Oil Can..... today's painting

"Oil Can"

8"x 10" oil painting on canvas

mounted to board

ebay Auction 

for this painting

click here

Music Video....okay, its really an oil painting video

watch video on youtube

Okay......painting was fun, but creating this little 3 minute video

was the highlight of my day.

I woke up Sunday with no ambitions....no creative projects on my mind, just sipping coffee and enjoying the extra hour I got from daylight savings.  Did I wake up at 10am? nope! I woke up at 9....aaaahhhhhh, that was wonderful.  So, sipping coffee.....talking with my teenage son about music mixing.  He has a new favorite group that mixes their own music "Blunted Beatz".  I asked him if there was an app for music mixing.  I love music....maybe I could mess around with mixing....you see I'm kinda an artsy A.D.D.....I love learning....creating....trying new things.... I dabble in a little bit of everything.  I'm surprised I've stayed focused on painting for so long, it must be the real deal for me.  But.... its the weekend .....so time to play with something else.

I downloaded an app called Music Maker on my iPad....plugged in my headphones and played.

Pretty soon I had something that was about 3 minutes long.....I loved the sound of it!! I played it over and over....I was wondering what else I could do and the thought occurred to me, I wanted to have a video of one of my paintings , in the process of being painted.  And the rest of my day started.

I got my iPhone....set it up in front of my easel, set up a still life....painted...filmed.  Into the house..

loaded it onto my computer, opened up iMovie ....trial and error'd my way into having a 3 min 

video, with my new music...and I uploaded it to youtube!

 That's a goal I've had for about a year now and it happened on a day that I had 

no intentions of doing anything but relaxing.  

I love when I relax, quite my mind and things fall into place....easy peasy.  

Italy.....sigh.....

My trip was wonderful...2 weeks in Italy painting and playing.........and eating.

I'm ready to look for property for sale over there...haha...that's what happens when I really enjoy myself..... I start looking at the real estate market and imagining myself in a whole new setting.

I'd have a Vespa, that's for sure......one of the oldies, painted in a pale bluish green color.  I'd make pasta and use fresh vegetables from my garden, with olive oil on top.....and I'd eat warm, fresh picked plums everyday......sigh.....

Okay, I had a great time.  The other artists I went with were sweet and funny, their spouses...sweet and fun....the artist that was teaching the workshop, great!! (Darrell Anderson....amazing artist....you should check him out)

I had a dream the night before we started painting....I was struggling with an animal......it was trying to bite me....it wanted to harm me. At the end of the struggle and dream....I escaped.  The next day, I began painting in a way that I've always wanted to paint.....loose...juicy.....with my heart, not my mind.

I love all the paintings I came home with!!  I love them!! 

I needed to go halfway across the world, be with new people in a new place to find this.

And to think, it all started this January with a daily picture calendar about Italy....too cool!!  

This was painted on the side of a small road, in Montisi, Italy......in all fairness, most of the roads are small over there.... 

I'll post some more Italy paintings soon.

Thank you for reading and looking!

Flowers

"Fresh Flowers"

oil 16"x20"

I used to love painting from my imagination.  Now, after a few years of painting from life and what I see in front of me, I wonder if I can go back.  There is an amazing artist named Jill Carver.....she said  "artists should be poets and not journalists".  I love that simple statement, it says so much....and it speaks to me and what I'm hoping to accomplish in my own art.

I want my paintings to be poetry....

If I only paint what I see, am on on the right track?  That's my question to myself lately.

Thank you for looking....and reading.

Painting, learning and playing in... Montisi, Italy!!

I'm signed up for a painting workshop with an amazing artist....Darrell Anderson.

The workshop is going to be August 30th through September 6 .... 

in Montisi, Italy!!

I'm excited.....to say the least.  I haven't been to Italy in 20 years and I have been daydreaming about going for months now.  So when this opportunity presented itself....well, it was a no brainer.

I've been following Darrell's beautiful paintings ever since I wanted to learn to paint plein air and landscapes.  He does a little bit of everything...but I love his outdoor paintings and how he sees color....and how he paints the color he sees....he paints it boldly... I love that.  

