Peonies to Start the New Year

6 x 6 Oil on Gessobord

SOLD 

Here is a bouquet of flowers for all of you out there to thank you for stopping by to browse my blog, website, and Facebook pages.  As I said in the Christmas post, your feedback and emails are so very much appreciated.  I love hearing from you all and especially love being a part of the World Wide Web of artists.  I wish you all a Happy, Healthy, and Productive New Year.

Baby Boy

SOLD

"Baby Boy" is a commission I did for the owner of CJ's Coffee and Sandwich Shop, a favorite place of mine for breakfast and lunch.  This is his mother's cat, and he gave the painting to her as a Christmas present. Actually, this is the first cat I have painted and it seemed to just flow, so I may have to do more :-)  When I asked what the cat's name is, I got several answers.  Apparently, the cat has an identity problem, but the definitive answer was "Baby Boy." "Baby Boy" gave me a chance to have fun experimenting with mixing colors.  I am told he is part Coon cat, quite large and definitely furry...I really appreciated the opportunity to do this painting, so thank you Chris :-)

A Very Serious Elf

Christmas Photograph, 2013

One has to be extremely fast to capture Tallulah, our Sproodle, in her elf get-up.  You can't even see the red top of the cap.  Her expression says it all:  "Really???"  This was the third try, and quite frankly, I gave up.  Not the best picture of her, but the ears look good...  

I want to thank you all for checking in on my blog and for the wonderful emails and feedback throughout the year.  I'm so thankful for you all :-)  I wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  

Christmas Tree with Red Dye #3

Pastel on Wallis Paper

SOLD

I painted this and used it for my Christmas card a few years ago, and I still love it.  Every time I see the  photo I have of it, I can taste peppermint (not a favorite of mine).  I licked each and every one of those candies to get them to stick together so I could paint them.  I wasn't feeling so great after setting it up, but being a dedicated artist, I pushed on and painted the still life.  What hardships we artists have to endure....Hope you all are finishing up on your Christmas shopping.  I'll post again before Christmas to wish you all a good one.

So Many Naughty.....

5 x 7 Oil on Gessobord

SOLD

I am bidding this painting on my Daily Paintworks site.  If interested, go to the link on the right.  This Santa was leaving our local bank and looked neither happy nor jolly.  In fact, he looked downright grumpy.  At first I painted him just as I saw him, but decided that he looked too sinister and gave him a slight smirk.  Still not a Ho Ho Ho type of guy, but not quite a "Bah Humbug" dude either.  I hope you all are making headway shopping for the Holiday.  I'll check in before Christmas.

Blue Vase

8 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

This was my mother's vase, and I've always loved the shape of it.  I'm not sure why I suddenly felt like painting it, but I"m glad I did.  Just a quick study and sudden memory.

Shari - Warholesque

8 x 10 Oil on Gessobord

SOLD

All I could think of was Warhol's Marilyn's when I was painting this.  I got a new MAC AIR for my birthday, and my daughter was on the phone trying to explain some of the fundamentals to me.  Not an easy task :-)  We had some fun sending our abstract photos back and forth.  I loved this one and figured it would be a nice challenge. I'm loving my AIR.  I went to Barnes and Noble and got two good books.  They are one step below the "Dummy" series...They are called "...For Seniors."   N I C E.....

Puffed Up Bluebird

6 x 6 Oil on Gessobord

SOLD 

You can't miss this painting, can you?!  I went for color on this one and actually like the way it came out.  This particular bluebird (at least I think it's the same one) flies back and forth from a tree branch on the side of our house to the railing of our deck.  I guess because the weather is getting colder, it has been really puffed up...Or it has been eating too much.  When the sun hits that blue, it becomes that incredible iridescent color.

Kingfisher

6 x 6 Oil on Gessobord

SOLD

The Kingfisher happens to be one of my favorite birds.  One of the reasons is that my friend told me that the sound they make is easily identifiable because it sounds like that old song "Wipeout."  I don't know if anyone else out there remembers it, but it really does, if you listen to the song.  We have a resident Kingfisher who sits on the top of the mast of our sailboat watching for fish.  When he sees one, he dives straight down.  It's really something to see.  Now wherever I am, if I hear that sound, I know there is a Kingfisher around, and odd as it sounds, I start humming "Wipeout."

