Attentive Listener

10 x 8 Oil on Arches Oil Paper

This is the same figure I did in the painting "Chillin" but more of a portrait than a study.  I generally don't paint portraits, but lately I've been really attracted to them.  It's my "What have I got to lose" theory.  All through this, my mantra was "It's only paper..."  I must say, I really love the way this turned out.  I tried hard to capture the subject's persona, not necessarily trying to get every detail down.  So...Here it is :-)

Glorious Fall

SOLD - DONATION TO HURRICANE SANDY RELIEF

12 x 16 Oil on Gessoed Artist Canvas

Fall is one of my favorite times of year.  I could almost smell the dried leaves and crisp air while I was painting this.  Add the smell of roasted chestnuts, and it would be a perfect world...Oh, wait!  That's New York City.  I used to love passing the vendors selling roasted chestnuts.  Well, this is in New Hampshire at a Shaker Village my wonderful cousin took me to.  After this weekend and the storm that is coming, I imagine most of the leaves will be gone. With what the Weather Channel is predicting, I hope the house is still there :-) 

Just Another Pretty Face

12 x 12 Oil on Gessobord

You are probably asking yourself what kind of strange artist would paint something like this.  Well, it was the challenge of it that attracted me.  My daughter had a conference in Washington and took a side trip to the Smithsonian.  She sent me some photos, and what immediately interested me were the shadows.  This is Ecocene's Big Bird.  I suppose he is related to our Big Bird only not as yellow, and has apparently been on Weight Watchers.....

Tourist Heaven

11 x 7 Oil on Arches Paper

This tour bus passed us as we were walking from the hotel to the MET.  If I could have flagged it down and hopped on, I would have.  We thought we knew where we were going, but wound up walking way out of our way...What felt like miles out of our way.  I really loved the man looking up with his mouth open.  In the city, that's probably not a good thing.  One never knows what might fall in :-) 

Rockin' At the MoMA

8 x 11 Oil on Arches Paper for Oil

Well, it was hard to decide if I wanted to pay attention to the artwork or this couple.  They were a distraction, I have to admit :-)  I followed them around at a distance for a while, trying to get a good photo of them from the front, but settled on this rear view, which I really love.  I'm glad they chose the MoMA to visit.  They really seemed into the art.  It was interesting to see the looks they got from the other visitors.  It obviously didn't bother them, and I'm glad.  I'll bet if the other male visitors could have gotten away with pants that tight, they would have been thrilled :-)

Chillin'

6 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

SOLD

 

This is the husband of a wonderful local artist who just happens to have a great face to paint.  I think I was told that he doesn't like his picture to be taken, so that just encourages me to take that picture and paint him as well.  In fact, I might paint him again because I have a wonderful close-up, too. :-)  I'm pretty sure he knew I was taking photos of him here.  He totally ignored me, probably hoping I would go away.  Not very likely...Love that pose!

Painting Behind Monhegan School

8 x 11 Oil on Canvas

This was such a fun trip!  It is wonderful just being around other artists and being out in the salt air.  I learn so much from seeing what other artists choose to paint.  It's interesting to find out what captures their attention.  What I think of as mundane, others will make into masterpieces.  This was a perfect spot and a perfect day.

Cowboy Boots and Short Shorts

8 x 10 Oil on Arches Oil Paper

I was doing an outdoor art show and these two teen girls strolled by in their boots and shorts.  I'm relatively sure they coordinated their outfits before leaving for the day. I'm always amazed that kids (and perhaps some adults) think they are being so original...exactly like everyone else.  During the 60's (Yes, I'm dating myself), my "original" uniform was faded, ripped jeans, tie-dyed everything, straight long hair (a la Mary of Peter, and Paul fame) and sandals, even though my  feet were freezing in the winter :-), or black tights and black short skirts for dress...That's what pretty much everyone wore in the Village in New York.  Yes, originality at it's best...OK..I'm really feeling old now!

Free Spirit

7 x 5 Oil on Gessobord

SOLD

 

I have done many versions of this gentleman and I say each one is my favorite, but this is definitely my favorite ... until the next.  I never get tired of painting his face.  It's so expressive and, to me, wonderful.  He was walking in Roanoke when I saw him.  He has that weathered look which I find fascinating.  This is as close to a portrait as I will probably get.

