Sunday, October 31, 2010

Commission--Papa and Pup


6"x8"
Oil on Board
NFS

I was asked to paint this for a Christmas gift--it was so fun! The Papa looks like such a jolly guy and I LOVE anyone who obviously loves their dog!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

"Little Britta"


6"x6"
OIl on Board
Sold

One of the framers I work with has generously offered to trade frames for paintings of her daughters as little girls and this is one of them. The children are beautiful. Painting from the older photos is a learning experience for me, though--working with pretty small images and wanting to get enough information in the painting so that Kari will "see" her children in them is a challenge! It brings me back to trying to see the value shapes in the faces, depending on them to give me a foundation to build on. It shows me how important contrast is in a case like this. The painting's so small, that when I try to do a detailed face, it looks very strange! I find I do best with getting the impression.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

"Santa Monica Pier #2"


6"x6"
Oil on Board
contact me for purchase information

I am getting together a group of 30 6x6 paintings for a special show over the holidays and this is one of them. Besides painting new subjects, I'm going back through images I've enjoyed working with and want to do again in a different size. This one was first posted as a 5"x6"painting in May. Click here to see it. I love the subject, the light and the colors.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Study For "Wedding Day"


6"x6"
Oil on Board
$140 plus $10 domestic s/h
click here to ask to purchase this painting through Paypal

I've been wanting to do a larger painting of this image (my niece the day of her wedding), and was only thinking of her as the subject with no background. I looked at the photos, though, and liked the story that it suggested. She was at her childhood home, looking out the window after she had put on her wedding dress. Maybe she was just conscious of the fact that pictures were being taken of her, but, then again, maybe she was thinking about what lay before her that day.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

"Cleaning Up"


6"x6"
Oil on Board
contact Tumalo Art Company for purchase information
Anyone who waits tables (or has, like me!) knows this moment when all of a sudden the customers have left as fast as they rushed in earlier and you are faced with the daunting task of cleaning up everything and getting it ready for the next rush. This painting shows a waitress at the J&M Cafe in Portland, OR who is setting up the tables for lunch after the breakfast crowd has left. I have painted this image before a few years ago and have wanted to do so again, just to see if it would be different. This painting is a little looser than those that came before, the paintings in the background softer. I think it reads better.


Monday, October 18, 2010

"Decisions, Decisions!"


6"x6"
Oil on Canvas-covered Board
$115 plus $10 domestic s/h
click here to ask to purchase this painting through Paypal

The setting of this little painting is the "Sage Cafe" here in Bend. Their cases were full of yummy pastries--a dangerous place!
I found some canvas stashed away yesterday and decided to mount it on some of my boards and prep it with gesso to see how it would be to paint on. It feels very different from my prepared masonite! I am used to using soft brushes alot and they definitely seem to be better for the smoother surface of a board. Brushstrokes are different on this canvas. I normally prep my boards with two coats of gesso, then a coat of Golden pastel ground to give it some tooth and then another coat of gesso. I think it's still my favorite support.


Sunday, October 17, 2010

"Purple Boots" (sold)


20"x10"
Oil on Board

 
I have been totally immersed in an illustration job the past couple of weeks and just got back to painting! I have missed it so much! I had "purple boots" laid out to paint 6 weeks ago, but like my roughing in so much that I was intimidated to finish it! Yesterday, I just figured what"s to lose?!!! I needed to just paint and let be what will be. I am reserving judgement on this one as I don't feel like I'm seeing it very objectively right now! What I CAN say, is that it was just very satisfying to be putting paint down!

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

"Looking Seaward"


6"x8"
Oil on Board
$115 plus $10 domestic s/h
click here to ask to purchase this painting through Paypal

This golden was at the beach when I was there a couple of weeks ago and I enjoyed watching him running in the water and just doing what dogs seem to be so good at--being alive!

Saturday, October 2, 2010

"Late in the Day Shadows"


8"x6"
Oil on Board
$115 plus $10 domestic s/h
click here to ask to purchase this painting through Paypal

I loved the dramatic shadows and the warm light of this scene. My goal with the painting was to get my statement down quickly and not overwork it. I maybe should have softened the edges of the shadows a bit. . .

Friday, October 1, 2010

"Doggie Meet & Greet" (sold)



6"x8"
Oil on Board
Mazzerati, Ace and Tobey are doing their thing at a local dog park. One of the highlights of my life this year has been meeting a group of people that faithfully bring their pups to play at a beautiful park where off-leash play is the norm. I just wonder if those dogs have a clue about how smitten we are with them! Awwww, sure they do!