"Baby Roses" SOLD

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I wanted to get one more petite painting posted for April---and just under the wire--here it is!

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"Opening Up" SOLD

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I hurried home today with my treasures from Smits Greenhouse (geraniums, tulips, and a sprig of gardenia that smells delicious). One of the tulips that had been closed quickly opened up. I was a bit reluctant to use it, thinking "it doesn't look so much like a tulip now". Then as I was arranging things to set up the still life, I noticed how incredible the inside of the tulip was with the light shining in and through it. I quickly decided to go with the flow. The flower had opened for a reason and so the painting began. As it went along, I realized it said a lot about us humans. We sometimes keep ourselves closed up tightly, fearing the worst, not sure we will be liked. And then at some point (hopefully) we realize we can let our true colors shine--and be liked for who we really are. Opening up to life is a beautiful thing. Thank you tulip.

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"Bottom of the Ninth" SOLD

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Some days in the studio one almost feels guilty for how easily paintings come together. This was not one of those days. I found this little cream pitcher lurking in the back of my own cabinet--so thrilled was I. Little did I know what terror those little white lines on a curvy surface could induce! This is one of two go 'rounds with the pitcher. The other shall live on in infamy in the darkness of my studio.....It is always such a glaring reminder of how each painting has its own life and own set of "rules" that must be understood. But the truth is, I wouldn't have it any other way. It keeps you on your toes and "I'm bored" are never words you will hear out of the mouth of any artist ("terrorized by a pitcher" maybe---but never bored).

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"Red Letter Day" SOLD

See this painting at Gallery B!

A red letter day is a day of special significance (according to Webster). Like the red that is used on calenders to signify that it's a holiday. Any day that we get to be outside in nature, soaking up the fragrance and color of growing things, is in my humble opinion, a red letter day. Of course, if the flowers happen to be red, it makes it even better........

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"Old Friends" SOLD

Available at Gallery B!

I think because arches are organic in shape, they make for a pleasant feeling when viewed in the landscape. They repeat the shapes of nature---tree limbs, grasses, the slight arc of a bird's wing. This particular arch is a portion of the old mission, San Juan Capistrano. It has inspired many an artist for many a year and I am no exception. The day I visited here, it was filled with school children, running noisily about and tents were set up on the grounds for an evening event. I am sure the arch and roses below have seen many such things come and go. There is a peacefulness and calmness about them. I am not sure why, but I am continually drawn to the pairing of tumbled old bricks, weather worn mortar and velvety, tender roses.

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"Joy, Harmony, Beauty, and Peace" SOLD

Available at Gallery B
Well, what does one say to two daffodils that have continued to keep their game face on for so long? You know you would do what I did. You would paint them. Again. Did I tell you I love to paint?

Joy, harmony, beauty, and peace. That's what I wish for you. Pin It

"I Promise, It's the Last One.....Maybe" SOLD

The daffodils still looked so good, I felt guilty to move on and not paint at least one more. I did decide though, that I wanted to use the sugar bowl, which led to wanting some strong purple color in the piece, which led to slipping outside and snipping some grape hyacinth, which led to me realizing how nice it was outside today, which led to me making myself come back inside. Painting can really get one in a butt load of trouble, no matter how innocent it all starts out to be.

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"Down to the Last Three" SOLD

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I used a new "medium" (the stuff we painters use to thin oil paints to make them the consistency we like) on this painting and loved the way the paint flowed on and how the daffodils emerged from the canvas. I "borrowed" it from a wonderful artist by the name of Carol Marine. It is two parts linseed oil, 1 part stand oil, and 1 part Gamsol (for you guys who want to know the details!) I am curious to see the surface appearance when it dries--how much of a sheen is retained. Now, enough of the art lesson and onto the real stars---Daffodils Extraordinaire. We had pretty cold weather here last week and I was really concerned I might not be able to corner any daffodils to paint. You know, spring can sneak past you at lightening speed--so many flowers, so little time--and daffodils are one of my favorites. So, I headed out to the flower people (Smit's) and sure enough, the cold weather had foreshortened (also an art term, but not here....) the daffodils lives. However, with little feet still planted firmly in soil, one pot of daffodils survived in the cooler and were being sacrificed one at a time for fresh bouquets. And they were down to the last three. Needless to say, I WAS THRILLED. I confess, I have been on a bit of a binge since then. I felt I owed it to them (the daffodils). Three paintings later (I'll post two tonight) and all is well.....

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"Scented Doorway--Large Version" SOLD

Here is the big version--20" x 20". It is always my quest to keep the larger works with the same feel and spontaneity as the small pieces. They often require a bit more information though--what can be said with one stroke on a 8" x 8" panel, needs a bit more information when stretched to a larger size! In this work, I did a couple of preliminary thumbnail sketches to determine how I was going to do the values in the piece. It was late afternoon, with the sun passing over buildings, hitting the walls and flowers tops, leaving the foreground in lower light. I decided to "enhance" and let some light hit the flower pot and bounce back into the door to help direct the eye around the painting (along with some strategically placed fallen petals). And I have to say, I prefer always, painting from life, but thank God for digital cameras--when you're visiting a place like California, there is always more to paint than you can shake a stick (brush) at!

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"Scented Doorway" SOLD

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This is one of the many things I enjoy about Spanish Village in San Diego--the delightful pockets of color tucked in any space wide enough to hold a pot (or pots!). I adore color-- and flowers always give me license to go overboard with no apologies. I loved this scene and decided to try it out in this size before launching into the large one. I will post both here so you can see what I have been busy with the past couple of days.

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"Welcoming Committee" SOLD

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Spring flowers can sneak up on you. They lay hiding in the ground, all mulched over, and one forgets they are anywhere around. I had dug these up from an old yard that was getting ready for a makeover---spring bulbs were not part of the plan. They were already in full bloom when I moved them last spring, so I wasn't sure how they would fare. But when I returned from California, there they were, all dressed in their Sunday best! I love the tendrils that trail from the grape hyacinth greenery. They are such a beautiful ending to a spring blush of purple.

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"Painting in Balboa Park, San Diego, CA"

My trip to San Diego was filled with lots of things, including painting at my old studio location in the Spanish Village Art Center in Balboa Park. Everything was blooming, I was among lots of friends, and there was a classical guitarist strumming a few yards away that played every song I knew, including a few bars of the Pink Panther theme. I couldn't have staged it any better myself! I felt the only thing needed was for a bluebird to show up and sit on my shoulder....I guess the bluebird didn't read my post about me going to California.

Color is always the lure for me, so the village is irresistable when it comes to painting. It is a favorite for a lot of artists and one I highly recommend if you live in the area or are planning a visit. The photo of the painting I did in progress shows the sunny yellow doors of one of the studios. I didn't realize the artist was gone out to lunch, leaving the doors closed when I first started. Part way through the painting, they returned and folded back the doors---I look up from my palette to find the yellow door had "disappeared"! The hazards of painting in real time, in real life. But it turned out well anyway--I felt the painting captured the sunshine feel and bright bouganvillea of the day.

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