Sunday, May 31, 2009

Pear with Napkin

7" x 5"
oil on panel
framed
I have found an old wooden fruit crate that is wonderful for setting up a painting like this. The lighting is great and creates a dramatic feel. 
I have noticed in a lot of classic paintings that I'm drawn too have weathered wood in them and even though it looks like it would be hard to paint, in fact, it's very easy. 

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Tiny Pear

2.5" x 3.5"
oil on panel
framed

Friday, May 29, 2009

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Colorado Storm

3.5" x 2.5"
Oil on board
When I got back home from Florida my computer refused to talk to me so I took it to the doctor to see what the problem was and they said just a few adjustments and it would be good as new and so it is. 
So glad to be back in NC!  The trip was good - got to see the baby and spend time with mama and of course, he is the most beautiful baby I have ever seen.
I have kept up with the paintings, but was unable to post. Now I'm back in business with the computer and soooo happy it was a quick fix and not a total disaster!

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Safe Harbour

10" x 8" 
Oil on board

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Monday, May 25, 2009

Rainy Sunset

3.5" x 5"
oil on board
framed 

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Sleepy



12" x 12" 
Oil on panel

I've been painting on this the past few days and I'm really happy with the way it's turned out. Now that things are settled, I'll be driving back to NC tomorrow, so it will be a few days until I'll be sending my dailies again. 

I really hate missing days, but sometimes it's just not possible and a break is in order. 
Can't wait to get "back in the groove"! 

Saturday, May 16, 2009

New Baby

Well, we have baby!! Finally!
I spent most of the day at the hospital. Whew! I am tired, but not nearly as tired as the mom and dad! Everyone is healthy and happy.

Here is a quick painting I did on un-primed masonite. Now I know why it's better to prepare the surface - good to know. The paint gets absorbed quickly and it's very difficult to make colors even and accurate. 

Friday, May 15, 2009

Jack Russell



10" x 13"
Oil on board

I wanted to do a classic portrait and I'm really happy with the way this turned out - I've painted Chumley so many times, I can practically do it with my eyes closed - well maybe not. He is one of my favorite subjects - so everybody get a Jack Russell Terrier and you all get a portrait!

My friend has finally gone into labor - we're hoping for tonight!
I'll update later.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Looking Back

10" x 8"
Oil on board
VIEW AUCTION

I have been wanting to do this painting ever since I took this shot last summer out in Island Park Idaho and hope to do a larger version. If you ever get the chance to go there, it's a really beautiful place. Lots of wild flowers, horses, wild things, real ranchers, a completely different life than the one I have lived.
There are a lot of photos that I took out west that I have wanted to paint, not to meantion a lot of paintings of a lot of things that I have wanted to do and now that I'm doing a painting a day I'm getting to do all of them. The anticipation of a painting, thinking about it, working it all out in my head, seeing it before I even put paint to the canvas - - This is exciting to me!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

"Big Blue Flame" Progress

27" x 55"
Oil on canvas
I'm almost done with this -  still need to add highlights after it dries a little.

I went ahead and did a small sketch painting of an old syrup dispenser that my friend gave me on my last visit.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Big Blue Flame

27" x 55"
Oil on canvas
I decided to go ahead and start this - time is creeping up on me for the Caffe Phoenix show in October and since I have a lot of time, might as well start. 
This is after about 3 or 4 hours of painting - I should be done tonight or tomorrow morning. I like to paint a little, then walk around and do something else, then paint some more - painting straight through is a little tough for me - when I stare at something too long it becomes a bit overwhelming.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Blue Flame



5" x 7"
Oil on board


I'm gearing up to do this really big for the "Larger than Life Series" and wanted to see how it would paint. I like the way it turned out and think it will be a nice addition to the series. (need to stock up on white and blue paint.)
No baby yet.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Friday, May 8, 2009

TP or Not TP

8" x 10"
Oil on board

A quick painting before I go to see my friend - no baby yet. It's a full moon, so maybe today. In the meantime, I'm enjoying peace time and painting.
Sandhill cranes on the beach today. 
I took this photo through the screen so it's a little blurry.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

A Sacred Place

19" x 19"
Oil on canvas

I started out wanting to do just a cactus then it just turned into something else - lately I've been experiencing some issues with aging and life, etc. and this painting has turned into a mirror of that.
Although it means a great deal to me and it communicated back to me what has been going on in my head - I hope you get your own meaning out of it.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Monday, May 4, 2009

Red Turban II

11" x 14"
Oil on board
I was commissioned to do this painting in a larger size - You can see it looks much different than the first version -  I think this you can see his eyes better and he looks less hunched.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Something Shiny


5" x 7"
Oil on board

I was inspired by a friend to do this painting through a conversation we were having about birds, people and shiny things - I have done this crow before and have the painting hanging up in my house and I looked up at him and thought you'd look nice with something shiny and there you have it - the idea is born. Speaking of born, my friend still has not had her baby - it's actually due the 10th, but the doctor thought it possibly would be early.

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Beach at Dusk

7" x 5" 
Oil on board

I spent the day at the Riverside Art Market in Jacksonville, FL and if you get the chance, go! It was really great - I got to meet some artists and had an awesome time. I am so tired right now, but I wanted to get a quick painting done. This is Wrightsville beach at sunset. Sometimes when I'm running on reserve I get more of an honest interpretation because I'm not wanting to think too much and just let go - If that makes any sense. Did I say I'm really tired?

Friday, May 1, 2009

Darby's Lamp

8" x 10"
Oil on board

When I went to my friend's house who's having the baby this lamp was sitting on her kitchen table and the light was just perfect, so I snapped a shot and used it to paint the next day then finished it this morning.
Although I do paint from life as much as I can, I also use photographs because sometimes moments and light just don't last. Also, since I paint through out the day the light is constantly changing which makes still life even more difficult. I have tried artificial light but have trouble seeing correct color and since the only rules in painting are the ones we create - mine is to use photos whenever I need to.
Note: I am having trouble getting correct color on the paintings because my screen here is really cheap and my other in NC weighs about a million pounds and is not very portable. When I get back I'll post better photos.