Ducky

oil sketch on paper, 5x7

Maybe I should have said, "Some quirky paraphernalia has been swimming onto the blue post-it note stuck to the taboret." Sketched while watching CSI [original version, of course] - the coroner/character Dr. "Ducky" Mallard makes me laugh. Not to mention the {Very}Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs...

Pincushions and Pantone Colors

Pantone No. 18-2120: Honeysuckle

oil sketch on paper, 5x7

Color is a faithful muse. I love doing paintings inspired by Pantone's choice for Color of the Year - click here to see No. 15-5519 {Turquoise} in 2010 and here to see No. 14-0848 {Mimosa} in 2009. Yum-my. I've been playing in the studio lately - exploring some new ideas and techniques. Having a great time. Hard to say what will become of them yet but you'll know when I know. In the meantime, some quirky paraphernalia has been jumping onto that post-it note referenced above... I'm just saying.

Ten-Minute Cheese Spreader Sketches

Timer Set!

These sketches were done in response to a challenge one of my favorite teachers, Carol Marine, issued recently on the Daily Paintworks blog - paint the same thing over and over for no more than 10 minutes. The cheese spreader, the blue post-it note, and the paper primed turquoise for collage-making were handy. I've done this with Carol before - it's a great exercise. Really helps you think about values and colors and quick decision-making. Inspirational - and surprisingly tiring. Whew! Be sure to visit Carol's blog to see her great work and the DPW blog to see lots and lots of 10-minute sketches.

Painting Summer on a Snow Day

Salty Dog

8x10, oil on panel

sold

A recent commission, this grand fella owns a family who takes him to the beach quite often. It feels good to be beach painting - familiar and comfortable.

Back to Painting Port Aransas

Sand Castle

8x8, oil on panel

sold

Painting this Port Aransas beach house had me dreaming of warmer weather. As I post, our thermometer reads a balmy 19 degrees - and for Central Texas, that's saying something. Glad we don't have the ice and snow our northern neighbors are grappling with... but don't tell my kids I said that. Their fingers are crossed for a snow day. This painting is going to Shark Boy's school auction later in the month.

Shelf Life: In Our Kitchen

Shelf Life: Kitchen, Top Right

8x8, oil on panel

sold

A kitchen still life where Italian Renaissance Art and The Cokesbury Stunt Book (1934) mingle with Texas BBQ and Betty Crocker. Add to that some pretty white primroses that sneaked into my grocery cart this week and a can (empty) of Good Luck Blackeyed Peas - an annual holiday gift from friends. I wanted to see a smaller painting in the Shelf Life series but intend to paint this scene larger. I like what sits just to the side of the peas. The Cokesbury book includes chapters on Luncheon Stunts, Group Stunts, Stunts for Leaders, Party Stunts, Stunts for Boys Camps, Mental Stunts, and Conundrums.

I {heart} San Francisco

The Mayor, Sir Francis Drake

11x14, oil on panel

email for info

The distinguished doormen at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel clearly own the piece of our world at the corner of Sutter & Powell, San Francisco. We spent Christmas week there several years ago and, while Mr. Right and the kiddos slept in each morning, I would sneak down to enjoy a quiet cup, sketch, and watch that intersection come to life. It was always the same routine: the festooned cable cars made their first runs, the corner newspaper man unpacked for the day, the taxis picked up their airport fares, the merchants swept their sidewalks, and the doormen seemed to orchestrate it all... while greeting a steady parade of locals and tourists with handshakes and holiday wishes. This gentleman told me it is the greatest job and that he'd been there 30 years and {I quote}, "put two kids through college in this flowered hat."

Does "Plein Aire" Include My Dining Room?

Shelf Life: Top Left

10x20, oil on stretched canvas

sold

An old wooden chair upholstered in a re-embroidered fabric with inset mirrors, the Bibles and Books of Common Prayer belonging to at least 3 generations from our children back through our parents, P.G. Woodhouse, Molly Ivins, and an ancient little Texaco Home Lubricant oil can. I think this one is my favorite so far - I enjoyed finding the purple in the shadows. Maybe it's time to switch rooms. Or even houses... I'm starting to dream about the shelves of my family and friends.

Continuing With Shelf Life Series

Shelf Life: Top, Far Right

10x20, oil on stretched canvas

sold

An old and crumbling wooden Santos I brought home from Guatemala, Robert's Rules of Order, Austin's Landmark Art (Vikki Loving), a 45 of Why Can't We Be Friends (S. Allen/H. Brown, Far Out Productions, 1975), and a shallow, black Pre-Columbian bowl leaning in the back (250 a.d.). Plus some other stuff that doesn't mean as much to me... but might to others. I love these still lifes that have been just waiting, patiently, for me in the next room. I got so excited when I did the first one that I forgot to underpaint the panel. I just grabbed it and started drawing and was painting before I realized - yikes - I'm painting on white. It was okay... not difficult but, for me, yawn, uninspiring. Ahhhh, turquoise. Wish I'd thought to paint the walls in our house turquoise before painting them Naples yellow.

