First Stroke - Carol Marine 5x7 oil

This is a portrait of another fabulous artist, Carol Marine, who was kind enough to post it on her blog. #86

Demo - Karin Jurick

I took a workshop with Karin Jurick in late May and am finally getting around to doing a portrait of her painting her first demo. I love the way she chisels her faces and gives them sculptural form and the depth of colors she uses are just so exciting. I did a couple more portraits of favorite artists which I will be posting in the next couple of days. #85

Expressionist nude 8x10 oil

This is the last of my recent nudes. Given the chance to do it again I will. I think painting people as they pose is such an excellent exercise. This model was exceptionally overweight and it made for interesting curves and creases. I did this in a few minutes, just trying to capture interesting shapes to suggest her pose. #83

apple and leaf pastel 6x6

I am traveling and didn't bring painting materials. I thought I would post one of the paintings I did last week, but I forgot to email it to myself. So I started scrounging for some materials for today's work and came up with a limited number of pastels and a piece of cardboard. I can see why pastel artists use so many colors. It was a real challenge to get the colors even close. #82

Seated Nude - quick study 8x10" oil

Another quick study of a model. I really like the effects of just putting it down...trying to get the broad value changes. Not a masterpiece, but it was fun. #81

Quick Study - Nude 8x10 oil

Had the opportunity to attend a life drawing session, which I don't often get to do. I did several very quick studies in oil. #80

Circus Feet 4x4" oil

These aren't really circus feet, they were a woman's feet I saw at the State Fair. Her pose seemed to suggest she was about to walk the tight rope or mount a white horse with a big plume on its head. I liked the matching nail polish. What came first...the polish or the shoes? #79

Red on Red oil 6x6

I painted these lovely little apples on a red background and put in the greenish/yellow cup for some added interest. It is a plastic cup and is a frosty translucent. So, I think it came out pretty good. #78

Oranges Oranges Everywhere

These were from value studies at Carol Marine's workshop. It was not really a "fun" exercise, but it was good for forcing us to really look at the values in a simple subject and try out different background to see how they affect the colors in the oranges. #76 and #77

GO! (IDIC Benefit Race) 8"x8" oil

This was a commission for the IDIC 15d benefit 5K/15K race. I have wanted to do a crowd scene for a while, but have been intimidated about it, so this gave me an opportunity to do it. I am pretty pleased with how it turned out. #75
SOLD

Boomer 8x8 oil

This is Boomer, a really fuzzy guy who is pretty aggressive, but a nice guy if you let him know you won't put up with it. It is a sketch for a commission. He is the slobberingest dog I have ever seen. The owners said, "don't paint the snot on his face!" I love all the squiggly edges. #74

Tess oil 8x8

This is a sketch I did for a commission. #73

Pepper, Scapes and Onion 6x6 oil

Looks like spaghetti is on the menu. This was painted outside in diffused cloudy light on a chilly day. Having strong light really makes still life paintings zing. But, you can't always control the conditions you paint in. Maybe I should have done a landscape instead. I did this at the Chaffee Art Center too. #72

Small Lantern with Chair and Plant oil 8x10

This is a little different. I went to the Chaffee Art Center and quickly painted this still life on mat board with limited odd oil colors using terrible bristle brushes that were a million years old and used by a thousand school kids! Never-the-less, I like it! This is the 73rd painting I have posted since June 25, 2010....and counting. That is more than 1 per day. #71

Judy's Daughter 5x7 oil

This was a commission based on my previous painting "Harvest Days." I put in lots more sunflowers, made the lovely lady taller, got rid of the sunglasses and cowboy hat, and changed the mountains into trees. #70
SOLD

His and Hers Tuxedo Feet 4x4 oil

This is another one of my small feet paintings. I called it Tuxedo Feet because the woman and man were not "together" but they both had on deep blue/black dress slacks and almost the same shiny shoes. They were talking on the "red carpet." #69

