So Gifted!

This is the first gift I've wrapped for the rapidly approaching holiday and I did it just to paint it. Shows where my head's at but it's time to get it in the game! December 14, gasp!!! I do work best under a little pressure; just 'gifted' that way, I guess. This little prize was painted this morning for the DPW challenge and a good way to get back to the easel after all the showing/selling activity in recent weeks. "So Gifted" is available here. I may just make this my Christmas card.

Mark Twain Library Art Show

Yesterday was all about assembling a portfolio of work for display and sale, framing and packing up 25 paintings in all to submit for jurying at the Mark Twain Library in Redding, CT. At some point last night, I was pretty close to calling the whole thing off and wondering why I left so much to the last day. The works below won't be available for purchase, except through the MTL, until Dec. 12.

Today I awoke to brighter skies. I rode with a friend and fellow artist through some beautiful countryside to deliver the fruits of our labors. We met a lot of nice and helpful people, looked around at the other (very impressive) art submissions, and hung out in a nearby cafe for a few hours to await the judge's verdict. 

We both got in!

NYBG Cacti

Portland Peony

I, among so many others, attended a Mark Twain Elementary School. Mine was in Lawndale, CA. However, it turns out this particular library really does have a direct connection with Samuel Clemens, aka Mark Twain. It was a pet project of his near the end of his life. It's not a municipal library and relies on most of its funding from the public so I was happy to donate a painting to the silent auction they will hold during their gala this Friday night. Exciting stuff! Interesting facts re: Twain's library here:

http://www.marktwainlibrary.org/PDF-Files/MTLbro3.pdf

Crisscross

It's been a harrowing week with the election results but it seems to be good for painting. This is a companion piece to the previous asparagus painting, Smoke On The Water. Click to purchase separately or as a pair.

Smoke On The Water

I'll admit to being a little (okay, a lot) disappointed and surprised when these turned a normal asparagus green when cooked. Of course I paused for a photo shoot in the midst of preparing a birthday dinner. I had visions of Deep Purple on our red platter. As a friend points out, they should turn MORE purple! So here they are in their audacious lusty natural state with brushstrokes to match. Click here to own.

Decision

I made up my mind a long time ago and it wasn't difficult. During this particular election time so much hangs in the balance and there is a lot to lose. Vote.
Click to purchase.

Be In The Present

Basic shapes in Tiffany blue. It's good to get back to the easel. I've been away almost a month and in that time was fortunate enough to become a grandma and celebrate a milestone birthday! This little package was only one of these many gifts. Thank you. SOLD.

Coffee and Formica

Same diner visit but a more intimate shot. I don't drink coffee. I never have and probably never will. Although I shouldn't say never...I am now a tea drinker which came as a surprise and rather late in the game. This is the coffee of my husband and I've spent many hours staring at someone else's coffee and waiting for the check.
Click to buy.

Ketchup Catsup

I was taken by the repetitious pattern of red leatherette and chrome stools as they curved around the counter, with that little bottle of ketchup holding court. But I had to sit a long time with my fries waiting for the lunch crowd to clear out before I could get the photo I needed. I took quite a few photos of this little jewel with plans to paint from them. The waitress was eyed me suspiciously. Click to buy.

Light In Flight

I've taken many of these photos but this is the first I've painted. I get seated over the wing or just behind it quite a bit but I don't really mind. I snapped several, intending to paint one and the light was changing beautifully with each. I may just have to do a series, larger in size, sometime. But for now, this is available for sale here. Painted for Daily Paintworks' Colorful Light Challenge.

Dairy Queen On The Right!

Arriving late to our Outer Banks house rental, I shot a quick photo as we passed the landmark DQ. I was hoping to text it to the caravan of our kids, driving an hour or so behind, as a means of hope at the end of a 12 hour drive. Also, it's a little game they've played since they were backseat passengers: "There's a Dairy Queen!" It's loud glare of fluorescence encroaching on the otherwise serene location makes its own statement. Click to buy.

Near The Pink House

We passed this little house early each morning as we left our rented pink house. The sun coming up hit that delicious yellow trim just right and my friend stopped her car so I could take pictures. Again. That's a friend. Click to buy.

Destined For Daquiri

As promised, a move further into impressionism and toward abstraction, a little bit. I'm delighted with it. The paint went on as juicy as the berries and I think the fun I had shows in the final work. Always a good sign. *wink*. Click to bid/buy.

