Sister to Sister - A Birthday Commission

Sister to Sister

12x12, oil on panel

sold

A birthday commission for my niece from her sweet husband, these are their beautiful girls watching ducks on a pond. It was a difficult composition for me and I ditched two attempts early on and even changed the size/orientation. What a relief when the figures finally "settled" into the painting... I heard from them over the weekend and she was very pleased - plus he was an absolute joy to work with. Today is her actual birthday - much love, dear girl.

Girl from Totonicapan

Girl from Totonicapan

8x10, oil on panel

nfs

Another Guatemalan memory. The people of these tiny villages dress in a riot of pattern and color - truly one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. I edited this image much more than the last - not only removing all detail from the background but even from this little angel's clothing. I'm honored to have been invited to contribute a painting to the Amigas de las Americas annual spring fundraiser - an art auction at Laguna Gloria Art Museum. Through this organization, more than 20,000 youth volunteers are placed in Latin American communities to complete service projects that change the lives of both the high school/college age kids and the communities they serve. I have a precious young friend who will spend this summer in Cusco, Peru and I'm so proud of her work.

Karin Jurick Workshop and Party Prep

Bathing Beauty

16x20, oil on panel
sold

You may recognize this precious child - click here to see where I've painted her before. It was so difficult for me to not dwell on her beautiful curls: "put down that brush - this is where we get into trouble." This painting will be framed to go to the upcoming Art Party. It has been such an exciting week as we've continued to do party prep!

Another bit of great news - I'm leaving this week to play for a few days in Georgia and So. Carolina before attending Karin Jurick's workshop at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina in Hilton Head next week. I cannot wait to soak up all this gifted artist has to teach - can you imagine how lucky I feel? I shipped my paints and brushes today and this will be a technology-free vacation: no blogging, no email. Just watching, listening, learning, painting. [OK, probably a teensy-tiny little pinch of eating, drinking, laughing, beach walking] Apologies if this is an inconvenience for anyone - I'll be back November 8, just in time for the party November 11. Thank you to Mr. Right, our kids, and all our friends who are pitch-hitting.

Lazy Days in Port Aransas

Little Mermaid

12x12, oil on panel

SOLD

Happy Summer to all! How lucky our family was to plop down on the Port Aransas beach one day recently next to the family of this precious little girl. She was soooo busy, with all her buckets and cups and shovels - she entertained us for hours. Simply put, I'm enchanted by beach light and reflections.

Just Grab a Kid and Go

On the Tarmac, Cozumel

8x8 oil on canvas

NFS

When our kids were younger, our family plus three others (college girlfriends a.k.a. some of my beloved twisted sisters) vacationed on a beach together for a week every summer, for 11 straight years. We were a small band of travelers in the beginning - 8 adults plus a couple of toddlers, give or take the odd visiting grandma or friend - and one of us moms was often sporting the maternity bathing-suit look. Eeeesch! We ventured no further than big, rambling houses on Texas beaches in the early years.

Our Lavagirl was the last baby born and once she turned 2, we all turned our eyes South of the Border - to the land of white sands, turquoise waters, and the all-inclusive resort with its endless buffets, spirits, activities, and housekeeping. By that time we numbered 15, plus or minus. And during those weeks, all the kids had 8 parents and the livin' was easy. My little traveling companion in this painting isn't mine but she sure felt like it. I'll never forget her fashionable turquoise straw cowboy hat that summer.

Catch

8x8 oil on canvas

$85 - click here to email

I've been sketching this little boy playing with his beach ball off and on for a week. Yes, in sketchbooks, but also on envelopes, napkins, and grocery lists. Everywhere I look in my life right now, there he is. And so, when I woke up this morning and knew I wanted to paint him, it happened quickly and easily. The only question remaining was the color of his bathing suit. I settled on UT burnt orange because that's what the boy in my family would want.

I just want to say that Mr. Right is my hero. The art room is arguably the best room in our house - it has windows on three sides and is located smack-dab in the middle of the action. Last night as I painted he was grilling our dinner. Today he and Lavagirl were playing in the pool, laughing and splashing, not 20 feet away. How lucky am I?