Christmas Train

 Oil on Gessobord

I figured this was a good way to start the Christmas season.  Better than camping outside a store all night to get a bargain.  That practice still amazes me.  It was in the teens and really windy here in VA the night before Thanksgiving, and they interviewed a few people on the nightly news who had set up camp outside a electronics store.  YIKES!  Back to the painting, this little red haired boy was fascinated by the train under one of the trees at the Hotel Roanoke.  Each year, the hotel has a wonderful array of decorated trees sponsored by different organizations. It is really a Christmas wonderland.  I get a real kick out of the children (and some adults) all dressed up for the holiday.  This piece was done for Goose Creek Studio for their "O Christmas Tree" display.  What Fun!

View From The Cape, Smith Mountain Lake

Pastel on Wallis Paper

Today we are supposed to get some snow here at Smith Mountain Lake, which probably means one or two flakes.  The schools have closed in preparation for the big event.  Actually, I think they closed because the Thanksgiving break is about to start. The News last night said the snow trucks were ready.  After living here for 13 years, I still get a kick out of how Virginians react to winter.  I did this painting a few years ago and still love it.  I thought it would be a good time to re-post it. I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!  Talk to you after the holiday.

Studio Apt for Rent; No Utilities

6 x 6 Oil on Gessobord

SOLD 

Last winter, we actually had a little snow here in VA and I was able to take a photo of the snow on the bluebird house before it melted.  It looked so desolate and reminded me of a cold water flat in NYC.  When we were looking for an apartment in Manhattan, we came across some strange places, especially in the Village...  Clawfoot bathtubs in the kitchen, etc.  This place might be magnificent on the inside, like Snoopy's doghouse.  Who knows?!  

The Chef

6 x 6 Oil on Gessobord

This started out as a study for a larger piece, but for some reason I'm always excited about how these fast pieces turn out.  I think I like the 'rough' edges....I'm not quite sure why.  Loved this man in his chef uniform, and I must say his food was outstanding!  He tended the coffee bar as well.  My type of guy  ......

"Rabbit Run"

8 x 10 Oil on Gessobord

"His hands left of their own and he feels the wind on his ears even before, his heels hitting heavily on the pavement at first with an effortless gathering out of a kind of sweet panic growing lighter and quicker and quieter he runs.  Ah: runs.  Runs."  Wonderful words from one of my favorite authors, John Updike.  It fits this painting, don't you think?!  Long, thin limbs;  Long, long hair .....

Topless

6 x 6 Oil on Gessobord

SOLD 

YUM...A juicy, fat cheeseburger, lettuce and tomato, but with no top.  Less calories, right?!  This painting is done by a vegetarian.  I wonder what lurks behind my wanting to paint this :)  I think it's the juicy burger and the juicy paint.  They seem to go together.

Who Needs Bread and Jelly?

8 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

SOLD

This is Tallulah (when she was a puppy) with her tongue in the JIF jar.  It kept her busy for hours.  She would chase the jar around as it rolled across the floor, pushing it into anything and everything.  I've been wanting to paint this for a while and decided to give it a go.  I have a video of it somewhere and will try to upload it here, if I can find it...That's a big "if."

shhhh! It's the Library

8 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

SOLD

You don't see too many people actually studying in the library anymore.  The computer has pretty much changed all that, which is unfortunate in some respects.  I used to have study dates in the library.  You notice I didn't say I used to study there.  At the time, it was what we all did.  I would be so vain that I wouldn't wear my glasses, so I couldn't see very well when it came to doing any school work.  That never bothered me as long as I looked good :-)  My parents were not too pleased when the grades came in, though.  The cramming at the end of the semester, i.e., Cliff's Notes, wasn't much help.  I look back now, and just shake my head....This young woman was all alone in the beautiful library on Monhegan Island.  The smell of the old books and wood brought back lovely memories.

Putting In at Low Tide

8 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

SOLD

These two people were about to spend the day kayaking.  The tide was really low and made for some interesting shapes and colors...and smells.  You can't miss that fishy smell when the tide goes out.  This is Boothbay Harbor, Maine.  We were on our way to the Monhegan Island Ferry dock.

Neighborhood Watch

8 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

Well, someone has to keep a watch over your stuff while you are swimming.  Why not put those pesky gulls to work :-)  I keep painting summer, don't I?!  I don't know why because it's my least favorite season.  I'm pretty happy about turning the clocks back an hour.  I'm probably the only one....It means that the cold weather is coming and that's just fine with me.  Of course I say that now.  Just wait until I start complaining about it being too cold.

Geranium View

10 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

SOLD

I really wanted to sit in the rocking chair next to that window filled with geraniums.  Unfortunately, no one offered me the chance, so I painted it pretending all the while that I WAS sitting there.  That's the great thing about painting.  The artist can place himself (or herself) in the scene without leaving the studio.  Imagination is a wonderful thing.  As Twyla Tharp said "Art is the only way to run away without leaving home."

