Up On the Roof

8"x8" oil 

I was having a discussion with another artist yesterday about those paintings that just keep nagging you to do something.  I know a lot of artists ditch them when they don't behave, but I am of the inclination to just leave them hanging around until I figure it out.  This is one of those pieces and I am glad I didn't give up on it, because I like where it took me.

Sumacs

5"x10" oil

I painted this plein air last fall of a hill of sumac bushes but it took me until now to finally paint in the black lines.  The coolest thing about painting plein air is that when you go back to look at the paintings you can remember how you felt, how the light hit and how it smelled.  I love the look of sumac bushes in every season.

Striking the Pose

4"x6" oil 

This pose she is holding must say something about her personality.  She froze for a moment, enticed by those picnickers across the park who were playing a lawn game, knowing she had reached her permissible boundary and she caught my attention and I am sure that I caught someone's attention wondering why I was photographing her...and it goes on and on.

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!'

Working Together

4"x6" oil

We call it play, they call it work.  They are diligent gardeners, pulling up plants and planting weeds.

Taking a Stroll

4"x6" oil

Backyard Fun

30"x48"  acrylic SOLD

This is quite large and I really wanted to approach it more stylized and graphic.  I made a number of changes before I delivered it, and forgot to take a photo, but you get the idea.

Boys and Girls

6"x6" oil

This does bring back memories of sunbathing with my girlfriends (we used baby oil and iodine back then) and the boys in the distance.  The pattern of their legs with fun shadows really caught my attention and I snapped a quick shot of this that was really terrible.  There were a lot more people in it and only part of their legs, but it was enough to create a painting I am happy with.

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.

Dragonfly

6"x6" oil

This little dragonfly is dancing in the shallows.  I love this summer subject because it gives me the chance to play with color.  Landscapes in VT in the summer are pretty green, so I am focusing on our beautiful parks and lakes and the lovely people that enjoy them.

Morning Coffee

6"x6" oil

Lovely place to enjoy morning coffee with their pouch.  It is actually from Brookfield, VT, and they are watching those fishing from the floating bridge, which should be a subject for another day.  If I owned that dock however, I would put some Adirondack chairs on it.

Shade

6"x6" oil

Sitting on a bench in the shade, watching the river go by, this couple has found their piece of paradise today.

6"x6" oil

It is so sad when roses fade.  They just look pathetic and droopy.  I showed my granddaughter my wedding pictures and she said, "oh Grandma I wish you still looked like this!"  I guess I look a bit faded and droopy too!  I am glad I got these roses at their prime!

White Roses II

6"x6" oil

I took a bit of a different approach to this and my granddaughters were also painting with me, which was fun but a bit of a distraction!

White Roses

6"x6" oil

I got a beautiful bouquet of white roses for my birthday and was able to get a few paintings from it.  Roses and Peonies are a challenge for me and I know it will take a lot of painting of them before I am confident.  In the meantime, I am just going to have fun.

Right Touch

6"x6" oil

I think there was a lot of golfing this  holiday weekend, however I was entertaining my granddaughters and did not have time for photographing anything but them. 

Putting Practice

6"x6" oil

I hope to do a series of golfing paintings, but that means I need to get out on the golf course and ride around finding landscapes and figurative positions that are interesting.

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.

Well Prepared

6"x6" oil

This little guy was all geared up and ready for his adventure, but he was waiting for some grown-up help to arrive.

Picnic

6"x6 oil

I love this little scene.  You don't see too many cowboy hats in Vermont, so it is even funnier that it is her sunhat.  It is always good to have a little picnic at the beach.