« November 2007 | Home | January 2008 »
Another little oil painting from my Greece reference photos. On one of the many sunny days we had last May we were traveling on one of the Greek Islands off the town of Napflio where we stayed. I was intrigued by the lone pot of geraniums along the way. They were brilliant in the morning sun and loved play of light and shadows as well.
While on my daily walk with my little dog Farley, I saw this scene in the park where we go often. He was bored as I spent time taking pictures to help me remember the incredible mixture of warm oranges, reds and yellows contrasted by the more muted mauves. I am anxious to create a large painting of this piece in a more abstract interpretation rich with texture.
Here is an unusual subject for me, a bird! I am finding it so enjoyable to tackle new subject matter that I have photographed throughout the years but have put off painting for whatever reasons. Birds are such a wonderful part of our world. I love the symphony of music they sing in the spring and am sad to hear the quiet come late summer. I am now anxious to add more birds of many varieties to my painting subject matter.
This is Farley, my little Schnoodle dog and best friend. You will see more of him in my miniatures as he has a different look for every one of his moods and I love painting pets and want all the experience I can get painting all the different expressions. I also hope to add pet portraits to my repertoire of subjects to paint. This look is one of a bit of devilness as he looks at me implying that he is looking for trouble.
The Colorado mountains are so incredible in every season. I go to Kenosha pass every summer in July to see what flowers have come out for the year. This particular year my Mom had died a few weeks before finding this meadow. It was filled with flowers of every variety in purples, yellows and whites. It is amazing that since that summer I have never found the abundance that was present that particular July. It was, to me, a tribute to my Mom in her passing and a message to always remember to stay joyous and colorful. This 7"x5" little painting was a joy to paint.
As with all my small paintings, I am approaching subjects that have always tantalized me but that I put off painting for a variety of reasons. This scene was in Florence, Italy on a trip with my great travel companion Pat. She too is passionate about seeing all of the world and is responsible for finding and taking me to the many places I have seen and photographed. We were on our way to Ponte Vecchio when the sun was setting leaving a warm red orange glow to the city and just a hint of light shining through the archway. It stopped us in our tracks and begged to be photographed and then painted.
SOLD
I suppose my title for this is a bit redundant as poppies are naturally vibrant which is part of the reason I am drawn to paint them again and again. They are just nothing but a joy to paint as much as look at and keep me in such a good feeling place. I only hope they do the same for all who view my interpretations.
SOLD
Every spring I seek out new places where the poppies are growing. I am drawn to the wilder gardens that have little structure letting the poppies and whatever is growing with them decide the textures, patterns and compositions that I may then photograph and put on canvas.
This gentle fawn was enjoying a morning meal grazing in the town of Waterton in the Canadian portion of Glacier National Park. I was there last August as noted in previous posts and you will see more as I took lots of great pictures that are waiting and screaming to be painted. Stay tuned!
SOLD
This small commission was done for a dear friend who recently lost her kitty, Abbey.
I have known Abbey for many years and she was a sweetheart; warm, cuddly, talkative and always joining in on anything we were up to. She is greatly missed, and I hope this painting will keep here spirit alive.
SOLD
Here is a commission of Duke, an incredible Australian Shepard rescued from a shelter by loving parents to whom he gave so much love in return. He visited our mountain place here in Colorado every summer and was quite the loyal herder, keeping track of all the people that ever went hiking or walking. It was a big job as the hikers never stayed together, but Duke got lots of excercise as he kept track of each every person until they returned home.
Back to the poppies! I can't resist painting them. This one is 24"x24" with a textured background and painted with brush and palette knife. I especially was drawn to the abundance of vertical stems in the painting. They seem so tiny for the size of the flowers they carry, yet they hold the vibrant poppies as they hold their heads high and sway in the breezes that whisp them about.