"At My Kitchen Sink" (sold)

Oil on Board

8"x12"

Every so often, an artist's work comes to my attention and it feels as if it was "supposed" to. Recently, Ken Howard's paintings caught my eye in a book on painting interiors that my husband brought home from a used book store, and just last week I stumbled upon a book focusing on his philosophy and techniques. He reminds me of how important drawing and painting from life is. I'm not going to be giving up my photo references anytime soon, but am really trying to get out and draw and sketch daily from life. Since I wasn't able to set my paints up in my kitchen for the day, I first did a watercolor sketch and then used that and a photo reference. Doing the watercolor really helped me to study the subject and see color, value and composition before I started in with oils.

"Lit From Behind--Santa Monica Pier"

5"x6"

Oil on Board

$115 plus $10 domestic s/h

click here to ask about purchasing this painting through Paypal

I really wasn't sure what would happen when I decided to try a subject with so much information in such a small format, but I'm pretty pleased and amazed, too! What amazes me is that you CAN put the idea down of what it was like that sunny afternoon in that tiny space! I look forward to doing a larger version of this subject!

"Erika" and teaching art classes

Wow! I can't believe it's been two weeks since I've posted anything! My time has been full working hard on an illustration job, teaching and catching up on commissioned work. I hope to start my "daily painting" again next week.

Meanwhile this is a little 10 minute watercolor and pencil sketch I did of Erika yesterday while she was working on a self portrait. One of the classes I get to teach right now is a portrait class for 8-12 year olds. It is a kick. They are a great group of kids. I'll have to post some of their work next week. I've also been teaching a beginning oil painting class for adults. Again, it was a great experience! I think I forget how much I love sharing information and teaching when I'm not doing it for awhile. That class ended yesterday.

The classes are through the Art Station here in Bend, OR, a part of Arts Central which is a one of the strong forces for education in the arts in our community and surrounding area. Check out their classes at their online catalog. I am leading a Daily Painting workshop through them from July 26-30, and working with watercolorist Mary Marquiss to co-lead classes combining drawing and watercolor skills in June and again in August.

"Rachel &Thomas & Their Wedding Cake"

6"x6"

Oil on Board

NFS

Though illustration work and teaching are taking up most of my time these days, I managed to get to work on this little painting of my niece and her new husband at their wedding reception as a gift for them. As always, it was so good to paint! Can't believe how much I miss it! Oh well, paychecks are good, too!

Guest Artist--Tracy Leagjeld "One Orange Square"

Monoprint

32"x26"

Oil-based printmaking ink on board

visit Tracy's blog for more information

Tracy Leagjeld's monoprint technique invariably produces texturally interesting work that is full of beautiful subtleties of color. She is a master at what she does. Much of her work has centered on the landscape of central Oregon and other places she has visited, but she is currently working more abstractly. She has been finding interesting compositions within her existing work and using those little bits to create full-size pieces that stand on their own. I hope you will visit her blog for a visual treat!

"The Luna Tuna" illustrations are now a book!

"The Luna Tuna"

written by Debra Burke Simpkins, illustrated by Vicki Shuck

available through http://www.amazon.com/

Here is the cover and two spreads from the little children's book I was illustrating this past winter that has just been published. It's a real joy to see it in print. I am grateful to Debra for the opportunity to share in this endeavor. Her story is touching and sweet--as is the author herself! The description on the back of the book reads: "This is the tale about Luna, a tuna fish and her best friend Twyla, a shark. Luna has an impossible dream that Twyla tries to fulfill. This book is the story of two childhood friends, one who shares a dream and the other who would do anything to make her "BFF" happy. Luna and Twyla are an example of what true friendship means."

Guest Artist--Janice Druian "Worker's Housing, Tule Lake"

8"x10"

Oil on linen canvas

$360 unframed

contact Janice Druian for more information

This painting of Janice's has a personal appeal to me. I grew up about 10 miles northwest of Tule Lake, CA, where she found these little houses. My dad grew up there, too, and for all I know he may have played with kids that lived in them! About this painting Janice says: "Worker's Housing, Tule Lake was started as a plein air, finished in the studio. It was started on our way back from a show in Ukiah, CA featuring paintings by Maynard Dixon. I said to myself, 'What would Maynard paint?'" I think she nailed it!! See more of Janice's work at www.druianstudios.com.

"Taking a Closer Look"

5"x6"

Oil on Board

$200 plus $10 domestic s/h

click here to ask about purchasing this painting through Paypal

I played hooky from my illustration job today and painted! I've been looking at this subject for some time now and was attracted by the story and the movement in the figures. The setting is a gallery I showed in--Tumalo Art Company--for five years. It is a great collective of painters, sculptors, photographers and more. As of May 1st, I am no longer a member as I am now represented locally by a new gallery opening this week: River Bend Fine Art Gallery. I am excited to show my work in the company of such wonderful artists!

Guest Artist--Janice Druian "The Storm Came In"

11"x14"

Oil on Canvas

$400 plus s/h

contact Janice Druian for purchase information

Janice Druian is a central Oregon artist that has a way of finding and capturing on canvas the drama of our region. The way she uses light in her paintings really stands out for me, as do her strong compositions. One of the things I love about this high desert country is the ever-changing sky (I know Montana is "big sky country", but I think eastern Oregon is, too)! Janice not only "gets" the feel of the clouds and the landscape, but also the rural feel of it. See more of her paintings at her website www.druianstudios.com.