Babycake with Berry

The little top layer left from a many-tiered naked Victoria Sponge cake which was baked for my first daughter's baby shower. I like the Impressionistic direction this has taken and feel I should take that even farther on the next painting. I'll get to that one sooner rather than later so I can build on what I learn from this. Click to purchase.

Sky Ambrosia

I was cleaning my studio when the room became suddenly dark. I rushed to the window to see what was happening outside. This!

I painted feverishly but it was changing constantly. I was inspired to grab that Madman Turner's yellow. I think I managed to capture the contrast between the drab houses and the show up above. It pays to look up. Click here to purchase

Peachy Green

It's been very hot and humid for quite a while and I've been staying inside with the a/c. After painting this, I realize it may just be a self portrait. Click to purchase.

Dos Havanese

This pair of pups with loads of fun-to-paint fur are my sister's beloved Havanese. They are on their way to southern CA for B & B's shared birthday. When I return from my beach vacation (YESSS!!) I will return to making paintings that will be available for purchase.

Bluebird of Happiness

This was painted as a little wedding gift for two good friends who have everything and now they have each other. And this little bluebird.

Inner Glow

Painted for a friend of fifty years who is turning 60 today. It reminds me of her. She glows within and without. NFS...just wanted to share.

June Pug

The sun is shining and it's not toooo hot. Petunia Pug is up for just about anything. Her ears and tongue are quivering with excitement. Let's go to the park! T.G.I.F!
Have a great weekend!!! Click to buy

It's a Green Thing

Actually, it's two or more. Experimenting with variation in direction, size, energy of brushstrokes as well as those various cool to warmish greens. SOLD

The Postcard

Postcard from the road. Contemplating what to write. Click to purchase.

Round Egg In a Square Glass

The last, very fast, paint sketch I squeezed out at the very tail end of Carol's workshop while everybody was packing up. I thought it wasn't finished and that it was too raw (so to speak) but now that I see it again, I really like it! Still learning after the workshop is over. Click to purchase

Windup Escargot

The Daily Paintworks Challenge this week is to paint a toy. We have lots of toys in the attic (yes, I know) so I spent this rainy morning looking through toys and books and baby clothes and old schoolwork. I'm glad I still had time to paint.
Click here to buy.

The Goldfish

This is a commissioned painting of Emily who loves water as much as I do.
And what I love nearly as much is painting it...the same fluid relaxation and escape from thought. I'd be happy to do some more if you have photos as good as this one was. Maybe something in the Caribbean? A clear lake? I live vicariously through paint.
This one is for Marianne.

Unexpected Guest

His arrival is just so eggciting! Go have yourself some fun this official beginning of summer weekend. Click here to buy this guy.

Joining The Other Artists

Completed this little study of M&Ms started in Carol Marine's painting workshop earlier this month. It was good to venture out of the studio to learn more from an excellent painter and mingle with my tribe. Messy and fun! Click to purchase.

My Happy Place

The first in a series of small works based on my distilled memories of SoCal. It is also my first go at painting swimming pool water. Maybe I'd rather be swimming in it but this was so much fun! I have a commission for another and am looking forward to starting it.
Click here to purchase

One White Anemone

Here's a small painting before I go. I'm leaving for a week in Oregon for Carol Marine's painting workshop. Her first since the 2015 hiatus and I'm ready for it. I'll fly in to Portland to meet up with my painting buddy since college and we'll drive to Eugene for the workshop to begin Monday. If anybody wants to buy this little posy while I'm gone, Paypal on the DailyPaintworks site and I'll ship as soon as I return. Who knows? I may be painting differently after next week!

French Braid

Another painting of Madalyn turned away from the viewer.

French Twist

I've been intrigued by paintings or drawings of a figure turned away from the viewer. The subject can be a somewhat anonymous representative of man or woman and yet, if you know them, surprisingly recognizable without seeing their face. The evidence of individual expression in gesture, posture, combines with mystery.

April Birthday

I keep reminding myself, no more small flower paintings. I love flowers, grow flowers and especially photograph flowers. It is such a challenge for me to bring them up a level beyond 'Just Another Pretty Flower' painting that I keep trying. For this one I focused on capturing their determined optimism, turning their faces to the sunlight out there in this still cold spring.

