Playing Again

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

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

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

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

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!

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)

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!