"Paintings have a life of their own that derives from the painter's soul." Vincent Van Gogh

Saturday, April 23, 2016

Back to Steeplechase!

A Daunting Challenge Not Easily Won / 14x18 / oil on masonite

Back to a favorite subject once again. I had a few masonite panels left over from a while ago. I had abandoned them as I did not enjoy painting on their very smooth and slick surface. I love how the texture of linen or canvas grabs the paint as the brush is dragged across the surface. So I put several layers of gesso on the masonite panels and find I like them much more now!

Friday, April 22, 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!

Sunday, April 17, 2016

In a Kingdom by the Sea...

12 x 16 / oil on linen panel

12x16 / oil on linen panel

16x20 / oil on canvas panel

Some coastal Maine subject matter for a summer show!



The actual crab in my studio! Between painting sessions I thoroughly sprayed him with room deodorizer, put him in a large tightly sealed ziplock bag and stored him in my refrigerator. He was generally okay at the beginning of the painting sessions but got very odiferous under that hot light after an hour or two! It was quite an experience!

Thursday, April 14, 2016

I have been remiss

Such a long time between posts - I sincerely apologize.

Today I will show you two paintings of wild animals in winter.

Canadian Lynx / oil on masonite panel / 14x18

The Excessively Clever Fox / oil on linen panel / 18x24
One of the things that has kept me busy is that my husband and I and our two children are all planning a vacation together in Europe in May. I am very excited as I have not been to Europe in quite a long time. I did spent two weeks skiing in the Alps when I was in my 20's and have not been back since. My daughter is currently on a three year assignment in Amsterdam so my husband, our son and I are all flying over to visit her and meet her new Dutch friends and co-workers. We will, of course, get in as much sight seeing as possible and will also make some time for a few days in Rome! Doesn't it sound wonderful? I can hardly contain myself!