Brandy Sniffer 4x4 oil

I was inspired to do this brandy sniffer after the Carol Marine workshop. Several artists did glass vases and they were so beautiful I wanted to give it a "shot." Here is my attempt and I am happy with it. My friend and fellow painter Heather Shaw suggested that I close the gap on the right side, but I like the lost edge and that is really how I saw it. Carol suggested painting glass like it is not there....really good advise. #68

Three Auberginettes 6x6 oil

This was fun to paint because of all the purple. It is hard for me to stick with the grays but I am working on it. I got a Carol Marine painting of eggplant and it is full of beautiful gray. It is a reminder to me. #67
SOLD

Lime Reflections 4x4 oil

I re-shot this photo but it looks blurry too. I don't know what the problem is. #66

Lime, Apple, Orange

This is another painting I did at Carol Marine's workshop. She really worked with us on getting the values and reflected light right and I am happy with how this turned out. At first I didn't like the orange because we had done exercises all morning and I painted an orange 10 times trying to get it right, so by the time I did this one I honestly hated oranges! I like them now and I love the shadows on this orange. Compositionally it looks like a giant moon revolving around two little planets! #65

Lemon Trio 4x4

Carol Marine's workshop was fabulous. It is so impressive that such a young woman has not only the skill and vision for her work, but is such a good instructor and is so organized. This was my first attempt on the first day. I was happy with it, but I think my final attempt of the class shows improvement. I will post it in a couple of days. #64

Going to a Carol Marine workshop for the next few days so I won't be posting until Wednesday. Today I went to the Sculpture Center and Carving Studio (the "Carrara" of America) Sculptfest, which was fabulous.

On the Edge

This is a conundrum I sometimes face when painting from photos: how do I add something to the painting that is not expressed in the photo?My photos are generally pretty amateurish, so I don't worry about this much, but when I paint from a great photo, I sometimes wonder what I added to an already fabulous photo. The photo this painting is based on was taken by my extremely talented niece Samantha Kehl. I enjoyed this painting and it adds something of interest to my series of "feet" but I think the photo was a true piece of art. On another front, I hung 25 pieces in galleries today, which makes it a very busy day for the business of making art. I put in another order to Carl (my husband and frame maker) for 70 frames. I think I am getting serious about this.#63

Brothers

These guys are adorable. This was a commission and I am really hoping I got it right. #62
SOLD

Rudbeckia Hirta

I am afraid this is going to be one of those that I re-work once I figure out all the changes I need to make. I wonder if I should post a painting like this, feeling it is not right, but it is a promise to myself to post every day I can, and I ran out of "extras" over the Labor Day Weekend. I think my painting break is showing. I love the intensity of color that Rudbeckia brings to the late summer garden. I also like this glass blue and green vase and the way the shadow reflects some of this color. I also like the jiggly shadow of the flower. I will call this a work in progress and change the photo when it is correct. #61

3 Pears

I am going to be attending a Carol Marine workshop soon so I thought I should practice doing some simple still lifes of fruit and plates and cups. I was really hungry when I did this one, so it was done super fast so I could eat one of the pears! I may have to try this method again! #60

Dancing Feet

I love this one with the strappy sandles, leggings and swishy skirt of filmy material. #59

Casual Feet

These are the casual feet of my friend Mary. There is a certain relaxed but commanding posture to her feet. She is one of those really kind, and funny people that everyone should have as a friend. #58

Playing Feet

I am really enjoying doing this series on feet. Someone suggested I call the series "Foot Fetish." I am not too sure about that one. This is one of those scenic binocular stands you pay for on the ferry to Martha's Vineyard. These little girls couldn't actually reach the eyepiece, but they had a great time playing on the stand. Kids know how to entertain themselves in any situation. We adults have something to learn about this. #57

Shopping Feet

I love doing feet. They tell a story in themselves. These feet look tired. They are spread wide to carry the weight. #56

Harvest Time

I lost sleep over this one. I really like the title though and the funky sunflower. This field is spectacular in summer, but it is harvest time for the sunflowers and for Amity. This is a fabulous photo which I did not take. #55
SOLD

Early Morning Run

The Brooklyn Bridge makes a good backdrop for painting people with its abstract lines and shapes.#54

Sunfish and Friends

This is at a beach in Chatham at Cape Cod. It was a foggy, gray day so the light is very flat. #53
SOLD

Woman Verses Wave

My daughter-in-law was knocked over by this approaching wave. I love the blues and greens and doing the splashes. #52
SOLD

Warrior With Bow

The Warrior looks the tiger in the eye and pulls back the bow. I love the Yo-Chi-Flow class I take with Theresa. It is on Monday mornings at 8am and I look forward to it each week. It is the best way to start the week. #51

Pumping Iron

More exercise images....this is of Patty doing her workout at Pico. She is a really sweet lady who works really hard, both for herself and for her family. She works and works out at Pico...and her efforts show. This is the 50th painting I have posted. #50

Water Aerobics - Mirror Image

Some people contend that Water Aerobics won't give you a good workout. I would suggest that those people go to Pico for Joyce, Sue or Britt's classes. Kathy with the blond hair considers that the students are mirror images of the instructors....not a chance! #49

Highline Artist

The Highline is a very cool place in NYC. Google it if you don't know what it is. This artist was resting and sketching on a comfortable, sunny day. #48 I reworked this one because I didn't like the big blank window behind her. I am showing the new one too.

Dragonfly Over Lilly Pond

Back after a week of traveling with some very special women I know. I am hoping to get some fun paintings from the trip. This is something I was inspired to paint for fun. I like it because it was is light-hearted. #47

Getting Perspective

I love this kind of painting...major foreshortening on the bodies...an odd angle....very abstract, and we still know what it is (at least I hope it is obvious)...it gives me joy to paint like this. #46

Anna Gracie

What can I say...isn't she beautiful..this painting doesn't do her justice and I am just noticing the glare on it that is not part of the painting. She is my niece and her mom, Patty, took the stunning photo. #45

Letting Go

This is another sculpture I am working on. I will post both when I get them all done.

IntersectiON (re-worked)

I am trying not to rework my paintings, but somethimes they just continue to bug me while they are drying and awaiting varnishing, framing, etc. That was the case with this one. The skirt on the left was lavenderish and I knew it just didn't have any punch, although I do really like the composition. So I took Karin Jurick's advice (well it was more like a comment) that the paintings need red. I like it a whole lot better. I am thinking yesterday's post also needs to be "fluffed" out with some richer colors in the redish/tan area. I really love the stories behind leg/foot paintings.

Yapper

This is something different. I don't think I captured a sweet and fluffy puppy, but I think you can hear it yapping at me! #44

10th Avenue Fruit Stand

Painting is an interesting preoccupation. I do it alone, generally in a very quite environment and then post my work here. I communicate through painting and talking about it, but I feel like I just send it out into space and it floats around out there. Back to Earth, this couple is carefully deciding on blueberries or strawberries. #43

Street Musician

A street musician with his basket was perched outside the Met. I liked his artsy look with the hat and his shiny shoes and neat little set-up. #42

Watching the Gleaners

I have been slow to get going after a lot of travel, in part to getting dehydrated which took a lot out of me, and also the business of all the things you have to do to paint, that don't include painting. Getting panels ready, cleaning the studio, framing finished pieces and varnishing are some of these things. I have been busy, but now I am ready to get down to the painting again. #41

Baby Samara

I just got back from a big trip to the midwest, which was fabulous at many levels. I did get seriously dehydrated the day I got home which wasn't pretty at all, but I am feeling much better today. I am posting a painting I did a while ago of my granddaughter. I painted it all with a round brush and it really has a different feel than using the flat brushes. I stayed with a pinkish red/green palette. These decisi0ns were just choices I made to try them out. The painting is a little successful, but I am not completely sold on these ideas. #40