"The Finishing Touches"

7"x5"

Oil on Canvas Board

$95 plus $10 domestic s/h

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A spring cold has got the better of me today and I wasn't able to finish my little painting. I decided to put this one up instead--I posted it a year ago yesterday. Kind of fun to go back in time. . . this is one of the paintings I did of Meghan at Chow restaurant here in Bend. She was so obliging that morning, allowing me to take pictures of her as she went about getting ready for the morning's business. It was a winterish morning with weak sunlight--kind of like today!

"And For You?"

6"x6"

Acrylic on Board
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I spent the day finishing up framing for my show, so didn't get to paint. I'm taking advantage of the opportunity to bring back a little painting I did over a year ago. I had painted this subject in oils a few months earlier and was curious to see how it would be to use acrylics instead. I was pleased with my efforts, but I have to admit that I just prefer the oils. I still have this thought, though, that someday I will switch over! We'll see!

"Up and Over"

8"x8"

Oil on Board

$150 plus $10 domestic s/h
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Up and over! This is one of the jumpers practicing at the High Desert Classic last summer. Those horses have so much power in their shoulders and neck and I like that this painting shows that.

"Cowgirl Cool" version #2

14"x18"

Oil on Board

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Finished! And I'm pretty pleased with this, overall. I'm wondering if I ought to exxagerate the highlights in the dresses of the middle and left girl. . .I have made more than a few attempts to paint this subject in a way I like and it feels great to be happy with this one. I expect to revisit it again someday, though, and just see how I would paint it in another year or so.

"Cowgirl on Her Way"

Graphite on Bristol Board

Image size: 7"x3.25"

$100 includes domestic s/h

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I didn't have time to paint today, so worked on a drawing of one of the girls in the painting. I love doing these drawings! I love just being able to focus on the figure and leave the space around it empty. Maybe I should have titled this drawing "Into the Unknown". It's so like life! What difficulties and what gifts, what blessings the next moment may bring, we just don't know. . . always an adventure.

"Ready to Plant, Too" (sold)

6"x6"

Oil on Board

Another little painting from the past, a companion to yesterday's post. . .spring has sprung!

I've been working on larger pieces for my show and haven't really felt like putting up the photos of them in process. I think I need to feel the freedom to fail and sometimes trying to have something to post at the end of the day doesn't give me that. I was just watching a great program, "Art Beat", that is produced by our Oregon Public Television and there was an artist featured, William Park. He was talking about his attitudes towards doing his work and it made me think about having that "freedom to fail"--which also is the place where discoveries are made. Of all the places in one's life, one ought to be able to have their creative time be that open and unencumbered. Mine often is not. It's really hard not to get caught up in the idea of constantly having something to post and/or to sell, or that has to please a publisher. I feel like I need to set apart of piece of my "art" time for things I don't have to show to anyone and to recapture that freedom that comes with burrowing down into my own space and heart and letting what wants to come out at the time, come out. I love what I've been doing and somehow need to find this balance.

"Pansies, Ready to Plant" (sold)

6"x6"

Oil on Board

I've been working on two paintings the last two days for my upcoming show, but ended up wiping them both away this afternoon! So I decided to bring out this little one I painted nearly two years ago for posting. Spring is making itself felt here in central Oregon. The crocuses are blooming, a green tinge is beginning to cover the ground and I saw pansies at the store all ready to plant. Gorgeous blue skies and sunshine make it seem warmer than it is and even though it wasn't a "good painting day", it's been a great day.

"Early Morning Practice"

11"x14"

Oil on Board

$200
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I just finished this painting which is intended for next month's show. I am amazed at the colors you can get using such a simple palette--especially when I look at yesterday's painting knowing they were created with the same 4 colors! I've used alizaron yellow, permanent crimson, ultramarine blue and radiant white.

"Morning's First Hug" large version finished

18"x18"

Oil on 3/4" cradled board

$400 plus shipping
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"White Winter Coat"

6"x6"

Oil on Gessoboard

$100 plus $10 domestic s/h
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"Oh, the Possibilities!" (sold)

6"x8"

Oil on Board

Discovering mobility! The world just keeps getting bigger and bigger! May it be so for all of us!

"At the Bend Summer Festival"

NFS

10"x20"

Oil on Board

Well, I am calling this finished! There are passages in this painting that I really like, but it still is not the painting I was hoping to do! This is one that shows me that I have much to learn! I have signed up to take a workshop in September with Kim English. Maybe I'll paint the subject again after that! I love how he works with color and value to create a cohesive composition. That is more what I was hoping for with this, but didn't quite get there. I think the subject has alot of potential, though, so will have to work with it some more. I think I get too distracted by the "bits and pieces" and lose sight of the whole. . .but, hey, I painted!! Hooray to all of us that go back to the easel time and time again!

"Young Dancer"

24"x8"

Oil on Board

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I took a picture of this girl at a local dance studio awhile back. I was so struck by her grace and litheness! She has two younger sisters that also reflect that, along with the innocence of the young! I am preparing for a show for April and as I looked at what I have for it already, I saw that the subjects in the paintings are all female, so have decided to have that be the theme of my show. I then went looking through my scrap for inspiration and the photo of this young woman resurfaced--needless to say, I was very happy about that! By the way, click on the photo to get a detailed view!

"Morning Moment" (sold)

6"x6"

Oil on Board

This little painting was commissioned by a client--a joy to do! To paint a subject like this lifts my spirits to no end!