Orange Tea

6x6 oil on Raymar panel

$70.00 plus s&h

I finished this one this morning, after starting it last night. I love the idea of high contrast - hence the light mug on a dark background, and the use of complements. The reflections on the mug, as well as on the surface, were fun - and I think I pulled it off.

Persimmons X 4

6x6 oil on Raymar panel

$70.00 plus s&h

To me, persimmons are the most beautiful fruit there is. There's just something about the rich warm colors that get more intense with time. When they are in season, I just can't wait to capture them. The blue napkin seems to bring everything together. I'm thrilled with this one!

Reflection City - SOLD

6x6 oil on Raymar panel

Well, as I got involved in this one, it seemed like one reflection after another just kept popping up! That's what I get for putting glass and metal in the same painting. It was fun, though!

Tiny Vase - SOLD

6x6 oil on Raymar panel

This is actually a little green bottle that looks so cute as a vase with impatients in it. I wanted to emphasize the bottle, hence the composition. I'm having a little trouble getting accurate photos of my work - all I can come up with is the change in outside lighting because of the time of year. Does anyone have any ideas?

Confederate Officer

11x14 oil on Raymar panel

This model was definitely in a time warp - I think he really believed he was in the Civil War!

And he was so still - never moved. His costume was truly authentic. He was great fun to paint.

Stan Cook - SOLD

11x14 oil on Raymar panel

This model is an aquaintance of mine, and he posed at a painting workshop I go to once a month. He has such interesting features, and considers himself a "hippie', hence the beaded headband. It was really enjoyable painting him!

Gather 'Round for Storytime - SOLD

8x6 oil on Raymar panel

1. This little coffee pot is flexing her "wings" and controlling her little pupils so as to tell them a story. Kinda far fetched? I don't know - it's what came to my mind as I finished painting it. She is just so intimidating! I found this little pot in Sisters, Oregon last summer. I loved the color and couldn't wait to paint it! About this painting - I had so much fun with the many reds in the pot, and I love the complementary green bits showing through from the ground.

Umbrellas

24x18 oil on stretched canvas

On a trip to the UK several years ago, we went to Dublin and stood in line to see the Book of Kells at Trinity College. I was more interested in the visual of people standing in the rain waiting. So I did a small watercolor sketch of this, then photographed it and did this studio painting later.

Cowboy

10x14 oil on stretched canvas

I belong to a painting group who meets once a month to paint from the live, costumed model.

Some of these models really believe they are who they are dressed as! This guy was no exception. He really lived the part.

The painting was challenging, but rewarding. I like how I was able to keep it loose.

Sunflowers2 - SOLD

6x8 oil on Raymar panel

This one was really enjoyable to do - and I'm not one to do too may florals. I have more fun with the transparent glass, and I like the little pink bits that come through. But there's something about sunflowers that attract me - (there's that yellow again), and maybe it's the fact that they were VanGogh's fave.

Anticipation

8x10 oil on stretched canvas

There's that yellow again. Sometimes, it's a great exercise to just paint with the pure, unmixed colors on my palette, paying attention only to the value of the color. I like how this one addresses "heat" and "excitement" just with color. Arbitrary color, but definitely not arbitrary value.

Sunflower 1 - SOLD

6x6 oil on Raymar panel

There's something about intense yellow that I am always attracted to, probably because it's daring to break the rules and use paint right out of the tube. I like the composition in this one - the fact that the sunflower is a small part of the canvas and is still the most important element is cool.

You Can All Hide Here

18x30 soft pastel on Canson paper

The wrought iron "sister" is taking on the monumental task of helping the objects find refuge in the flower pot. Will it all work out?

This illustration is a little different for me - not one of my daily paintings. It's done in soft pastel on paper. This is part of a collaborative project called the "Sisterhood of the Traveling Trunk" - a group of artists who got together, chose random objects that went into a trunk, then the trunk traveled from artist to artist so they could create art that included the objects. A very creative, fun project. Now the project is going to "travel" and be on display at various places in Rancho Cucamonga, then who knows - the world?

Just Sunning Ourselves

12x9 soft pastel on Canson paper

$250.00 plus $10.00 shipping

Hi everyone! I know it's been a while since I've posted. I've been really involved in the preparations for a local art show - very time-consuming. I expect to become more consistent next week - in the meantime, I'll post some of my favorites. This is a pastel painting that I really like. There is something so beautiful about a persimmon - they may not taste great unless they're in a cookie, but the colors are just delicious! And I love working with pastels. These little fruits just seem to be soaking up the sun, like people in a row on the beach. I like the complements in the shadows.

