Marathon Stretches

12 x 12 Oil on Gessobord

This started as a study of figures in different movements and poses but turned into one of my new favorite paintings.  My son runs in marathons, and this was before one of the races as the athletes were getting ready.  The figures are simple, with little detail, but what I was going for was for the viewer to feel as though he or she was catching them in mid stretch.  It's always a surprise which paintings will actually please me, and this one was no exception.

Subway Couture

6 x 6 Oil on Gessobord

Well...What can you say?!  New York City is a perfect place to people watch and who could resist painting this woman?  She was dressed for Alaska and had her iPad and her iPhone, so she was totally connected to the outside world.  The socks matched the hat, so she was totally stylish :-)  The woman next to her was studying and drinking her Starbucks coffee.  It was actually an open cup, but I put a lid on it due to the fact that I couldn't stand the idea of all those germs getting into her coffee....This one was fast and fun.  Quick strokes hopefully coming together.

Painting and Pottery

10 x 8 Oil on Linen Board

I painted the two tall pots before when they were displayed at The Electric Company Artist Co-Op.  Both paintings have since sold; however, now I am the proud owner of them, as well as a small bowl and a mug by the same potter.  They are prominently displayed beside one of my paintings and I get so much pleasure looking at them.  The Potter, Dan Perkins, has become one of my favorite artisans :-)  

A Woman of Substance

6 x 8  Oil on Linen Board

I met Susie at Goose Creek Studio last year and just love her.  She is so kind and generous, and is such a pleasure to be around.  I see her at every art event, always with a smile on her face, and always ready to talk about the artwork.  I've noticed that she doesn't just look quickly at a piece.  She will stand in front of it and really take it all in.  I've tried to capture her expression here and the joy she seems to have when she looks at art.  I'm hoping I did her justice.

Finally, Spring!

12 x 12 Oil on Gessobord

Well, Spring has arrived for a day or two.  We seemed to go from a snowstorm to 90 degrees in a matter of days.  Totally confusing for plants and humans alike.  A little color always makes me happy, so I did enjoy  painting these flowers before the weeds take over.  Summer in Virginia is not a favorite for me, so now, even before summer has officially arrived, I'm looking forward to Fall.  As everyone tells me, I'm never satisfied :-)

Putting it Out

8 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

If you look back to the photograph I posted called "Forced to Leave the Building,"  I mentioned that when we were evacuated from the Shenandoah Club I spent time taking photos of the firemen while waiting to be let back into the building.  Well...this just shows you that there is always something to paint...at least for me.  I'm not sure why, but I really get pleasure from experiences that are a little out of the ordinary.  Joy is the word!  I kept thinking about "Alice's Restaurant," Arlo Guthrie's song, watching this.  There were a lot of men there for a few burning towels, and they had lots of equipment.

Breakfast at CJ's

6 x 6 Oil on Gessobord
SOLD

Two of my most favorite things...cappuccino and crumb cake. As far as I'm concerned, there is no better way to start the day.  Our small coffee shop has new owners, and I'm not sure what brand of espresso they use, but I think it's even better than Starbucks.  I'm very picky about my coffee.  The baristas at Starbucks usually run for cover when I approach the counter.  Yes, I see them smirking.  My order is really involved and specific.  The person at the counter tries to keep up as he/she writes on the side of the cup, but invariably something is not quite right..."..cappuccino, Grande, dry but not too dry, mostly foam but a little milk, make that skimmed milk, double shot...unless you usually use two shots.  If so, then triple shot..."  Here at C.J.'s, they seem to know how to make a perfect cup.  Now, that's a science :-)  I really loved painting this.  Seriously, I could almost taste it as I was applying the paint.

Forced to Leave the Building

I don't usually post photographs, but this was too good to pass up.  Our ArtVisions group was asked to show our work at the Shenandoah Club, a private club in Roanoke, VA.  We all got there with our 10 paintings each and proceeded to start hanging, when we were told we had to evacuate the building.  Apparently, there was a fire and the staff had to call the fire department.  So, we did as we were told as the fire trucks pulled in.  Now if you notice, none of us thought about our paintings at all...except for our friend, Nancy.  I have decided she is the one we all should go to in an emergency.  I'm pretty sure she was saying to herself: "I'm NOT going to lose this painting after working on it for so long!"  The rest of us were all oblivious, like school kids during a fire drill.  We spent about 1/2 hour in the parking lot taking pictures of the firemen putting out the fire, (which turned out to be towels that were smoldering and burst into flames.) I snapped this picture while the firemen worked.  The only thing I can say about our group is that we all have that "artist" mentality, which makes us quirky and fun, and most of our time together is spent laughing....and every now and then painting.....

Young Man with Tattoo

8 x 6 Oil on Linen Board

My artist friend gave me this photo of her husband and said I could paint it if I would like to.  As soon as I saw his "Alfani" underwear, I was in :-)  This was a fast little painting, but a lot of fun to do once I got into it.