Mary Cassatt's Children on the Beach (1884)

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

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

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.

Ann Vasilik's Watercolor Demo

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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.

What an Honor!

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

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

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

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

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.

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