"Going Swimmingly"

6 x 3-7/8"

oil on panel
sold

You may think you know how to paint a figure until something like an elevated view or water distorts it - then you're truly forced to paint what you see and not what you know.  I love the wiggly form of her body under water, very challenging and fun to paint.  An ode to swimming pools that help me tolerate the summers in Georgia.  I think I'll go find one now.

The Last of the Hilton Head Gang

Now that I'm finished this fun project, I want to explain, one more time, what the Hilton Head Gang is.  I get emails that prove some are confused.  I taught a workshop in Hilton Head last fall and had 19 women join me as well as Vince Fazio, the arts director from Sedona Arts Center, who assists me and the students during the workshop.

One of our days included my demo painting of a police mugshot - afterwards my students painted one of their own, which always proves to be a good learning experience for all.   On the last day, someone came up with the idea of taking mugshots of each other and painting them when we returned home.  If you notice some had a sad, defensive look about them, that was the idea.  As if we just were arrested and booked.  Like my mug.  Some smiled.  So what.  This was for fun and for a continued exercise.

I've really enjoyed painting these - and especially proud that many have done the whole gang.  Check out our blog and look at the slideshows on the right column of each of us - you'll see a remarkable variety of styles.

Below, the redhead is Sheryl, very fun to paint - Sheryl doesn't have a blog yet.  Below her is Sherrie Hilliard, who does.

Also wanted to mention, this fall's workshop in Hilton Head is full, but putting yourself on a waiting list often does work, so don't hesitate to call Vince and do so.  Contact information is on the right column on this blog.

Now it's time for me to get busy with an upcoming show in September.   More soon....

4 x 4"

oil on panel

nfs

4 x 4"

oil on panel

nfs

Hilton Head Gang

4 x 4"

oil on panel

nfs

Fellow artist Dawn Hartigan...




4 x 4"

oil on panel

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... and fellow artist NJ Darling from the Hilton Head Gang.

Two More Hilton Head Gangers

  4 x 4"

oil on panel

nfs

A true mugshot pose - fellow artist Kit Hefner

  4 x 4"

oil on panel

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and Cathy Engberg.

On a Roll

4 x 4"

oil on panel

nfs

I'm on a mission to finish up these gals - the Hilton Head Gang.  It has been a well-timed exercise for me, I'm about to bear down and paint a grouping for a show coming up in September.  It's much like stretching and getting into shape before running a marathon.  Not that I'd know anything about that.

You can paint every day and occasionally lose the ability to 'see'.   Paintings become more mechanical, overworked.  I tend to see things in blocks of color, not so much the details - that comes as things progress.  That's what, I think, makes a successful painting in the end.  So these fast, painterly studies put my brain back in place.

Above is Terri Buchholz, below is Judy Elias.

4 x 4"

oil on panel

nfs

Two More in the Hilton Head Gang

 4 x 4"

oil on panel
nfs

Fellow artist Allyson.

 4 x 4"

oil on panel
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And fellow artist Linda Nickles.

Hilton Head Gang

4 x 4"

oil on panel
nfs

This is fellow artist Betsy Stevenson, a member of our Hilton Head Gang - who I'm proud to say does have a website and blog showing her work.  

I like this one.  It was done fast and furious, I barely looked away - as if my hand had taken over.

Hilton Head Gang

4 x 4"

oil on panel
nfs

Fellow artist Diane H. - a Hilton Head Gang member who doesn't have a blog or website yet.  I'll bug her until she does.

Finishing up the Hilton Head Gang

4 x 4"

oil on panel
nfs

You may have seen several 'mugs' of our Hilton Head Gang - the talented women who were in my workshop last fall - we're all doing paintings of each other and creating a book.  So I'm catching up and painting the remainder of those I've missed.  This is the most fun. I love doing these.

This is my version of Maria Hock aka The Enforcer - the very one who dreamed up this project.

"Double Dip"

5 x 6"

oil on panel
sold

Inspired from my short span of attention on a sunny afternoon and a stronger desire to jump in a pool.

 

200 Faces, No. 110

 4 x 4"

oil on masonite
sold

I loved painting this face - an addition to my ongoing series BUST-ED.

 

Classic Coke No. 3

by Neil Hollingsworth

And hat's off to my good friend, Neil Hollingsworth, who's art was featured in Charley Parker's awesome art blog Lines & Colors.  Neil has an upcoming dual show in July at the Tree's Place Gallery, make sure you check out his paintings at the gallery.

And a Happy Flag Day to you - this house in central Nebraska celebrates every day. 

Moving your iWeb Site to a New Host

There's a lot of you out there who built your website with iWeb and know by now Apple is shutting down MobileMe at the end of this month - which means you need to find a new host for your website.

I finally got my website switched over to a new host and I'd like to offer some help - starting with an article published in the New York Times on June 7th which helped me a lot.   Apple finally offers assistance for the move on this page.

I chose MacHighway to host my website, (you'll find a link on the right column under Zac & Joey's picture).  They offer immediate assistance on the phone and by email to help with the process, so I highly recommend them.   I'm not gonna lie, it was scary - like walking the plank between two ships. Just read through the NYT article and Apple's instructions, go on MacHighway's site where they have plenty of instructions and videos - you'll get it done.

Apple also discontinued updates on the iWeb application, those who like using the program to build their website can continue using it or learn a new program - I'm sticking with what I know for now.


Good luck fellow Mac users!

"Low Tide"

 6 x 6"

oil on panel
sold

There comes a point when I know I'm painting too tight for my liking - it's a fine line.  So I ditched my other painting and whipped out my fat brush, knowing that would take care of it - you just can't get too nit-picky with it.  It's a good exercise - sure to get you to loosen up again.

"Queen For a Day"

12 x 7"

oil on masonite
sold

A queen, on her throne, for a day - on the beaches of Hilton Head Island.

Please click here for a larger view.

"The Reel Thing"

7 x 10"

oil on masonite

A perfect way to spend a morning at the beach on Hilton Head Island.

To purchase directly, click here.

"Triple Play"

10 x 8"

oil on masonite
sold

The evil flu bug that possessed me for too long has finally left to go make someone else miserable.  Not that I'd wish that on anyone.  More important, my brain finally works again.  Yay.

This new painting is a typical moment on the beaches of Hilton Head Island.  Happy dogs.

Please click here for a larger view.

Speaking of dogs ..... today is the 1st anniversary for Zac & Joey coming home to live with us.

In their first year, they've traveled to the beach in Hilton Head, Virginia for Christmas and across the country to San Francisco and back.   They're the best.