The Artist

5 x 7" Oil on Gessoboard

$55, Unframed

SOLD

 This is what it would have looked like yesterday at Poplar Forest if the weather had cooperated.  They had a "Painting on the Lawn" event that began with sunlight, and pretty soon turned into a total washout.  We got there just in time for the clouds to roll in and the temperature to drop about 20 degrees.  We headed for the tour of the building hoping for the sun to return, however, it thundered and there was a lot of lightening, so we were sort of held captive on the tour until the lightening diminished.  I kept thinking of "Hotel California".. "You can check out any time you'd like, but you can never leave."  We were chilled to the bone!  So...this is my ode to what would have been.   

Gills Creek Study #2 - Spring

5 x 7" Oil on Gessoboard

$55, Unframed

Well, yesterday, the clouds moved in and today it's raining.  Every now and then the light would hit the background and glorious colors would appear, but they would be gone as fast as they came.  I would furiously open my tubes of paint to mix the colors, and everything would fade into gray again.  If my palette was ready to go, I could have caught the momentary beauty.  AHHH...Those "if only's." 

Gills Creek Study #1 - Spring

5 x 7" Oil on Gessoboard

$55, Unframed

SOLD

 

This is the first in a series of views from my studio.  I plan to paint this view from the perspective of the atmospheric changes that I see on a daily basis.  I'm always fascinated by how this scene changes from minute to minute.  I'm going to attempt to paint some of those changes as time permits.  I've done this view many times since we've lived here, but I've never documented  my perception of what I see on a regular basis.  I have a wonderful Guerrilla Paintbox that I won in an art competition, and I've set it  up in my studio.  The nice thing about it is that I can move it easily from place to place.  This was actually done from the kitchen window as the wind picked up and the rain clouds started to move in.

Rural Bend

16 x 10 Oil on Gessoboard

$95, Unframed

I love these rural scenes in Virginia, although they could be anywhere.  This scene in particular reminds me of the Pennsylvania Dutch country.  It was early morning and besides the beauty of the scene, the sun coming in low and just hitting the barns was so wonderful.  There was still some mist on the surrounding mountains, but it was just about burning off.  Doesn't get much prettier than this!

Spring on Gills Creek, Smith Mountain Lake

8 x 16" Oil on Gessoboard

$85, Unframed

I painted this from my studio looking out at Gills Creek.  This is a view I really love and have painted it many times.  I'm particularly proud of the fact that I used only the three primary colors, plus white to create the painting.  { I can hear seasoned oil painters snickering now.}  As I've said I'm getting the feel of mixing the paints, so this is all new to me, but what a sense of accomplishment to be able to create all the colors of the rainbow...plus more... with so few tubes of paint.  The art of pastel is a totally different ballgame, as my storage cabinet will attest to.  Totally filled up with vibrant colors...Overflowing!  Right now just sitting and waiting...

Spring Regatta, Smith Mountain Lake

8" x 16" Oil on Gessoboard

$95 Unframed

SOLD

New season of sailing for my husband, so I get to paint more sailboats.  It was a windy, spectacular, blue day for the first race.  It's unusual that the mountains appear to be the same color as the lake, but that's how I saw it.  It's an atmosphere thing, I guess.  Some days, they appear to be violet, others they are green.  An artist I like painted the same scene from his window each day of the year, and not one of them was the same.  Before I began painting, I don't think I noticed the subtle changes that occur.  So....yet again, another sailboat painting...A new day!

Self Portrait x Two

6 x 6 Oil on Gessoboard

This was an experiment, and a test to see if I could do a self portrait.  It wasn't as simple as I thought it would be.  I really tried to pump up the colors and see how close to reality I could get.  I probably could have pushed it a little more.  You know, I'm actually starting to dream about mixing oils.  My mind keeps working all night long and I'm mixing paint in my sleep.  I'm probably not getting that REM sleep I should be, but it's worth it.  I'm totally addicted!

The Competition

5 x 7 Oil on Gessoboard

$55.00 Unframed

I've seen this scene in so many cities...  especially in the parks of New York City.  You would find these men in Bryant Park, Washington Square Park, wherever there were benches and tables.  Probably in every city around the world.  Four men passing the time, heads together, focused on a small square board.  It's odd that you don't see four women playing board games in the park...I guess we would be found in a more comfortable, private setting, with cabana boys to bring our tea and coffee  :-)

Mardi Gras Mama

5 x 7 Oil on Gessoboard

SOLD

It's been a while since I posted.  We had a "sort of" tornado here in VA..or a HUGE hail storm.  The hail was the size of golf balls and left in its wake a lot of damage.  We are still picking up glass, which I have to say cuts down on my painting time.  This painting was done before the storm.  I love the person depicted and thought it was a fun piece.  We were at a Mardi Gras party and she dressed up so colorfully, I felt I had to paint her.  I might even do another, larger piece and add more detail some time in the future.  So...Here she is, my Mardi Gras Mama!