Snow at the Lake

Oil on Masonite

What I tried to capture here is the snowy day we had last week..cold and icy.  I actually painted this from my studio looking out at the snow building up.  I think the view through the windows gives what I paint a glassy look, if that makes any sense.  It's a slightly different view from the inside looking out.  That pane of glass really does make a difference.

LiLi - Pretty in Pink

Pastel on Wallis Paper

This pretty young lady found a quite corner while we were having our Grand Opening of ArtVisions, and I couldn't resist painting her in her great outfit.  Actually, it was her socks that got me!  Her name is LiLi and she is absolutely adorable.  The painting is not totally finished, but I thought I'd post it now.  It helps me to see it from another perspective.  I've noticed a couple of things I will change, but I'm basically really happy with it. 

Down and Out

5 x 7 Oil on Board

Another oil.  I'm on a roll now. It's funny, but a number of people have told me that my oils look just like my pastels.  I guess that's what they call "a style."  Being self-taught, I really don't know any other way of painting :-)  I really like this one and thank my painting buddy, Sue Beckett, for the use of one of her photos from a European trip she took.  That's what is so great about painting with a group of friends.  They get to know what you enjoy painting and are always willing to share.  There are no egos involved, just the pure enjoyment of creating art and sharing memories.  I feel very fortunate to paint along side of these fine artists.

Enjoying Smith Mountain Lake

SOLD

Thinking Spring, even though we haven't really had winter.  This scene is like so many here at Smith Mountain Lake:  Sparking blue water, white sailboat, beautiful mountains... Life is good!!

Wood and Hay

20 x 24 Pastel on Wallis Paper (Framed)

This was a beautiful old barn I came across on my travels.  It could be any barn, anywhere.  The actual pastel painting has a lot more color in it, but for some reason a lot of the colors are muted in this photo, so you'll have to use your imagination and see sharp purples and teal along with richer wood colors.  I hope you get that "old barn feeling" though :-) 

Olson House Guide

5 x 7 Oil on Board

Second attempt!  I'm getting the hang of mixing colors, although this painting and the above were done with a portrait set with a very limited palette of colors.  The painting on my easel now is more exciting for me because of all the choices I have to mix with.  With pastels, the joy is that all the colors are at your finger tips..literally.  Oils, for me, is much more of a challenge.  I have to start from scratch and experiment with what I'll actually get on my brush and on the canvas or board.  To be honest, pastel is still my true love, but I'm so curious to see what will happen with this new obsession.  Since I'm basically self-taught in both pastel and now oils, I get a real rush when I finish a piece that I'm happy with.  

Senior Citizen

5 x 7 Oil on Board

So, this is my new passion.  I'll never get tired of pastels, but I've always wanted to get my hands into oils and thought I'd take the plunge and play.  I'm having such a great time!  I placed a LARGE order from Blick, and it arrived on Thursday.  It was like Christmas when I opened the box.  I almost hated to open the tubes.  When I was young and got a new box of crayons, I would save them so they wouldn't get worn, and use my cousin's set.  That way, mine would always look perfect.  She got wise to that pretty quickly and refused to let me touch her things.  Well, I opened the tubes and "dug in."  This may not be technically perfect, but I'm sure happy with it!  I still have a few more supplies coming...Another Christmas!