"Betsy's Sunflowers"10X8Oil on Canvas BoardAvailableClick on Picture to enlarge it.Happy faces of Sunflowers! At this moment they, and everything else in our little section of the planet, are gasping for water and some cooler temperatures. But they do look cheerful here since I took the picture of them a couple of weeks ago. You know, just about every artist of historical note has done Sunflowers. (does that mean I am now in that category? In my dreams! :) Of course, Van Gogh's come to mind first. It wasn't until my daughter planted them that I had ever seen red ones. I like the yellow ones, too, so maybe I'll try those next summer. If you love Sunflowers, this is a way to see them all year long!You might not see a post for a little while from me....because I have a commission to work on. It's a big dog and a bigger painting so this could take some time. Her name is Annie and very loved by her owners. I might post some progress pictures if I think it's going O.K. If it
"Betsy's Sunflowers" In Progress10X8Oil on Canvas PanelMy daughter, Betsy, loves sunflowers. If she had a signature flower, this would be her choice. Earlier in the summer, before the drought and the 100 degree temperatures hit, I visited her garden with my camera in hand. I was lucky enough to catch a bee having its afternoon snack on this red variety of sunflower. This one is for her...but obviously I am still working on it. This weather is like the opposite of deep cold January. But it makes you want to hunker down and not go outside just as much as winter. Alone in my studio with the paints and brushes...and just Bosley to keep me company. He, too, has had it with this weather and we are longing for some days when we can get out there and go walking again. As it is, he barely sticks his nose outside, takes care of necessities, and turns around to come back inside. I've taken in some commissions on dog portraits again, too...so as soon as I finish this I am beginning work o
"Lori's Vase with Dahlias"8X10Oil on BoardAvailableDog days in July. Hot, humid, and the yard is chock full of mosquitoes. I can barely stand to be outside, but I dashed out to cut a few of my Dahlias to paint. Lori, one of my daughter's friends, gave me this beautiful vase one year for Mother's Day. I find it to be the most useful size and it is so pretty that I often grab it to hold my flowers. And, of course, I always think of her when I get it out. Beside me sits an autographed copy of Doug Marlette's book, "The Bridge." He came here for a signing in 2001, the book having something to do with the history in my town. It's a good read and I have cherished it, mostly because of meeting him and having his note inside my copy. The book signing I attended was really enjoyable. He had several original cartoons for sale as well, though I didn't buy one, now to my regret. The highlight was conversing with him. My impression of him was that he was genuine, warm, very bright, and
"First Hydrangeas"9X12Oil on Gessoed BoardAvailableFirst love, first kiss, first smile....well, here are the first of my Hydrangeas this spring. There are actually a lot more out there now, but this is from the beginnings a couple of weeks ago. I'm off for a week or so while I help get my Dad moved. This promises to be exhausting and difficult, but we'll get it done and hopefully, I'll be back next week in full force with my paints. It's hard to leave them right now. Isn't there a movie called, "Girl Interrupted?" I haven't seen it and have no idea what it is about, but the title always makes me think of my life...constant interruptions. Back soon....By the way, if your name is Carol and you emailed me about buying the Irises..please try to contact me again. Your email is not working from here. Maybe leave a phone number or something.
"Irises"10X13Oil on Gessoed BoardAvailableNo, you are not having a case of de ja vu. (is that how you spell it?) I published this painting back on April 27th...well part of this painting. I have stared at this painting since then, telling myself it was wrong. Not grounded. Too busy. Needed something. Hmmmm. Finally, I realised all those things were valid critiques and I'd better fix it or throw the darn thing away. So this evening I got out the photos and my brushes and went after it. I am much more pleased with it now. It feels more like I intended, which is that the irises have just popped up and discovered it is springtime. And I am showing it here with a frame, so you can actually see the finished product.
"Pink Peony"12X16Oil on Linen PanelAvailable Click to EnlargeHappy Mother's Day! My daughter gave me this crystal vase some time ago. She is the most thoughtful and beautiful daughter anyone could ever have and I am one lucky Mom to have her in my life. So really, I should call this, "Happy Mother's Day to me!!" When she was little she always greeted me on Mother's Day morning with a flower from the garden on a tray with some little breakfast she had made for me. It's one of those sweet moments that stay with a mom forever. Who could ask for more?I also want to say Happy Mother's Day to a lady named Peg who is feeling a bit under the weather these days and she told me she likes Peonies.....so this is for her, too.
