Figure Work

12 x 6 Oil on Archival Board

I've been working on figure studies lately. It's all a learning experience, but then again, isn't everything?! Since I took this photo of the painting, I changed the background. I will post the new one and you can let me know which you prefer and maybe tell me why....Another learning experience :-)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! ... and thank you all for keeping tabs on my artwork through this blog and for your wonderful comments!

"Sacred Bodies"

Goose Creek Studio and Custom Framing in Bedford, VA, is the place to be on Friday, November 10th from 5 to 8 PM. A new show is opening entitled "SACRED BODIES." I will have six new pieces art on display for this thought provoking exhibit. Come see my new work as well as the other fabulous artists I'm so fortunate to be showing with.

Look What's in the New Dick Blick Catalog

If you happen to get the new Dick Blick catalog and look at pages 80 and 81, you will see seven of my paintings displayed in Blick's frames.  How exciting for my artwork to be chosen to appear in their Christmas catalog!  I'm really blown away by the honor :-)  Thank you, Dick Blick!!

Sale at Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine Art Show

SOLD

I was so very pleased to find out that my painting, "Stuck Up," was sold at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine recently.  The painting will hang until the end of the exhibit so if you get a chance and are in the area, stop by and see all of the artwork on display.

Good Weather to Come

5 x 7" Oil on Gessoboard

$55, Unframed

A continuation of the Gills Creek Series.  We've been having a lot of rain lately, and this was the sunset as the sky was clearing.  I did this from my studio window as fast as I could.  I will post another one that I did from a photograph taken a few days later, but this was done quickly, in one session...or "alla prima," I think the term is :-)    I'm beginning to get really comfortable using oils.  It took a while, but everything worth doing does.  I get so much enjoyment out of it all.

Plein Air Artist, Poplar Forest

5 x 7" Oil on Gessoboard

$55, Unframed

Even though the weather turned stormy, I was able to get some good little paintings out of it.  I particularly like this one.  It captures the gray haze that rolled in, and you can almost feel the temperature drop.  This painting and the one before it gave me a chance to practice mixing a variety of grays.  Wonder if this artist got any ticks after standing in the tall grass :-)

Running for Cover

SOLD

6 x 6" Oil on Board

$55, Unframed

This study was done quickly, and I really like it.  "Painting on the Lawn" turned into "Run for Cover."  The rain, thunder, and lightening came quickly and lasted for a really long time...and it was COLD!  The poor artists were trying to get their paintings done under the shelter of a building, but it was difficult for them.  It is amazing that the work completed was so good.  These were really talented people! 

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.

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!

Free Spirit

5 x 7 Oil on Gessobord

$55.00 Unframed

 

I've done this gentleman three times now.  Twice in pastel and now in oil.  There is something about his face with all the lines, marking his years and experiences, that fascinates me.  Oil is so different from pastel, and I wasn't sure I could make it work.  I focused on just a few things, and all of a sudden it worked for me.  I'm so hooked on oils now.  I actually dream about them and what I'm going to paint next.  If I ever see this wonderful man again, I'm going to tell him what joy he has brought me!

Wanna Play?

Oil on Gessobord

This little painting was done for an upcoming art exhibit called "The Itsy Bitsy Show."  I painted a study of LuLa in oil, which I will post soon, and decided to take part of it and paint it on a really small board.  The freedom of just getting in there and painting, without sketching first, is something I really love to do.  Somehow they turn out, and it always amazes me.  Plus, LuLa is a good model.  Unfortunately, she doesn't sit still long enough for me to actually do a "live model" painting, but perhaps when she's older, and I'm ancient, she'll pose :-)

Switching the Museum Paintings, Island Style!

SOLD

5x7 Oil on Gessobord

Where else would you see fine art moved this way, but Monhegan Island?!  I couldn't resist painting this.  The art museum on the Island is absolutely wonderful, with some of the finest artists' work hanging.  It was so special to see it.  Since cars are not allowed on the Island, other than the full time residents, I suppose this is as good a way to change out the art as any.  I'm thinking that after hauling lobster traps around, they go and pick up the priceless paintings.  Actually, I'm not totally sure that is what they were doing, but I can't imagine what else it could be, so I'll go with that :-)  As I've said a million times, if you haven't gotten to Monhegan, you're missing out on a terrific adventure.

Beach Walk

5 x 7 Oil on Masonite

SOLD

A quick study in oil.  Thought I'd never say that :-)  There's plenty more to do on this, but I'm happy with the outcome and the hazy feel.  I always hate to go back into my paintings to "fix" things, because that eliminates the freshness of the piece.  I probably will leave this alone and just varnish it, which will bring out the colors.  We are having a issue with photographing these oil pieces.  It seems to be entirely different than photographing pastels.  The latter comes out looking great, but the oils seem to look a little muddy in the photos.  If anyone out there knows the secret, email me.  Meanwhile, I'll be researching on the Web.  By the way, I want to thank everyone for all the kind words about my work.  You have no idea how grateful I am and how much it means to me!!

Dog Wash

SOLD
5x7 Oil on Hardboard

Here's Cooper getting a fast spray off after being in the ocean.  I had more fun watching Cooper play in the water, run on the beach, and even get a "warning" about being off leash by the local authorities.  Thanks to our friends, Gloria and Jim, we had a great time at Emerald Isle, and I have lots of memories to paint.

Crazy Socks

6x6 Oil on Gessoboard

$55.00 Unframed

 

Loved the arch of the foot.  That was my main focus..plus those great socks.  This was done pretty fast, very rough, and the nice thing about oils is the fact that I can go back and fix anything that bothers me at another time.  Quite unlike pastels that allow for a little fussing, but not much.  I did this last week, and when I look at it now I can actually see that I've improved quite a bit since this painting.  I'm getting used to the process of mixing colors.  How wonderful to keep learning.  See...You can teach an old dog new tricks :-)

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.