Golden Fall Morning

5 x 7 Oil on Gessobord

SOLD

There are a few days during the year when the view becomes spectacular.  This was one of them.  These are the hard paintings to do because it is difficult to do justice to nature.  I painted this landscape from my studio at Smith Mountain Lake.  Believe it or not, the rusts and oranges were brighter than they appear here, so much so that when I tried to capture the colors, it wasn't believable.  This is pretty close, though :-)

Claytor Nature Study Center Plein Air

6 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

Our art group, Artists on the Loose, spent a day at Claytor Nature Study Center last week.  What a beautiful place that is.  There is so much to see and paint, but we were attacked by stink bugs, so our day was a little shorter than it could have been :-)  This was a very fast painting done in between swatting and running.  I thought about doing more to it at home, but am going to leave it as is. Not too bad for painting on the run....

Layer Upon Layer

14 x 11 Oil on Canvas Board

I really love this view at the Museum in NYC.  What really attracted me to this scene were the silhouettes on the third level.  I'm not crazy about canvas board because it seems to absorb all the oil and I had to do layer upon layer...as in the name of this painting :-)  I'm extremely happy with the way this turned out considering the architectural angles and the fight with the canvas...I think I might do it again on a different surface just to see the difference in the way it turns out. 

Pumpkin Heaven

9 x 12 Oil on Artist Canvas

Better to paint a lot of pumpkins than just one.  My theory, at least!  I was tempted to put a face on a few, but decided against it.  I really love this time of year, but miss the cold, crisp days up North.  We'll get them, but they just don't last long enough. 

Shari, Blowin' in the Wind

7 x 5 Oil on Gessobord

This was a quick little painting, but sometimes those turn out the best..  There are a few things I could go back in to "fix" but will not because I love the looseness of this, and if I go back into it, it will become a "portrait" and will lose its spontaneity. 

Clowning Around

5 x 8 Oil on Artist Canvas Sheet

11 x 14 Matted

The boots were obviously meant to keep Rocky's feet dry, but no one thought to provide him with a swim cap :-)  This is my cousin's grandson who is too cute not to paint.  He is the same child that I painted on the slide.  It's getting to the point where I can't wait until he visits my cousin because I then get more opportunities to paint him.  If and when he returns to Australia, his real home, I will really miss these fun paintings.

Rat Messenger, New York City

7 x 5 Oil on Gessobord

Crazy, huh?!  We passed this rat sitting across from Trump Tower in New York City, displaying his message to all who walked by.  Apparently, they pop up with different messages at different times.  When I lived in the City, I saw a few rats but they were scurrying across the avenue and heading for the subways.  They usually didn't wear aprons with messages on them :-)  Some were pretty big, but this guy must have been a couch potato....

Playground Tete-a-Tete

7 x 5 Oil on Gessobord

This started out to be my cousin's son and grandson, but morphed into unknown people.  I've grown to like them, though.  After you work and re-work so many times, your subjects become friends :-)  I almost gave up on this and thought about wiping it off, but changed my mind.  I'm glad I stuck with it.  It serves as a study for another piece, perhaps morphing back into my cousin's son and grandson....

Sailing on Smith Mountain Lake

6 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

I never get tired of painting this scene, and I've done it year after year.  Another of our glorious windy days which are perfect for sailing.  We have wind here in the Spring and Fall, but usually in the summer it's difficult to move.  You just bob around.  This happened to be a rare windy day and there were a lot of people out there taking advantage of it.

One Too Many Cupcakes

5 x 7 Oil on Gessobord

Who could resist this?  A man asleep on a bench outside of a cupcake shop.  Well, this was just too good :-)  What fun this was to paint. 

Tallulah's First Birthday

A slight variation from my artwork, but Tallulah deserves a post to celebrate her first birthday.  It's especially exciting because that means she is closer to being an adult Sproodle dog, and less like teenager :-)  At least one can hope... She thanks those that sent cards and gifts.  They are much appreciated.  OK..tomorrow, more artwork ...

