"Teamwork" (sold)

12"x24" image size

Oil on Board

$1095 framed plus s/h

sold

Today I finished this painting of the team-ropers for next month's show. It was fun--but quite a challenge! Actually, it was WORK!! I think I get pretty spoiled by doing the little paintings. Anyway, I feel like I'm still finding my way when it comes to backgrounds on these rodeo paintings. They can be such a distraction from the subject, but I like the way they add to the story, so I really want to work it out. I'm very pleased with the movement and dynamism in this painting. This photo has somehow been unevenly lit; I'll switch it out when I take a new one!

"Golden Moment" (#2) (sold)

16"x16" image size

Oil on Board

This painting was inspired by a small one I posted not too long ago. I loved the colors in it. I have painted this subject a few times before in reds--which is what the scene is actually like--but was never happy with my large version of it, so decided to try this. I had a hard time getting the colors to be true to the painting in the photo, but they are much more pleasing to me than the red tones. I'm not sure if this is finished--I'm going to set it up and just look at it for the next couple of weeks before I frame it!

"At the Bond Street Teahouse"

5"x7"

oil on Gessoboard

Doing this painting was a source of discoveries for me. First of all, it was done with three colors--alizaron, ultramarine blue, a cadmium yellow and white. I rarely use such a limited palette! I was amazed at the beautiful range of colors I got--hope they show up here! The second thing is the yellow I used. Laura (the one in my drawings and paintings!) was here this past week and left the paint for me that I used in this and the yellow is like nothing I've seen before. She said it was a cadmium yellow, but it has so much depth and absolutely glows! Very different from any cad yellow I've seen. I've got to find out where to get it!!

"Danielle" in process

20"x10"

Oil on Board

Not for sale yet

I've taken a couple of days to PAINT!!! It's been over two months since I've painted--can't believe it! It feel so good to do it, though it was kind of scary to begin with.

This painting, even though it is signed, is not finished. I've decided I'm going to work to see if I can get a better likeness of Danielle--then I can keep the title. Otherwise, I'll have to make something up! :-) Danielle is such a beautiful child and I really want to see if I can capture the wide-eyed and relaxed openness of her expression.

I am still working on the 73 illustrations for the College Youth Bible 2010 which is being published by St. Mary's Press. The plan was to be finished with them by next Monday, but it will be another two weeks, I expect. I wish I could post them! The publisher is purchasing the copyright, though, so I don't feel comfortable putting them out into the world myself. I am going to figure out how to watermark them or something at some point, though, so I can put some of them up here. Anyway, I expect to get back to the 50 faces and maybe even a couple more little paintings tomorrow!

"Barbara--Face #11"

6"x6"

Oil on Gessoboard

$100 plus $10 domestic s/h

click here to ask about purchasing this painting

Barbara is a hero of mine. We get these long hand-written letters from her at least every two weeks in which she just writes about day to day stuff--mentions her cat, Blue, and his latest antics, what she and Wayne may be watching on TV, how they are feeling, trips to the doctors, what they might have for dinner. She helps me keep my life in perspective and to be grateful for all the "small" things that make up our lives.

"Happy Hour" (sold)

6"x8"

Oil on Board

Ahhh. . .memories! I started a larger version of this the other day and it was really helpful to do this smaller version before I got any further.

"Blue Heron"

24"x18"

oil on canvas

NFS

This is the other commission I've been working on and I think it's finished. We'll see how it looks tomorrow! It seems like after working on something for quite awhile I get to a point where I can't "see" it anymore! It was good to try using a painting knife a little. I would love to get more textrue, but find that it's a slow process to get me there!