Leading In

I've been working on this one for a couple of days. I really want to paint larger pieces but they can be challenging--both because of the time they require and adapting my technique to still have a spontaneous feel to it. This one is 12 x 12". Not huge by any means, but it's still an adjustment. So far, so good!

Still here!

Hello there. As summer is winding down, my productivity has dropped. This poor landscape has been unfinished for weeks! This summer has been wonderful but I am looking forward to Fall. I have three shows booked so far...time to get painting! We spent the last week in Southern California and I found inspiration in an unlikely place. The Gallery in Disneyland is featuring artwork from Mary Blair. Her original sketches for early animated features like Cinderella and Alice in Wonderland are amazing, as well as her collage designs for the It's a Small World ride. A ride that I made the whole family sit through. Twice. Read more about Mary here.

On the Easel

Wacky weather makes for great clouds. Lightning, thunder, hail and 80 degree days all in one week. I am happy with the way this one is coming along. I find that the more confidently I paint, the better the outcome when it comes to skies and clouds. Loose is very very good! I should have it finished up soon. I hope you had a good weekend, wherever you are.

Blue Skies

..Smiling at me
Nothing but blue skies
Do I see

I was blue, just as blue as I could be
Ev'ry day was a cloudy day for me
Then good luck came a-knocking at my door
Skies were gray but they're not gray anymore

I've had this song stuck in my head all morning (the Willie Nelson version, oddly). I think it's a good sign. Hoping to finish up this one later this afternoon.

Blue Skies
oil on cradled board
6 x 12"

Let's Get it Started

The weather has been wet and wild in our neck of the woods. I think I might need to go on a picture-taking excursion later this afternoon. The clouds are calling.

I am in the works on this one. Lots of little pencil outlines to get me started. They often disappear with the first coat of paint, but help give reference to me when I am facing a blank canvas. I am looking forward to cranking up some Holiday music and having a few days to get my groove back.

My Corner

I'm sorry I don't have any new paintings to share. The sudden burst of sales caught me off guard and I really wanted to get all those little bits packaged and in the mail before the weekend. Painting is getting to be so central to my life that I have set up my little easel in--you guessed it--the center of our house. It's great to be able to look at works in progress off and on during the day and come back to them to make adjustments. This is working out so much better than my former studio. Instead of isolating myself, I'm surrounded by the chaos of everyday life..it keeps me from getting lonely. Note how I cropped out all the dirty dishes!

Have a great weekend! I'm on my way to SF for Renegade to vend some of my sewn items. It's a great show full of amazing, talented people. I always come back home inspired!

Foothill Storm

I had a tree up in the foreground, but it was bugging me. I took it out and I'm much happier with it. Simpler is usually better (for me at least).

oil on canvas
8 x 10
lightly varnished
painted edges
signed

available at nina's haute again, davis california

I believe..

I believe that any day I pick up a brush is a good day.
Even when the results end up getting painted over the very next day!

In progress...

I try to have at least three paintings in the works at any time. Just when I need a break from one, I switch to another. And then there are times when we need to actually use the dining table so I have to pack it all up for a few days!