"Back To Back"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

I painted one more for the road, (I think it's one of my personal favorites). My boyfriend saw a more have-and-have-not pair here, which is pretty interesting. So..... I'm heading back to Chicago for some inspiration and going to my 30th high school reunion to relive the disco days. Lots to do leading up to it all. I hope to see you back here around the 29th.

Taken from a bench in the Art Institute of Chicago, where weary patrons sit for a spell. Especially the husbands.


- Happy Trails

"Show Stopper"

10 x 8"
oil on masonite
sold

This past July, in Charleston, the annual Palette to Palate Art Stroll was held. Meaning art and food in one place - can't beat that. I was inside the Sylvan Gallery on King Street that evening - where I spotted this striking figure against the gallery wall. Very fun to paint.

Please click here for a larger view.

"For the Love of Monet"

9 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

First - pardon me for two things. The title is corny, I know it. But it's the first thing to pop into my head and I usually go with it. And pardon the absence, I appreciate your frequent visits - I've been creating some fun things for my upcoming 30th high school reunion.
DVD's......soundtracks........posters......... tracking people down, and in between, I paint. It's been busy and fun.

This new piece is a scene from the Art Institute of Chicago - my favorite museum where I should be a week from today. I can't wait. This young couple stands before Monet's London paintings - on the left is 'Houses of Parliament' and on the right is 'Charing Cross Bridge', both showstoppers.

Please click here for a larger view.

Different Strokes

For those of you who don't know - I have another blog that started one year ago, called Different Strokes From Different Folks. It wasn't planned - truly it was thought out and created in about two hours. And I surely didn't expect it to become this ...... inspiration for many artists out there. To date, over 2,500 pieces of art have contributed to this 1-year-old blog. How cool is that?

Cracker Jack

The blog came about a short time after our dog, Jack, died. I posted a handsome photo of Jack, on this blog - and a painting I had done from that favorite picture. A couple of days passed, and I starting getting emails from other artists who had painted their own version - over 5 of them. Within 4 days, I got over 20 more. In a week, I got over a total of 55. And to show them off, I created the blog - only to follow up every couple of weeks with a new photo reference and see what comes of it. It's a very cool result from a sad event. Thanks to all who have participated through the past year.

I also wanted to thank Vern Schwarz, a painter who has loyally offered his interpretations since the beginning. The current challenge is cupcakes - and Vern painted another jewel - with a very sweet expression of gratitude. I just had to show ya.

by Vern Schwartz

Poker Faces

each is 6 x 6"
nfs

Painting faces is...... can be complex. Just like the cupcakes, there's hundreds of approaches - which is why it's important to study this subject matter from time to time. The last thing I want to do is paint portraits for a living - only because the results are subjective. In this case, I know the victim - so I chose the poses that define her in my mind. I enjoyed it for that very reason.
Just something I wanted to share with you today.

"Escape of the Orange Sprinkle"

8 x 8"
oil on masonite
sold

It's a holiday and I felt like a silly title. And I had great fun painting cupcakes and sprinkles - a subject matter that can be painted a hundred different ways. Also the current challenge on my Different Strokes From Different Folks blog, where you'll see those hundred different ways.

"Blond"

12 x 3-5/8"
oil on masonite
sold

I'm back in the driver's seat - my Mac had to be rushed to the hospital and of course I am reminded of how vital this machine is to my existence. The good thing - I had no choice but to get caught up with long-neglected chores. And I've been helping out with plans for an upcoming 30th high school reunion. Yes, 30 years.

Since the summer is coming to an end, I squeezed in this new painting - a young lady enjoying a good book in the sunshine on the beach of Hilton Head Island.

"Plow Through"

6 x 6"

oil on masonite
sold

An Amish farmer and his soldiers plowing the fields in early May.

"Morning Exercise"

6 x 6"

oil on masonite
sold

Before I forget to mention ..... I've finally found the best brand for white and black. I've never been thrilled with any of the many brands I've tried. Made by Daniel Smith Artist Materials, it's their Titanium White - the Ivory Black and the Lamp Black are great too. Thought I'd pass that along.

This new painting is a glimpse into my day. When I have my cup of coffee and my crossword puzzle, all is right with the world.

"Sole Man"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

You haven't seen much action from me recently - due to my diligent efforts to paint two pieces for the Charleston Art Auction, which takes place in early November. I went through several tries before I got it right. Pretty frustrating. Nevertheless, they're done and I'm thrilled with both. You'll see them closer to the auction date.

It was nice to pick up a small panel and loosen up with this new painting - from the Delaware Museum of Art, where a patron stands before one of my favorite paintings by Howard Pyle titled 'Marooned Pirate', a fairly simple scene yet profoundly beautiful.

"Park Central"

9 x 12"

oil on masonite
sold

19 years ago, in the final weeks of his life, my father was taken care of by the Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Home, a cancer hospice here in Atlanta. They operate solely on private donations - and I am forever grateful for the help and compassion they gave my dad and our family.

This new painting, a crisp October day in Central Park, New York City, where all kinds of people were enjoying the sun and the shade - will be on auction starting this evening, with 100% of the final sale donated to the Sisters of Our Lady.