Pot de Creme

This diminutive and elegant but deceptively powerful pot of creamy chocolate has held my imagination and gotten me through without succumbing to lesser fare. The little crostini hiding in back is pretty perfect too. Painting the doily was a fun challenge and am also pretty proud of that spoon. This will go up on DailyPaintworks.com's Weekly Challenge: Sweets and in my gallery there tomorrow.

Pink Bougainvillea

These were painted from a photo I shot at the big annual orchid show in the arboretum of the New York Botanical Gardens, which is located in the Bronx. Orchids draw the big crowds and are, of course, incredible but I was drawn to the papery bracts of bright bougainvillea. Here, it is grown in a hothouse. I miss it tumbling over backyard walls in CA. It takes no care and I love it, thorns and all.

Stop! Time To Eat

This was a fun challenge of painting lit neon against backlighting. I have a thing for old signage. In fact, I've spent about a third of my working years making signs but this one caught my eye. I stopped to snap a photo (being careful to avoid bumping the parked row of motorcycles) and yes, I stopped to eat. I like that 7 minutes to 3 or whatever time, it's Time To Eat. SOLD

Can't Beat The Chrome

Most mornings I scramble eggs. This is after not eating eggs for most of my life. This is what remains.

Little Jug on Brown Background

Not a little brown jug. This little jug or pitcher is about two inches high and has such a classic cute shape that I thought I should paint it on a tiny stretched canvas.

Turn a little to the side, please. Let us see your edges, which are painted navy blue.

Red Chair, Nobody There

Late afternoon after a late lunch in a cafe in Dobb's Ferry. I was taken by the way the fading sun illuminated the edge of of the red vinyl chair. The emptiness and the stark light, gives it a Hopperesque feel. I'd like to think so anyway.

Facing My Self

I'll be working on some figure paintings and interspersing some larger works. This is both and it is a self portrait, which is a challenge on both fronts. When depicting those I know well, I try to neither exaggerate or idealize. Isn't it difficult to see ourselves as we really are? I think this comes pretty close.

Time's Up

It was time. A year ago last week, I quit my day job and have been painting a lot more ever since. Over 80 paintings posted, several sold, and others painted but not posted either because they're painted for someone special, for myself, or just Not For Sale. Very soon I will post one of the NFS. Meanwhile, this one is.

Three's Company

I just adore this color combination. Always have. It says 'happy' to me. Don't these fuzzy little apricots look like they're smiling?

Kiss

What a remarkable time we live in to find apricots in winter. I think these came from Costa Rica and even though no fuel was spared in bringing them to the northeast, I had to make them mine. Upon washing them, I noticed one was heart shaped. The composition fairly arranged itself and with the sweet, soft colors and Valentine's Day upon us, perhaps it will gift someone's beloved.

Pears On Deck

Tried counting the strokes on this one and limiting the time just to force myself to not blend and leave the paint lie where it lands. It's so hard to do but works out so I'll be doing it again. Pretty happy with the color and that little shadow falling across the round fallen pear.

Expecting to Fly

This is a followup and companion to the last painting, Ajar:Possibilities. Here she is surveying the view, about to take flight. The Buffalo Springfield song was replaying in my head and still is, giving me the title. Funny how our brains work.

Ajar:Possibilities

Here is a hopeful little scene that was prompted by a conversation with a friend about the prospect of leaving the workforce. It's alternately frightening and exhilarating. I'm coming up on one year out next week. No birds were harmed in the painting of this image. This is a papier mache bird that normally sits on my window sill.

Hot Cocoa

A big snowfall is predicted. This composition is a microcosm. A spot of rich warmth surrounded by winter white. Would you like whipped cream on that? Yes, please.

Prussians in the Window

Painted for this week's Daily Paintworks Pastry Challenge. I didn't follow the instructions to the letter. It said to go out and buy a pastry, paint it, eat it. Normally that would be a dream come true but I'm low-carbing it again. So, I used one of the photos from my trip to Portugal and Spain where I cleverly photographed all (most) of the gorgeous desserts I wanted (I did eat some) like a photo safari. Painting is almost as fun as devouring and it lasts longer. But now, of course, I'm hungry.

Pug Nest

This little girl insists any blanket, throw, pillow or afghan added to the couch is hers. Who are we to argue? Those eyes.