Summer's Waning

Lies over the Ocean, oil on wood 5x7"

Summer is coming to a close and I am both saddened by seeing it end and also excited to get back to work on a new collection of pieces. Time in the studio has been hit or miss--not to mention the dust and noise coming from the demolition of the building next door. All good reasons to give myself a break and enjoy time with family. We recently had a coastal camping trip where I took many photos. Expect some fog and cloud-laden paintings soon!

More paintings coming, I promise!

Distant Rain oil on wood 11x14"

So disappointing that I haven't been that productive in the new year. When I do paint, it seems like a struggle--this usually signals some sort of shift that's going to take place. Which is exciting and scary at the same time. I started this piece three or four times. Ugh. Painful.

Straight Ahead

Moving Forward oil on wood 9 x 12"

I haven't quite decided if this one's finished or not.  I haven't had much time to paint as of late and feel like I'm rushing things with the brush. I need to slow down, take a breath and remember that one good painting is better than ten mediocre ones. Patience.

La Grenade

La Grenade oil on wood 5 x 7

I love how the lumpy exterior hides all the sparkling tasty jewels inside.

Proud Persimmon

Proud Persimmon, oil on wood 4 x 4"*sold

Sometimes it's rough being the last fruit left.  Other times, it makes you a solo standout.

Still here!

Hey there. I've been posting most of my painting photos to Facebook, but recently realized that not everyone is connected that way. So I promise to make more of an effort here on this dusty 'ol blog. Since it's Thanksgiving this week, I want to give thanks for all of the people who have supported my art endeavors, whether it's buying a piece (or more) or simply leaving a positive comment for me. It all means more than you know. Here are some recent works from my tiny little nest of a studio overlooking downtown Davis:

Creeping Shadows 16x20 *sold

A Field Divided 12x12
*sold

One of a few oil sketches on paper I've been playing with.*sold

Vineyard Barn 4x4
*sold

While I've been away, we've hosted Second Friday ArtAbout events every month and I had a wonderful show in Sacramento at Delta Workshop for most of October. A busy busy year, and it's not over yet!

New Studio! Eep!

 in progress..all the ick removed!

 hub hard at work

 finished gallery area

 my side on move-in day!

Hey there! I bet you thought I was gone for good! I've been posting to Facebook a bit, but mostly I've been working on my new studio space in Downtown Davis. Things fell into place after the New Year--and the studio of my dreams is now becoming a reality. I'm sharing the space with an abstract artist whose work compliments mine nicely. I couldn't be more thrilled!

I will post updated pictures of the studio soon. It was quite the whirlwind renovation--taking out walls, pulling up carpeting, scraping ceilings, priming, painting--the works! I'm really not sure how we got it all done in time for tomorrow's Art About (which they're calling HeArtAbout--how cute is that?) but we did. It's location is Suite 21, so we're calling ourselves Studio 21. Website coming soon! I am so grateful to my family and friends who chipped in with sweat and muscle to make this happen for us. I am in love with my big fishbowl window and already have some new pieces for a March show at the Pence Gallery in Davis.

Road to the Coast oil on wood 11 x 14" *sold

Life is good!

Verdant

Hello there. I hope your year is off to a good start! I'm back at the easel painting for an upcoming show in March here in Davis. Sometimes a firm deadline is just the kick in the pants I need to get back to daily painting. In addition, it looks like I will be in a new studio within weeks! Everything always happens at once, right? I'm sharing a space with lots of light, a lovely studio-mate and even a small area for a gallery. We spent last weekend knocking down walls, scraping ceilings and pulling up some really icky carpet. A new year, a new adventure! I can't wait.

Verdant
oil on board
10 x 10"
lightly varnished + signed
*sold

The One Where I Blabber..

*sold

Oh my, has it really been that long? I've been painting, but somehow I got sidetracked to posting only to Facebook. Yeah. I got lazy. But now that I have my holiday show behind me (it was fantastic) I can devote some time to this 'ol blog and take a deep breath. The end of 2012 has me feeling a bit introspective. Bear with me.

