Quick Sketch

nfs

An hour's worth of sketching, in between fluffing and folding. And it was really the dots on the scarf that intrigued me - I saw her in a catalog. I don't really want to own the scarf but I did want to paint it.

In other great news, Good Ole' Whatshername is on her way to California. This painting was juried into the Randy Higbee Gallery 6" Squared Spring Art Exhibition in Costa Mesa. Randy's shows are packed with talented artists - be sure to go by if you're in that neighborhood. April 17 - May 6, Randy Higbee Gallery. Woohoo!

Donation to the DPW Help Japan Challenge

Sandbox

6x6, oil on panel

go to The DPW Help Japan Challenge to bid

Artists have raised almost $13K this week. In keeping with the "home" theme, I've donated this little piece to the auction and designated the Japanese Red Cross Society to receive all proceeds. Click on this link to see hundreds of donated paintings: The DPW Help Japan Challenge. Please help if you can and many thanks.

Spring Break if officially over - we had a great trip. I'm back in the studio having fun with a few commissions but I just can't share them. Birthday/holiday surprises!

Can't Wait for You to See This!

The Parisienne

13x16, mixed media, framed

sold

Oooh la la. Our darling French girl with a frame painted to match. Fun pictures below - click for larger views. I've always wanted to design a frame and a piece of art together. This is acrylic, inks, oil, and paper on paper; the "floating" frame is wood (thank you, Mr. Right) - painted, antiqued, and finished with several coats of varnish. Plus an Audrey Hepburn quote! She is a kick... so, so much fun to look at. The Parisienne would be a great graduation gift! I'm checking out for Spring Break - everybody have a good week and thanks for looking!

New Girl in the Studio

Good Ole' Whatshername

6x6, oil on panel

Another in the Little Women series. I left even more background showing on this painting than I usually do and I love it. As an artist, I struggle daily tiptoeing along the fine line between fuss and finesse. When the ground color peeks through, adding tension and interest, I'm a happy girl. She'll look great in a floating frame where the canvas/panel appears suspended and the edges show all around. Aren't I lucky that they are en vogue?

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.

Mothers and Sisters and Guatemala

Amigas

8x10, oil on panel

email for info

My mother loved traveling to Guatemala and I've had reason lately to go back through some photo albums of trips we made together. I'm blessed to have many girlfriends in my life (some related, some not) -- I think of them collectively as my twisted sisters. Wonder what the Spanish, or Mayan, word is for twisted sister? For surely, whether you live in Chichicastenango, Guatemala or Austin, Texas, you need friends who'll help keep your vegetables in the basket you're carry on your head.