Balboa Cove

Took a ride down to paint at a friends house today.  It was overcast with a strong light burning through.  This little spot is from my friends back porch out onto the canal.  Houses are packed in on a circular edge of sand with boats and kayaks coming in and out of view.  This is the view of the neighbors and their boat up on shore just a few feet out of the water.  In this view is also large buildings which are across Coast Highway and a bit of sky that falls between.  I wanted to suggest something in the background without putting in every detail.  Working on an 8x8 I must remember not to put in too much.  The contrast between the hustle and bustle of the busy road and the hospital behind them is amazing to me.  It was all out there, but I did not care and just enjoyed the tranquil water.

It was a lovely day to be down there to enjoy the fresh air and the peaceful view.  Thanks Cindy :)

8x8 oil

Odd Collection

Working with the color wheel.

8x8, oil

DPW Buy Now

$85

On The Line

Pears are a fun shapes to work with.  This was one of the paintings I did while in Sedona at Carol Marine's  workshop.  

8x8 oil

DPW Buy Now 

$75

Admiring The Fresh Selection

It has been a slow crop this year, but the tomatoes we've picked have been tasty.  This little 8x8 pastel was done on Wallis sand paper.  I enjoyed working with reflections on my steel mixing bowl. The range of reds to work with on the tomatoes made this very challenging.

Donated to Orange County Fine Art Association

Admiring The Fresh Selection, 8x8, soft pastel $120.00  

SPRING COLLECTION

8x8, oil, $100.00

This feels festive.  Like when Spring starts to show it lovely face and everyone is out and about.

ONE OUT

8x8, oil, $100.00

Reds are challenging.  I have been drawn to these complimentary set ups when doing still life work.  The reds of the rose is vibrate or just vibrating up against the green background.  It is not as vivid in person.  I love it...

A BIT OF CITRUS

8x8, oil, $100.00

Yesterday was a fun painting day.  I love setting up still lifes.  So on most Fridays I have the opportunity to set up a few still lifes for a wonderful group of painters and then I get to paint.  The hardest thing is deciding which one to do.  On a very good day I have done three of varying degrees of my abilities.  This meaning that I hope to have one that feels complete.  That does not always happen, but I learn lots about my focus.  It is so important to ask myself questions and to stay on task.  Art is a discipline.  As an artist I study all the time.   I read and look at lots of work.  Each painting I do reflects something I am working toward.  This one reflects brushwork, color, form and shape.   Now there are things in this painting that disturb me, but for the most part I am happy enough to post it here for all to see.  And for the disturbing things, I know what I need to work on. 

WRAP, WRAP, WRAPPING

8x8, oil on panel, sold

Wrapping presents is a very rewarding thing to do.  It gets me in the spirit and it tells me that I am not quite so far behind in my shopping.  Truth is I am not ready.  I have many more decisions to make and then shop and then wrap.  For all the beauty of the season it can be hard to be joyful when there is so much to do.  I tend to be late getting started, but then I hit the ground running.  I keep waiting.

So today I wrapped presents and painted in the season, listened to Christmas music and you know I think it is starting to take hold.

SURROUNDED

8x8, oil, $100.00

Everything was green and yet different.  Always a challenge to see into a color and pull out the differences in the light and shadow.  Green is always a challenge for me because it is never just green.  

"A SPECIAL DAY"

8x8, oil on gessobord, sold

I thought this was very cute.  She was waiting to get through all the wedding photos and had her eye on her siblings playing close by.  She quickly joined them and had the best time.

"DRESSED UP"

8x8, oil on ampersand gesso board, sold

Seeing little boys dressed up in suits is the cutest thing to see.  

"FALL COLOR"

8x8, oil on gesso panel, $100.00

Well, pumpkins are everywhere.

"SWEET TEARS"

8x8, oil on 3/8 gesso panel, $100.00

An unlikely pair, these two.  Funny how still life set ups turn out.  A knife, a pear and an onion, breaking down space on a two dimensional surface.  Doesn't always make sense.  Although I have had a salad I like very much that has these two in it.  I like the color most of all.  Again hoping for fall to arrive.

"ONIONS OF A DIFFERENT KIND"

8x8, oil, $100.00

It was feeling like Fall and I thought this was just a perfect color scheme.  Then the 100 degree temperatures arrived.  So this is my plea for Fall to get back on track. 

"MORNING LIGHT ON SYCAMORE CANYON"

8x8, oil on gessobord, $100.00

Since I have been getting out to hike, I have also been taking lots of photos.  This was from a hike a few weeks ago in Sycamore Canyon, Laguna Beach.  It is a pretty place.  The plant life is abundant and seems to like the cooler coastal moisture and temperatures.  This was from the top of the trail looking back.  Lots of cactus.  I liked the way this cactus was reaching and creating shadows.  Mostly, the light and atmospheric conditions created a spectacular view.

"SURROUNDED"

8x8, oil on 3/8 gesso panel, $100.00

I have been playing with composition lately.  I don't mind painting odd subjects to form space and create shapes.  In this still life I used many of the same objects that were in my last still life.  I added more to it to tighten up space to see how that worked.  More is not always better.  Yet I like the uncomfortable clutter and directions the objects.  I feel slightly uneasy, wanting to grab onto a focal point.  The salt shaker is pretty much framed in by shapes.  Keeping the balance was fun.  I love threes, three eggs, three mugs, three central supporting objects.  

There is a psychological aspect to painting for me no matter what the subject.  In this painting I am the salt shaker tightly surrounded by life's everyday needs.  The composition has only allowed me one escape or one entrance into the scene.   In painting it is important to allow the viewer a way into the scene.  Psychologically I always want a way out.

"GET CRACKING"

8x8, oil on 3/8 panel, $100.00

I was just fascinated with the shadows in this still life and the bright yellow coffee mug.  I really wanted to bring color into my shadows.  I also liked the way the eggs framed in the salt shaker.  I love shapes and find myself looking for them more more and more.

"UNDER THE WEATHER"

8x8, oil on 3/8 gesso panel, sold

Two out of 3 sons informed me that they were feeling under the weather.  Neither of which live close enough to do anything to help.  Just another reminder of those days gone by.  The days of being mom on an everyday basis.  Both these guys are very capable of taking care of themselves, but wouldn't it be nice to bring them some hot tea to help them feel better.  Love you and feel better :)

"A BIT OF LEMON"

8x8, oil on 3/8 gesso panel, $100.00

I loved painting this little ceramic container.  It was hand made by a young man and son of a dear friend.  I love painting things that have meaning or a history.  Besides it being sentimental it is lovely.  It has a beautiful glaze and creates very nice reflections.  

He is currently away studying hard.  The wonderful thing about these beautiful ceramic pieces he left to his mothers care is that every time she brings one out to paint, hold and share she is thinking about him.  I just love that.

"A SLICE OF VITAMIN C"

8x8, oil on 3/8 gesso panel, $100.00

Blue and orange are compliments, another set I am exploring in this painting.   Orange and blue can be bold and harsh in advertising, but they really grab you.  It is difficult to dismiss any graphic done with these two colors.  You don't have to like them for them to grab you.  In oil there is a lot more going on with color  mixing and moving around the color wheel to venture into neighboring colors to turn the form and sculpt the painting.  In the process there is a cast of supporting players that push and pull the subject from a graphic statement of bold eye catching color to something with more depth and more to see.