Ballerina #13

Well! No wonder Ballerina #13 was late in her arrival. She spent considerable time in Urgent Care. Not to worry though - her complete recovery is assurred!

Ballerina #14 Tweaked and Finished

I gave Ballerina #14 a final polishing this morning, adding a few highlights and adjusting here and there. I think she is finished now - just in time for St. Patrick's Day! She was really a joy to paint and I hope you enjoy her as well.

Ballerina #14

Ballerina #14 is oil on linen panel 18x24. Still waiting on Ballerina #13!

Ballerina #12, a Portrait Study and Snow!

The sun broke through after a wildly windy snow storm and it was magical! Ballerina # 12 is very high key and I did a quick portrait study after dinner.

Ballerina #11

Ballerina #11 finally made her appearance. She seems to have a much different outlook than the previous ballerinas. I don't know why. Oil on linen 24x18.

Ballerina #9

Well, Ballerina #9 finally decided to make her appearance. She is such a diva - lol! Today I tried a new brand of white paint - not by choice but by necessity. I ran out of my normal Winsor and Newton Titanium White and had a tube of Permalba White on hand. The Permalba is so very different - it has a stickier consistency and doesn't hug the canvas as I like. It mixes differently as well and I struggled with it today. Off to Nevada Fine Art to get myself a tube of my old standby!

More of My Girls

Ballerina #10

Ballerina #10 came along before Ballerina #9. Sigh. But dont' worry, #9 is still waiting in the wings! Oil on linen 20x16

My Ballerinas and Me

A few of my girls and myself in the studio. The ballerina behind me is on my monitor - I guess that is why she looks so red. I am using her as my background for continued inspiration!

Ballerina #8

It seems the large ballerinas are getting more ambitious! 16x20 oil on linen board.

Ballerina(s) #7

Oil on linen 18x24. They just keep coming.......

Ballerina #6

Oil on linen panel 20x16

Ballerina #5

I just keep having more and more fun with my large ballerina series. I feel that I have achieved a level of looseness that pleases me. I also love the innuendo and mystery of this subject. This one is 14x18 oil on linen panel. Your comments and thoughts are greatly appreciated! (The second photo is a closeup of her face as that is extremely important to me in this series).

The Fragility of Life

A short time ago I had occassion to visit the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) Wild Mustang facility outside of Reno. It was horrifying, heartbreaking and completely senseless. I left with a great saddness in my heart. The magnicient mustangs were robbed of all magnificence, dignity, heart and spirit. They were crowded into large holding areas or tiny, filthy pens. I have no idea why this is done or what really happens to these incredible horses. I am afraid to know. I wanted to paint something that shows how fragile life is and how this kind of behavior might lead to the complete eradication of wild mustangs in the United States. The animals in my painting are loosely based on extinct horses - probably more imaginary than anatomically correct. Nonetheless, they no longer exist and I find that so very sad.

Ballerina #4

20x16 oil on linen panel - a redo of an earlier ballerina study. And I have included a close up photo of the face.

Ballerina #3

My favorite so far of the ballerina series. This one is 16x20 oil on linen and I am especially pleased with the choice of color for the background. It completes her and she feels as I had envisioned her. A happy painting day today!

Giraffes in Interior - Untitled

Great fun to conceptualize and to paint! Oil on linen 20x16.

Profile Portrait

A profile portrait done this afternoon. Experimenting with a very limited palette, dark skin tones, and lots of other stuff that is swirling around in my mind as I paint. It looks like the beginning of this new year is going to be a time of stretching myself and trying new things. Oil on canvas 14x11.

Kent Reno Reference

Kent Reno is an American photographer who died in September of 2011 at the age of 78. I first saw this particular photo many years ago and it has stayed in my mind. Tonight it inspired me to do a little experimentation and I thought I would post the results. This is 12x12 oil on canvas. Art is a journey and each step along the way brings greater knowledge of self, medium and intent. I am quite happy with how this turned out.

Homage to Degas

Happy New Year - may it be safe and filled with glorious fun, excitement and lots of inspired art! And thank you to all who have supported my art and my struggle to be a better artist each day by visiting my blog and posting your encouraging comments. Each one is deeply considered and greatly appreciated.

Today I had ballerinas and horses on my mind and decided to paint this tribute to one of my favorite artists, one who continually inspires me and gives me great joy. This is oil on canvas board 18x14. Thanks for looking!