"Pink Peony" In Progress12X16Oil on Linen PanelThe day has arrived. The Peonies are blooming and I can't resist the attempt at painting at least one of them. This is as far as I got today. The trick for me is going to be getting the light reflections on the glass vase. Still a ways to go, but I thought you might like to see some of my techniques. I've underpainted the panel with a soft reddish color in acrylic. Then I drew the design and proceeded to put in some hightlights. As I work my way down to the glass I will be putting in more splotches of white where I think the light is hitting it. Hopefully that will help me grab the reflections as I paint the shapes.
"Blue Irises"10X13Oil on Gessoed BoardAvailableThis painting is a really great example of why I am not a plein air painter. When I took the photo the wind was blowing, for one thing. For another, this is the end of three sessions of some variable hours each. I'd be dead (and so would the flowers) before I would get this standing outside waiting for the wind to stop blowing. And do you think the sun would even stay in one place..ha ha ha. Just mention the word "chiggers" and I start itching. Leaves and dirt in my paints? Don't think so. (dog hair is the only extraneous material I allow.) Other people around watching me struggle over how much red to put in the blue? Not happening folks!! You'll just have to imagine me with my paint brushes and pulling my hair out over where to put this stem and that flower. So to all of you plein air folk out there, hats off to you! You've gone where angels fear to tread and really deserve a big glass of red tonight.
"Irises" In Progress10X13Oil on Gessoed BoardI've not had as much time to work on this as I had hoped...was wanting to have it finished today, but you know, sometimes life gets in the way. Do you ever feel like you are running at warp speed and will never catch up with all of the things that need doing? That's a rhetorical question. I know I can't be the only one. So tomorrow is another day, as our dear Scarlett reminds us. Will finish tomorrow if the fates allow.
"Irises," In Progress10X13Oil on Gessoed BoardClick the picture to enlarge!I'm trying something different with this one. I usually draw out the preliminary sketch with a colored pencil. (Most artists are using charcoal, I'm told. I haven't been doing that because I didn't want the black messy charcoal mixing with my paints.) But this time I then went over my sketch in alizarin chrimsom mixed with yellow ochre and a lot of turps. Picked this idea up from another artist whose work I admire and thought I would give it a try. It keeps the sketch in place as you continue to work. We'll see how this goes. Seems like a great idea right now!! My irises are in full bloom today. They were given to me by dear friend and they reside in the front garden. A couple of years ago I thought I had lost them due to some bug that was eating away at the tubers. Somehow they survived and have come back to make me proud.
Detail "Yellow Vase"12X22Oil on BoardArtist's CollectionClick to enlargeOne more before I take off to tend to my Dad. Believe it or not, this is a painting that acts as a disguise for our breaker box. You know, those ugly gray metal things that look like some ugly hardware on the wall in some inconvenient spot that is impossible to decorate around. My solution was to have that adorable "Norm Abram" type guy I am married to make a door frame around the breaker box and, voila, we have something gorgeous to look at!! (Another option would be to use a chalk board to put inside the frame and then you have something very useful) The art tip I wanted to point out here, too, is how some paintings offer so much more than just the original composition. There are paintings within paintings. Lately I have been noticing this more and more. I seem to finish a painting and then notice a particular area that could be a painting on its own. One smaller spot that is simpler usually and that is w
"Ironstone and Roses"4X4WatercolorLicensing CollectionNFSI am actually still working on the commissioned dog portrait, so while I do that I thought I would post this vase of flowers for you. This was a small watercolor from Wild Hare, my card collection. That seems so long ago and when I look at this I am amazed at how far I have come since then. Not that this is bad, but rather that I have been able to expand my range so much more. In the card business everything is geared toward small. I mean really small! It is a relief to not be confined to those parameters now. It was fun, but I am glad to move on into other areas of art.
"Daffodil Reclining"5X7Oil on Linen PanelAvailable: $130.00Contact MeFinished! My wrenched back has really slowed me down today, but I pushed myself to get this done. I do so love my daffodils. The man who lived here before me, 23 years ago, planted most of them in large patches across my gardens. They never fail me and have duplicated themselves over the years. Every spring I always say "Thank You!" in my mind to that guy. One version of bliss is this gift.
"Summer Vase" 11 1/2X23Oil on BoardPrivate CollectionClick to EnlargeI actually finished this one some time ago, but while I am plodding away on this other project and it is the drear of winter, I can't think of anything I would rather be painting than a cheerful vase of summer flowers.
"Peonies Sketch"6X8Acrylic on PaperAvailable for purchase$100.00God was having a really good day when he made Peonies! They are absolutely my favorite flower, though heaven knows I love pansies, too. Anyway, I photographed my pink peonies when they were at their best and kept the photo for this study. I doubt I will ever do them justice, but it's worth the try. "Ah, Peony, you make me swoon with admiration!"