Children on the Move

9 x 3 1/8  Oil on Gessobord

OK..So this is a piece of Gessobord that I had my husband cut from a painting I had done a few weeks ago.  When I painted the original piece, the bottom of the painting just didn't look right to me.  The only way I felt I could keep the painting was to crop it which is easy if I'm doing pastel, but not so much on a hard board.  My husband was nice enough to drag out his table saw and cut the bottom off the painting.  Rather than throw the piece away, I just "played," and this is the result.  I might go back into this and refine it, but there is something about the lack of refinement that I like.  Even though there are ghosts around the figures, I think it gives the piece movement.  At least I think so....Just a fun little experiment.

In the Spotlight, Washington Square

9 x 12 Oil on Gessobord

I painted a smaller version of this quite a while ago, but never got to take it home from the framer because it sold really fast.  So, I decided to do it again in a slightly larger format.  All of the different colored shadows from the spotlights at Washington Square Park were a challenge but I'm happy with it, and that's what attracted me to this scene.  I probably have said this before...I know I have....but there was always so much going on in the Village when we lived there, and I was glad to see that music is still a part of the experience even though most of the cafes are gone.  I still miss the old Figaro's; sitting at the outdoor tables, drinking tea or coffee, and watching the great people who made the Village home.  It was a little village inside of NYC. There was nothing like it :-)

It Is What It Is

12 x 9 Oil On Gessobord

Click to Bid in My DPW Auction

I don't normally do a still life, but I love this pottery jug and decided to set something up to paint.  I"m glad I did, because I really loved the process of painting  this.  I put down my strokes fast and didn't go back into it at all.  That's why I'm calling it "It Is What It Is"  :-)  Then, I ate one of the apples.....

Grand Central Down Time

SOLD

8 x 10 Oil on Gessobord

The lighting at Grand Central Station is so incredible!  Everything glows, which made this man's vest really jump out.  He tucked himself in a corner against a wall to check his cell.  What I was going for here was to paint this as though the viewer was just walking by.  I thought about straightening out all the lines, and decided to give it a little tilt as the viewer would have as he/she passed by.  I should have called it "Askew."

Chilling Out

8 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

SOLD

Just relaxing!  The one thing about the beach is that you can actually sit on the porch, rock in your rocking chair, drink coffee, and just chill.  No real distractions.  It's unfortunate that these times only happen once in a while.  Only a little detail in this painting, but I hope you get the feeling.

Bedford Centerfest

9 x 8 3/4" Oil on Gessobord

Buy Now Through ETSY

This was Bedford Centerfest at lunch time.  The streets were full of people out to have a good time, and what attracted me to paint the scene was how colorful everything was.  I was sitting at our artists' co-op booth watching people parade back and forth.  It really reminded me of NYC during my daily lunch break.  I would sit in Bryant Park and be fascinated by the people.  I still am, and I suppose that's why I paint what I do...People going about their daily lives.

Painting and Pottery

Oil on Gessobord

SOLD AT AUCTION 

This painting will be part of the Bower Center Artisan Trail Benefit Concert and Silent Auction on October 12th, at 7 PM.  It was framed by Goose Creek Studio and once again, they did a great job!  If you are in the area, please come by.  It will be fun and all for a good cause.

Red Gardening Gloves

8 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

Things have been so hectic here that I needed to paint a quiet piece.  It doesn't get much quieter than Monhegan Island off season.  September/October is a very busy time for outdoor art shows and gallery exhibits here in Virginia.  I suppose all over, not just Virginia.  As much as I like to do them, I find them exhausting.  I also find I don't have as much time to paint and if I do, I feel a little rushed.  Monhegan is my Moment of Zen.  When I paint it, I'm there..(Strange as that seems).  I can smell it, feel it...AHHH...

Bedford Sunrise

9 x 12 Oil on Gessobord

One of the bad things about doing some outdoor art events is that you have to get up REALLY early, but it is balanced by views like this.  Driving to Bedford Centerfest, I caught this spectacular sunrise.  It's really hard to capture the splendor of sunrises and sunsets in paint, but I wanted to give this one a try, and I'm glad I did!  It always amazes me how fast it all happens.  One minute it's dark, the next you get a pinkish color, and BAM...you get the yellow of the sun.  Another day...How lucky :-)

Out to Pasture

9 x 12 Oil on Gessobord

SOLD

Old buses usually don't interest me, but the colors and the light here were just too great to pass up.  It looked like a piece of sculpture sitting on the lawn.  The neighbors might not have thought so.  I'm thinking there wasn't a "community association" involved :-)  If there was, I would love to be at the meeting where they discuss property maintenance....

