Chosen Child

8"x8" oil

When I paint someone's portrait from a photo and they are smiling, I smile too.  I am totally in love with this little guy and I haven't even met him...yet!  I approached this painting differently than others I have done.  I finish my own painting boards with many layers of gesso that I sand down.  I used a roller to apply the gesso on the last batch I made and there is quite a bit of texture to them.  They are more absorbent as well.  At first I thought of this as a flaw, but after using them, I realize I can get a different effect from them and it really worked on this portrait.  I blended my colors instead of layering them, and he came out very soft looking which I like.  I hope you do too!

  SOLD

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Boy Toys

8"x10" oil

Back to still life painting.  I set this one up with my husband's favorite growler, a toy wooden ladder, and some wooden blocks...so, I call it "Boy Toys."  I am learning a lot from doing these still life paintings.  I plan to do more, until I am really comfortable with setting them up and getting the lighting right.  I am looking forward to the growing season so I paint still life paintings with fresh flowers!

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Entertainment8"x8"

8"x8" oil

The inspiration for this was and old vinyl album cover I saw.  I have great memories of listening to records with my sister on an old player like this.  My mom didn't learn how to read until she was an adult because she was severely dyslectic.  When her mother died, she had to stay home and help raise her brothers and sisters.  She kept this a secret for most for her life which just goes to show how brilliant she really was, as none of us knew and she was a bookkeeper in the Navy.  Anyway, she gave us many story and music albums when we were little because she didn't read out loud to us. One of my favorites was Peter and the Wolf, which also was a method for teaching different instruments in the orchestra.  Mom eventually became an obsessive reader.  I have great admiration for her all the things she overcame to become an artist and fabulous person.
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Forgotten

8"x8" oil

I sometimes feel like I am always in school...never becoming the expert...the professional...but always the student stumbling through the exercises, trying to learn new things.  This applies in most aspects of my life.  Maybe it isn't so bad and maybe my brain will benefit from it in the long run.  Anyway, this painting reflects experiments in many things including using a palette knife and in creating the effect of snow.  The values show up better in person, and so do the colors of the snow.  It is still winter where I live and we are hoping to stretch out the ski season until we are all just too exhausted to put on so many layers.  I have been wanting to paint this little cart since Christmas.  It is located outside Greenbrier Gift Shop in Killington, VT.....a really fun place to spend some time.
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Blessings

8"x10" oil

Frequently people (especially beginning artists) ask the question, "When do you know when the painting is finished."  I don't really have a good answer for this, but I am sure someone does.  For me, the answer is frequently, "stop before you mess it up!"  This painting was like that.  It just came very easy and quickly and I felt really happy painting it.  How could I not?  She was smiling her contagious smile at me the whole time!  There are things I could refine about this, but I just wanted to keep the spontaneity of  it and the fresh strokes.
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A Mother's Joy

8"x8" oil

I needed a change from painting still life paintings so I decided to do a series of portraits of children.  They are adorable, don't you agree?  That makes them especially fun to paint.  I haven't been able to paint as much lately because life and other responsibilities keep getting the better of me.  I am busy working on the annual fundraiser for the Carving Studio, which is very time consuming, but rewarding as well. And, the best distraction in my life, my grandkids, are another excuse!

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A Face to Love

8'x10" oil

Happy Valentine's Day!  We are so fortunate to be surrounded by family and friends that we can share our celebration of love.  My husband and I met on Valentine's Day 28 years ago, so this holiday is always special for us.  However, I can't help but think about all the children in the world that need to be taken care of and loved who aren't because they are in sad circumstances.  So I am dedicating this painting to all of you little ones who deserve better.

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Sweet and Healthy - Pineapple Heart

6"x6" oil

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Abstract Flower

8"x10" oil

I had a need to do something really loose and leaning towards the abstract,  I decided to do flowers using the dark background I have been using in the still life paintings I have been doing.  Then using both a brush and a palette knife, with thick and thin paint, I just let myself go with it.  I really like the suggestion of the flowers without defining them.  It was a good exercise.

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Still Life 8

8"x8" oil

We are snowed in today so this is a cheerful image to stare at for a few hours.  I don't think this photo does it justice.  The contrast is not enough.  I keep complaining about my photos so I guess I am going to have to get someone to tutor me on how to get the best ones I can.  I used smaller brushes on this painting and it is evident to me in the finished product...not so much fussy, as more precise.  I think it is a nice effect, but I really like loads of paint and juicy brushwork.  These still life paintings are from a video course by Daniel Edmondson.  He is very generous in responding with video critiques which are quite helpful.  This is the first time I have done something like this and I recommend it, especially if you need to jump-start a new series of paintings.  It reminds me of the important basics.  I am getting close to the end, so I need to figure out what to paint next.  My husband has been looking at these and his comment is always the same, "I think you are a portrait painter."  My son says, "It looks like fruit and flowers and stuff," but he doesn't use the word 'stuff.'  I am not getting a lot of encouragement from the home front, so I hope some of my friends in cyberspace like it better!

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Still Life 7

8"x10" oil

What I like about this one is that it is based real stuff (flowers, vase, apples and stuff like that) but the brushwork is leaning towards the abstract and I find that exciting!

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Still Life 6

oil 8"x10"

Sometimes they come easy....sometimes not so much!  This photo doesn't really show the subtleties in the colors of the yellows or the blueish touches.  I think I am learning a lot though.

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