"Serenity Now"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

I started this guy thinking I'd play with the skin colors I so admire in Michelle Torrez's work - that acidity green/orange is incredible. Instead, I got lost in the many reds, the folds, the waves, the aquas, purples, blues and yellows. An enjoyable painting session nonetheless.

Quoting Frank Costanza (as I often do), this man was enjoying a Serenity Now moment in the ocean waters of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

"Hill Country"

6 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

These days, I'm able to spend more time experimenting with my paints - which doesn't always mean I have something to show you. In fact, I've been juggling a couple of paintings for days and they're still in limbo. If I begin a piece with the finished painting in my head, most likely, I won't stop until it's done. Lately, I'm sorta leaving it up to fate, or luck, to see if my right hand will lead the way to something unexpected. It's like abandoning the recipe and grabbing what you have in the pantry - sometimes it works, sometimes it's awful. I encourage that every now and then. You never know what you'll learn.

I did start with a plan this morning - the current challenge I assigned on my Different Strokes From Different Folks blog - and I honestly thought I wouldn't be able to get what was in my head. But I did. Today flowed. Yay.

From the hilly city of San Francisco, a view of Lombard Street.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Baby Steps"

5 x 7"
oil on masonite
sold

Unlike the norm, I've labored over another painting for 3 days. At some point, my stubborn side turns into exhaustion and I think the next day will magically take care of my failures. Most days have flow - few don't. It comes with the job. A lesson I learned a while back was to check on the rest of my life, see what's out of sorts - like a house that needs cleaning or laundry that needs washing. Simple things like that can preoccupy the mind and clog up the creative process. And most importantly, I shelved the 3-day failure, squeezed out a new palette of oils and I'm moving on.

This painterly piece was taken from the beaches of Hilton Head Island - a new mother introducing her child to the best playground, the beach.

New York City Workshop 2010

My first workshop is now official and open for registration - a field expedition held at the National Academy of Design in New York City and organized by Vince Fazio, the director of the Sedona Arts Center.

This 5-day workshop will take place May 24-28, 2010, details can be found here.

To inquire or register, please call Vince Fazio at 928-282-3809 or 888-954-4442.

Update - This workshop is full. Please add your name to the waiting list if you are interested in filling in cancellations or future workshops. Thank you.

"St. Philip's"

4 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

The St. Philip's Church, in Charleston, is a thing of beauty, resembling a tiered wedding cake reaching into the sky. Established in 1680, there's incredible history to this building - surviving through 300+ years and several hurricanes and tornados.

This is taken from an early evening stroll, with the warm, summer sun bathing onto the earthy brick.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Cruise Control"

8 x 8"
oil on masonite
sold

I'm back in the studio - relaxing from a few days on the road. The lecture by Dan McCaw was inspiring. If you're an artist, and you find yourself stumped or bored or stuck - surround yourself with art for a couple of days. It's good for you. Talking with other painters will enforce the many things we all go through - and looking at art will sometimes fill in the gaps of a creative brain. I usually go off somewhere and see new images and ideas and can't wait to get back to painting.

This scene is taken from an early evening walk on the beach of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

"Perry Man"

8 x 10"
oil on masonite
sold

Some of my favorite paintings have that element of disappearing lines - more emphasis on the face and the hands. Notably, the studies by Degas of dancers and musicians. It gives me great pleasure painting this way.

A gentleman I spotted at a state fair in Perry, Georgia.

"Claire"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
nfs

Occasionally, I play with this technique - flooding a white gessoed board with a rich wash of brown - then subtracting from that layer. It's completely opposite of applying color onto color. It's fascinating what occurs - each and every stroke will matter - and there's no planning the outcome. It is a great exercise in getting values right, but more important, it teaches you how to handle the brush with direct, intentional strokes. It's great fun too.

"Farmer"

4 x 4"
oil on masonite
sold

A new painting - adding to a series of glimpses into the Lancaster countryside in Pennsylvania.

"Guide"

4 x 4"
oil on masonite
sold

A very quintessential scene from Lancaster, Pennsylvania - an Amish horse and buggy trotting through the countryside.

"Mother"

4 x 4"
oil on masonite
sold

In the next few days, you'll see several new paintings inspired from my road trip thru Lancaster, Pennsylvania - where the Amish call home. This young mother and her children stand beside their new spring garden.

"Tiny Dancers"

12 x 12"

oil on masonite
sold

Degas' 'Little Dancer' is always a chick magnet in any museum - the Philadelphia Museum of Art has an unobstructed view of the sculpture, which is quite pleasing. The painting behind the little patron is Monet's 'The Sheltered Path'.

Please click here for a larger view.

Have a great holiday -

"Juicy Fruit"

6 x 6"

oil on masonite
sold

Sometimes I'm just in the mood to paint bold, vivid, quick and loose - especially when it comes to food.

"Early Birds"

8 x 10"
oil on masonite

I was up at the crack of dawn this morning - wanting to finish up this painting before the heat was on. These two were spotted at an air show at the Peachtree-Dekalb Airport - they claimed their prime viewing spot early. About 3 hours early, which tickled me.

Please click here for a larger view and purchase information.