and Light" helped a little. I am happy with the painting but want the next one to be more "painterly" and less photographic...like a Harley Brown portrait!

Tomorrow I am participating in Lisa Gloria's on line workshop! Should be very interesting.

Time to Go Home

2009-03-28T14:23:00.004-04:00

"Time to Go Home", 9" x 12", acrylic on canvas board.

This is my Different Strokes for Different Folks painting for Challenge Week 27-28. I turned the little girl around so she wouldn't be walking out of the painting, and left the sky cloudless since the foreground is so busy. With her head down, she appears to be sadly leaving the beach. This was fun! The source photo may be seen on the Different Strokes Blog. There is a link below.

Meet Frank

2009-03-24T11:19:00.002-04:00

Oil on Canvas, 16" x 12"

This is my handsome husband, Frank...my best friend who gives me patient loving support and understanding while I go about being an artist. This was painted when he was into boating...now the boats are gone and motorcycles have taken their place. So, guess it's about time to paint the "Biker" stay tuned...

Sketchbook

2009-03-23T08:32:00.007-04:00

Sketch 1 - Thinking about a breakfast theme
Sketch 2 - Grab the tea kettle - make the glass pitcher interesting
Sketch 3 - Add a cup (a separate scrap of tracing paper)
Sketch 4 - Use pears instead of apples

Usually it's just so much easier and faster to use the digital camera and Photoshop Elements to do "sketching". However, sometimes I simply want to play around with a pencil on tracing paper or a stick of graphite on a large newsprint pad to get the "feel" of what might or might not make a good painting. I'm crazy about this little copper kettle and am forever trying to work it into a set up. Here are some recent sketch ideas. First starting with a theme and letting it lead, then in a review of the work, asking myself: "Would I want the pitcher AND the tea kettle?" Probably not. "The cup AND the glass?" Probably not...Will I ever paint this set up? Probably not...but the exercises were easy and fun and got the creative juices flowing.

Debbie

2009-03-21T12:17:00.003-04:00

Our beautiful daughter-in-law, Debbie, has signed on as a follower to my blog! Thank you Debbie! She inserted a photo from a portrait sketch I did last summer. Oil over acrylic on a birch board panel. I really enjoy painting her.

Yesterday was spent with no more than two hours painting and the rest of the day working on taxes! We're meeting with the accountant Monday. I'm almost ready! Since it's always a shock to see how much was "invested" in art supplies, books, show entry fees, workshops, art club membership dues, etc. during the year, it's a good thing I'm having so much fun!