"Thursday Nighthawks"

12 x 11"
oil on masonite
sold

Probably the most-beloved painting in the Art Institute of Chicago - Edward Hopper's 'Nighthawks' - being viewed closely by a patron on the museum's Free-Thursday night event held every week.

This painting will be included in the 19th Annual Invitational Small Works Show at the Howard/Mandville Gallery, opening November 14th. Please click here for a larger view.

"Forwarding"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

I'm back home and back at it - warming up with this new painting of some fast-paced walkers on the corner of North Michigan and East Chicago Avenue, part of the city's Magnificent Mile.

Chicago is my favorite city, hands down - always filled with energy and always friendly. I must mention, if you haven't been to the Art Institute to experience the new Modern Wing, it is a must-see. You'll notice works of art that have been in storage for too long and a well thought out rearrangement of the collection, proven to be a great way to spend a day or two. Make the trip - you'll absolutely love it.

"Romanticizing"

12 x 9"

oil on masonite
sold

For the Annual Invitational Small Works Show at the Howard/Mandville Gallery, I chose to paint my favorite subject including two of my favorite paintings in the Philadelphia Museum of Art. To the left is 'Arab Chief' painted by Mariano Fortuny y Carbo - a striking portrait that just floors me and in front of the young couple is the very romantic 'In the Luxembourg Gardens' by John Singer Sargent.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Botanical Study"

5 x 7"
oil on masonite
sold

You probably know by now, I can't walk by a person on a bench without thinking of painting them. When I was a teenager, I spent hours sketching people on the train, the Amtrak lounge in Union Station - pretty much everywhere I'd go. I couldn't get enough. Good practice, I just didn't know it at the time.

From the National Botanical Gardens in Washington DC.

Neil Hollingsworth

'Blocks'
by Neil Hollingsworth

My good friend Neil Hollingsworth is showing new work at Anne Irwin Fine Art, here in Atlanta - opening reception is tomorrow evening. His eleven paintings include a variety of objects that are beautifully placed and lit, then painted with such precision and sensitivity. Please stop in the gallery and treat yourself to viewing this gorgeous work in person.

Also worth mentioning are Neil's smaller paintings, currently on eBay - an opportunity you can't miss out on.

"Roofscape"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

I try to offer a variety of subjects on my Different Strokes From Different Folks challenges - the most current being the multi-level, multi-colored rooftops of downtown San Francisco. It is truly a subject that I'm in love with - mostly from witnessing how other artists transform 'just a bunch of buildings' into beautiful works of art. As I said on my blog, when I see city rooftops I understand Richard Diebenkorn. It's also an image that can swing from totally abstract to super realism - and I'd love them all. When you have a minute, take a look at what other artists have contributed.

"Ballet Company"

5 x 7"
oil on masonite
sold

A dapper, young man taking a long look at Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec's 'Ballet Dancers' - from inside the Art Institute of Chicago.

"Out Break"

5 x 7"
oil on masonite
sold

From the sunny front steps of the National Portrait Museum in Washington DC.

"Ladylike"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

A beautifully poised subject to paint - from the lobby bench in the Art Institute of Chicago.

"Sounds of Silence"

8 x 10"
oil on masonite
sold

A vacationing couple enjoying nothing but the sounds of silence - from the beaches of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Facing the Music"

8 x 12"
oil on masonite

With a lot of abstract expressionism, I see or feel music. Especially with large paintings. This woman was viewing Cy Twombly's 'Winter', part of his 'Four Seasons' series in the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Please click here for a larger view and purchase information.

"Lost At Sea"

14 x 9"
oil on masonite
sold

You can really get lost in a good book - especially on a summer's day in a beach chair. One of life's simple pleasures. What I love most about this new painting is the three generations of women - each with their favorite read. From the beaches of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

This painting is included in the upcoming Charleston Art Auction, taking place November 7th.

Please click here for a larger view.

also worth mentioning...... I have recently joined The Sylvan Gallery, located on King Street in Charleston. Please stop in when you're in this wonderful, southern city.

"Out Matching"

12 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

A couple, with a mutual love for yellow pants, browsing the galleries in the Philadelphia Museum of Art. This painting is one of two that will be auctioned in the annual Charleston Art Auction, taking place November 7th - my second year participating in the event and I'm very excited.

Please click here for a larger view.

"Hat's Off"

6 x 6"
oil on masonite
sold

I am back home and picking up where I left off - enjoying these smaller, more-painterly pieces of bench sitters. I made it to my 30th high school reunion - a weekend I won't likely forget. It was incredible.

More new paintings to come - I'm back in the game.

"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.