Rainy Sunset

3.5" x 5"

oil on board

framed 

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Afternoon Marsh

5" x 3.5"

oil on board
framed
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Sunrise Over Marsh

 

5" x 3.5"

oil on board

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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"! 

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. 

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.

Looking Back

10" x 8"

Oil on board
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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!

"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.

Bid on this painting

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

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.

Blue Flame

5" x 7"

Oil on board

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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.

Red Fez

10" x 8"

Oil on board
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Me & My Shadow II

8" x 10"

Oil on Board

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TP or Not TP

8" x 10"

Oil on board

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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.

Me & My Shadow

10" x 8"

Oil on board

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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.

Black Beatle

5" x 7"

Oil on board

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.

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.

Beach at Dusk

7" x 5" 

Oil on board

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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?

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.

Purple Shell III

12" x 12"

Oil on canvas

I started painting something else yesterday and just couldn't get it to work, so I wiped it and started on this. 

Sometimes when I am having trouble with a painting, I will experience a lot of doubt & frustration. Instead of going round and round and banging my head with a piece that's not working, it's best to paint something I know. I've painted this shell a lot in the past, so I know it well. 

Confidence is restored and then I'm looking forward to the next painting. 

A lot of artists will do the same painting a few times before they start on the final big piece - which, I am now thinking is a really good idea. 

Shell on Paper

 

7.5" x 5.5"

Oil on paper

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I made it to FL - it's so peaceful here. the temp is perfect, breezy and birds singing. Today, I set up my computer and painting studio. 

(see pic)

This painting was done on watercolor paper because I don't have any boards primed - the paper is very absorbent and dries somewhat quickly, which I liked. If I used the paint heavier in places - I could still blend it out and not have to wait for it to dry a little. Although, the ease of just cutting a sheet of watercolor paper and taping it to a hard surface is nice, I think I like the wood surface the best - can't really tell you why, it just feels better.

My temporary studio by the lake

Slice of Life

5.5" x 5.5"x .75"
Oil on wood block

I did this painting in 30 mins. - now, it's time to pack for my trip to FL!

Three Plums

18" x 6" x .75"

Oil on wood

Red Robe Progress

17" x 24"
Oil on canvas

I still need to do a lot of work on this and am going to put it on hold until I get to FL. 

Still deciding if the hands are too big, nose placement, head height, etc. Need more time to think about it. 

Good Plum

5.5" x 5.5"x .75"

Oil on wood block

Remember the movie "Close Encounters"? In it a woman keeps painting the Devils Tower and she doesn't know why, but the aliens know why.... Anyway, I guess plums are my Devils Tower.
 

These plum paintings make me feel good and are really fun to paint - one of my favorite painters, Barbara Kacicek painted 31 paintings of three plums: http://meditationsonthreeplums.blogspot.com/

She's really great, take some time and look at her work, also her drawings are pretty amazing: http://barbarakacicekdrawings.blogspot.com/
 

Anyway, trying to work on the Red Robe portrait today.

Side pic of the painting. 

Photo of my studio

Undone Plum

5.5" x 5.5"x .75"
Oil on wood block

Still working on this. I had it done yesterday, but tried to add some color to the top and the paint pulled away because it wasn't completely dry and the surface I used. I'll have to wait till it's completely dry to fix the top.

Next time, If I'm working with this surface I will finish it in one sitting.

Red Robe Progress

17" x 24"
Oil on canvas

Here is a video of the progress:


This is a commission for the gallery director at the Woods Gallery. The painting is of her daughter.

So far, I've got all the important stuff in and now I'm working on making it look like her and all the other details.

Portraits are very scary for me and extremely labor intensive. The slightest detail, like too thin of a nose, shadow under the eye, etc. can throw everything off. The daily paintings have helped greatly in see these slight details.

It still can be frustrating, but it is something I need to explore, my goal is painting without fear and I feel I am slowly getting there.

Flea

10" x 8"

Oil on board

Bid on this

Well, plans have changed. I'm going to Florida next Monday. One more week of painting in my studio - Got lots to do!

Can I go too??

8" x 10"

Oil on board

Click to bid

Every time I'm getting ready to go somewhere Chumley can tell and he sits by the door and waits, wide-eyed and shaking like the world is coming to an end. I really can't stand to see him like this and end up taking him to the bank, grocery, where ever. He's perfectly fine to sit in the car and wait, sleeping most of the time. When it gets too hot, I guess I'll just have to endure this heartbreaking scene every time I go somewhere or maybe just stay home. I'm thinking about getting one of those big purses to hide him in, but I'm not sure he would cooperate with that idea.

I'm going to Florida tomorrow (with Chumley) for a few weeks to be with a friend who is having a baby, so my paintings may not be so "daily". I'll try to get one in everyday, even if it's just a watercolor. I probably won't be able to post everyday so I will multi-post when I get internet access with everything I've done.

Big Plum

5.5" x 5.5"x .75"
Oil on wood block

Click to bid

Plums are very therapeutic!

Plum on White

5.5" x 5.5"x .75"
Oil on wood block
Bid on this

I ran out of masonite, canvas boards, & gesso and the only thing I had left was gessoed wood cut from strips into squares from an old project. I really like this medium and will do more like this.

Tomorrow I go to AC Moore to take advantage of their 50% off coupon to get a gallon of gesso.

Wrightsville Beach Sunrise

5" x 8"
Oil on board
Bid on this

Marbles

4" x 9"
Oil on canvas board
Bid on this

I needed to do something simple - love the marbles!

Red Feathers

11" x 14"
Oil on canvas board
Bid on this

Got a little funky on this one - not sure if I'll keep the background colors.
I had a painting under this that had a texture of a circle in the left bottom and I thought I could hide it with the background pattern.

Clothes Pin

4" x 8"
Oil on canvas board

Bid on this

Boy, the farmer's market wore me out!! But, I got to meet a lot of really great people and had a lot of fun. The next market day for me will be May 23rd because I'll be going to Florida April 19th to be with my friend who is having a baby. I'll be gone for a few weeks and I hope that I can paint during that time... we'll see.

Tea Ball

7" x 8"
Oil on canvas board

I'll be at the Wilmington Farmer's Market this Saturday from 8am to 12pm - Hope to see you there!

Green Dreams

10" x 8"
Oil on canvas board
Donation to the Bryan Farabegoli Benefit

I had some dreams

8" x 7 "
Oil on board

Someone on facebook requested something warm since it's been so cold and I ended up with this. My mind must have been wandering.

Red Turban

8" x 10"
Oil on canvas board

Sold

I started this yesterday, but it was not a quick painting. I really struggled with this and I think I still am.

Cat Nap

8" x 5.5"
Oil on board

This painting was surprisingly easy - it took maybe an hour and a half. Most of them take 2 - 4 hours.

I usually start the first part of the painting in the morning, laying down the color and shapes and then finish it up in the evening adding detail and changing any colors.

I find this schedule works for me because it gives me something to look forward to all day.