Friday, September 30, 2011

Prado Pond Field Study










oil on canvas panel 6x8 inches


As I mentioned a few days ago, Susan Denison from Arizona paid me a visit just before my trip to Denver. One morning we headed over to Flo's Airport Cafe for breakfast, then Prado Regional Park to paint. The weather was terrific as was the company. Wish I'd had someone take a picture of us...too wrapped up in the painting and fun. So here's a shot of her painting in Colorado. She travels all over in her camper-van going to workshops and painting here and there. Man...she left me with a case of camper-van envy!

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Lil' Red With Sunflower




















oil on canvas panel 8x8 inches
Mom and I got back from Denver yesterday. It was a really good trip and I'll post more about it later. Here's the last painting I did at the Art Show. Chris Sayers loaned me one of her beautiful painted gourds (thanks, Chris!) and I snatched the flower from our show decor. When you were in grade school did you ever take a flower to your teacher wrapped in a wet paper towel and foil? That's how I keep 'em fresh when I lay them down. I like the resulting shadows. As for Little Red, I think I inadvertently captured the moment she recognizes Grandma is not Grandma at all. She looks stunned!
In the photo I'm painting Baseball For The Birthday Boy. You might be able to see the objects on the table to my left, strongly lit by my gooseneck table lamp.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Cherry On To-sold




















oil canvas panel 6x6 inches
shipping available after Sept. 30

Monday and Tuesday I had a delightful visit with fellow artist Susan Denison from Arizona. She and her standard poodle have been traveling in her camper van hither and yon, and took time out to meet me and paint with me. She arrived subject matter in hand: flowers and this large luscious cupcake. Found out two can paint in my little paint cave quite nicely. We painted outdoors on Tuesday. Will post that painting later. What fun! Thanks, Susan!
Other news: Tomorrow I'll be driving my mom and I to Denver to visit my brother. No painting or posting on this trip. I'll be back in about a week.


Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Here's The Pitch -sold




















oil on canvas panel 6x6 inches
shipping available after Sept. 30

Another painting done while at the art show last weekend, this one started out as just a ball. After I painted the ball it looked a bit lonely, so I added the photo. I think it's kinda risky to change your design when the painting's half done, but I thought it would just be fun to throw in a player. (Oops, unintentional pun there!) Anyway this is Dodger pitcher Kershaw, and my hubby informs me he's on our TV pitching as I type this. Weird.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Baseball For A Birthday Boy




















oil on canvas panel 8x8 inches
not for sale

The show is over, and I'm exhausted, but above is the highlight of the show for me. When I did get time to paint at the show on Saturday, I painted this as a birthday gift for our 11 year old grandson. He loves baseball, so our daughter snuck away his glove and ball for me. Papa got a Koufax card image off the internet. When he discovered his glove missing, he had an inkling of what might be going on. Even so, he was surprised and loves it. I can't tell you how happy I am that it came out good. I love that kid so much!

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Big Red Onions




















oil on canvas panel 8x6 inches

Haven't had any time to paint lately with all the art show preparations. I offer this piece from last March with the good news that it received a Second Place award in Oils. There were over 80 oil entries, so I'm really happy. Tomorrow I'll have time to paint at the show. Yippee!

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

ART SHOW THIS WEEKEND




















Peachy Bouquet
oil on canvas panel, 10x10 inches

The above painting is available at Associated Artists' Open Juried Show this weekend at Victoria Gardens' Rancho Cucamonga Cultural Center. Today we'll take in about 400 entries to the show. Reception and Awards on Friday evening at 6:00pm. Come on out if you're in the area. Show times and location here.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Field Study SOLD















oil on canvas panel 6x8 inches

Last Saturday morning we had some unusually wild weather that offered great cloud formations for painting. Lisa and I climbed another hill, this time in the late afternoon. We had a great time! I felt so blessed to be up there in the wind, listening to the birds and painting with a buddy who could help me when I needed it.

Associated Artists Of The Inland Empire's OPEN JURIED ART SHOW is this weekend at the Rancho Cucamonga Cultural Center located at the Victoria Gardens Shopping Center. Come by my sales table and say hi! I'll be painting there most of the weekend. Over 350 pieces of artwork will be on display. If you live in the area, don't miss it! For hours and address, click here.


Monday, September 12, 2011

Hot Pink Boots




















oil on canvas panel 8x8 inches
not for sale
This one was a lot of fun. I used quinacrodone red in the previously posted pig's ear, and it worked here also for that hot color. These are my granddaughter, Grace's boots which added to the painting fun. I tried lots of background colors with them, but turquoise (a bit stronger than seen here) was the only one that worked well...reminds me of the fifties somehow.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Field Study, Chino Hills




















oil on canvas panel 8x6 inches
Last Saturday morning Lisa McDill and I climbed a hill overlooking Pomona Valley. The tree shapes, distant mountain and haze down in the valley made for a nice subject. With Lisa's instruction I was working on my greens and atmospheric depth. I'm pretty happy with the result.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Obnoxious Pig SOLD




















oil on canvas panel 6x6 inches

Last Spring I visited Amy's Farm, just a mile from our house where this very swiney pig was standing on the bottom rail of the fence squealing for it's breakfast. Very dramatic! We stood and watched a while. In my painting I tried to capture the feeling I got that day of a "real life pig": the smell, the mud and the obnoxious behavior.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Positive Piggy -sold




















oil on canvas panel 6x6 inches
"Paint Your Pig" is the latest Daily Paintworks Challenge. I attempted to maintain my simple rectangular brushstrokes, but given the not-so-simple organic shapes of this piggy it was difficult. This is an old sugar bowl I found at a junk store.

The challenge is posed by Carol Marine, whose blog I have followed for several years. I've learned so much about painting and blogging from her, I can't begin to tell you. Sadly, a few days ago Carol and David lost their home and studio to the wildfires near Austin, Texas. Please pray for them, the many others who have lost their homes, and for the firefighters. To read more or to help the Marine Family click here.


Friday, September 2, 2011

Balboa Bikes 'n Blues SOLD




















oil on canvas panel 10x8 inches
If there was a way to warn you about this one, I would have. It's REALLY different for me. See how I've been affected by that one word: "rectangle"?!!! Before I painted so much I was riding my bike(s) all the time. I love bikes for a lot of reasons I won't go into 'cause it's supposed to be about the painting. Anyway, this was painted on a black ground. The shadow made me take the picture. The color made me paint it. I think this is one people will either love or hate!

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Paint Me Grapes




















oil on canvas panel 6x6 inches

Thinking "rectangles" for my previous painting resulted in such a fresh look, I continued with that thought for this one. It seemed to paint itself. That doesn't happen very often. I think I'll keep it, so it's not for sale. :-)