Saturday, August 30, 2008

"Girl In The Window"


This picture is actually a small portion of another that I painted for inclusion in the "Huntsville Sketchbook" that shows typical scenes of Huntsville, AL through the eyes of area artists. I found this little girl in a cabin at the historic Burritt Museum.

Oil on masonite   6" x6"
Unframed         SOLD

Comments are appreciated.

Monday, August 25, 2008

"Green Mountain in Autumn"

Another little landscape painted close to home.

Oil on masonite
Unframed   8" x 8"   SOLD

Comments are appreciated.

Friday, August 22, 2008

"Tuscan Steps"

My travels give me so much resource material that it is sometimes hard to choose what to paint next. I'm especially drawn to old street and alley ways. There seems to be a surprise around every corner.

Oil on masonite    6" x 6"
Framed    SOLD

Comments are appreciated.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

"Summer's Bounty"

I love fresh local summer vegetables that haven't been shipped for thousands of miles. Thank heavens for neighbors whose gardens overflow!

Oil on masonite 6" x 6"
Framed_______SOLD


Comments are appreciated.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

"Dieulefit in Summer"

A few years ago I spent two weeks painting in and around a little town called Dieulefit in northern Provence. Watercolor was my "thing" at that time and my pictures were the old fashion kind - not digital! Shuffling through them recently, I rediscovered this charming street where we often ate. I have been working to inject more color in my paintings and decided to try painting on a tomato red background as I have observed other painters doing. It really seems to make the colors "pop". I painted this quickly in an impressionistic style. I like the results and plan to do more.

Oil on canvas panel   9" x 12"
Framed   $675

Comments are appreciated.

Saturday, August 16, 2008

"Along Selwood Creek"

This is another little plein air piece that I did recently while sitting along a little creek. It was a warm day, but the shade and cool breeze made the afternoon bearable. I was with a group of artists and we were spread out everywhere. When we get back together in the evenings, it is fun and enlightening to see what other artists decide to paint - the scenery, the animals or just the patterns of light.

Oil on canvas panel  10" x 8"
Framed   $495

Comments are appreciated.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

"Little Pete's Diner"

This painting is from a recent trip to Philadelphia. While staying downtown, Little Pete's Diner was our favorite breakfast spot. This colorful arrangement caught my eye. Simple things with their variety of shapes, colors and shiny surfaces are my favourite things to paint.

Oil on masonite   6" x 6"
Framed   SOLD

Comments are appreciated.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

"It's not easy being green"

This little fellow just begged to be painted. It is not often I get such a willing model and its fee was reasonable too. It is amazing what you learn by painting plants and animals with close observation to details. Maybe schools should combine illustration and painting with biology classes - especially if done in a natural habitat. Much more interesting that reading (and forgetting) cold facts in a book.

Oil on masonite 6" x 6"
Framed   SOLD

Comments are appreciated.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

"Rocks Along A Stream"


I have been doing a series of 6" x 6" oils and pastels lately. Going through my vast photo collection I found this scene and decided to try it in pastel. Working small with big sticks is a challenge, but I'm finally satisfied with the results.

Pastel on masonite   6" x 6"
Framed    SOLD

Comments are appreciated.

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

"Chasing Shadows"


This is a little plein air piece I did. I'm not a very fast painter out in "the wild" and the sun won't hold still! That's why I named the piece "Chasing Shadows".  It's like trying to paint a moving target. Colors and shadow patterns are constantly changing. Cloudy days are easier, but the colors aren't as interesting. Right now I'm in a color mood - the brighter the better. Just wait till you see my next one!

Oil on canvas panel   10" x 8"
Framed   $495

Comments are appreciated.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

"Flowers in a Glass Vase"



Continuing my current whim of painting shiny things, I found this triangular vase to paint. The vertical format is a change from my usual horizontal. The graceful leaves along the stem break up the hard lines in the image. The limited color range is also sort of restful. Painting on smaller canvases forces me to look at simpler things to paint.

Oil on canvas   6" x 12 "
Framed   SOLD

Comments are appreciated.

Friday, August 1, 2008

"Crystal Confections"





I would like to start my blog with a very recent painting (still wet) that I think says a lot about me. I love the sparkle of crystal and bright colors. I am drawn to the complexity of people, places and things. Boredom is not part of my vocabulary. I often notice details frequently overlooked by others and sometimes have to deal with data overload. I am awed by the simplest things when seen under various light conditions. The colors in shadows are often as exciting as the objects themselves. It is my hope that my daily paintings will give the viewer a new perspective on the world and the things in it.

Oil on masonite 8" x 8"
Framed    NFS

Comments are appreciated.