STORMY

This portrait of Stormy was painted in Angela Elledge's moleskin for the Texas Moleskin Round-Up.  Angela is a known dog lover and she paints beautiful dog portraits.  I thought Stormy would be a good addition to her book.  

Stormy was adopted by my three grandchildren, Abby, Ben and Asher after she was abandoned by her previous owner.  She is a sweet and very smart dog.  Although, when she proof read this post she didn't understand why I identified her as a dog!

I must add a belated HAPPY NEW YEAR to all!!  I had a wonderful holiday with family and am just now getting back to my normal (did I say normal?) routine.  I got up to the studio yesterday and I have to admit to being rusty after 3 weeks of not painting.  I've missed it and very happy to be able to work again. :-)  

BALANCING ACT

6X6 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

We have a lot of tomatoes, because of a trip to Costco. I thought it was time I painted a tomato - how convenient! They make a good subject with all their reds and these tomatoes had green stems. And what goes better with a tomato - besides bread, bacon and lettuce - basil and mozzarella - avocado, jalapeno, cilantro and limes (I could go on and on!)? Salt, of course! And in this dreary, cold, icy day tomatoes with a little salt are just the thing to remind me that spring is just around the corner!

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FIGURE STUDY

6x6 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

It's been a really busy week, but a nice one. I think I am back on track with my painting schedule and look forward to more painting this week.

This figure study was painted on Saturday with our group of artists. We had a good model and I managed to do this and a head study, which I may post at a later date. We worked from natural light from the windows and so I had to get the light as fast as I could. As always there is room for improvement, but I am happy with this. I enjoy painting the figure and hope to do more of it.

DEEP BAY ROAD, HONG KONG

6x6 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

This month's Virtual Paintout takes place in Hong Kong. There are so many great places to paint using Google's Street View and this is no exception. Bill Guffy is the host of this challenge and he does a fantastic job. Check out both sites for some really good art!

THE TOOLS OF MY OBSESSION

6x6 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

I've been in Birmingham, AL visiting family. My son, daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren live there. We had a wonderful time eating good food, playing games, and going to the movies.

I painted this last week with the misconception that this would be quick and easy. HA! Definitely not so, but I had fun painting it. I may try this again as I like the subject matter - art toys, what a surprise!

THREE BOATS

5x7 Oil on Canvas Board

This is my submission to June's challenge on Virtual Paintout. This month our visit took us to Hawaii. I wanted to simplify the scene and try just seeing shapes. I also simplified my palette and decided to try Kevin Macpherson's palette of ultramarine blue, alizarin crimson, cad yellow pale and titanium white. There are definitely some changes I would make, but for what I was trying I think I succeeded. Click here to see some great art!

LONGHORN CADILLAC

9x12 Oil on Canvas Board

This is my submission to Some Texas Artists Like to Paint for the June challenge of anything Texas. This car is located in the Fort Worth Stockyards with the license plate of BLE BOB. Texas is known for its longhorn cattle and big, fancy cars. Here is both! Texas is huge and has a huge number of icons from which to choose. Not an easy task as there are so many choices. We have beautiful rural areas with so many species of wildlife and also thriving towns and cities. I could go on and on. All I can say is I love Texas!! Take a few minutes and visit Some Texas Artists Like to Paint.

THE GROUP

6x6 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

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Another group of pears. I was at Central Market the other day and saw these beautiful pears. Well, of course, I had to bring them home and paint them. The reds and greens were too bright to pass up. Central Market is like a candy store with all their outstanding produce. Sometimes I go in and feel overwhelmed with all the shapes and colors. I just want EVERYTHING!

BIRDS OF A FEATHER

6x6 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

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This is my submission for ROOKIEPAINTER. These little ceramic birds were fun to paint and a challenge for me. Check out this blog. You might enjoy this challenge, too.

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC #3

6X6 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

When I first visited Goggle Maps this month for the Virtual Paintout I discovered a new tool labeled "Earth". This tool allows views from a bird's eye - very interesting. I mistakingly used it instead of the "Street View." Of course, I couldn't submit it to Virtual Paintout, but decided to go ahead and post here. I had so much fun with the different views and this was fun to paint. I think this is a church with surrounding buildings. The perspective while using "Earth" is off, but I like it - makes the views different. Click here and visit Virtual Paintout and enjoy some nice art work.

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC #2

6x6 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

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This is another submission to Virtual Paintout. I'm not as pleased with this one as I am with my first painting for this month's challenge. But, as always, I enjoyed painting it. I'm looking forward to seeing June's destination!

THE GREAT ESCAPE

6x6 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

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SOLD

I tried to use as few brush strokes as possible on this painting, however I certainly did not accomplish what I set out to do. I messed with it too much and I have no excuse for it. However, I'm fairly pleased with how it turned out. I may try peas again as it was fun and when the light hits the pods and peas there are many different greens.

PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC

6x6 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

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When painting for this month's Virtual Paintout challenge I kept thinking - SQUINT! MASS! SIMPLIFY! All of which I need to remind myself (among other things!!). I think I succeeded. This was really fun to paint! The Czech Republic is a beautiful country. I found it difficult to decide on what to paint. I spent a lot of time just exploring!

Have a fun filled weekend!!

BLUEBONNETS

6x6 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

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THREE PEARS

6x6 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord n

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I found these pears at Central Market. They aren't Asian pears, which are usually round. I can't remember the name. They are fairly round and nice colors. They look more like apples. I have no idea how they taste. I used them as subjects for several days and by the time I was finished with them - they were finished!

BOWL and ORANGES

6x6 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

This is a painting I did in Carol Marine's workshop in Jacksonville a couple of weeks ago. I have to say it again - I learned so much and it was fun. If you ever have the opportunity to take one of her workshops, don't hesitate!

APPLE ACROBATS

6x6 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

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I found these apples at Central Market and had never heard of the variety - Pacific Rose. They are a nice rosy color and I had to paint them. They were fun to paint and good to eat! They are crisp, sweet and juicy. It was a treat!

CUPS and SAUCERS

6x6 Oil on Ampersand Gessobord

Recently I read a comment made by one of my favorite artists, Gwen Bell. She said that she posts her good paintings and her not so good paintings (although I have yet to see one!). I debated whether or not to post this. I decided that I would in hopes that I would get some honest critique. I chose to paint these cups and saucers to work on ellipses. My first couple of tries were wipe outs so I tried doing the diamond shape and connecting. Well, instead of roundness I painted squares. Yikes! Any comments on ellipses or anything else is VERY welcome.

BIG YELLOW TRUCK

6x6 Oil on Gessobord

This is my submission to Virtual Paintout. This month we are exploring the Canary Islands. I wanted to do something a little different from landscapes or seascapes. When I saw this yellow truck I knew it was for me. I can see some changes I would make, but overall I am pleased with it. This is really a great challenge and lots of fun. Bill Guffey is the host and he does a fantastic job. Thank you, Bill!!

CAROL MARINE'S WORKSHOP

Carol's 2nd day demo.

Carol's 3rd day demo.

Well, my 3 day workshop with Carol Marine is over. It was 3 days of learning, meeting new friends and having a great time! I am sooo excited about returning home and heading to the studio to paint, paint, paint!! If you ever have an opportunity to take Carol's workshop take it. She is amazing!

I apologize for my photographs of Carol's demo paintings. They certainly don't do them justice.

I may not be able to post for the next few days as WIFI comes and goes. But I will return - hopefully with a new and improved painting!!