Street Musician with Reflections

6 x 6 Oil on Gessobord

I have painted this man a number of times now.  He was playing on the street in Charleston, SC, on my first visit to the city, and was there again the next time we went (which was years later.)  I'm not sure why, but I never lose interest in painting him.  My first attempt was in pastel...This time oil.  Some street performers don't allow people to take their picture unless they are paid.  This man was really interesting to talk to, a great musician, and very nice about having his photo taken.  I hope he will be there the next time I go.  He's becoming a tradition :-)

Puzzler

8 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

What to do on Monhegan Island, Maine, on a rainy day?  Puzzles, of course!  You can't go out to paint, there is no TV, and phone service is "iffy."  Every time I've been to the Island, the weather has been terrific, but this trip it poured all day creating huge puddles.  The rain came sideways and very few people came out of their houses and inns. It was also cold, so coffee was a necessity.  I ventured out to the little place that sells espresso and it was packed with people...No place to sit, so I went to the Monhegan House, where some of the other people in our painting group were staying.  This woman was passing the time deep in thought over a puzzle.  She had her "wishful thinking" sun visor on.  It didn't work.  The sun appeared when we were heading back on the ferry the next day.  A bummer, but even in the rain, Monhegan is a magical place.

Strings

6 x 6 Oil on Gessobord

SOLD

This is a study of three base players (not talking baseball here) during Intermission at the Roanoke Symphony.  Again, my purpose was to get the interaction between the men and body movement.  The instruments were a challenge, but I was mostly interested in the "feeling" of the scene.

A Girl and Her Companion

6 x 6 Oil on Gessobord

SOLD

Do any of you remember Woody Allen's "Sleeper?"  The whole time I was painting this I couldn't get it out of my mind, and I haven't seen it in quite a while.  The movie takes place in the future, and everything is controlled by the Leader, who is seen as the national TV signs off each night.  The scene is the back of the Leader, in a wheelchair, with his hand on his dog beside him.  At least that's how I remember it.  As I said it's been a while. This painting really reminds me of it, silly as that is.  I think it's the staring off into the future thing.  The colors did not come out too well in the photo of the painting.  Everything has a greenish hue, but you get the idea...Hopefully.

Barista with a Flair

8 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

OK..I really enjoyed painting this until I had to think about the stacked cups.  I really learned a lot about wiping off and repainting on this piece.  I changed the background approximately three times.  I'm pretty happy with the results.  The barista was my main focus.  Loved her matching hat and sweater against the orange background.  So here it is, a relatively small piece that took a really long time :-)

Beach Pick-Up

8 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

I find it really interesting that most of us, when walking along the shore, stop and pick up stuff.  Everything seems like a terrific find.  Then, we get home and wonder why we pocketed what we found.  Even shells.  I always collect them as I walk, looking for one that is perfect.  I bring it back and wonder what to do with it.  They usually wind up in the garbage.  It's like that Updike quote...actually one of my favorites ..."Possession diminishes perception of value, immediately."

Lab on Guard

8 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

SOLD

 

This is really a study for a larger painting; therefore, it is rough around the edges, but I do like it.  Actually, it isn't as rough as it looks here.  It was very wet when I took the picture, and it came out looking blotchy.  It did dry nicely.  Also, I took the photo outside when it was 7 degrees.  That might have had something to do with the quality of this image...Or it might have been that I was so cold, I was shaking the tripod.  Yellow Labs are one of my favorite breeds and this particular Lab just blends right into the landscape.  He looks so regal sitting there protecting the empty beach chairs.

Motoring

8 x 10 Oil on Gessobord

SOLD

Don't you just hate those really slow drivers who barely move down the road?!  Usually, you can't see them over the steering wheel....only a little bluish hair.  This is Luther, a commission I was asked to do (and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it).  He looks very attentive, but I think he might be day dreaming.  You almost expect his paw to reach out the window and wave the tailgaters on.  I was smiling the whole time I was painting this :-)

Simon

Oil on Gessobord

SOLD

This was one of two commissioned paintings for some very special people, and I was so honored to do them.  Apparently, Simon is always scratching and here he is in all his glory.  From his expression, you can just here him saying "AHHH."  Don't you just love those teeth?