"Street Walker"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

The small, dark creature barely lit up on the street is my black cat Willy. Occasionally he will join us when we walk the dogs - creating an amusing pet parade. A summer night scene from the street where I live.

"Cricket Hour"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

This is one of my favorite subjects to paint small. Someone's home tucked into their own little world. This little Georgia house was nestled in the hardwoods - with the heavy, hazy, evening sky above. It's that time of day when the relief from the hot sun starts to set in and the crickets take over the quiet. It's quintessential Georgia in the summertime.

also...... I have new copies of all five volumes of my 'painting a day' books reordered, including a new book of my alphabet series - they should arrive by the end of the week. As soon as they land here, I'll make them available.

"We Still Have Paris"

12 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

Several months ago, I accepted an invitation to be a part of a Summer Collection Show, created by the Morris & Whiteside Galleries, located in Hilton Head, South Carolina. It was an offer I couldn't refuse - their gallery reps some of my favorite painters - Steven Scott Young, Michelle Torez, Kim English, Dan McCaw, Milt Kobayashi, Joseph Lorusso, Ken Auster to name a few. I cannot express how proud I am to be hung on the same wall with those artists whom I've admired for so long.

This painting was featured in their beautiful catalog - and I'm proud to say it sold shortly after the catalog landed in the mailboxes of the gallery's collectors. Done from a recent trip to Chicago, it portrays a young couple in front of Caillebotte's enormous and famous painting 'Rainy Day, Paris Street'.

For a larger view, please click here.

"A Coat of Pink"

12 x 11"
oil on masonite
sold

A young woman in the French Impressionists gallery of the Art Institute - seemingly being eyed by Alfred Sisley, who was painted by Renoir. Speaking of coats of color, I'm currently having six rooms painted in my house and they're all different colors - and invariably, the painter keeps asking 'is this what you wanted?' as he slaps on the first brushstroke. 'yep, it's exactly what I picked', I say. My boyfriend had to confirm that 'she's an artist, what can I say'. A good excuse for almost anything weird. And no, it's not pink.

"Corner Bakery"

11 x 7"
oil on masonite
sold

A cup of hot coffee and the morning paper being enjoyed at the Corner Bakery, around State Street & Adams, in Chicago.

Please click here for a larger view.

"The Big Dig"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

The beginning of a day-long dig at the beach. I can remember those days myself, not a care in the world. Happy summer.

A Painting for Me

30 x 10"
oil on canvas
nfs

Yep - on canvas. Something I rarely do. And it's large. And it's for me. You may recognize Petey and Jack - as they were cuddled under the blanket on a rainy, cold day out in my studio. Just had to paint it.

For a larger view, please click here.

"Pike Street News"

10-1/2 x 14"
oil on masonite
sold

My precious internet access is back. After being out of sorts all week, I'm myself again. It's a small inconvenience compared to other calamities, true, but it is a large part of my world. This new painting was done on a day when I was in the studio at 8 am, with a guy working inside my house and no internet and leaving was not an option. High motivation to tackle a tough painting.

I usually start these more complicated cityscapes with a lack of confidence. It's not important to me to render the photograph as much as it is to capture the atmosphere and the place. Stay loose enough to feel as if you're there and life is moving around you - but make sure the buildings don't look as if they're falling in. It's a challenge. And I'm really not convinced that I pulled it off until I see the light - the rim glow around the people, the sky, the street, the shadows. Then it becomes real - full of life.

The place is on the corner of Pike Street and 1st Avenue, in Seattle - on a brisk, bright, February morning.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Little Miss Sunshine"

5 x 7"
oil on masonite
sold

Well........ first, I'll tell you if there was such a thing as Web Rage, I'd commit it. But then I'd have to know where to go and who to kill. The No-Customer service of Earthlink has driven me insane. My internet dropped on Monday night and I still do not have a connection. Take away my coffee, take away my favorite pillow - but don't take away my internet. Thanks to a friend, I can post this new painting tonight - and if I have not responded to your email this week, you now know why. The good side of no internet is that I've been extremely productive and have lots to show you - as soon as I'm back online.

I spotted this cute, little girl at a festival - lit up in the summer sunshine.

No Internet Here - will be back ASAP

"Ripples"

5 x 7"
oil on masonite
sold

detail

My friends enjoying a cool afternoon in the pool. This was great fun to paint. Not sure if I could pull it off - started at the top, above water, with tiny strokes and details - once I got below water, my brush just followed the ripples and distortion of the figure. Lots of colors, lots of swirls, wonder light - very fun to paint.

"A Sit Down"

5 x 7"
oil on masonite
sold


(detail)

A weary museum patron resting on a bench - perfect subject for figurative painting. I especially love the muted tones - the gray-purples, soft browns, touches of gold and pink and aquas from the cool light. It feels quiet.

"Brotherhood"

9 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

I really don't see too many kids in art museums that truly are interested in the art. Most squirm a lot and want to get going. These two brothers were the exception - seemingly enjoying the paintings. It's a nice thing to watch.

From the Art Institute of Chicago - accompanied by Renoir's famous 'On the Terrace'.

For a larger view, please click here.