Royal Asian

11x14 oil on Raymar panel

$300.00 plus s&h

This model was beautiful, and her kimono was such a vibrant blue-voilet, that when it shone, it went towards red-violet. I wanted to capture her contemplative expression, and then contrast that with expressive brush strokes depicting her kimono. I am satisfied with the results.

Tied Down - SOLD

8x6 oil on Raymar panel

Another scene from Balboa. I loved the repetition of the similar shapes and angles, as well as how they lead you into the composition. Painting the shoreline in the distance was fun - just showing some simple shapes and value changes does the trick. The sailboats were the last thing added, as they started sailing by in a little parade just as I was finishing.

Ferris Wheel At Balboa

6x6 oil on Raymar panel

$70.00 plus s&h

Yesterday was plein air day at Balboa Island, Newport Beach. What a beautiful day!The ferris wheel seemed to be a must do - so I had a great time simplifying the details into bigger shapes. The contraption in the foreground - I put it in because the colors were so primary and gorgeous - I'm pretty sure it had to do with boats coming by to get gas. I like how those little spots of primary color are unifying the image.

"I'm Quite Comfortable, Thank You"- SOLD

6x6 oil on Raymar panel

This little pear has found the most comfortable seat in the room - it fits him perfectly and is quite stylish. This blue votive holder finds its way into my paintings quite often. I was inspired to paint the blue and yellow with the dark value background, because I heard that the Dutch artist Vermeer especially loved blue and yellow together. These two colors really do get along well!

Primary Stack - SOLD

6x8 oil on Raymar panel

The Fiesta Ware cups make such a great stack - I especially like the cool blue between the two hots. The light from above cast some interesting shadows, while a window behind me injected some cool lights.

Impatients

6x8 oil on Raymar panel

$70.00 plus s&h

When I did this one, I wasn't paying any attention to whether I liked it or not. But a week later, I have really grown fond of it! The yellow pitcher is an antique store find. And the impatients - well - they are one of my favorite flowers. The red-orange and the simple shape is just so fun to paint!!

Salt'n'Peppa - SOLD

6x6 oil on Raymar panel

This pair is always happy together- you hardly ever see one without the other! Simplifying the actual grains of salt and pepper to larger shapes is a challenge, but the color alone gives it away. I had fun with this one, especially with the obvious and few brushtrokes.

A Slice of Amber

6x8 oil on Raymar panel

I found this great bottle in a wonderful antique store in Port Orchard, Washington. I guess it was an old whiskey bottle - and I love it because of its shape and clear amber color. The orange slice really took on the amber bottle colors. The two seem to be friends.

Flowin' - SOLD

6x6 oil on Raymar panel

This is the same day as my previous post - just a little bit later. I loved the colors of this day - the blues reflecting in the water, and the clean greens. You know how you get to a certain point in a painting, and wonder if it's going to come together or not? Well, that's how I felt about the tree in the foreground - but I like how it suddenly turned out.

Down to the River - SOLD

6x6 oil on Raymar panel

I did this little one on a breezy afternoon in Sacramento, at the Sacramento River. People were fishing, and floating along in little boats. For this scene, I just waited for it to be clear of people. I love the blues seen in the water and the greens in the foliage. I had a delightful time!

Aunt Elaine's Front Door

6x6 oil on Raymar panel

This is the view of my husband's Aunt's front door in Sacramento. It was late afternoon, just before dinner, and I had just a little time to paint. Lots of family members were around, which, surprisingly, didn't bother me. I think the better paintings happen when I am slightly distracted, and not trying too hard!

I have to explain that I haven't been posting often because of SUMMER, and the family needing my attention more than usual. Even though I love summer, I look forward to the quiet alone moments of Autumn, when I can paint uninterrupted.

Calm, Cool, and Collected - SOLD

6x6 oil on Raymar panel

The cool colors of this painting make it seem so calm. The limes seem to be just relaxing in the light. I like the way they reflect into the mug.

I have been out of town for the last couple weeks - am home now and will be posting more regularly. I did just 3 plein air paintings while away - it's hard when there's so many other things planned throughout the days. I will begin listing some paintings for sale on ebay this next week - a random selection from older and newer posts.