Using What's Right in Front of Me

Shelf Life: Two Down, On the Right

6x12, cradled panel

sold

It feels good to be well, technology-friendly, and back in the studio. While [thinking about] de-decorating the house after Christmas, I realized there were some pretty groovy still lifes around here. All set up, lighted, and waiting to be painted. I've used these Stafforshire dogs before, here. The blue and orange box in front holds Mr. Right's grandmother's original "Sun-Pruf Goggles" - she was blind and these were the dark glasses she wore back in the day. We tend to stick all manner of mementos in the walls of bookcases that meander around our house and I'm intrigued by the subject matter. Sorry for the glare in the shadows.

A Christmas Miracle, via Smoke Signals

Marina Grande, Capri

16x20, oil on panel

sold

Surprise! This is a Christmas commission I've been working on and I have loved it! It's based on a photo a darling young couple took on their honeymoon and, of course, that made my work even more fun and meaningful. On top of that, I have wonderful memories of two great trips I've made to Capri and, drumroll please, my precious young collectors welcomed their first child this week! A beautiful, healthy baby girl named Chloe. A Christmas miracle, indeed. Isn't that just the best way to end the year?

Thanks and blessings to my friends, followers, and collectors. I constantly ponder how fortunate I am to be surrounded by a group so admirable and loving. The very best wishes for 2011.

On another note, both my computer and I are under the weather so we're lucky to just be sending up smoke signals over here. Please forgive if I'm not painting, returning emails, etc. I hope we're both back on our feet quickly. Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas to All

Mr. Claus after Mr. Foster

8x8, oil on panel
sold

The Pause That Refreshes

Mr. Claus after Mr. Sundblum, Two

8x8, on panel

Santa in Art - Or Is It Illustration?

Mr. Claus after Mr. Sundblom

8x8, on panel

I am most inspired by that which surrounds me and right now it's tinsel and peppermint sticks and twinkling lights. Norman Rockwell has always been a personal favorite and, during these holidaze, I'm thinking about some of his contemporaries who painted Santas. Especially Alan Stephens Foster and Haddon H. Sundblom. Foster completed more than thirty Saturday Evening Post covers during the 20s and 30s; Sundblom, of course, created hundreds of Coca-Cola ads and is credited for capturing, visually, the world's most enduring persona of Santa Claus.

I read one time - and I'm paraphrasing here - that illustration is art at work. Without diving too deeply into the hot chocolate debate of art vs. illustration, it is facinating to study these beautifully rendered faces out of their advertising context. The book, Dream of Santa, Haddon Sundblom's Vision, published by Staples & Charles, offers a great history on the evolution of Santa in art.

New Friend in the Studio

Great Hair Day

6x6, oil on panel

email for info

Another in the Little Women series. You can click on the label below to see more of these 6x6 girls. Thanks to everyone for the comments - I'm so lucky to be in this community.

Oh My Gosh, I Forgot to Brag

Homegrown Lemonade

12x12 12x12

These two still lifes were juried into a local Christmas tradition - the 12Buy12 show at Austin ArtSpace. There is always an interesting and eclectic collection and the show runs through mid-December. Stop by if you have the opportunity. Now, I'm off to shop - wish me luck!

Every One Can't Be a Winner

Dawg

8x8, oil on panel

Another sketch from the Jurick workshop. I saw this pooch romping around the Hilton Head beach - he was happy and funny. The painting? Well... let's just say I don't believe I did him justice. Aptly named effort, me thinks.

Catching Up: Karin Jurick Workshop

sold

With all the feasting and football (Sharkboy's team made it to the State Semi-finals!), I'm way behind on posting. This little sketch is from the Karin Jurick workshop - on Day #1 we watched her demo the photo, on Day #2 we all painted it, and on Day #3 we visited Morris & Whiteside Gallery and got to see Karin's original version. It was facinating to see some 20 different versions - proof positive that we all interpret schenes in unique ways. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Beauty Cat Moves to Wall Street

sold

Beauty Cat arrived to her new New York City home late last week - I hope her owner loves looking at her half as much as I loved making her. She's 11x14ish and among the treasures in her Marie-Antoinette-channeling skirt there are yellowed pages from a 1947 edition of The American Everyday Dictionary and snippets of grandmother's doilies. What fun! In other news, my box of painting supplies and fresh apple butter finally arrived from South Carolina. I'm amazed at how many beautiful fall-colored leaves stowed away for the trip to Texas. Busy unpacking and so anxious to be back in the studio!

Party Pics

I'm walking on clouds. The Art Party was terrific - lots of old friends, new friends, and great energy. My hostesses should teach an artist's workshop on 'how to host an art open house.' Truly, every detail was perfect and that led to laughter, enthusiasm, and brisk sales. The art was arranged in one large room; the oil paintings were placed on walls and integrated into library shelves while the collages were hung together on a set of beautiful folding doors. Of course, my friend's home is so lovely and that helped my art to sparkle. I had to snap some photos to show you before guests arrived. Of course, the photo we forgot to take: one of my hostesses. Sigh. Thanks to them and their husbands, my twisted sisters who turned out en masse, all my new collectors, Mr. Right and our kiddos.

