All American 1, 2, 16x20

 

There are things in our lives that have so much meaning we wouldn't want to part with them.  The 'Minnie' that my mother made for our daughter when she was young is one of those things.  It usually just sits around the house.  (I've noticed she never sleeps.)

All American 1 & 2 were demonstration paintings for my classes.  They were a kick to do.  Getting a variety of color in Minnie's face was interesting but I think I had the most fun with the stripes in the flag, finding differing 'reds and whites' and subduing the other actors.  These paintings make me smile.  One is horizontal and the other vertical and obviously composed differently....can't tell which I like better.  You?

Spring Poppies, 12x12

 

A hole crept into our home.  It must have started out as a small sneaky one because we don't even remember when it arrived or, for that matter, knew that it even existed.  It grew but we never noticed that it was a fixture in the house, just hanging there and sapping away the color of life.

But it didn't take away the color of my paintings....fortunately....and I like the way this one turned out.  Painting masses of poppies is a delicate thing.  I like it so much I may do a larger one of it.  But I digress.....

We noticed the absence of the hole the day that Noelle arrived, a puppy that was left and needed a home.  How lucky we are.  How busy we are....but it's a nice busy.

What is she?  We tell people she's something crossed with 'cute'.  She's the one on your right.  Mateo is our daughter's poodle.

Noelle is wonderful....but she's slowing down my painting.....

February Artwalk Demo, 11x16

Pulled from the brink of value/color disaster this little painting looks deceptively simple....but, once again sitting in the middle of a party, it held my attention for almost two hours .   I've never bungie jumped off a high bridge but doing this one seemed like how that space between jumping off and hoping something stops you before hitting the rocks must feel.

This is gouache.  My Gouache Workshop for this year is on February 24th and 25th.  If you haven't heard me say it before, gouache is a terrific medium for learning to paint as well as producing quality art pieces.  It's like watercolor.  It's like oil.  Mix and Match.  Join us if you can.

Apropos of nothing, did you know that in the 18th and 19th century that when one wanted to paint 'outdoors' that a portable greenhouse was set up with a heater to keep ones digits warm.  Must have been for the 1%.   Brings a whole new concept to the idea of packing light.