New House - New Adventure

After almost 16 years of living in San Diego, my husband and I decided to make a big move and we bought a house in the northeastern foothills of Reno, NV. The photos are the view from the back of the house of snow capped Sierra Nevada's. I have been so busy getting ready to move, putting the California house on the market and figuring all the logistics that I have had little time for painting recently and I miss it so much! My hand is itching to hold a paintbrush and I hope to get some painting time before the move at the end of July. One of the reasons I am so excited about the move is that I will have a more substantial studio. I have been painting in a very small space which also doubles as my home office. In the new studio,there is room for three easels! I wonder if I can handle that!

If you know anyone who is looking to buy a 3 bedroom home backing up to a golf course in San Deigo, please let me know!

Making a Come Back

I have regrets that I posted the first portrait on my blog because, as it turns out, it is more personal than I realized at first. I apologize to those who were upset by it. I considered removing it but  there had been so many visitors to my blog and a few comments that I decided to let it be. My intent was to paint pure emotion during a moment of intensity and not worry much about likeness. Possibly I suceeded better than I thought I did! I added the second portrait this morning - and as you can see - I am looking a little better!

Surviving an Emotional Train Wreck

Or perhaps I should retitle this "Its Not Easy Being Green"!

Obeying the Quantum Rulebook

Back to basics after a rather long hiatus. I love the high key pastel jockey and how he harmonizes with the wild beauty of the landscape. I love the level of his comfort with his beast and their current position in time and space. Oil on linen 16x20

Trying To Get the Rust Out

Trying to get the rust out - its not easy after a long hiatus. This is were I am with today's effort. Yesterday was a day of all wipe offs - so I have made a little progress. At least this one made it this far! There are several areas I am not happy with and will address them later. 12x16 oil on linen.

All She Wants to do is Paint, Paint!

Have not had much time lately to paint as life got in the way. I am determined to  spend as much time in the studio as possible over this upcoming 3 day Memorial Day weekend - I hope it doesn't take me too long to get the rust out! And so I have posted two recent paintings in their current spots in my home. I love to see them all dressed up in their frames and I  thought you might like to as well.
A funny and apropo quote by one of my heros - Albert Einstein: "Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves."
I need to return my attention to the fine craft of painting and hope to have some new paintings to post over the next several days!
(Apologies to Don Henley for tweaking his lyrics a bit)!

Best of Show - Pinch Me, I Must Be Dreaming!

Women Artists of the West 41st National Exhibition - Juror of Awards: Ann Templeton.
Please go to this LINK for a list of the award winners. I am in a state of shock! Wow!

Women Artists of the West

 "WAOWing the Lone Star State", the Women Artists of the West 41st National Exhibition opened today in Rockport, TX and I am honored to have had The Principle of Uncertainty accepted to this show. You can see the show online catalogue by clicking this link.  Please contact the gallery directly if you are interested in purchasing any of the wonderful paintings or sculptures that are in this show!

Odd Couple

A small alla prima double portrait. 11x14 oil on canvas. Done from a  photo I had taken a while ago taken in a restaurant.

More Work on the Work in Progress

Its close now - I will let it set up for a few days and make the final adjustments before calling this one done.

Work in Progress

I am working on a large 24 x 36 oil on linen piece. Its probably my most complex and ambitious painting to date and, I  must say, I am exicited about it so far. All the figures, the action, the snow - its really been fun to work on. Its not done yet but I thought I would post it and then update when it is done. I would love to hear your thoughts and feelings about it so far. Thanks for stopping by and for looking!
Here are a couple of close up shots as well:

Sunday Afternoon Painting

Dare I call this Two Blue Gnu? Oil on canvas panel 10 x 20

Beyond Limits of Human Perception

Thought I might try something a little different today. After a week of wipe off after wipe off, this one was challenging and fun and turned out to be a survivor. Top photo is a close up. The painting is 18 x 24 oil on linen.

I was intrigued by the comment left by Debbie Lincoln  about the values in this painting and how it appears without ny color. I had not thought to look at it in black and white and was pleasantly surprised to see what Debbie had noticed - the values are working well! I thought I would post it here in black and white for all to see. Thank you, Debbie, for stopping by my blog, for being kind enough to leave a comment and for leaving such a though provoking one at that - much appreciated! And in case anyone is interested, that beautiful sheen on the wildebeest's coat was obtained by using  Rembrantd Silver - it is awesome and I love experimenting with new colors now and then. I discovered that even when mixed with other colors, it retains its glow.

Taking the Lead

I used a very limited palette on a linen board toned with burnt sienna - cobalt blue, burnt umber, burnt sienna, white, buff titanium, naples yellow, alizarin crimson and raw sienna - I guess I used more colors than I thought I did!  12x16 oil on panel

Accepted - Women Artists of the West 41st National Juried Show

The show is in Rockport, TX in  May. I will have more details later but am just thrilled to have a painting in this show! 18x24 The Principle of Uncertainty oil on canvas panel.

Unleashed

Had some fun tonight with thick paint and bold brush work!  12 x 24 oil on stretched canvas.

The Willcox Hotel Exhibit

A few photos from the Willcox Hotel exhibit in Aiken, South Carolina. The hotel has graciously asked if I will extend the exhibit of my steeplechase paintings through the month of March which is the heart of their steeplechase season. I said, yes!

Mr. Lincoln

After seeing a flurry of Lincoln portraits on artists blogs I thought I might give it a try also. First the oil stetch value study, then the final with color added. 12x12 oil on canvas. I love doing portraits and to try and paint such an icon, a face familiar across the world - well, it was certainly a daunting challenge and it was also great fun!

Finished?

Yes, its finished now

And a close up of the jockey.

On the Easel Tonight

I am about 85% done  - a few final tweaks here and there. I love the composition and the feeling of tension and ucertainty as to what is going to happen next. I am not sure who is in control here - the jockey, the horse or the forces of gravity.