Looking at the World Through Psychedelic Glasses

10 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

This gentleman was enjoying the Smith Mountain Lake view through his thoroughly awesome psychedelic glasses.  My daughter, who realizes what crazy things interest me, used her cell phone to snap the picture.  He seemed oblivious, which was a good thing.  Taking pictures of people is a really touchy thing.  His glasses were a bluish green with what looked like spirals in them.  Very Cool!! 

OOF - Say What?!

SOLD

 

5 x 7 Oil on Gessobord

There was a line to get to the information label on Edward Ruscha's painting called "OOF,"  and each person left with a smile and quizzical look on their face.  I must say, it was striking when one walked into the room where it was hung at the MOMA.  My main focus in this little piece was the women peering at the information.  "OOF" was painted by Ruscha in 1962.  He said "I was interested in monosyllabic word sounds that seemed to have a certain comedic value to them."  I know I walked away smiling :-)

Holland Tunnel Glow

 8 x 10 Oil on Gessobord

Believe it or not, the Holland Tunnel has the most beautiful glow at certain times.  The last part of our trip into NYC was a challenge due to a terrible rain storm, but once inside it was so quiet and peaceful.  Not much traffic.  Just this golden glow...and then we exited to thunder and lightening and rain so heavy we couldn't see.  We really would have liked to go back in.  Bet not too many people say that!

Tattoos R Us

5 x 7 Oil on Gessobord

In Singapore, apparently there are tattoo places in the malls.  You just go in while you are shopping, I guess, and pick up a quick tattoo.  My wonderful daughter-in-law, who takes great photos, took this for me.  She knows the quirky subjects I like to paint :-)  I'm not sure I'd be too quick to get a tattoo in a mall, but this young woman didn't seem to be too concerned, although she was gripping the side of the chair.  This was done right in the middle of a store, not behind any kind of screen or anything.  YIKES!

Seven Seated Figures at the MET

11 x 14 Oil on Gessoed WC Paper

What attracted me to this scene was the row of six people sitting in this great hall at the MET along with the seated sculpture.  Perhaps each of these people would have preferred being on a pedestal, too :-)  One of my favorite parts of travelling is coming home and reliving everything in paint.  It doesn't get any better than that!

Standing Guard

5 x 7 Oil on Gessobord

I'm not sure if this is Patience or Fortitude.  One lion sits on one side of the steps of the New York Public Library on Fifth and 42nd Street, and one sits on the other.  One of my favorite things to do when I lived in New York was to stop and see these beautiful pieces of sculpture.  I would pass by them so often, but never got tired of looking at them.  They have been there since their dedication on May 23rd, 1911.  I was not there for that!!  :-)  The sculptor was Edward Clark Potter.  He was paid $8,000, and the Piccirilli Brothers executed the carving for $5,000.  Not a bad price for two marble pieces of work...I must say, I really love this painting :-)

In Awe of Perseus

7 x 5 oil on Gessobord

This man spent a lot of time looking at "Perseus with the Head of Medusa," a sculpture by Antonio Canova, 1804-6, at the MET in New York.  He kept circling and circling this wonderful piece of work. It is truly a marvel!  It was a challenge to paint, so I can't imagine what it was like to sculpt!  This hall is filled with pieces from the past.  How wonderful to have them preserved forever and accessible in a structure like the MET.

Confused at the MOMA

5 x 7 Oil on Gessobord

This gentleman seemed totally confused while looking at Picasso's "Violin and Grapes" at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC.  I think he was scratching his head and thinking "Where are the grapes?", "Where is the Violin?" and "Why??"  He also apparently had hit the Museum store and was lugging all his purchases around.  This is the first of my NYC series.  Can't wait to paint more!

Smith Mountain Lake Vista

9 x 12 Pastel on Wallis Paper

SOLD

This pastel was done a while ago, but I love it and thought I'd put it up on the blog.  I haven't been doing pastel since I discovered oils, but will get back to it at some point.  I have to because of all the $$ that went into supplies :-)  Of course, that's true with my oil supplies as well...I feel extremely lucky to pass by this particular scene when I'm out doing my exercise walking.  It is so very beautiful.  Smith Mountain Lake at its best.



