Little Elf and the Magic Egg

8"x10" oil $200

Everything seems topsy turvy.  I am in the process of redefining myself as an artist.  There are a lot of invisible things happening that are filed under "the learning curve" folder.  In a short while I will be revamping my blog, my website and all those social media sites I am afraid to go to.  I have been wanting to take my painting in slightly a different direction, and this one kind of reflects that.  Hopefully I will be able to unveil the new direction of my art business as well.  So, figuratively speaking, I am putting on a new dress and dancing to a new drummer!  What is new in your life?

Fishing

6"x6" oil

A beautiful day in the summer and the neighborhood is having a group party with lots of pot luck dishes and plenty of things to eat from the grill.  There are horse shoes, frisbees and volleyball.  Someone is playing a guitar around a campfire built to roast marshmallows, not for keeping warm.  But eventually everyone meanders down to the pond to watch the ducks, try their luck fishing, or paddle out in the canoe.  These little people are hoping to catch some minnows or tadpoles.

In the Swing of Things

8"x8" oil

Truth be told, I still love to swing.  I would love to fly if I could, but swinging is an approximation I think.  It is pretty special when you get your first swing.  When I was little, a first swing was a board hung by ropes or a tire swing from a tree and then we would graduate to a rope swing over the creek.  As a young adult I swung from a tree swing that was suspended from a huge tree over a gorge.  That was clearly the most thrilling and the most dangerous and if it hadn't been for my own perceived peer pressure, I would never have done it.  Anyway, this little one is clearly enjoying her first swing in spring.

It Was a Good Ride

8"x10" oil

There is always some apprehension about trying something new.  You go through the checklist of skills you have mastered that should allow you the capability to accomplish the new task, but then there is that tiny bit of hesitation to overcome.  Well, a new slide can be that obstacle and the joy experienced by the fast but safe trip down can be exhilarating.  Do you remember that feeling?  When was the last time you successfully overcame an obstacle and was thrilled by the result?  We all need this in our lives.

Day 18 slate - Dancers

11"x17" acrylic on slate 

I have been fascinated lately by little ballerinas.  I think I must be missing my granddaughters.  They are both willing dancers and my son loves to put on music and dance with them.  The youngest is a climber (danger baby) and her older sister is very lady like, with a touch of wildness.  They epitomize the expression of 'Dance is the hidden language of the soul," which I believe is a quote by Martha Graham.

Day 9 Slate -

11"x14' acrylic on slate

How fun...pulling the little one on a sled and then coming home to hot chocolate and the promise of mom-time while the babe sleeps.  But, alas too tired to think, mom falls asleep in the chair by the fire and wakes just in time to start dinner.

Day 7 slate - Easter Bunny

11"x14" acrylic on Vermont Slate

My friend Heather Shay and I painted slate the day before she took off for Costa Rica and then on to Guatemala.  I won't see her again until June because she lives an adventuresome life of the explorer. We had a great time.  I was feeling whimsical so I did the Easter Bunny skiing and she did Santa on skiis.  I am having fun...can you tell?

Almost

6"x6" oil

This little one was working so hard to catch balls that were just barely out of her reach.  That did not deter her though, as she stayed with the task.

Naia

6"x6" oil

I couldn't help but smile the whole time I was painting beautiful Naia.

Pear Pair16"x20" oil

16"x 20" oil

This was so much fun to paint.  It is larger than I have been doing for a while and it is on canvas which isn't my surface of choice.  I like to paint on slick hard panels with lots of smooth layers of gesso. So, I felt like I had nothing to lose with this and just cut loose with a wide brush and colors that spoke to me at the moment.  I make a lot of mistakes along my creative journey so it is nice to have something turn out that makes me happy and was a joy to paint.

Rosie

4"x6"  oil

Sometimes they just have these moments when they look so adorable you can't help but fall in love with them!

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.

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.

On Top of the World

8"x10"  oil

This is a commission.  I think she epitomizes "happiness."  This portrait makes me want to smile.

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!

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!

The Good Father5"x7"

5"x7" oil   Everyone needs a best friend they can confide in.  There are lots of choices at Grandcamp.  This little guy is taking his monkey baby to the hardware store (his favorite shop) in his baby sling.

Playing Dress-Up

5"x7 oil

Who doesn't like to play dress-up?  Our fashion industry is based on the belief that we all like to dress up in the latest fashions and go out and show ourselves off.  Really I think designers sometimes just sit in a room with a bunch of kids who try on all kinds of crazy things and the designers quickly sketch out their choices and call it haute couture!  (or maybe they would be well advised to do this!)  This is another possible page for my kids book.

To purchase this painting go here.

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Hello Rooster

5"x7" acrylic

Another favorite "Grandcamp" activity is visiting local farms to pick berries, pumpkins, apples, veggies, go to corn mazes and check out the animals.