That's the road I'm on with my own paintings.

Would you like to go to Italy?  Paint in hilltop town in Tuscany, Italy?  

Goof around with other artists....have great food...drink cappuccinos ?

Of course you do!  Do something wonderful for yourself, feed your heart and live the life of your dreams....

THAT....is the reason you are here....

If not this....then find something else that makes your heart beat faster and makes you feel scared and giddy at the same time!!

We are only here a short time.....what are you waiting for? A sign?

This is it!!  Whatever it is you love....go for it!

Click here for information on the 

Painting Workshop in Italy

Campbell Creek

"Campbell Creek"

11"x14" oil

I'm trying to get the hang of painting outside.  Something as simple as getting my gear together and heading out the door can be a deal breaker.  If it takes too long.....I might not go.

So ...now I have a bag that's packed and ready to go...that makes it easier.  Actually...right now the trunk of my car is ready to go!  I just need to grab my keys and head out.  

I like it. 

I love being outside.  I can spend a little too much time on a walk these days.

So painting outside is such a nice way to get two things I need....

nature and creating...in one fell swoop.

Well, here's my newest attempt at this.  Thank you for looking and I'l share more as it comes!

Drawing.....

This started out as a drawing....then I added watercolors....then went after it with an ink pen.

When I started it was a drawing of my mannequin in my studio, Fiona.  After I got done it didn't look like her as much as it did my mom when she was in her twenties.  I have a black and white photo of my mom and dad from the 50's.  Its sitting by my computer and I look at it everyday.  Its funny how images make an imprint on your mind, without even realizing it.  The body and clothing was Fiona, but when I drew the head and face....my mom's image came out of my hand.  I didn't notice it until I took the photo and looked at it on my computer.......I love these little surprises.   

Thanks for looking and reading!

"Free Spirit" .... as a painting progresses.....

"Free Spirit" 

 oil,  8"x 16"..not sure, but close

I want to paint a larger painting of this one.  

This is a small study...colors I want to use....layout, that kind of thing.

I took pictures along the way.  Not usually something I do, but did it this time.  

I love the look of the painting progressing...so I thought I'd show you.

I love these skull paintings.  Looks modern to me but I love the symbolism and ideas

 of spirituality that can be hinted at.  

Thanks for looking!

Reworked.....

"Waiting for Spring"

24" x 36" oil

This one was painted a few years ago, but it hangs in my house and is meant to be for the family,

a self portrait.  

So... because it hangs in the living room...I have the chance to look at it every day.  She kept whispering to me what she wanted.  I tried to ignore her.....tried to concentrate on the movie we were watching, or the book I was reading....but my eyes would drift over to where she was.  I'm a good listener....it took me years to get to it, but last night in the studio.  I did as I was asked. 

 You wouldn't know these things, unless you live with the painting and listen to her talk everyday!  The sky became a little warmer...her skin softened and warmed a bit on the sunlit side....petals floated and began to lay on her head and shoulders...her smile softened.  Ahhhh..... she's happy......I'm happy...it all worked out.  She was right...she's better this way.

  

Don't you just love to create??!!  Me too!!

Thank you for stopping by...looking and reading!

I appreciate it.

Plugged In

"Plugged In"

oil, 16" x 20"

Okay...finished her last night.  I like how this painting turned out.  Although I do think the lighting in my studio is so blue that it affected the color I saw and how I painted her skin.  It works....but I may not want the same look in my next painting.  Its wonderfully bright in my studio, but I can see this light is always going to lend a cool light to my paintings....not the warm glow I may want in others.

If you walked up to my studio at night....the light coming from the windows is so blue...

it almost looks like someone is welding inside!  I was going for "day light" bulbs, but I think I took it too far.  Back to Ace Hardware store!  I kinda love going there anyways...it's in my neighborhood...they recognize me, we work well together :)

At times, I've thought of working there....I could see myself as a hardware store girl.