As always, your comments are appreciated!

Violinist

11x14 oil on Raymar panel

This young girl was beautiful, and her satin dress so blue! I put the most time into the face, and less time into the violin and hand, which I do plan to rework. The pose itself is only about 3 hours - so working fast is paramount. As in other figures and portraits, I've been using only black, yellow, red, and white. However, in this one, I had to use thalo and ultramarine to get the lovely blue.

Basking in the Light

11x14 oil on Raymar panel

This model was great - I liked the pose and how relaxed and serene she was - almost like she was in deep thought. The cool light really dictacted the soft colors, and all that was used here was black, yellow ochre, cad red light, and white.

Double Vision

6x6 oil on canvas panel

The egg seems to take away the limelight from the larger, more colorful bell pepper. Orange bell peppers are one of my favorite subjects. The egg shape is always a challenge, but adds good contrast with its white values. The reflection was especially fun to paint.

Threesome - SOLD

6x8 oil on Raymar panel

The cherries, although separated by the jar, are still together as a little friendly group. They set up a perfect little triangle, and get along so great. I like the way the reflections worked from the cherries onto the glass. Again, one of my favorite props - the jar.

Only Room For One

6x6 oil on canvas panel

The cherry tomato in the bowl feels safe and secure, while his friend on the table wants in. This small bowl is really a votive holder, but I love to use it for other things as I paint it. I like the thick glass and all the blues it creates, depending on the light.

I'll Scoop You Up! -SOLD

6x6 oil on canvas panel

With cherries in season, it's hard not to paint them. They're just so cute! This silver spoon appears to be trying to scoop up the oranges, which are escaping, while the cherries just pretend they're not next. The composition of the large vertical shape stabilizes the smaller, scattered, dynamic shapes.

Happy Birthday to Me!

6x8 oil on Raymar panel

On my birthday, I knew I would get a little time to do anything I wanted - so of course I chose to paint. Someone gave me a bouquet with this flower in it. So it only seemed right to put it in my painting. For me, the jar was way more fun to paint than the flower!

Geranium

6x8 oil on Raymar panel

The dark green glass bowl was borrowed from a friend. I chose the pink geranium for its complementary relationship with the bowl. I like the subtle contrast between the warm and cool greens.

Happy Couple - SOLD

6x6 oil on Raymar panel

This pair of pears seem to be a couple - the woman on the left, admiring her man, while the man is straight and strong. It's amazing how personal relationships are formed among things that aren't human! The simplicity of this painting makes us focus on the pair even more.

Fresh Egg

6x6 oil on Raymar panel

A friend told me that you can tell an egg is fresh by how round and 3D the yolk is. Well - that's how this painting got its' name. The sky blue background, combined with the sunny yellow, seem to make this painting just so smiley and happy!

A Pear of Reflections

6x6 oil on Raymar panel

I enjoy painting reflective surfaces, and this steel bowl is a popular prop with me. Pears are a favorite fruit to paint, and although they are closer to us, I wanted to keep the interest on the bowl and the reflections in it.

Holly and Oranges - SOLD

6x6 oil on Raymar panel

I did this painting while vacationing in Big Bear with a couple of friends. I was wanting to put something green into the jar, and holly was about the only thing available. I like the combo of colors here, and the way the blue peeks through the background.

Direct Gaze

11x14 oil on Raymar panel

This model was a last minute replacement for one that couldn't get to our session. She was great - very still. I love the way she looks at the viewer. The white fluffy thing she's wearing was especially fun to paint.

Vintage Egg - SOLD

6x6 oil on Raymar panel

I found this little blue bowl at an antique store. I love the delicate shape and the subtle color on the edges. It's probably Depression glass, so very old. Again, so much fun painting the egg!

Vintage Red

6x6 oil on Raymar panel

Once again, another find in an antique co-op. I just couldn't take my eyes off this pitcher. The color is so beautiful - I knew I had to paint it! Many colors went into this. I like the subtle pear reflections in it, and the black accents.

Green Egg

6x6 oil on Raymar panel

I got this little green mixing bowl from Ebay for $.99 - what a steal. This is one of my favorite colors, and I like the way the bowl reflects onto the table. The title playfully suggests that famous children's book - everyone asks "and Ham?"- and I say "No - just Green Egg".