Princess

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.