Aspens -a Colorado landscape in oil

oil 9x12 inches magnify/purchase info Another piece using my photos from Colorado. The goal here was to convey the light on those glowing aspens. I lightened up and simplified those dark clouds a bit, but still they're pretty powerful in the painting.

Home On The Range -a Colorado landscape in oil -SOLD

oil 11x14 inches magnify/purchase info Finally, one fresh off the easel. I worked this up from my photo reference taken September 2014 in Southern Colorado. We were staying at a lodge on "the front range." Though it looked like a flat prairie, we were actually at 8,000 ft. elevation on the eastern slope of the Rockies. No wonder I was breathless just moving around! We had dramatic skies the whole time. First time I've used cobalt straight out of the tube for sky. It was that brilliant. Gotta love Colorado skies!

Winter Arrangement II -a still life painting in oil -SOLD

oil 10x10 inches magnify/purchase info I love having a contrast of textures in my arrangements: the shiny hammered silver versus the pinecone and dried little pomegranates for example. My sister-in-law gave me this plant at Thanksgiving, and the crisp white flowers were a lot of fun to paint. How do you paint something so complicated? First I block in the dark green foliage amid and around the flowers. Then a few warmer, slightly lighter greens within the darks. Next, I painted the shadow sides of the flowers, indicating the petal shapes with brushwork. Then I painted the light, warm sides of the flowers, using brushwork again to convey shape and form. Last, I added a few bright green and yellow-white accents and the yellow orange centers. I'm not sure I'll be able to post again before Christmas, so MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY belated HANUKKAH to everyone!

Apple Of His Eye -a still life painting in oil -SOLD

oil 8x6 inches magnify/purchase info A short painting session called for a small canvas and simple subject. Looking at the one simple apple in my hand, a Bible verse came to mind: "Keep me as the apple of the eye. Hide me under the shadow of thy wings." It's a prayer, actually. Psalm 17:8 I deliberately formed a cross with my brushes. So here we have what might be considered a "religious" painting without looking "religious." It's more about a relationship, really.

Winesaps -a still life painting in oil

oil 6x6 inches magnify/purchase information Sometimes the painting I'm working on gives me an idea for the next one. The color shifts in some apples amaze me, so I made that the focus in "Winesaps." On a personal note, life has been spinning at warp speed since the end of August. Paris trip, moving, Idaho trip, Thanksgiving, and currently staying with three of our grandkids for nine days while their parents have an anniversary getaway. Somehow I sneak in a bit of painting here and there. Maybe normal will return in January! IN OTHER NEWS: I'm THRILLED to announce that last night I was awarded First Place at the Debra Huse Gallery for my painting "Lemon & Grape Junction." What a wonderful surprise and honor! Thank you, judge Jeff Horn and Debra Huse Gallery. Be sure to see all the wonderful small works in Holiday Treasures Salon, Debra Huse Gallery on Balboa Island. It runs through Dec. 27th and works are also online for viewing and purchase. Click HERE, go to EVENTS and scroll down.

Photo credit: fellow artist Kim Vanderhoek. Thank you, Kim.

Bossy Blue Crock -a still life painting in oil -SOLD

oil 11x14 inches magnify/purchase information For this painting I used window light again. I'm not happy with this photo, due to the glare on shiny paint strokes in the darks. Lighting and photographing are just two of the things I have to figure out in the new place. On the positive side, I had a great time painting the color shifts in the apples and the shiny ceramic crock.

While I wasn't posting (or painting) the last few days, I took a quick trip to see my Idaho granddaughters. They are more precious than any painting.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE! Thank you for your interest in my work, your comments and your purchases.

Studio Props -a still life painting in oil

oil 11x14 magnify/purchase info All my painting panels seem to have shrunk. In my bigger studio a 9x12 appears very small, and a 6x6 absolutely miniscule! For this 11x14 I experimented with using only natural light. Two hours into the painting dark clouds came over and it started raining. I had to quit. The next day I got back at it while heating and air conditioning was being installed. Here are some progress shots. Notice how small that 11x14 panel looks on my easel! I keep thinking about goldfish and koi. I've heard they grow bigger in a bigger bowl/pond.

War Stories -an oil painting from Planes of Fame Museum, Chino SOLD

oil 11x14 inches magnify/purchase info Here's a painting I did back in March but never posted. I took the photo reference on a visit to the Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino. I loved how the light shone on the seated veteran's white hair. Maybe they were telling stories of Vietnam. I have such deep respect for our veterans that for me, it was a poignant scene. For the vets who may be reading this, THANK YOU and God bless you.

Dots & Daisies -a still life painting in oil

oil 8x8 inches magnify/purchase info Sometimes coming up with a title and then something to say about the painting is more difficult than painting the painting! I'll just say it was the yummy color of the cup that excited me about this set up.

Lemon & Grape Junction -a still life painting in oil

oil 8x8 inches magnify/purchase info Here's my old standby, the cruciform design loosely applied. Breaks up the negative space into different sizes and shapes. Fruit is very often round, giving me only curved shapes to work with. I cut fruit and include stems to add line. The lonely little grape is the shape of a different size, otherwise everything is nearly the same size. Fun stuff to think about. And it's only fruit. This is my first painting in my new studio. Happy fruit!

Ode To Yellow -a still life painting in oil -SOLD

oil 8x8 inches magnify/purchase info Here's a still life I painted back in August with the idea that it might become a series, you know, "Ode to Green", Ode to Blue", etc. Well, it didn't. The bird is a mechanical one that chirps when it senses movement in the room. Thanks to all who visited my booths at Newport Beach and Tustin these last two Saturdays. Thank you for your purchases and interest in my work. My next event is "Art Uncorked" in Chino, November 14 from 4-8pm. Come enjoy the work of about eight artists, local food samplings, wine and beer. Tickets through Event Brite $30, or $40 at the door. Chaffey College Community Center, Chino. Proceeds help support the arts in Chino.

