Dance of the Peppers

6"x6 oil

 love the play of colors in this.

Roses in Bottle

4"x6" oil SOLD

I am happy with this painting!

Radish Rose and Onions

6"x6" oil

I set up this still life outside under bright midday sun and I was looking down on it.  I downplayed the highlights because I didn't want it too seem too bleached.  I put the radish rose in it because it was just so amazing.  It came from left over Chinese food from a really nice restaurant and I just had to take the radish rose.  There are a lot of things I like about this but truth be told, I have a lot to learn about setting up still life compositions.  It takes a lot of patience to do it right and my ability to be methodical and patience does not lie in that direction....at least yet.

Babbling Brook

6"x6" oil

Last week I painted this; today everything is leafed out and in full bloom. 
What an amazing change! 

My View

6"x6" oil

My studio is a converted garage so n warm weather I can open the garage door and see this view which changes dramatically with the seasons, light, and atmosphere.  I feel very blessed.

RR Crossing

4"x6" oil

It's a Joke

10"x10" oil

Aggressively Monet   8"x10" oil

A Private Moment 12"x12" oil

These are three paintings I am entering into The Carving Studio and Sculpture Center members show.

#316

6"x6" oil

I really like industrial landscape paintings, but since I am always drawn to a high key and saturated palette, it doesn't easily lend itself to the smokey grays of industry.  This engine, #316, is a very happy train!

First Daffodills

4"x6" oil

Happy, happy, happy with this one.

Catching

6"x6" oil

I am really happy with this.  I did what I wanted to do and it worked out.  Of course I love the subject too.

Rad Dishes

6"x6" oil

I have been working on larger panels for a while and it was really fun to return to this small 6"x6".  I can't seem to get the variety of colors that are in the painting to show up in my photos, which is a little frustrating for me.  This was a fun painting to do and it reminded me of some of the things I really like doing when I am painting.

Escape

11"x11"  oil

I could paint reflections in water all day long!  I tried a different approach to the process of doing this painting by starting in the middle with the people in the boat and painting that first.  Then I just worked out from there.  I am always a bit intimidated by painting little itty bitty people as it is very easy to try and put too much detail in them which looks unreal and fussy.  The trick is to keep it loose but have enough detail to identify them and their postures.  I used a fairly limited palette in this piece which does seem to unify it.  Even though it is a rather silly scene (a giant swan pushing a boat) it also is very bucolic I think, which is the whole point.

Listening

11"x11" oil

My niece lives and works in Antarctica.  Although I am fairly sure she was just goofing when this photo was taken, I think it expresses a lot about her and about life in general.  There are those moments when we are in the frozen tundra of existence and we are seeking that voice to guide us.  Rebekah's life is certainly driven by that desire.  She is also a very brave woman who wants to see it all and experience it all!

Stealing the Show

11"x11" oil

This is looking straight down on a bouquet of lovely flowers.  Clearly the flower that resembles a sunflower (maybe a Gazania?) is stealing the show. 

Tasting the Soup

Thanks to a brilliant and spontaneous photo, I was able to tell the story.  I think that the many hours I spent as a child studying Norman Rockwell's illustrations probably show their influence on my love of story telling.

Picking Flowers

12x12 oil

The most fun in painting this was the folds of the tunic, but how can anyone resist the excitement she expresses in picking her first flower.  Someday someone will tell her that dandelions are weeds, but until then, what magic there is in crawling in a field of flowers!

S'mores and Sledding

This is definitely a "Favorite Thing."  Sledding and eating s'mores with my grandkids and their parents on a beautiful winter day in Vermont.   Today I  awoke to a dusting of snow.  Well that is spring in our lovely state and it will melt before noon.  Unfortunately I got a glare on the photo in the bottom right corner.

Anticipation

12"x12"  oil

This is from my new series "Things I Love."  I am having a lot of anticipation for the next few months and progress on my recuperation.  This child is anticipating a beautiful day at the beach.  Someone asked me why I am painting in such happy colors when I should be painting from the dark (representing my recent challenges) to the light (hope for full recuperation).  We are all made differently and I am definitely a "glass half full" person.  I love to be happy or find happiness and joy and the dark takes care of itself...I just don't want to amplify it!

Gerbera Daisy

12"x12" oil

This gerbera daisy was a gift for my recuperation.  I have a great indoor spot for it and it just keeps on producing lovely blooms.  I have been really struggling physically after my surgery and I finally feel like I am starting to gain strength.  This painting reflects the joy I am feeling about that possibility.  I feel so grateful to be able to paint, and to have the ability to see, feel, smell, breathe and soon, walk.  It is so easy to take those things for granted.  The greens in this image appear much more intense and uniform than they are in the painting, and the background is a variety of darks (not just black).

Bird Feeders

12"x16" oil

For the last four months I have been staring out at the bird feeders in my back yard.  Most of that time there was snow covering much of it, but finally the snow has melted the pond has thawed and may migrating and hibernating creatures have returned and there is a hint of green.  This is not exactly the details of my scene, but I was more interested in the patterns that were here than in capturing the details. 