Last year at this time I had set some (rather lofty) goals for myself and I've been thinking about the ones I met and the ones that are still waiting in the distance. I got gallery representation (if only in the gift shop--that counts, right?) and successfully kept painting almost daily. I didn't stop, slow or resist the growth that came with painting frequently. Yes, my paintings changed but I was able to let it come and not fight it. I don't want to paint the same way forever--how boring would that be? So these boxes got checked off my list.

A few remain. Getting a studio space outside the home. And I don't mean a shed in the back yard. It's tempting to stay here and paint in my pj's but it's much healthier to get out, interact and have a space of my own. Plus the opportunities for showing and meeting with clients--it would be much more professional. I'm still working on this. It's coming.

I wanted to invest in materials and work larger, but because of the reason above I didn't fulfill this as much as I'd like. Painting small is such immediate gratification. It doesn't always translate easy to larger pieces. They get over-worked, messed with and lose a certain degree of spontaneity. I need to work on several at once, to go back and forth and not get lost in the details. This, too, will come.

Before the holidays swallow me whole, I just wanted to thank you for your support. To everyone who read my posts, "liked" my stuff or came out to see me--you have NO idea how much it means to me. Because of you, I have a place, a purpose and a reason to pick up a brush.

*sold

Blown

A three day weekend of camping..plus a Tuesday that feels more like a Monday. Ouch. Time to climb back in the saddle.

Blown
oil on wood
4 x 4"
lightly varnished + signed
*sold

End of the Road

These little ones are addicting. Have a great Friday, wherever you are!

End of the Road
oil on wood
4 x 4"
lightly varnished + signed

Ruby Shoes

Despite my landscapes of late, I still have a sweet spot for shoes. I am so happy it's Wednesday.

Ruby Shoes
oil on canvas
4 x 6"
lightly varnished + signed
*sold

Rice Fields, Dry

the fields twist and turn
seemingly bouts of whimsy
a treat to my eyes

Rice Fields, Dry
oil on wood
6 x 8"
lightly varnished + signed
*sold

I thought I'd include a studio shot I took for a recent show. I don't have a room to myself as a studio..I'm just tucked in a corner off the kitchen, close to the phone and within earshot of all the goings in our house. It has its pluses and minuses, depending on which day you ask me.

Wild Mustard, Lassen

I have come back to these pictures from nearly eight years ago time and time again..there's something amazing about the dark treeline and the glowing mustard field.

Wild Mustard, Lassen
oil on board
6 x 6"
lightly varnished + signed
*sold

Summer Stripes

Quick and sketchy seemed the way to go on this one.. I used my new grey gesso as a colored ground. I love it!

Summer Stripes
oil on cavas
6 x 12"
lightly varnished + signed
*sold

Foothills

Feeling a bit rusty today, I decided to keep it simple. It's so annoying to lose your confidence in something that seemed much easier to grasp just a few days ago.

Foothills
oil on wood board
4 x 4"
lightly varnished + signed
contact me for availability

Dunes

While painting from my reference photo I realized this was one funky cloud. I think it looks like a running greyhound. What do you see?

Dunes
oil on wood panel
5 x 7"
lightly varnished + signed
contact me for availability

Watercolor Wednesday

Just when I thought Fall would never arrive, in come the clouds and rain this week. Break out the boots and sweaters!

Farm Canal
original watercolor
5 x 7", matted to fit an 8 x 10" frame
contact me for availability

Crossed Stems

Another little piece on wood. Sassy little cherries. The white is much less pinkish in person..not sure what my camera is up to.

Crossed Stems
oil on cradled wood
4 x 4"
*sold

Open-Toed

This was a quick sketchy excercise in value. Light next to dark to distinguish shapes..the colors are almost irrelevant. And I added just a smidge of warm brown on the the toes to balance out the cool.

Open-Toed
oil on wood panel
4 x 4"
lightly varnished + signed
contact me for availability