It's very comforting being around all the tools, parts and pieces to make anything you want. 

I'll stick with painting for now.  

Thank you for looking!

Fresh paint....

I'm not sure of the title to this one.....it'll tell me soon enough.

I have it all blocked in and it ready for more today.

First I need to do other duties...hardware store.... get shipping tape and box cutters...make boxes

and ship some paintings.  Create some sketchbooks at Office Max...a great tip from Darrell Anderson  

on how to make inexpensive sketchbooks, so I'll sketch more!! The ipad is great for sketching, but what if a collector wants to buy my sketch?  Of course that happened on my first sketch!  The universe is screaming at me and sometimes I am so stubborn.  But when I'm shown what I cannot imagine on my own, then it sinks into my thick head! blah...blah...blah....

Moral of the story....I should burn through as much supplies as i need to get where I'm going!

Use more paint!!  burn through the canvases!! Use more paper!! paint until a brush goes bad, toss it and grab a new one!  Phew, that felt good.  I went crazy with the exclamation points...but its worth it.

I seem to love taking the long route when I learn....

Thank you for looking and reading my little art dilemmas :)

Sketching for fun.....

I just got a new iPad a few days ago, what a fun toy!!  I bought it for manipulating photos and working out new ideas for paintings.... But I got sidetracked with a sketching app!  

There is something so easy about picking it up and starting a sketch! I don't know why a piece of paper or sketch book is different. I guess I feel such a sense of commitment to create something wonderful....I'm not always up for that. If I don't like it.....I need to get rid of the evidence, rip it out and put it in the trash.  When my family hears the rip....they all turn, and of course...want to see what I thought was bad. Its kinda like a car accident.....there is a sounds that everyone will stop what they're doing to look....ripping paper always gets my attention too!  But this iPad....so silent, no commitment, just delete and start over...sweet. You know, I seem to like everything I draw on it too...I'm much kinder to myself with this little toy!

Okay.... maybe more than you wanted to know about my insecurities, but there you have it.  If you have an iPad and sketching sounds fun to you, download the "Sketchbook Pro" app, it's a lot of fun!!  It's something like $5 .....and  I use a little stylus instead of my finger, an inexpensive one works just fine :)

Salon International

"Sheltered" 

oil

8" x 24"

I am excited and honored to have been accepted into this year's Salon International!  I will have my painting "Sheltered" hanging in the Salon International this April at the Greenhouse Gallery in San Antonio, Texas!  The juror this year is David A. Leffel....thank you David, for choosing one of my paintings to be a part of this wonderful show!!

Check out The Greenhouse Gallery for more information....

www.GreenHouseGallery.com

Madrona Tree

Madrona Tree

12" x 16" oil

Alright....we don't have these in Alaska!  

My first morning on my trip to Bainbridge.....I'm sitting on the deck having morning coffee, and down below in the yard is this wonderful tree!  The bark is peeling....it's old and leaning out over the bank 

~ trying to get to the beach.... like the rest of us!  

When the sunshine hit this tree... the areas with the bark peeled away, glowed a beautiful shade of orange and some reds.  I knew I was going to paint this beauty! 

I found inspiration to paint everywhere I looked.

I love that about traveling....everything is so new and exciting...I want to paint it all!

Thank you for looking!

Sunset on Mt. Rainier

"Sunset on Mt. Rainier"

8" x 18" (estimated)

I'm on a trip and painting.  I have a glorious view of Mt. Rainier from my deck.

a few days ago..... the clouds moved and I saw it standing there....kinda blew my mind!  I had no idea it was there.  I was so focused on the view of Seattle from across the water.  

Sunset was minutes away.

I scrambled...got set up and then....tried to keep up... with the ever changing colors!  Right when I thought..."This is amazing!  I'm sticking with these colors and slamming it in" then the sun would inch a little further down.....and the pinks started glowing in front of me!  I switched gears...mixed the color I saw and just frosted it on over top....haha. I didn't want it to smear in and make mud.  Sometimes a girl needs a pallet knife to lay it on thick :)

I'm happy with this one.  I'm happy with this whole painting trip!  I have met the kindest people here....so giving and friendly....most feel like old friends that I've gotten back in touch with.

