"Wild Thing"

Acrylic on Cradled Board

8"x8"

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Somehow acrylic seems to feel right for expressing the energy, the heat of the day and the intensity of the experience of being at the rodeo. At any rate, it's sure fun for a change! Thanks to you who contacted me about yesterday's post--it's encouraging when a person's trying something different!

"Twisted" (sold)

8"x8"

Acrylic on Cradled Masonite, no need to frame

$150 inc. domestic shipping

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Needing to get a couple more pieces ready to hang in a show next week, I just decided to pull out the acrylics--and what fun! Seems like I can't use them without having intense colors. I worked with acrylics for awhile but switched back to oils a couple of years ago because I was accustomed to being able to blend on the canvas and really had a hard time trying to make acrylics "act like oils". I see some people manage to pull it off, but I've never figured it out! However, I'm seeing that they are what they are and I can enjoy that. It would be fun to try an acrylic with subtle colors. . .!?

"May I Take Your Order?"

8"x8"

Oil on Board
$150 plus $10 domestic s/h

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After two weeks of mostly not painting, it has been a bit of a struggle! How easy it is to lose one's focus! After beginning a different painting and scraping it off twice, I went to work on this subject and was able to follow through and enjoy it! This painting is currently available through Tumalo Art Company.

"Out to Lunch"

12"x9"

Watercolor on 140# Arches

$95 inc. sh/h

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Easing my way back into the studio. . .

Tonight I had the pleasure of visiting a new show of paintings and monoprints by Bend artist Ken Roth. His work is exquisite. Please check out his website www.kenrothstudio.com. Very inspiring!

"Myra's Pool"

8"x10"

Oil on Board

NFS

Back from some travels! Started by going up to Tofino on Vancouver Island on the 15th and ended by returning this evening from a completely opposite place--Sacramento! From moist, cool forests and beaches to hot, arid, smoky California valleys. I did some watercolor sketches and this painting--which was a struggle, but hey, I DID it!! And it was a good first foray into plein aire for the season--being reminded of how different the experience is from painting in my studio and to not expect too much! Also, it reminded me to just enjoy the process even if the result isn't what I'd imagined.

"Made It!" (sold)

6"x6"

Oil on Board

What a week! Between some traveling, feeling under the weather, meeting some work deadlines and getting ready for a vacation, I'm sad to say the "daily" painting has really had to take a back seat. So today I am "re-posting" this piece in honor of the Sisters Rodeo which takes place this weekend in Sisters, Oregon. This will be my last post until the 26th. I'm looking forward to coming home with some new work and some new inspiration!

"Bull-Rider Study" (sold)

Image size: 8" x7"

Graphite on Paper

Unframed drawing is $95 inc. s/h

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It's been a crazy time and I haven't been able to get my little paintings done, so I thought I'd do another drawing. In doing I realized how good it is to do something that feels more spontaneous and loose. I see that the drawings are a necessary practice for me!

"Piano Man" (sold)

7"x8"

Graphite on Paper

I spent a fair amount of time today trying to paint this, but had a really hard time getting the feel of what his body is doing, so I decided to just draw it and see how it went. It helps! I'd like to try painting it again. It's a tough pose--I can feel how he is moving, but it's hard to get it down!

"Afternoon Blues" (sold)

6"x6"

Oil on Board

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A friend who had just been down to New Orleans sent me some photos of musicians she heard, so I get to paint from them and pretend I was there!

"The Perfect Card"

10"x8"

Oil on Cradled Masonite (1.5" deep)

no frame needed

$175 inc. domestic s/h, click here to inquire

I went back to the painting I worked on yesterday and it feels good to bring it to a finish. Sometimes I feel like I just get too wound up in a painting trying to figure it all out to be sure I "get it right!". This morning I woke up with the thought--just paint it!! Let it be what it will be!

"Left Foot Forward"

8"x6"

Oil on Board

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This painting is a repeat post--hate to do that, but wanted to put up something today!! It was another of those days-- I painted all afternoon and just never got it! Seems like this is happening alot lately--paint, wipe off, paint, wipe off, and on and on! I am reminding myself of something that was told to me years ago by a painting teacher: when you seem to be going nowhere and things just aren't turning out, it's because you are learning something new. I do believe this, but I can't say I like the process at the moment! Anyway, this little painting here is from the Cadillac Cafe in Portland, OR. The lighting and her posture inspired me here (and in the drawing!).

"Critique" (#2)

20"x16"

Oil on Board

Well, this is the same painting I posted yesterday! I ended up working all morning on it, wiping it off (I seem to be doing alot of that lately) and starting over. I like it better. Now that it's photographed I see a few things to go back to. But each one is alearning experience, that's for sure! Speaking of the photo, this one has some glare on it I couldn't seem to avoid getting!