Still Life Demo -sold

oil 8x8 inches magnify Friday's demo for the Carlsbad Oceanside Art League was so much fun! In the morning I judged their monthly exhibit, then they treated me to lunch in Carlsbad village. During my afternoon demo the group was very interested and asked great questions. What a pleasure! Thank you, COAL for inviting me. Liz won my donated painting, "White Pumpkin." She was so happy, and I was happy that she was happy! Then Marie bought my demonstration painting. We were both happy! Five or six very kind ladies stayed and helped my get my gear into my car, because I've had terrible trouble with my back for several days now. Too much lifting, unpacking, etc.

Here are some more progress shots of my studio.

Farm Cat -a plein air painting in oil -SOLD

oil 9x12 inches magnify/purchase info This could be a long post. So much happening, I'm going to try to catch up a bit here. On Labor Day (seems like months ago!) I had the pleasure of taking Katie, a very talented 8th grader, out painting for her first experience in oils and plein air. We had a great time at Amy's Farm as did the farm cat and this chicken that was overly interested in us, especially for a chicken.

My demo in Rancho was Sept. 12th, and I haven't painted since, but yes, I've been just a tad busy. We moved on the 25th after 25 years in the same house. About 175 boxes later, we are now down to maybe 30 left to unpack.

Part of the reason we moved was for a nice big studio where I could do my thing. So... in our backyard there's this "RV Garage". At first sight I thought "ART BARN!!!!" It already had a tiny restroom, industrial sink, overhead lighting, heater, epoxy floor and a north window (that might get bigger). Woo-hooooo!!! I just needed to clean, move cabinets, put in new counter tops and paint. Here are some progress shots. We are still working on it, but I might actually be painting in there very soon!

The top two indoor shots show the size (28x30 feet) and condition. Lots of potential! Then I had it painted taupe before move in day. More pictures coming in the next post.

Wine Bottle Demo -a still life painting in oil

oil 12x9 inches magnify/purchase Here's the second demonstration I did for Associated Artists of the Inland Empire's Fall Show. I'm happy to announce that my painting below, Wine & Roses, was awarded Second Place in the oil category. Thank you, Associated Artists!

Circles & A Square -a still life painting in oil -SOLD

oil 8x10 inches magnify/purchase info We are eight days from moving. I'm only about half way packed, but my new studio is coming along nicely. It's going to be a big one! Plenty of space for workshops and bigger paintings. I'm so excited! I'll share some pictures as soon as I can. Meanwhile, here's the first demo I did last Saturday in Rancho Cucamonga. These are my mini pomegranates I love to use for their size and color. In my opinion this painting works well because of color harmony and the inclusion of round shapes of different sizes, a square shape and line. I like using diagonals to prevent a static, (really still) still life. Below you can see my start, toned with burnt umber.

Citrus -a still life painting in oil

oil 8x8 inches magnify/purchase info Tomorrow I'll be painting still life at Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga for Associated Artists of the Inland Empire's Fall Show. It's open from 10-10 in Celebration Hall. Show closes on Sunday at 4pm.

Nectarine Reflections -a still life painting in oil

oil 6x6 inches magnify/purchase info There are a few still life paintings hanging around my studio. This summer has been such a blur, I don't even remember when I painted this! I do remember it was a small experiment. I toned the canvas with a transparent cool where the warms would be and a transparent warm where the cools would eventually be. Interesting, but not something I'd do on a regular basis. I have another one that's not post-worthy, but I like the reflections here.

Paint The Banana! -SOLD

oil 10x8 inches magnify Here's the last painting for Just Plein Fun, the quick draw. We had from 4-6:15pm to paint a scene from Marine Avenue, frame it and get it into the gallery. What a lot of fun! Throughout the week just about everyone painted one of the frozen banana signs at one time or another. I chose it for my quick draw because it's so iconic for the little island. This piece is available through the Debra Huse Gallery 949-723-6171.

226 -a plein air painting from Balboa Island -SOLD

oil 8x8 inches magnify The Just Plein Fun Invitational ended on Saturday with a quick draw in the afternoon. This is the piece I did in the cool overcast of that morning. This painting is available through the Debra Huse Gallery 949-723-6171.

While painting that morning I had a delightful visit from my friend Tammie and her husband from Bixby, Oklahoma. We met in Colorado last September at the Kim English workshop. They were in the area for a wedding and took time to hunt me down. Thanks so much, Tammie! It was so good to see you both.

Here's how it would look leaned up against your car's wheel.

In The Zone -a plein air painting from the Balboa Fun Zone, CA -SOLD

oil 14x11 magnify This painting is available at the Debra Huse Gallery 949-723-6171. This is a back of my car shot before I took it into the gallery, and below an easel shot. Fortunately I got set up early enough to start this piece before the ferris wheel started up. I got the drawing in without any figures, then painted the ferris wheel first, then the rest of the scene. I added the figures last from shots I had taken with my iphone while painting, then painted the sidewalk around them. Lastly, I did some edge work for a feeling of movement. Several of the competing artists painted this scene. Nice to see the different interpretations. IN OTHER NEWS: I have a demonstration coming up on Saturday, Sept. 12 at Victoria Gardens, Rancho Cucamonga. Associated Artists of the Inland Empire will hold their annual show in Celebration Hall. Demo is from 10am till 9pm with breaks for lunch and dinner. Over 300 pieces of artwork will be on display Sept 11-13. Come on out to Victoria Gardens for a meal at one of the restaurants and enjoy the art!