Wednesday, November 26, 2008

"En-Countered"


8"x8"
Oil on Board
$150 plus $10 domestic s/h
click here to ask about purchasing this painting through Paypal

I was drawn to the design elements of this composition--the play of the vertical and horizontal shapes, the pattern of the tile in the background and the play of the cool and warm colors against each other. It was really fun to do!

I am at a point where I need to spend concentrated time on that illustration job I'm doing so I don't expect to post again until Saturday, December 6th. I SO miss doing the painting everyday! It is just about the best thing I do for myself. However, the job I am doing is great and deserves all the energy I can give it. I would post those illustrations, but am afraid there are copyright issues. I will have to check on that.

Meanwhile--wishing you all a beautiful Thanksgiving!!


Monday, November 24, 2008

"Black Stockings"


7"x5"
Oil on Gessoboard
$100 plus $10 domestic s/h
click here to ask about purchasing this painting through Paypal

It was fun playing with the light and the reflections in this painting of a scene from the 5th St. Public Market in Eugene, OR. at lunchtime. I really enjoyed the warmth of this palette of colors and the high contrast of the different elements in the painting. Ahhhhh, life is good!

Friday, November 21, 2008

"Andean Air"


12"x9"
Linoleum Block/watercolor
NFS

I'm ending the last of this series of Latin-themed prints with my favorite.
Looking back on these pieces makes me think how fortunate I've been to have spent most of my adult life focused on doing artwork in one way or another. I have enjoyed exploring so many techniques and styles. Each one has been my favorite at the time, of course! At one point I did alot of papier mache wall sculpture--and IT was my favorite! Then I got into re-creating some of my paintings by embroidering with tiny tiny beads--which I still might be doing if I could actually get paid for the amount of time they take! Then I've known that landscape painting in the vein of Georgia O'Keeffe was where I would stay all my life; and then I rediscovered wood and linoblock printing and THAT was my calling!! Then I discovered you daily painters and now I feel like it's painting these "slice of life" themes--and I can't imagine doing anything else!! It's so funny. And it's such a huge gift!!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

"Woman Wrapping Copal"


12"x9"
Linoleum Block/Watercolor
NFS

Ah, yes, another non-painting day--but I did do two illustrations for the project I'm working on!! This is another one of the series I mentioned a couple of days ago. She represents Central America, more specifically Guatemala. The copal is being wrapped in large leaves to be sold to be used as incense in rituals.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

"Playing the Bordunua"


12"x9"
Linoleum block print/watercolor
NFS

This is another of the series of prints for the illustrations I mentioned in yesterday's post. The publisher wanted to highlight four different areas of Latin America: Mexico, the Carribean, Central America and South America. This one is of a man playing an instrument called a "bordunua" from Jamaica. It was so fun to do this, but I still think I should have visited there to do my research!!!
I had a question regarding the technique I used in these. I printed the linoleum block print with oil-based relief printmaking ink then watercolored it when it was dry. I usually use Somerset Satin paper with this technique as it is a bright white that lets the color stay true and it is a little more flexible and soft than a hot press watercolor paper.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

"Dreaming of Mexico"


12"x9"
linoleum block/watercolor
NFS

Today is being spent preparing some work to hang for a show and working on my illustration project, so I decided to post one of the pieces going into the show since I won't be able to get a little painting done. Actually, this is one of a series of pieces I did a number of years ago for an illustration job for covers for a Spanish language magazine. I had been in Mexico City on my honeymoon for the celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The print is a composite of memories from my trip (and not really aself-portrait!!). Makes me want to be there! I will be posting the other three images in the series as the craziness around here continues. They are not available for sale on this site, but I do think I'll have some greeting cards or giclees done of them.

Monday, November 17, 2008

"At Palmer's Cafe"


5"x7"
Oil on Gessoboard
$100 plus $10 domestic s/h
click here to ask about purchasing this painting through Paypal

I love going to this little "mom & pop" restaurant here in Bend. The food is sort of "greasy spoon" and really tasty and you always see an interesting group of people. It looked like this woman was with family that had eaten breakfast and was just hanging out having coffee and visiting. She'd gaze off toward the window every so often, looking lost in her own thoughts in the midst of the chatter around her.

Friday, November 14, 2008

"What's the Attraction?"


6"x6"
Oil on Board
$100 plus $10 domestic s/h
click here to ask about purchasing this painting through Paypal

Today's painting is from the Sisters (Oregon) quilt show. Sisters is a town of under 2000 (I'm pretty sure!) and every July they have a quilt show that draws quilt afficionados, quilters and their quilts from all over the country. They hang them early on a Saturday morning all over town and thousands of people walk all over the quaint little town looking at the beautiful creations. I don't know how many quilts go up, but I'm sure it must be in the hundreds. The show lasts for the day. The week before is filled with workshops on quilting and dying and whatever one might do as they quilt. I am not a quilter, but certainly admire the art of it! I took lots of pictures and this is the first time I've gotten to work with any of them for a painting. I have liked the pose of the woman in the foreground and have wanted to paint her for quite some time.



Thursday, November 13, 2008

"Bayfront Reflections"


6"x6"
Oil on Board
$100 plus $10 domestic s/h
click here to ask about purchasing this painting through Paypal

This little painting is done from my trip to Newport, Oregon. It was a beautiful morning--the clouds would clear for a bit and everything just sparkled. . .and then it was gone!




Tuesday, November 11, 2008

"Between Storms"


5"x7"
Oil on Artboard
$90 plus $10 domestic s/h
click here to ask about purchasing this painting through Paypal

Another "plein air" looking out my window. The weather goes from rain to hail to sunshine and starts the cycle over again!

Monday, November 10, 2008

"A Not So Pacific Morning" (sold)


6"x8"
Oil on Board
$100 plus $10 domestic s/h
click here to ask about purchasing this painting through Paypal

A couple of days at the Oregon coast for a little R&R! Very stormy, but I love the drama and the ever changing clouds! It was fun to do this painting plein air--except for the window between me and the out-of-doors!

Sunday, November 9, 2008

"Paula" (sold)


6"x6"
Oil on Board
$100 plus $10 domestic s/h
click here to ask about purchasing this painting through Paypal

What caught my attention was her youth, her beauty, her look (not showing are the short skirt, black tights, big bag), the confidence she had in being the center of attention of her group--definitely in charge. She made me think of being young in the '70's and remembering people like her that I really envied and thought I ought to be like. WOW!! Am I glad to be "old"!!

Saturday, November 8, 2008

"With Pigtails Flying" (sold)


6"x8"
Oil on Board

Taking a little sabbatical from "Daily Painters Gallery" got me out of the habit of posting!! I actually forgot to do it yesterday!

This little painting is a companion piece to my last post for someone whose daughter rides and jumps. I admire how hard these kids work!




Thursday, November 6, 2008

"Over the Bar II" (sold)


6"x8"
Oil on Board

It's been awhile!! I am working hard on the illustration project, but managing to get a little painting in, also. This one is "version #2" of my previous post. I just never was quite happy with that painting. A big part of the problem was the oiling out--I'm not quite sure what to do with that, but really don't like it!! I used a different medium with this painting--Winsor & Newton "Artists' Painting Medium" that was described as good for that problem. It seemed to help keep the paint looking fresh and moist. I'd be VERY interested in hearing how other painters deal with this issue!