Friday, November 29, 2013

Untitled


This little darling is at least mostly complete. I am not sure what the title should be. Any suggestions?

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

A little Chicken, and a big turkey

It felt great to get back into the studio today and to start a new painting. I have had a busy week with counting votes for the peoples choice Treasury of Art show, celebrating an anniversary and preparing to host thanksgiving. Painting is so relaxing for me. Evenings when I paint seem to fly past and it is soon midnight and time to head to bed but in the morning I feel so much better rested than if I had stayed up late doing almost anything else. I think when I paint I sort of escape into a different brain space and it refreshes me instead of making me tired.
This little painting of my son has been calling to me for a while now. The reference photo was taken this summer at my parents farm. He was so proud and happy to be holding this sweet baby chick.

 

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Treasury of Art

One of my paintings was accepted into the juries Treasury of Art show in Vienna this weekend. "Hogan the bricklayer"



This is one of three events that I went to two years ago that got me back into painting after years of not painting anything. It is such a encouragement to be included in this great show this year.
On Wednesday I went to a live portrait painting demonstration by Jonathan Linton. He was the judge for Treasury of Art two years ago and I would love to take classes from him and learn some from his marvelous technique.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Thank you

 
I want to tell all of you who have been supporting me through your kind comments, prayers encouragement and purchases a big Thank You. It is such a joy to paint when I hear your appreciation of what I have been doing. On days when it feels overwhelming to sit down at the easel after a long day of dishes and squabble management, your support pulls me there and encourages me.
 
I went in to my final live painting class for the session and saw that my first non commissioned sale has been paid for and taken home. I was slightly saddened to not get a chance to say goodbye to this little gem, but also very happy that someone else will be enjoying it.
 
Sales certainly help with covering the cost of painting supplies. Now I need to decide which items I will reinvest the money on. Please help my efforts grow. Recommend my work to your family and friends.
 
 Pelicans Perch Complete 9x12 Oil on Canvas


2 hour Live Painting Session

Saturday, November 16, 2013

The tea is brewed

"Tea for Two" is complete
Today the kids and I went to a local farm to hang out with friends and we took our sketchbooks to draw something that we saw. Both of the older kids settled down for a little sketch time but I had to lend out my sketchbook to cover one that was forgotten in the car so I did not actually get to draw.
This is certainly something we will have to incorporate into a regular practice, I love when my kids draw.

A few views from the farm today.






Friday, November 15, 2013

Tea for two


Tonight I started a new still life inspired by my daughters imagination. She can pretend for hours and tea parties, art and the color pink are her current favorite things.
It took me a while to get the composition of this still life nailed down. I started with no crayons and a strawberry shortcake seated at the other cup. I like this better because it includes the viewer in the tea party and improves the composition.
I did not get it completed in one night like I did last nights but it is well on its way.
I started with a different colored ground under this painting and prefer the red ground under the paint from last nights painting. The colors on this painting are more vibrant which suit the subject but I just don't like them as much.