12"x16" oil

It has been 4 months since I was able to paint or do much of anything.  I am still in recuperation from double knee replacement with some rare complications, but the need to get out to my studio has become pretty over-powering...which is a good thing!  This is the neighbors yard.  Spring in Vermont is mostly patches of snow and ice, lots of mud, and occasional snow shower but we also have sugaring season which makes it all worthwhile.  Sugaring (the process of sugar maple sap running) requires temperatures above freezing in the day and below freezing at night.  Every once in a while, we have absolutely gorgeous days like yesterday and today.  With temps in the 60's and loads of sunshine and blue skies.  The elation that all creatures feel on those days is tangible and everyone is out frolicking at least for a couple of days.

Big Pears11x14

11"x14"  acrylic

I ate one of these enormous pears when I finished the painting!  It is a demo for a class I am teaching.  We were focusing on how to use light and shadow to create volume.

Little Pumpkin

5"x7" acrylic SOLD

Coming out of the fog of 4 days without electricity, internet or telephones.  It is really beautiful here..kind of like a magical winter wonderland, but there is a harsh side to the reality.  One that requires preparation...a generator, woodstove, lanterns and down comforters.  Once those things are taken care of, our attitudes can switch from "what we don't have" to "what an amazing place this is!"

Daddy Day

8"x8" oil

It is so fun to watch parents teach their little ones how to ski.  Kids pick it up so easily but it takes a lot of control and strength for the parent to ski down the mountain in this position.  Even though you can't see it, there are giant smiles on their faces!

To purchase this painting go here.

Poinsetta

11"x14" acrylic

I had so much fun painting this.  It was for a "Sip N' Dip" painting session I facilitated.  Basically people come to the art center and pay a fee to get to do a painting in one evening.  I have done many of these and they are always a treat.  It allows me to just enjoy the painting process and help others to feel it too.  I always focus on a couple of lessons to help them understand the decisions an artist needs to make.  In this case it was choosing analogous colors and complimentary colors using a design that was both objective and abstract.  I try to give the participants a lot of choices to make along the way.The coolest part of the session is at the end when we line up all the paintings and see how creative and different they all are even though they were based on a design. It also gives me a chance to paint in acrylic which is not my first medium of choice.

Gratitude

6.5"x6" acrylic

I am grateful for my knees.  I am sure that sounds odd, but I am facing double knee replacement surgery this month (my Christmas present to myself) and it makes me appreciate all the hard work my knees have done over the years and the hope I have getting new ones that will be pain free and strong.

Waffle Break

8"x8" acrylic $19

0 framed

Lingering Impressions

12"x12" oil

As I was driving home from my daily routine at the gym I saw this scene.  It is one that I always love because it offers a broad view that changes daily with the light and humidity.  November in Vermont can be cloudy every day which makes the world look gray.  However if you look carefully, all those grays have unique characteristics...unique flavors...some leaning yellow or lavender or all the other color influences.  Today when I saw this in passing, I knew I wanted to remember it as well as I could and try to recreate what I saw.  I am happy that I gave this exercise its due.  I watched a demo by Peter Huntoon who said that "painting is like bungee jumping...requiring great attention and focus but itbrings great joy. "   I loved that quote but I think he left out the part about how they both start with a wave of fear!

Music

2"x6.5" acrylic

These abstracts are a result of a Mareva Millarc workshop I attended.  I titled this one "Music" because it has order and rhythm and little singing notes!

Bone Puzzles

2"x6.5" acrylic

Yesterday was full of doctor visits but no painting.  Knee surgery is scheduled for the end of December.  That sounds so matter-of-fact and simple, but I was in a whirlwind last night thinking about it.  Today, however, I am feeling calm and optimistic and grateful.  I am disappointed that ski season  is over for me and I haven't even been out yet!  I will be painting skiers, and snowshoers, and other winter sports as a substitute.  This abstract I call "Bone Puzzles."  I painted it last weekend, before I know I would be having double knee replacements, and feel like it is serendipitous that I am posting it today!

A Good Day

8"x8" original oil

It is cold enough for the brave to be out skiing today, but there are not a lot of trails open yet.  I love skiing.  It is invigorating, pushes me to my limits, and I think it is just breath taking to ride the lift up to the top of the mountain and see such grand vistas.  I have been wanting to do a series of ski paintings for a few years and I think I am finally ready to do it. 

To learn about this painting or to purchase it go here.

8"x8" oil

I set up this still life in my little solarium with natural light on it and the background with the back yard through a window.    I was just playing around with some things I like, a patina bronze bird sculpture and a  antique bluish glass bottle I found at a yard sale/plant sale.  I was there for the plants, but didn't find any I liked and as I was leaving this bottle called out to me.  I really don't like yard sales or collecting things I don't use, but this bottle was such a lovely color, I new I wanted to paint it.  So it has been sitting around for a while and this is my first attempt.  I don't know why I put the mum on the back of the bird...but I did and I like it.

To purchase go here.

