Thursday, January 13, 2011

Victorian Engagement

This young couple posed for a painting group a few days ago. They are engaged, and one of their common interests is the Victorian era. They dressed in Victorian costume - which was beautiful and enjoyable to paint. The real challenge was doing two people in under four hours and have them look at least a little like who they really are.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Rains House

6x6 oil on Raymar panel
$70.00 plus s&h
I enjoy plein air but am fairly new to it. Wow - it's a whole different game out there! The bugs! The changing light! Forgeting your turpentine!
This house, the John Rains historic home in Rancho Cucamonga, California, was built in the 1840's. It is the oldest house in our area, and was built with handmade bricks. It's a beautiful home with an interior courtyard. John Rains and his wife, Dona Merced, owned much of the area where we live, until his murder, which is unsolved even today. The house, abandoned and dilapidated, was set for demolition in the early 1970's, when a school teacher and her students (my husband was one of them) stood in front of the bulldozer that would start the demolition, and stopped it in it's tracks. It was saved, restored, and is now a county museum.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Tryin To Fit In - SOLD

Hello everyone! It's been a while since I posted - I really miss painting when I don't - and I know you've all heard the "too busy" excuse. Well - I'm making every effort in this new year to paint more regularly. It feeds the soul, and makes everything else in life easier to deal with.
In this new painting, it seems the smallish apple is just trying to fit in, and there seems to be some question whether he will or not. This painting was so rewarding for me - such a simple subject, but so complicated in it's lights and shadows.