"Collection Bucket"

(detail)

4 x 14"
oil on masonite
sold

I have the beach on the brain these days - and since I haven't made that trip in several years, I live vicariously through my friends' experiences.

"Bluecoat"

9 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

What attracted my attention here was the touch of elegance - the curves and form of the woman in the blue coat, the stark white with the browns and blues and the quiet nature of the moment.

Please click here for a larger view.

"South Beach"

11 x 6"
oil on masonite

The need to paint looser is like the need for a chocolate milkshake - I have to do it occasionally. It's liberating, it's fun, it's a pleasure. On a long list of artists that inspire me, Michelle Torrez reminds me to take that wide brush and create a scene based on shapes and brush strokes - a perfect technique for a casual setting like the beach. This can only be accomplished with hours of squinting and holding back on what I think is there.

This scene was taken from South Beach, Miami.

Please click here for a larger view and purchase information.

"Ghosts"

7 x 7"
oil on masonite
sold

I started this string of days where I worked hard during the day and crashed hard early at night - beginning with a massive clean-up of my studio and my distribution center (formally a dining room). Long overdue. I painted four paintings, the other three you haven't seen yet and every night, just when I couldn't take the heat anymore, I'd vow to come back out to the studio and take my photos.... but I never did. Once I'm in the air-conditioning, it's nearly impossible to drag me out.

Anyways, here's today's painting - I enjoyed doing it so much. No sketching out, just the paint straight to the board. Nice and loose. And with a wide, flat brush - I backed off and held my hand more at a distance - the trick to staying loose and painterly. When I painted the aqua-blue lighting and the white edges, it seemed to take on a dreamy atmosphere, so I kept the figures in the background soft and indistinct, giving them an almost ghost-like feel. I love that.

Frequently Asked Questions

I've been meaning to add a FAQ page on my website for months, then Carol Marine mentioned that she was doing the same - just the reminder I needed. In the course of a day, I find myself spending too much time on responding to emails and not enough painting - and don't get me wrong, I appreciate the questions and comments - but I do address the same issues over and over again. Please feel free to email me with any Q&A you would like to see, in addition to the basics.
You can find that page by clicking here or using the FAQ link in the right column.

"High Profile"

12 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

The painting that this man is looking closely at is by Toulouse-Lautrec, titled 'Portrait of Jeanne Wenz'. It's one of my favorite portraits in the Art Institute of Chicago and I think it's the grayish palette that draws me in, as well as the strict side profile. The majority of people walk by it without a glance - I don't get that - but they're usually on their way to more recognized works of art.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Elbow Room"

11 x 8"
(the front of the trolley)
sold

11 x 8"

(and the back of the trolley)
sold

whew! I've been working hard on this pair - I'll tell ya, when I finished the 'front' of the busload and knew it was exactly what I envisioned, I just had to do the 'back'. Tricky, because it all had to line up and the colors needed to be remixed to match the first. Easier said than done. Lots of math. I hate math. The other lessons to learn were the values, the faces in the shade versus the faces in the sun. Or partial sun. All in all, it was challenging and fun.

I think my brain is fried - I need some suggestions for a title. Please.

The trolley and its contents were taken from Savannah, Georgia. This pair will be included in 16 Patton's figurative show starting June 14th. Please click here for a larger view.

Update - The buyer of these paintings also had a vote on the title and we both liked 'Elbow Room'. Thanks to all who chimed in with a suggestion. They were all great.

"Been There, Done That"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

A young woman I spotted on a bench at the Art Institute of Chicago - resting after doing the Edward Hopper exhibit and even grabbing a souvenir at the gift shop.

(detail)

"Schools"

11 x 4"
oil on masonite
sold

It seems like after a long day, my alter ego comes out in paintings. The looser side of me. I want to see less detail and more impact with bigger strokes. Great fun. Especially with this subject matter. Here are a few close-ups of the two women.

(detail)

(detail)

"Gracie"

4 x 11"
nfs

Gracie is my friend's dog - who loves to ride in the car and go to the park. I did this on a whim, with a wide, flat brush - no sketching out - in about 45 minutes. I really love to paint that way.

For a larger view, please click here.

"Lounge Act"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

Today's my dad's birthday. I lost him years ago - truly the greatest man I had the pleasure of knowing, especially as his daughter. He died before I got my first Mac, he never knew the internet nor a digital camera - and he was an electronic wizard. A trained engineer. He'd absolutely flip out. So would my mom. She sold her paintings the old way - setting up a display in a show, sitting for hours and days. Wow. They would both just freak out. Happy Birthday Johnny.

This simple moment was taken from the lounge area of a Chicago hotel - as I passed by this gentleman, reading his newspaper while waiting on his ride - I instantly saw a painting in my head. Strong light, strong, rich colors - a composition so naturally ready for me to do that very thing.

"Last Days of Hopper"

14 x 10"
oil on masonite
sold

whew...... this one took me a couple of days. I don't usually have the patience for that - hence the painting a day. Taken from the top floor in the American Art wing, patrons wait in line to see the Hopper exhibit - in the Art Institute of Chicago.

Please click here for a larger view.