Blissfully Unaware

"Sunset Over the Bridge"

6x6    $95

I have an assistant.  Yippee.  I feel, oh so, professional now.  Okay, she will  work only a few hours a week but I have an assistant.  The wonderful thing about "M" is that she & I think alike.  She has been a student of mine for a couple of years and  I find her to be so delightful and funny.  It wasn't until I received an email from her several months later, that I discovered why we got along.  Her "tag" line of her email is Blissfully Unaware.  Woohoo.  This is not to say, that she or I are incapable of accomplishing things, we are.  But our dilemma will come in trying not to be "Blissfully Unaware" at the same time.  So as time goes by, any errors on this blog can be directly attributed to a bad day at the studio by both of us.  Poor "M", already getting the blame for future mishaps.  Welcome to the studio!

It's Not Mexico. SOLD!!!!!!

"Hint of Water"

6x6   $95

 A girlfriend and her family are on vacation in Mexico.  She's been so kind to send me beautiful photos from her balcony.  But I'm not waiting for her sunset photos.  I painted my own..  J, I know it's not Mexico but it's the best I can do.  Happy vacation and stop sharing the views & send me some salsa & Margaritas, EXPRESS!

Cool Down - NFS

"All in Yellow"

8x6

The heat has abated but a gloomy day appeared.  Needed something cheerful & could think of nothing happier than a field of flowers.  Enjoy the day.

Angry Birds!!

"Along the Way"

8x6   Oil

$95

On one hand I have to thank my sister-in-law for some wonderful barn photos from their vacation this past week.  On the other hand, while visiting, she introduced me to the most frustrating/addicting iPhone game called "Angry Birds".  I played it because she, my brother, niece & nephew were playing it.  When my phone died last week, "relief", the game had disappeared.  Stopping on their way back home on Friday, she told me how to upload the game again.  Being very blond that day, I reloaded it.  Having wiped out my previous success, I've now started from the beginning  and stuck as the same @%$^&^*&@(! place as before.  Yes, Wen, that stupid cart/train (whatever that thing is) has gotten the best of me. Thanks for the photos and I owe you for the "Angry Birds".  Love YA, mean it!!!

Kelley Warp

"In the Red"

6x6    $95

A fellow DPO painter, Kelley MacDonald & I have had some of the same technical Facebook/Blogger issues and have "shared" our frustrations.  Thinking it might be targeted directly towards us, she aptly named it "Kelley Warp".  So in that vein, my iPhone (less than 2 mos. old) totally died on my today.  After trying to make an appt. online, no success, then calling the Apple store for an hour (line busy) I finally was able to get an appt. for tomorrow, late afternoon.  I'm starting to think this "Kelley Warp" thing is real.  All I have to say is watch out Kelley Mac., it might be your turn tomorrow.  Now the bright spot today was getting a call from a friend, who had a bunch of beautiful red sunflowers for me.  Thanks Rod. 

Cure for Insomnia

"Digging in the Sand"

6x6  $95

Lucky to have painted something at all today.  Here's why, I'm not a great sleeper but throw in 100 degree plus days and not much cooling at night & it's little sleep for moi.  However, last night I discovered a cure.  After playing backgammon & hangman for several hours (no sleep in sight), I turned to my fellow DPO painters to look at their work again.  I have to say that several have been painting yummy food.  So after about an hour of drooling, starving,  looking (now 4 o'clock am), I went to the freezer and grabbed a Weight Watchers Ice Cream Bar.  By 4:30, I was fast asleep.  Thanks Weight Watchers and the food painting DPO girls. Now the only question is what to give up...trying to lose weight or sleep?

Flower Power

"Violet Mood"

7x5     $95

Looking forward to a week of uninterrupted time in the studio.  A whole week.  Yippee!  It's going to be flowers galore for a series that I'm beginning.    I'm also going to try to paint some figurative pieces.  Now what's that saying...Best laid plans.  We'll see.  Also, a note to Dana, I'm getting my own Cornflower Blue since you like to "hide" yours.

Summer Time- SOLD!

"Serene"

6x4     $95

Aunts Rule!

"Hydrangeas"

5x7  Oil on Panel

$95

I meant to post this painting yesterday but add a niece & a nephew to your day and nothing gets done.  Not that it's a bad thing but priorities shift and play time become the most important objective of the day.  So, I'm off to beat one of them at some kind of game just so I can claim some victory.  Not likely, they're getting too smart but I gotta show them I'm not "old school".  Aunts Rule!

Out of Brushes

"Orange Daisies"

10x10  oil on canvas

Not painting at my studio always presents challenges.  I had to paint at home today so that meant working under less than ideal conditions.  I never have all the paints I need, lucky if I have canvas and today out of brushes with the exception of 2 caked with paint brushes because my "assistant" didn't wash them.  But I was determined to paint something and in the end I had to step out of my comfort zone and use what was at hand.  So between paper towel, my palette knife and the less than desirable brushes, I painted with thicker paint and somewhat less control.  All in All, a good thing.   But before I hit the easel in the morning, I will have had a talk with myself assistant about the proper care of brushes. 

Celebration!!!! SOLD!

"On the Dunes"

    5x7   oil on canvas

$95

I can't think of a better way to celebrate my 100th blog posting by going to the beach.  Alright, I'm currently landlocked but I can paint me a view.  I have really enjoying painting these small gems and look forward to my next 100.  As a small thank you for all that have followed me, I'm giving away a set of note cards.  Drum roll, please.  The winner is Kay Teague.  Congratulations, Kay.  Now I'm off of dip my toes in the ocean (bathtub).

