Swept Up in the Whirlwind!

My daughter's visit has come to an end and she has returned to Amsterdam. We had a wonderful time together - shopping, talking, seeing local sites, eating in fabulous restaurants, celebrating Christmas and hearing all about her adventures in Europe over the past few months. It all went by so quickly and her leaving once again has left an empty place in my heart. She is such a joy and assures me that she is very happy in her life overseas. I can tell that she is and that does help to soothe my soul a bit.

So it is back to the easel for me - a quick oil portrait of Alberto Giacometti done from a black and white photo after a preparatory graphite sketch.

Giacometti / 16x12 / oil on gessoed  cardboard

Another small painting sold at the stellar Roux & Cyr Gallery in Portland, Maine! That was happy news.

Into the Frying Pan / oil on canvas / 11x14 / Sold

 And a photo of Kim and her Dutch Friend Hans on our front stoop just a few days ago!

Kim and Hans / December 2016

Ballerina # 12 - Sold

Ballerina # 12 / oil on linen / 16 x 20

Her new owner told the gallery that "She will be well loved and quite the center of attention as I imagine is her wont."

The Roux and Cyr Gallery in Portland, Maine has been so wonderful in representing my work and generating ongoing interest and sales. I am thrilled and very grateful to Susan Roux for her unwavering support of my art. Many, many thanks to you, Susan!

I did have a chance recently to catch up on some portrait practice:

12x12 oil on artboard

About 9x12, oil on artboard

12x17 oil on cardboard

Maximizing my  resources!

We are under two weeks now until leaving for our incredible European trip and my heart is beginning to palpitate in anticipation!. First stop is Amsterdam where my husband and I will meet up with our daughter and son. After a few days there we all head over to Rome. There we are booked into a hotel that is right in the middle of many of the ancient attractions and with a view to the Vatican! After several days in Rome it is back to Amsterdam where I will reconnect with my oldest friend who is Scottish but lives in England now. She and her husband are traveling from England to Amsterdam by overnight ferry in order to meet up with us for dinner! I am counting the days!

Two Bunny Paintings Found a New Home

I am always so thrilled and grateful when a collector sends me photos of my work in their new home.  These two bunnies found the ideal place to run around!

Boston International Fine Art Show and Portrait of Dutch

Dutch / oil on gessoed cardboard / 12x9

Finally a portrait I am pleased with after several weeks of struggling for a likeness and a painterly result.

I got a big surprise in my email this week when I learned that the Roux & Cyr Gallery has taken a booth at the Boston International Fine Art Show November 13 - 16th at The Boston Center for the Arts. Susan Roux and Paul Cyr have included some of my ballerina paintings in their display along with the work of the other exceptional artists in the gallery. I am thrilled to have this opportunity and to be included in this group of extraordinary artists. And congratulations to Martine Alison whose lyrical figurative work is also included in this show and whose work many of you may recognize. Here is a link to her site: Ma dollhouse joue un grand air du peinture.

Thank you Susan and thank you Paul! If anyone who follows my blog has the chance to attend, I would love to hear your thoughts.