Fall Vista with Pumpkins

8 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

This started out as a beach scene and morphed into a pumpkin painting.  I'm not sure why.  Possibly because the beach scene I had planned on painting was not developing properly and I totally lost interest.  I scrubbed it all off and started again, just going with the flow.  Nothing really to go by; just applying paint to see what developed.  Big surprise to me...I like it!  I left it as is, almost afraid to touch it again since my batting average wasn't the best for the day.  Happy Pumpkin Time, Everyone!

You Can Do It!

6 x 6 Oil On Gessobord

Winding down the summer beach theme as Fall sets in...  I'm not quite sure whether this young girl was pulling her brother out of the water or pushing him in.  I prefer to think she was protecting him by keeping him from danger;  however, that might be wishful thinking on my part. This little painting is just a study of movement.  Something I enjoy so very much :-)

Gull Convention During Rough Seas

12 x 12 Oil on Gessobord

I have become really fond of gulls.  I realize they are pests at times, but when they are soaring, they are quite beautiful...and of course, anything that has to do with the ocean has a special place in my heart.  Monhegan Island is like Vegas to the gulls that hang out there.  The tourists sit on picnic benches eating and spilling, dropping food, discarding leftovers, and then get up and just leave a big mess.  It's pay day!  Not only that, but some of the cooks bring the fish remains and toss them in the air.  What a sight that is.  I tried to catch the gulls in action with my camera but they were too fast, and I'm pretty sure I was running in the other direction.  They were pretty intense!   Jamie Wyeth did paint them, and of course, brilliantly.  If you get a chance, check out his incredible work.  Here are gulls during their down time.

Flamingo Dawn

8 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

Monhegan, Maine... again!  You can tell how much I love the place.  I woke up one morning before dawn and walked around the Island taking in the beautiful sunrise and the colors as they began to appear.  I don't think I will ever forget it because I have never seen anything quite so beautiful.  This plastic pink flamingo was taking it all in as well, and perhaps keeping watch over what was going on; although there wasn't much at that hour. He might have been part of the Island security force.  Probably the only one.  If you look between the two houses, you can see a bit of the ocean and Manana, the uninhabited island directly across.  As the sun came up, Manana became bright orange, an unbelievable sight.

Dragonfly

6 x 6 Oil on Gessobord

 SOLD

I'm not a fan of insects of any type, so painting this made me a little itchy :-)  My Daughter-in-Law took this photo using her zoom lens..at least I'm hoping she didn't get this close to the bug.  I do know that a Dragonfly doesn't sting.  Growing up on Long Island, NY, we had tons of them at the beach.  They were just a part of summer and when I see one, I can almost smell the ocean.  I really love Katherine's photos, and she seems to know what I like to paint so we make a good team.  So, here's my version of  "Dragonfly".

Window Shopping

8 x 8 Oil on Gessobrd

I should call this "Male Model Shopping."  A woman can dream, can't she?!  Maybe she was just looking at her own reflection...Not!  This painting was certainly a challenge.  Not only did I have to worry about painting the woman, but I had to figure in her reflection and the huge male figure behind the glass.  A little rough around the edges, but I'm actually pleased with it considering...I think...For now...Probably until tomorrow...Maybe until a little later....Actually I see a few things right now...

Just Right!

8 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

SOLD

This painting was done for our Electric Company Artists' Co-op's (TECAC) first ever art challenge.  Our members have to do something that directly incorporates beds into their art.  I can't wait to see what each artist does!  The paintings will be hung for Bedford's Second Friday event in December.  We have such an eclectic group that a challenge like this will be something to see, so I hope anyone who is within traveling distance will come to the Co-op and also take in all the art and festivities Bedford has to offer.

SOLD, SOLD, SOLD

Well, it's been a good summer.  Here are a few of the paintings that I have sold in the last two months.  The images aren't the best, but you can get an idea.  The beach scenes were relatively large, and I'm so pleased that they have found new homes.  For some reason, the "Hamptons Mist" painting (image at the top) never photographed properly, so it's hard to picture it.  It was actually one of my favorite paintings.  Others that have sold this summer:  Yellow Kayak, Don't Hate Me 'Cause I'm Pretty, Caning, A Single Slice, and two commissions. If you have purchased one of my paintings, I just want to say thank you and hope you get years of enjoyment from it.   

All Ears

8 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

This painting was an experiment in using color, and you can see I had fun with it :-)  The original painting isn't as violet as it appears here.  For some reason, the camera picked up on the purples.  Dory might not think it's worthy of public view, but I will assure her that I will paint it again.

