The Climber

9"x9" oil

This is the second go on a previous acrylic painting, interpreting it in oil.  It is for a show in which I am participating in August.  I am showing 41 paintings of children.  The show is for my mentoring group of 9 artists who are diverse but all very accomplished.  It should be a great show.

Flying Acrobat

8"x8" oil

 I have been neglecting my blog and I feel bad about this.  It is my accountability partner...my assignment.  I don't like to not get my homework done because I think all my assignments are really good for me!  Can you tell I am the zealous teacher/student?  I have been painting but also teaching, and framing (and entertaining company, etc.).  Framing is a big deal.  If you pay more than you think you should for frames you probably aren't.  It is a lot of work to make a good frame and then finish it.  I have been working on 30+ frames.  This is my drying rack for them.  There is a lot of sanding and painting and repainting and then the whole process of putting them in the frame and finishing it off nicely.  It, like everything else in my life, is a learning process.  I am getting better.  My husband and framing partner, Carl, is a huge help!  He does the initial cutting and assembly.  I do the rest.  I am getting ready for a big show in August.  I am doing all kids for this show, but I included the flying acrobat above, because it is fun!

The Illusions of Youth

8"x8" oil

Honey, it is all an illusion...but enjoy when you can! I worked finishing my brick patio from 5am-8am, mostly moving sand.....they call it hard labor for a reason! And it feels good...really, but I look nothing like this little princess...and there was no one else to do my bidding! Now I can start my day...with a shower and then an hour of yoga.....ok...that even sounds crazy to me!

It's a Party

8"x8" oil

Another painting from my book that I have done in oil.  I hope your day is as magical as this little girl's is!

A Celebration Selfie!

It is my birthday...so I couldn't help myself...I had to post a celebration "selfie"

Downhill

0il 8"x8"

This painting  is an oil version from a series I did in acrylics.  The previous paintings were for a book I made for my grandchildren, the oil paintings are for a show my art group is exhibiting in August.  I am excited about this because my paintings will probably appeal to kids and I am going to have some activities to go along with it.  We don't have many shows that really draw kids in, so I am hopeful.

Morning Hike

oil 9"x9"

My family had a reunion in Colorado recently.  We build in lots of time to do what we want, so groups of us head out to hike, rock climb, shop or visit museums or music venues.  One morning we went hiking with one of my sisters and her husband.  It was a beautiful, cool day in Estes Park.  I am showing my initial sketch below and how I finished it above.  I love the bands of color and the structural relationships.

sketch

More Fun

watercolor  each 4"x4"

Fun Flowers

These are not representative of my usual work, but they are an exploration of creative fun.  I did them as an experiment in goofing around with my watercolors.  I am also using them to teach a class that encourages drawing and using materials to express yourself creatively.  I want to build in more time to just mess around as I think I have compartmentalized much of my work time.  On the other end of the spectrum I am also thinking about doing some really big paintings.  I have to say, these were a lot of fun and I am going to do more of this!

It Goes With Anything

6"x8" oil

We're having spaghetti for dinner....what are you having?
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Pear Trio

This is a repeat with a different color background.  I still have a lot to learn about choosing colors.  Changing background colors is one way of doing that.

Waiting For the Rest

5"x7" oil

I decided to dramatize the background by painting in a complimentary color.  I really like to paint with a areal view.  I like how it catches the light and is a different perspective than a more classically approached still life.

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Cowgirl On a Mission

9"x12" oil

My niece's daughter, encouraged by my renegade nephew, turned into a cowgirl with attitude the minute she put on a holster and hat.  I was lucky enough to capture a photo as she strutted out to rob a train.

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Folding Laundry

10"x10' oil

I am including my drawing and first steps in painting.  This is from a photo I received after my mom passed.  It is of me and my daughter Ruthann.

It's a Joke

10"x10" oil

  A painting of a woman at the opera by Mary Cassatt is featured in this painting.  There is a man with opera glasses also looking at her and she seems to be looking at the young woman who are checking out a muted Monet.  Monet was a contemporary impressionist to Mary Cassatt, so it is believable that she would be checking out the competition!

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A Private Moment

There are a lot of paintings titled "Woman at Her Bath" but many less, "Man at His Bath" as this rendition of Gustave Caillebotte's painting is.  This was the first nude impressionistic painting shown at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.  I loved how this couple was fascinated by this painting but their posture implied they were timid about peeking in on this private scene.  I have been absent from daily painting because of a bunch of things, but am hoping to get back into the swing of it now.

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First Time

10"x12"  oil

My good friend from high school, Karen Thomas, graciously gave me permission to paint from  a photo of her grandkids.  I lived down the street from Karen for a few years when we were younger and we remained friends throughout high school.  Karen has one of those lovely stories about marrying her high school sweetheart and they have raised a lovely family together.  I titled this "First Time" because it is the first time I have ever drawn or painted a deer and of course because it tells the story for the kids getting to feed the deer.  The photo captured that magic moment and I hope my painting brings it to life.

Why We Live Here

8"x10" oil

I am selling this painting with all proceeds going to help a young man (former elementary student of mine) finance a trip to Haiti to help build an orphanage.  It is $225 plus $10 shipping and I am selling it framed.  The painting was inspired by a painting I saw of Italy, but I decided to do my home state of Vermont with Camel's Hump in the background, a colonial style house, Rosa Rugosa in the foreground and field of rape seed which is the source of canola oil and is being pressed in New Hampshire and sold in Farmer's Markets.  Trials on growing rapeseed in Vermont have been studied by the University of Vermont, but sunflower growing seems to have taken hold throughout the state.  Both sunflowers and rapeseed make for a very picturesque landscape! Email me if you are interested in purchasing this painting which will aid Josh on his humanitarian adventure.

6"x6" oil

He's a sweetie for sure!

Spirit

6"x6" oil  SOLD

I was trying to capture her spirit and I think I accomplished it!