Copper Cup

6"x6" watercolor

I was going to post watercolors and abstracts on the weekend, but this weekend I was incapacitated with my knee up and on ice, so I wasn't able to paint (actually my arms worked fine, but getting to the studio was the problem.  So I did this copper cup for a DPW challenge.  It is a very simple subject, but getting the idea that it is a hard copper surface, not so easy. 

There is a Season

8"x8" original oil

 II needed to do this painting.  I needed to loosen up and go a bit abstract and this painting accomplished that for me.  What I learned from this (I borrowed that from Jo Mackenzie, an artist I greatly admire) is that cobalt blue and alizarin crimson make a lovely purplish-gray....the color of today.  There is a big story that goes with this cat.  I will leave it at that!

To purchase go here.

The Big One

6"x6" oil

Honestly, I have been struggling for a while.  I could make a list of reasons why, but the bottom line is that is doesn't always come easy and sometimes it is easy to get lost.  I just keep plowing through hoping that something will suddenly make sense.  This may not be a brilliant painting, but it is a great story and they really did catch this big trout by themselves and they were pleased as punch once they got over the shock!  This was on a day where the blues weren't so blue, the reds weren't so red and the there were no shadows...but I can't help myself when it comes to punching up the colors.

To find out more about this painting or to purchase it go here.

The Browns

12"x12" oil Sold

This is a commission which took me forever to frame.  I don't know what I was thinking when I painted it in this diamond shape...sometimes doing something different backfires!  Anyway, I am happy with how it turned out and am hoping the Browns feel the same way.  They are such a beautiful family.  I added the suggestion of a white fence to help ground the diamond shape.  I think that works.

East Meets West

11"x11" original oil painting

So...this may not be my most brilliant painting, but I learned a bunch doing it. I think I achieved the feeling of the place, even though I beat it to death with my paint brush back in my studio. I wish I had photographed it along the way because I made so many changes including removing a barn, numerous boulders and added a few bits too.  What I can say is that it was a really beautiful spot that is hard to capture...not impossible, but it offers plenty of challenges.  I would love to know what you think!

To find out more  or to purchase this painting go here.

Artist's Studio

original oil 11"x11"

I started this one plein air and finally finished it in the studio, after making some changes.  I find I really enjoy just letting a painting tell me what to do.  If something isn't working, change it or eliminate it.  This really gives me a feeling of creative freedom.  When I look at this I can remember how it felt to be there;what the temperature was and how the air felt. 

To find out more or to purchase go here.

A Crowded Room

3"x7" original mixed media

I went to a workshop with abstract artist Mareva Millarc.  She utilizes the "left over" materials from her husband's workshop.  He is landscape painter Peter Huntoon who does beautiful watercolors and oils.  Mareva's method includes, music, mixed materials, freedom and identifying the interesting shapes and lines needed to make a statement.  Mostly it was just a lot of fun to try out someone else's method.

Lighthouse #5

3.5"x5" watercolor on 400lb. paper

I have been experimenting a lot lately...drawing, watercolor and I even took an abstract painting workshop.  I find I tend to do this when I am full of ideas with no clear direction I want to take.  There is value in sticking with a subject, style, palette, medium, to master those things...to become really familiar with them and know what to do.  On the other hand, experimenting reminds me why I work so hard at this.  I have fun, learn some things, and come back to what I do with a fresh perspective.  I also think it just might push me onto a completely different path that might be the journey I should take.  I am trying to relegate my watercolor and mixed media experiments to the weekends.

Sumac Triptyque

7"x12" original oil painting

I love Sumac! I love its bony structure that casts beautiful shadows, its horn-like berries sticking up on top, and its brilliant red in the autumn!  Today is a typical early November day in Vermont, meaning it is cold, rainy and very gray.  This explains why this photo looks so dark.  I shoot my images outside and the weather affects the result.  I should have tweaked it in editing before posting it.

In Good Hands

7"x7" graphite drawing SOLD

Here is something different!  I haven't done a serious drawing for a long time...years in fact.  I do love to draw but most of the time I am just doing sketches without shading and modeling.  I was asked to do this image and decided pencil was the way to go.  I had much fun doing it and it makes me want to do more.

Sunflowers

2"x4" miniature acrylic sold

I did another batch of miniatures of which this is one.  They are all sold, which is nice.  The painting is so much better than this image.

Wash Day

8"x10" oil

I love how these sheets have this spectacular view!

To purchase this painting go here.

Bridge

original oil 11"x11" 

To find out about purchasing this click here.

The morning was chilly and I stood in the shade painting and shivering.  As soon as I finished I stood in the bright sunshine all afternoon trying to warm up. I didn't pay much attention to my location, other than facing directly into the sun, but this is what I saw: a lovely bridge with flower baskets over a beautiful river lined with rocks and boulders.  It was a good afternoon!

Lemon Tree

7"x7" original watercolor

I decided to post drawings and watercolors on the weekends.  My painting friend, Betsy Moakley had the photo reference for this painting, but was uninspired to use it so I tried my hand at it.  I like the abstract elements in this.  I like watercolor more every time I try it.  I have a long way to go in learning it, but it is nice to be working on something new.
To purchase this please contact me.