Rainy Summer Days

12 x 12 Oil on Gessobord

SOLD

It was pouring, but these boys didn't care since they were getting wet anyway.  They were playing with "Xtreme Splashers."  They would suck the water up into these tubes and spray each other and the adults sitting under the overhang.  I was one of these adults, and I tried really hard not to complain.  They were actually very good and did listen when 5 adults all yelled in unison "Don't spray up here!!"  It's really good no one else was out on their docks, because voices carry here at the lake, and the adult yelling would have annoyed everyone.  The kids were pretty quiet...It was the adults :-)

Marching to His Own Drum

12 x 12 Oil on Gessobord

I think the puppy on the left has a problem with following the crowd.  That is a good thing in my opinion, and if I were choosing one of these dogs, I would definitely choose "Mr. Butt."  He certainly would have a mind of his own and would be much more fun.  He would be the one leading the anti-everything marches and going his own way.  A challenge for his humans, but so worth it!  These puppies are from JayHawk Labs in New Hampshire.  My cousin and her husband raise and show beautiful award winning Labs. Check them out on the web.

Carrot Top

8 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

For all you people out there in blog world who REALLY know alpacas, this might not be what you consider an accurate portrait, but this particular alpaca looked at me exactly like this...with disdain, and a faint smile.  She reminded me of my mother's cousin..A smirky smile, really dark red lipstick, and red hair right out of the Florida retirement bottle that stuck up with lots of hairspray.  This alpaca is not as elegant as my favorite llama, Polka Spot, from the Beekman farm.  I realize that llamas and alpacas are totally different, but those faces are quite similar..at least to me.  If I could actually see Polka Spot in person, I would have chosen to paint her, but this alpaca will have to do.

The Thrill of Shopping

6 x 6 Oil on Gessobord

Men loved to shop, don't they?  Smart stores will put a few chairs out for men being dragged around clothing stores by their spouses.  This man was twiddling his thumbs and gaping at the ceiling, probably wondering if his partner was kidnapped...Possibly hoping for that outcome...

Cold, Wet, and Camera Shy

8 x 8 Oil on Gessobord
SOLD

Here's Emily, not listening to my command "OK..Smile!"  I probably would not have painted it if she had smiled for the camera.  It wouldn't have been as interesting to me.  This was a chilly, rainy day, but the kids wanted to swim.  It really didn't matter to them, because they were getting wet anyway, but for the adults on the dock it kind of mattered :-)

I'm Too Sexy For My Plume...

8 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

SOLD

Oh Yeah!  I'm too sexy..too sexy.  Love that song, and it seemed appropriate.  I'm pretty sure he was showing off and trying to attract the duck in the water.  Fun, fast strokes on this one and a joy to paint.

The Little Mermaid

8 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

"Far out in the ocean...There dwells a Sea King and his subjects..."  I love Hans Christian Andersen's story about a young mermaid who fell in love with a prince.  Here's a little history of the statue that I have painted here and I must say, it's pretty interesting in an odd way.  The statue was commissioned in 1909 and sits in Copenhagen's harbor.  It was moved a little farther out than its original positioning due to vandalism and to prevent tourists from climbing it.  On April 24, 1964, the mermaid's head was sawn off and stolen by what my research described as "politically motivated artists." SAY  WHAT?!  A new head was produced.  In 1998,  it was decapitated again, but the head was returned and re-attached.  This poor mermaid has had her share of trouble, but she is beautiful and she will always be special to me.

Freewheeling

12 x 12 Oil on Gessobord

Messy..Yes;  Creative...Yes;  Easy...NO!  Drinking out of my pottery mug takes on a whole new meaning now.  I used to think pottery was easy.  Just playing with soft clay.  First of all, the clay is really hard and not very pliable until you kneed it, and second of all, the wheel is hard to get the hang of.  Either my pot bottom is too thick or my finger goes through the bottom.  When I finally get the clay up into a pot shape, it's so irregular that I have to keep trimming it.  By the time I'm done, it has become a very shallow dog dish...not what I was going for.  This is a painting of one of the members of my class who definitely has the hang of it all.

Pool Cool

16 x 20 Oil on Gessobord

It's so interesting to watch people play in a pool.  This boy was really too big to climb on someone's shoulders, but I think he was trying to impress the girl on the side.  I wonder if she was impressed?  I really wasn't caught up in the people in this painting.  I wanted to focus on the pool water.  The colors are so different from any other water source, so this painting is really about the water...and summer.