Two Starts - Toulouse Lautrec and a Portrait

Sunday's effort - done using an old black and white photo as reference. It's a start and allowed me to tentatively feel my way around the canvas. I am still very unsure and am begining to realize that i will need to paint a lot in order to get back some of my lost confidence. My intent, at the end of October, will be to paint everyday - while working full time I have never been able to do that consistently and it is one of my goals. This weekend I made an effort to consciously paint shape, color and value - trying to keep those things foremost in my mind as I placed paint on the canvas. I plan to try and go back to refine and finish this after it sets up a bit.

Saturdays effort - started a portrait of my mother in law on her 95th birthday. I captured her likeness but was not happy with the progression and ended up wiping it off. It seems like I am going to be doing lots of starts!

 

Also, I am having serious trouble with my Blog - it all started after I undated my email address. It is acting very fickle and at times will no tlet me comment on other blogs or even update this one. I have been unable to find the problem but wil lkeep trying. I still stop by my favorite blog sites and find it so frustrating to be unable to leave a comment. I am trying to get some help with this issue and hope to have it fixed soon.

New Studio

It has taken a very long time to move and settle into the new house in Reno - much longer than I anticipated - mostly because we are doing some major renovation work. But the worst is over (I hope) and I found some time to enjoy my new studio. It has wonderful natural light all day long. I dont have overhead lights installed yet and when the sun goes down, the light is quickly lost - within a matter of minutes it seems and that is the end of painting for the day! I am looking into some track lighting but have not decided what to do yet. This painting was like trying to ride a bicycle after years of driving a car! I was so eager to begin something new and to feel the pant gliding onto the canvas that I did not think out the composition fully. Nonetheless, the act of painting was such a joy - a pure and complete joy! I have a lot of catching up to do and this painting makes that painfully clear to me! But I feel like today was a new beginning and I can't wait to see where I go from here!

 In addition to showing you my awkward painting, I have posted a photo of a corner of the studio and then one of me in the mirror! I had a lovely day today - and some very good news. My employer is offering early retirement to long term employees and, having been with my company for almost 16 years, I meet the requirments1 I have decided that I will leave the work force and devote myself to trying to attain some artistic goals that I have set for myself. My last day of full time employment will be October 28th - I day I am really looking forward to!

Finally Painting Again

I am feeling very tight and unsure of myself after a long hiatus. I have been thinking about working on this piece as I left it unfinished when we moved - so decided  to see if I could re-energize and finish it. As you can see, my brushwork is suffering as well as my use of color. I felt a lot of  hesitation and loss of confidence as I painted today so will have to work on these things. Its like starting all over again after  almost a month away from the easel. In any case, I hope to be posting more frequently although there is still a lot of renovation work going on in the new house, But my home office and my studio are up and running and I intend to find the time to paint. Oil on linen panel 36x24.  And a close up below.......

Place Holder

The new house is still undergoing renovation - cherry hardwoodflooring being installed in the art studio as we speak. I am so eager to get back to painting.  This older piece caught my eye as I was packing to move - please consider it a place holder until I can get back to the easel and show some new work. I have a feeling I may be very rusty at first! 12x16 Woman with Water Bottle - oil on canvas panel.

Sold

One of my favorite paintings! This is the interior of Deyrolle's, a taxidermy studio in Paris. It was very famous and a well known tourist destination until it was destroyed by a fire several years ago. In my painting there is one aminal who has just arrived - and he is thinking "Is this feast or is this famine?" I will miss seeing this painting and hope it has gone to a good home.

Packing Can Wait

I will leave this for now - I see a lot more to be done but will let it rest for a while. Happy to paint today!

Progress of a Different Kind!

Having a bit of renovation done before moving.

There is a kitchen in here somewhere.....

Trying on some Rock and Roll shades in La Jolla!

And the view from the bedroom - what a way to start each day!

More Progress

Still a long way to go - but having so so much fun! 24 x 36 oil on linen.

Finally - Some Time to Paint

I have been traveling back and forth to the new house in Reno - choosing paint colors, having some new floring installed, some really fun things! I am back in San Diego until the final move the week of July 25th - things are moving ahead at the speed of light. Spent this afternoon wondering if I remember how to paint after a long time away from the brushes. This is my start - very rough but glad to be putting some paint on the canvas!

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: