Sand Play

6"x6" oil Price $100

It is hard enough for adults to gracefully navigate deep sand, but for a little one whose balance is questionable to begin with, it is quite the exercise.  The cool thing about sand and going to the beach is that it truly is ageless entertainment.  Tiny people to really old people love to just be there and it requires very little to keep them entertained.

The fishing Expedition

6"x6" oil Price $100

This was fun.

Beach Fairy

6"x6" oil  Price $100

I saw an add in a magazine when I was looking for something to draw and decided to use it as inspiration for this painting.  I made numerous changes and am happy with the result.  Sometimes when I am in a situation where I want to draw and can't get inspired by my surroundings I will practice drawing figures from magazines.

I Can Do It

6"x6" oil

Day 9 of the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge.  She was so serious about trying to catch the ball.  She clearly didn't understand that holding rigid and not moving does not aid catching the ball!  We just hoped she would loosen up and stick with it without giving up out of frustration.  My granddaughter is trying to learn to do a handstand and all I can do is encourage her to keep trying.  I would show her how, but I just don't trust my joints to that extent! 

The Drummer

6"x6" oil

This is day 3 of the 30 in 30 Challenge by Leslie Saeta.  I am painting on birch panels coated with a clear gesso.  I am trying to use slightly less saturated colors than my normal palette, leave some of the birch showing, and although it is not evident in this one, I am trying to also leave some of the original drawing.  I am learning a lot and tweaking this method with the hopes that I find a technique that really works for me combining realism and abstraction in a pleasing way.

Perfect Day

6"x6" oil

There is a lot going on in this little painting.  There are so many decisions to make along the way..sometimes it is overwhelming.  These are some of the things I was thinking about: composition, creating a variety of brushwork that included soft edges and harder edges, painting convincing soft shadows, getting the light right, creating a sense of depth, and not least, painting a convincing scene of two girls with their fishing nets on a dock, with some sense of movement.  This pond is a favorite subject of mine because it is right behind my house and my grandkids love to play there.

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.

Indoor Swimming

7"x7" oil

If it is cold outside with slushy snow, too wet to sled or ski, another great way to entertain yourself if you are 5 years old is to go swimming inside.  I am always doing the dance between accuracy, abstractness and keeping it loose.  When painting very small figures, it is even more of a challenge.

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.

Wading In Gold

8"x8" Acrylic SOLD

This was a commission I did in acrylic so it would dry quickly and I could varnish it and frame it.  I did something different by painting in thin layers with a small paintbrush.  Mostly it was an experiment and I really like some of the affects that created.  This as well, was of necessity because I am somewhat home bound and have limited supplies available.  Most importantly the person who bought it was really happy with the results.

Little Mothers

6"x6" oil

I was watching these little girls at the park.  The one face us had a popular type of doll and she was totally in to it.  Her friend, who had the same doll with different colored hair, treated hers like an inconvenient accoutrement.   So even though I called this painting "Little Mothers" it might be more appropriate to cal it 'little mother and her single friend!'

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.

Sand Play

6"x6" oil

I do love the simplicity of this. I didn't fuss at all and kept the value areas clean.  I call it a success.

Can't Wait

6"x6" oil

I know you have been there.  That moment where anticipation turns to kinetic energy and you are flying towards your long awaited moment.  I can say that she wasn't disappointed!

Naia

6"x6" oil

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

Waiting

6"x6" oil

Waiting for the wave to crash!

Coffee and Tidal Pools

This is another painting with tiny little people.  So I asked myself "why" did I put this burden on myself????  I guess the answer is that I liked the story and it was a challenge.  I like how the rocks, thick with sea weed and moss, turned out.  Grandpa is enjoying watching his grandsons look for critters in the pools, Dad is carrying the baby and trying to drink his coffee.  Mom is having one of those rare breaks.  She is focused on enjoying her coffee and a view that sweeps her away to a lovely sailboat in the distance.  Nice story, don't you think?

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!

Can I Play? 6"x6" acrylic

This is a little out-of-season (it is summer somewhere)...but I found an old photograph that just struck me by the story it tells, but also because it looks a bit like a Christmas ornament.

$100 and $10 shipping