"Nativity Cross"

18"x18"

Linoleum Block & Watercolor

I'm realizing that if I have time to paint today it will be to rework some areas on yesterday's post, and, too, that this is the last post I will probably make until after the holidays.

I'd like to offer this piece as a wish for all of you for a beautiful holiday season!

"Rhiannon"

12"x9"

Oil on Board

Yesterday was not a good painting day--wiped off what I'd begun after an hour or so, then decided to tackle this portrait of Rhiannon that I have been afraid to start! I did a study for it a while back (see Nov. 16 post) and have been very hesitant to try a "finished" one. I think the failure of the first painting I began yesterday took the pressure off and I realized I had nothing to lose!

"Bull Rider" (sold)

6"x6"

Oil on Board

It's too late in the evening for me to be trying to think up a better title for this one! I would like to say something profound tonight about the experience of painting so often and how much I am getting out of it, but right now, all that comes to mind is how good it feels to move the paint around and that I just love the whole thing! Life is good!!

"After the Rush" (sold)

8"x8"

Oil on Board

This brings back many memories of my years of waitressing--getting the room back in order, the tables reset, everything ready for the next rush of customers. I was attracted to this scene from a restaurant in Portland, OR, though, by the beautiful and subtle natural light that filled the room.

"Early Morning Shopper" (sold)

8"x6"

Oil on Board

This little painting is from a visit to Vancouver, BC. . .a weakly sunny morning in winter.

Illustrations

The past few days have been filled with illustration work and these are a couple of them. I used a black prismacolor pencil on a Strathmore plate bristol--very, very smooth! The illustrations are of St. Elizabeth of Hungary and Br. David Gonzales. Two people from very different times and places, but they had in common a deep concern for and service to others.

I am itching to paint! Hopefully I can get up early enough in the morning to do so before I go to work! We'll see!

"Little Old Mickey"

7"x5"

Alkyd on Board

$90 includes domestic s/h

I came across this painting the other day--it's one of the first ones I did a year ago after I had discovered the "daily painters", all their wonderful little paintings and had decided to try it myself. I was so inspired by all the different subjects people worked with, the things that I would never have thought of painting. Discovering the daily painters really gave me a huge shot of adrenalin as far as my artwork went! And it still does. Posting this painting is a bit of a celebration of all that. The figurine is one I found--or at least claimed--from an old building on a farm my dad bought years ago. I'm pretty certain it is pre-WWII Japan. Painted porcelain.

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still in process!

Well, I wasn't sure I was going to do this to myself--post this, that is! Oh well!! This was my painting time today! I am challenged by this project, though--getting color, getting likenesses, trying to stay at least a little loose. I need to repaint Sarah. . .at any rate, I am learning!! And enjoying it, too. . .

"No Two Alike"

8"x16"

Oil on Board

Doing this painting brings to mind "Zen Seeing, Zen Drawing" by Frederick Franck. He talks alot about how drawing/painting is such a great way to be totally present to our world, to really "see" as opposed to just "looking" as he puts it. One of the many great gifts of doing artwork!!

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"Triads"

12"x12"
Oil on Board


A trio of pears and a triadic color scheme. . .this painting has been a couple of days in the making and I didn't get a chance to post it yesterday. I like what's happening around the stem area--the brushstrokes and the interaction the shapes. Pear stems make me think of quail--it makes it easy to imagine them in some sort of conversation we're not privy to!

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Hiram, King of Tyre

5.75"x5"

prismacolor on paper

Today was a "do art for income" day, so this illustration of Hiram for St. Anthony Messenger Magazine is my post for the day. Among other things, Hiram was instrumental in seeing that Solomon built the Temple in Jerusalem contributing in the areas of expertise, materials and artisans.

"On a Striped Plate"

6"x6"

Oil on Board

Hmmmm. . .titles are not my forte.

I had a difficult time getting the elipse to read right and ended up putting paper behind my board to be able to draw the entire plate out and that helped alot.

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"Sliced" (sold)

6"x6"

Oil on Board

Too many things to do today to be able to paint! My ideal life is not happening--oh well, I guess we're all in the same boat! I have to admit that it's a pretty good one, anyway! So, this painting is one I did not too long ago. I was intimidated by the subject, but it came together quickly. I can see some things that I learned in Carol Marine's workshop and I like that about it!

"Red Hot!" (sold)

6"x8"

Oil on Board

$100 includes domestic s/h

I really enjoyed painting this red! And I was also very surprised to find all those colors in the taffy--and I'm sure I didn't get them all! This was fun!

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"Salt Water Taffy"

6"x6"

Oil on Board

I thought it would be fun to try to paint this taffy on a piece of silvery gray fabric--no problem! Mix a nice gray and go from there. Well, hardly! There's things about this little painting I'm pleased with, but definitely found myself a challenge here that I think I ought to address again!

I enjoyed showing alot of my "daily" paintings at a Christmas fair yesterday--just want to thank any of you who were there and are reading this for your wonderful comments and your purchases! I am truly grateful!

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