New York City Canyon

5 x 7 Oil on Gessobord

SOLD

 

We just came back from a few days in NYC, and I'm trying to get used to the slower pace of Virginia now.  This is really abstract, and some of it was done with the best tools of all...fingers...at least a little :-)  I just went with whatever happened and left it for the art gods to determine the outcome.  Tomorrow, I will start to paint some of the sights and scenes of Manhattan.  There is nothing like the City!

Monhegan Landmark

8 x 10 Oil

Everything on Monhegan remains the same year after year.  This house is always rented by an artist when we are there.  He paints wonderful little paintings of the Island and sells them from the steps of this house.  He arranges them along each step, so people passing by can stop and browse.  The light on this particular day was really wonderful. 

Beach Work

6 x 8 Oil on Gessobord

So much to do at the beach!  Lots of fish to catch and mud pies to make. Emerald Isle, NC. 

Poised to Go

7 x 5 Oil on Gessobord

SOLD

 

This is the last (probably) in the series of pool paintings I did while our power was out and we were AC-less.  These really did make me feel a little cooler.  Strange how the mind works...mine at least :-)  I played with the background a little to add some movement to it.  I think the four paintings would make a good display side by side.

Perfect Back Dive

7 x 5 Oil on Gessobord

SOLD

My favorite of this series of pool paintings.  I really like the movement in this one.  Again, a little abstract and I could have spent a lot more time trying to get everything exact, but that's not what I'm about when I'm painting.  The movement is one of the most important components to me.

Lift Off!

7 x 5 Oil on Gessobord

SOLD

The second in a little series of divers done when our power (AC) was out.  Believe it or not, it did make me feel cooler doing these.  Psychological :-)  I wish I was there at my daughter's pool.  She's in Florida, and her temps were much cooler than ours.  Go figure!  Anyway, these little pieces are such fun to do.

Splash Down

5 x 7 Oil on Gessobord

Well, we were hit once again by a storm here in Southwest VA.  Last month we had a huge hail storm that caused an enormous amount of damage, and last Friday night we had 75 MPH winds which took out our electric.  Normally that wouldn't be too bad, but it's been 95 and above for at least a week and without power there is no AC.  Our house was 90 degrees..INSIDE..each afternoon.  There was no breeze if the windows were open.  Our power was restored Tuesday, only to go out again until yesterday.  So...I spent the mornings painting WATER...pool water.  I could almost smell the chlorine :-)  This is the first of four.  It's a little abstract in a way, but that was probably due to heat exhaustion....I might do a larger version later because I really like it.

What's Up?

5 x 7" Oil on Gessobord

Again, Key West.  This was outside of a movie theater.  Why this man felt the need to look under the dress of a Marilyn Monroe cardboard display is beyond me.  I wonder if he thought there was cardboard underwear under there :-)  Stranger things have happened....This was a quick painting done just for fun.

Dry Docked

6 x 8" Oil on Gessobord

$65, Unframed

Happy Summer, Everyone!  Smith Mountain Lake has such great scenery for painters.  This is just one of them.  The day was perfect, and everything sparkled; especially the sailboat.  This is another of my favorites.  I keep thinking I'm going to keep these pieces, but have to remind myself that there is so much more to paint out there, and I would have to rent a warehouse if I planned to keep them all....

Resting Up

5 x 7" Oil on Gessobord

This is one of those "stop and take in the view" moments,  but you're really not that interested and only trying to catch your breath and not let anyone know you're exhausted :-)  This was my daughter in Key West.  She might be tired, but she's got the biking clothes and looks professional, doesn't she?!  This one I love!!

Only in Key West

5 x 7" Oil on Gessobord

What a great week this has been!  I've sold four original paintings and four Giclee Prints.  This is not a usual occurrence, but it sure feels good :-)  If only it could keep up. 

Now you're probably wondering what this painting is...Well, these two people were wandering around Key West.  I don't know who dressed this woman, but whoever it was sure had a great sense of humor.  This is a design on a T-shirt.  I'm just wondering what the front looked like.  How could I pass up painting this? 

The Price of Beauty

Approx. 9 x 12

Oil on Gessoboard

I have been working on this painting since I began using oils.  It would have gone a lot faster if I had done it in pastel, which I still might do because I really love the subjects.  I was going to call it "The Three Graces."  I've finally decided to stop working on it, and just leave it alone.  I can hear one of my art friends saying "Stop being so picky, picky, picky!"  So, here it is, and I must say, I like it!     

Fair Food

6 x 8" Oil on Gessobord

Not an epicure's delight...Fair food, always popular, always lines for the never ending variety.  This ribbon potato vendor was very popular at the strawberry festival.  The first year we went to a festival in Virginia, the longest line was for pork rinds.  Up north, it's hot dogs.  It's amazing what we consume :-)

Lone Beach Jogger

5 x 7" Oil on Gessobord

$55, Unframed

SOLD

 One lonely seagull running along the shore.  Pretty soon all the people will take up the beach and he'll have to find another spot.  Perhaps a nearby seafood shack where he'll get the discarded french fries and fried clams and become a beach pest.  To him, I suppose we are the beach pests! 

Bird on a Wire

9 x 12" Oil on Gessoboard

If you look really closely, there are two birds on the wires, so "Bird on a Wire."  It might be a little hard to see in this post.  This was a rainy day and the cows were crowded near the barn.  I'm not sure if they were waiting to get in but if they were, they should have headed to the larger barn.  No one ever said cows were the smartest animals..or the cleanest. 

Matched Pair

5x7" Oil on Gessobord

Love this one!  I wonder who dressed whom?  (Is that the correct grammar?)  They must have gone shopping when they arrived at the beach and bought identical outfits just in case one of them got lost.  It would be easier to locate the missing partner :-)  I really love trying to figure people out.  You never get it right, but what fun, and how great to have the opportunity to paint them!!

Nonconformity

20 x 8" Oil on Board

SOLD

This is one of my favorite paintings!  It's a group of men sitting on the curb killing time.  The body language says it all, and that is what attracted me to this subject.  What absolutely makes this painting is the framing that was done by GOOSE CREEK STUDIO in Bedford, VA.  Patrick and Mitchell are a wonderful and creative team, and they come up with framing ideas that really showcase the art (or photography, or anything else people bring in).  You can see their link when you scroll down on the right column of the blog.  I'm probably going to put this in an upcoming art show.

Gutter Man

5 x 7" Oil on Gessobord

$55, Unframed

As I said in a previous post, we had a really bad hail storm about a month ago, and since then we have had a lot of workmen fixing things at the house.  How could I not paint one of them?!  Couldn't resist:-)  This man was putting up new gutters on a hot Spring day.  He already had a tan!

Portrait of Tallulah

5 x 7" Oil on Gessoboard

NFS

This painting of our Sproodle, Tallulah, was done when she was 6 months old.  She looks a lot more "grown up" now and probably would not be pleased to have me post this since she is no longer a puppy.  Now she means business :-)  She's become a real delight, although I have to admit there were days when I wasn't sure we could do the puppy thing again.  However, it was all worth it and she has gotten into our groove. (She would probably say we have gotten into hers)...Our next project is getting her into the lake.  We had this painting framed by Goose Creek Studios, and they did a wonderful job...as usual.  I love it!

BY THE WAY,  if you like this blog, you can become a "Follower" by clicking on the link on the right.  I had blocked this section by mistake right after I started my blog.  Not sure how, but it's back on now.  You can also follow by email and get my updates right in your email inbox.  Just enter your email address in the box provided.  It's safe and easy. 

Sketcher's Pose

5 x 7" Oil on Gessobord

$55, Unframed

You usually don't see this pose.  Most "sane" people would be sitting in a more comfortable chair, but not plein air painters.  This is one of the women in our group that painted on Monhegan Island.  Her little chair was a lot like mine, and believe it or not, they are really comfortable.  Plus, they fold and are easy to carry up and down the hills and rocks on the Island.  None of us would make the pages of VOGUE, but we produce art which, in my opinion, is more important than looking beautiful :-)  I still smile when I think of her! 

Surf Fishing on Emerald Isle, NC

9 x 12 Oil on Gessoboard

Our friends were nice enough to take a lot of pictures for me when they went to Emerald Isle this year.  I got a lot of mileage out of last year's trip when we were there, so I hoped for more to work on this year.  They came through with lots of good shots.  I will probably do this one again when I have extra time and refine a few things that bother me, but I'm generally happy with it.