Hot! Hot! Hot! SOLD!

"Shop Around the Corner"

6x6  oil

$95

A few weeks ago, I mentioned a flower shop that I frequent and evidently keeping the shop a secret has driven a few people a little crazy.  I've received a "few" emails asking, begging, guessing which shop it is.  I'm still not going to reveal the shop but here's a clue.  If you can figure out the "shop" in the painting, then as the child's game goes, you're hot! hot! hot!  Who knew that keeping a tiny secret from a few people would create such a stir?  Good luck.

It's not Triple Chocolate Mousse!

"Cherries & White Pitcher"

6x6  oil on canvas

$95

So I left the bakery this morning with a triple chocolate mousse cake & a  lemon curd cupcake to paint.  That's why I painted cherries & a white pitcher.  It was a major wipe out day.  Couldn't get enough light on the desserts to give me any shadows without melting the subject matter.  Did I mention that it was around 100 degrees today?  Anyway I think my painting looks more refreshing than a triple chocolate mousse cake.  And before anyone asks, the mousse cake collapsed onto itself and the cupcake was my mom's afternoon snack.  Stay cool!

What's for Dinner?

"The Catch"

6x6 oil on panel

$95

Painting fishermen is always fun for me but is it rewarding for the fishermen?  I have yet to get a photo of these guys catching anything.  I think it's just a ruse to get out of the house. The age old stories of fishermen stopping by the fish market to buy their "catch" can't all be false.  Or is this their version of I'm heading to the studio to paint and then coming home unable to produce a piece only to say "I wiped off my painting"?   In the end, it's all good if you're having fun.

Roll 'em out!

"Fifth Wheel"

5x10   oil on paper

$95

First day in the studio since my students have gone.  With grandiose plans, I went to the easel and started a painting.  Two hours later it no longer existed, not that it's bad thing.  Getting back into a routine of painting usually doesn't happen with the first painting back.  So I took a break and came back deciding to start simply.  Cherries.  There is something about painting cherries that can brighten my day.  Maybe it's in setting them up, all I usually have to do is roll them out of the bag onto the table & instant Still Life!  I have also set myself a goal of limiting the number of brushstrokes to describe my subject.  So between now & July 12th, limited brushstrokes is the "word of the day".  Let's see what happens. 

Love ya, get out!

"Studying Tomatoes"

Sometimes you have to go back in order to go forward.  Today was my last day of teaching art classes until September.  I'm lucky enough to have a great group of funny, sweet & talented students.  I didn't think I would be sad to see them go but I was (sorta).  Some I will see over the summer with workshops but will miss the weekly laughter & "ah ha" moments.  As the last group departed today, I thought I love ya but GET OUT!  It's time for your teacher & you to spend some "alone" time at the easel.  See what developes, experiment, see what trouble you can get into & hopefully work yourself out of it.  I know you can do it.  The painting posted today was one that I did as a class demo last fall.  I'm going to take a two week break and revisit some familiar subjects that I painted over the last 9 months in a different manner.   So to all my wonderful students, don't call me until July 12th!  Now go paint!!!!!

Where's Agatha?

Lemons & Cup

6x6  oil on paper/mounted

$95

It's amazing what I discovered once I cleaned out my studio.  Never remember this cup. Not a clue whether it came from & not something I would buy.  Don't suppose the still life fairy popped in over the weekend and left it for me?  It feels like when you drive somewhere & you don't remember how you got there.  But what would life be like without a little mystery?  Where's Agatha Christie when you need her?

My Favorite Saturday Job

"Full Color"

6x4  oil on paper

$95

Most important errand many Saturday mornings is to visit my favorite flower shop.  Over the course of time, I've gotten to know the "Saturday Girl" to the point that when I walk in & she just points me to their refrigerated flower area.  I get to run "amok" amongst the gorgeous flowers.  I came away with a bucketful of flowers and at a very nice discount.  Saturdays are the day they clean out in preparation of Monday's fresh delivery.  I would give a plug for my favorite florist but this is a secret that I'm not quite willing to share.

Go to Plan "B"

"In Full Bloom"

18 x12 (approx.)   oil on paper

Went to dinner at my favorite French restaurant last night (thanks,"V") and brought a chocolate almond croissant home to paint today.  Actually, I brought it for my Mom but I told her I had to paint it first.  So, first it was 98 degrees today, second, chocolate in croissant melted making mess, not very interesting to paint.  So time for  Plan B.  One of my students brought these beautiful flowers to try painting oil on paper.  I did a demo for them, since they hadn't painting on paper before.  And voila, here's the painting.  It was another fun exercise on this slick paper but I liked it.  Enjoy the bouquet! I'm going to drink a glass of wine and offer the croissant to my mom. 

Play Time - NFS

"Raspberry Cake Galore"

6x6    Oil on Paper/Mounted

$95

This week a student & I are going to doing an oil painting on paper.  Since it had been a "few" years since I had done this, I took the opportunity to try it again.  This is my first attempt.  Holy cow, how slick is this?  I had a blast but it was like learning to ice skate.  First stroke was like hitting the ice and landing on your butt.  Pick yourself up and try again.  It was total play time because I had no control but loving every minute of it.  All I can say is, stay tuned, you might see a big fall or a fancy spin.  Either way there should be some fun along the way.