Ballerina #31

Ballerina #31 / oil on linen panel / 24 x 18

Last night and into this morning, we experienced wild, torrential rain with wind was so strong that the rain hit the windows vertically as if shot from a fire hose. At times the drop were as big as marbles.  It was loud, exciting and a little bit scary as well but we needed the rain so badly. Even with this extreme delivery, it was welcome. As the winds died down and the sun peeked out, I put the final touches on Ballerina #31. I am going to dress it up in a wide silver leaf plein air frame and call it done.

Accepted!

Ballerina #3 / 16x20 / 

Ballerina #10 / 20x16

After a hiatus of about 2 years of not entering any shows, I decided to throw my hat into the competition ring once more. I am not exactly sure why or what it was that prompted me at this point in time, but I am happy to report that two of my favorite ballerinas were accepted and will be traveling to San Diego, CA this May for the 44th National Exhibit of Women Artists of the West! Oh, happy day!

2014 Begins with Ballerina #31

Ballerina #31 / oil on canvas panel

So happy to spend the day in my studio today with Ballerina #31 and Sir Colin Davis. I didn't get a chance to listen to the Messiah around the holidays last year so today I played the entire recording by the London Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Sir Colin Davis in 2006. I still think it is the best recording of Handel's Messiah that I have ever heard. I am mesmerized by it and entirely swept away. What a wonderful day it was!

Ballerina #30

Ballerina #30 / oil on linen panel / 18 x 24

Another ballerina takes stage front! This one is 18 x 24, oil on Fredrix linen panel. I love the texture of the Fredrix linen and how it grabs the paint but wish it was a little bit less expensive. Even though I love it, I only buy it when I can splurge once in a while.

Ballerina 25

I knew I wanted to do something a little different, a bit more abstract, and I let the paiint take me whereever it wanted to go with this portrait. Focusing more on value, I let the color just happen. It was an interesting experiment and I am not unhappy with the result although I don't think the photo truly captures the painting. This one is 14x18 - oil on linen.

Ballerina #22

Ballerina(s) #22, oil on linen 16x20.

And a close up.

Thank you so much for looking!

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

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!