What a nice surprise!  And...I feel my artwork is about to change a bit.

Feels like a pivotal moment for my paintings......I've learned some things that I really needed 

from an artist here on the island, Darrell Anderson.  

(pick on his name...it will lead you to his blog and more information on him and his beautiful artwork)

I thought the plan was to come here and be alone with my thoughts...and just quietly paint.

But.... not the case.  I now know I came here to meet new friends... and feed my mind/ heart with new information for my paintings.  I love when life pulls me where I'm supposed to go.  I don't like making ALL the decisions.  Just point me in the right direction and surprise me!

Thank you for looking ....and reading, lol.

Sunrise

Sunrise

not too sure about size....somewhere around 8" x 14"

This is my very first Sunrise painting!  I can't believe I got up at 5:30......am.

That's what I affectionately call..."the middle of the night".

I sat and drank my cup of coffee and slowly woke up.  I got my set up and paints together and by 7:30am....looking at the horizon and smearing paint.  What a wonderful way to start my day!

Maybe I'll become a morning person?  As long as I don't have to make conversation before 10am, 

I could see it happening.

Thank you for looking! 

Who.........Me?

"Who......Me?"

10" x 20" oil

Do you ever feel like this?  Like you have a spot light on you and a big arrow pointing at you?

Put on the spot in some kind of way?  I do sometimes, I guess that's why I painted this.

It's kinda fun to play with my thoughts.....put them into form and then paint it.

Cathartic.  

Thank you for looking :)

Cherries....

11"x 14"  oil

I love this little thermos.  I found it at a thrift store recently.....it has my favorite colors.....l love cherry branches....I collect thermoses, it practically jumped into my arms when I walked by.  I love when this stuffs happens.....

Now I have a painting I'm excited about.  I just never know what's waiting around the corner for me, always nice surprises!

Now....what to name it?  I'll think on this one....hmmm.....

Thank you for looking!

Choices....

6" x 8" oil

I was out in my studio cleaning up yesterday, and I found this painting. The painting below.....in the post before today's, I was painting a sunset on my porch.  Well, after I was done and having a cup of coffee inside my warm kitchen......the last burst of the sunset was lighting the sky on fire.  I looked out the window and it had gotten crazy beautiful!

How could I stand there and drink coffee while a gift was being presented to me?  My set up was all still sitting there......I thought I might have about 5 minutes of that color,  so I got back out there and quickly captured my impression of what I saw.

It's always a choice.  Should I enjoy the beauty in a quiet way, just look, breath...soak it into my mind.

Or.....should I climb inside the beauty...feel it....express it the best I can?  

That's a tough choice.....but I love these little moments.  I had no idea I would be asked to make the choice when my guard was down and sipping my coffee!  and that's how life is....I love it.

That day I asked the universe......"show me how to paint it!"

I'll sit and soak it in peacefully another day :)

First post of the new year......

I set up my painting box on my deck railing....I'm still trying to get comfortable with moving my painting supplies around.  So here I am painting out side but only a few feet away from my studio.  I'll get there....I just can't seem to find a box that is lightweight, fits on a tripod and I can paint small or up to 16" x 20".  This is a great set up for larger paintings, but this Guerrilla painting box is big and heavy.

I want a set up I can travel with....like airports and fits in my luggage kind of traveling.

So, we'll see.  Anyways this was at about 3:00 to 4:00pm in Anchorage, Alaska.  You can see the sun is getting low and by the end of the painting...I'm catching the sun setting.  This time of year it happens fast.  I took pictures and called it quits...but at 4:15 to 4:30 the sky was on fire and the colors were out of this world.... next time.  Today I just stared, awestruck.  As my sister told me the other day....sunsets are God's paintings.  And today that thought came to mind.

Here's my finished painting.  I'm happy.  

I think I'm making some headway on these 

outdoor paintings!

Thank you for looking and reading.