Looking Forward to Tomorrow!

It's almost art party time. I had such fun yesterday delivering more than 30 paintings and collages, getting to see the beautiful preparations being made and hearing about folks who will be there. I am blessed to be honored by these wonderful friends and this is going to be a F-U-N party!!

Be sure to click over to Karin Jurick's blog and see her rendition of last week's workshop. She did a great job with her words and photos. My box of paintings and art supplies still hasn't arrived from Hilton Head. But I'm not nervous. Really.

Karin Jurick Workshop

I'm home and what a grand time I've had. Ten autumn days is well spent painting and road-tripping in the Low Country region of our nation. The Karin Jurick workshop in Hilton Head was very, very good - she is so willing to share her wisdom and it is truly a privilege to watch her paint. My classmates were a talented and fun group - we laughed and ate and commiserated. I learned so much from them and, by mid-week, we were a happy and cohesive little band of compatriots. An evening spent with Ben Whiteside at the Morris & Whiteside Galleries was very memorable. All due in part to Karin's easy manner - her artistic passion and compassion. I am hopeful for an alumni reunion! The paintings I did there + all my supplies are still in the capable hands of UPS - stay tuned. Meanwhile, pictures of our studio space at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina and one of Karin's demos - amazing!

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.

We've Been Invited to a Party!

"she said what?"

6x6, oil on panel

Fall weather has arrived in central Texas. It got here yesterday and will probably be gone by Monday but, while it's here, it is glorious. Friday-night-football-not-in-shorts weather. Dust-off-the-soup-recipes weather. Open-the-studio-windows-and-let-the-cool-breezes-blow weather. Deee-lightful!

In other (exciting!) news, we - my work and I - have been invited to an art party that two darling twisted sisters are hosting next month. The studio is all a-bustle as paintings and frames are paired, primping and polishing as we go. My friends have convinced me to bring some of the collages I've made recently. I always think of the collages as my folly -- they are silly, quirky, sometimes sentimental, and pure playtime for me. But, I was approached recently to sell a few, got a commission for another, and these friends love them too and want them to come out of hiding. So the collages are getting dressed up for the party as well! Woo-hoo!!

More Beach Paintings from Port Aransas

Still Catchin' Rays: Trading Spaces

12x12, oil on panel

$240, email for more info

I spied this young couple twice: the first view was the previous post. The second time, she had taken the lounge chair and he was sitting up, watching waves. These two paintings look great side-by-side. I love the challenge of portraying same people/same place/different time/different light.

It's the Little Things I Love

Catchin' Rays

12x12, oil on panel

$240, email for more info!

Truth be told, I added the yellow stripe to his bathing suit just so I could paint its reflection. Double-click on the painting to see a larger view!

Little Women Revival

I Spy

6x6, oil on panel

sold

Is there anyone left on the planet not following - and being inspired by - Karin Jurick's latest project BUST-ed? Click here to check it out. Wow. And so it was that, in the midst of other [more important?] things, I was compelled to resume my Little Women series - click here and here and here to see a few of my old favs. I love painting faces.

Sand Box

6x6, oil on panel

$90, email for info

Wouldn't it be fun to escape to this little beach bungalow? Would it be greedy of me to 'call' that room across the front with all the windows for an art studio?

Old Man by the Sea

Catch of the Day

11x14, oil on panel

email for info

Meet Walt. At the Port Aransas pier walking distance from our house, Walt was the first to wet a hook in the mornings and the last to leave. In a long line of fishing poles, he was about the only angler consistently catching. Lots of experience. So, no surprise, our 13-yr-old Lavagirl made fast friends with crusty 'ole Walt - that's where the action was. And from there on out, everytime he got a nibble, he'd yell out her name and she'd go running and Walt would let her reel that fish in. It was a great show for Mr. Right and me to watch in the mornings with our coffee or late in the evenings after dinner.

Just so you don't think I've been slacking, it seems everything I'm working on right now (paintings and collages) is either a commission - gulp - or a surprise for someone. So, if I showed you, I'd have to kill you. Stay tuned!

Port Aransas, Norman Rockwell, and Museum Blogs

Sometimes Island

12x12, oil on panel

sold

Another young neighbor from the Port Aransas beach this summer. Now that Sharkboy and Lavagirl are back in school I look forward to returning to that vacation, via my camera and easel. I find the study of artists and their use of photography to be facinating and have been reading about Norman Rockwell lately - a brilliant photographer. If you're interested, I highly recommend Ron Schick's book Norman Rockwell: Behind the Camera. And of course the highly-touted Rockwell exhibit, Telling Stories, from the collections of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg currently at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Click here for a link to the podcast about the exhibit and here for the SAAM blog, Eye Level. Hmmmmm..., how to work Washington D.C. and Stockbridge, Mass. (the NR Museum) into college visits this year....

PS. Don't you just love museum blogs, BTW? A few of my favs: Face to Face (National Portrait Gallery), Inside/Out (MOMA), and Uncrated (Dallas Museum of Art). One I'm just starting to look at: The Jewish Museum in NYC. What are your favorites?