Revise to "A Key to it All"

In this photo, the angle shows the actual OLD, VERY OLD, nail that I incorporated into this painting.
8"x10" oil on panel - REVISED

I had a different background on this key and I wasn't loving it. So, I made it hang on old barn wood. It looks 10x better. I've had many paintings that I've just changed the background and it makes ALL the difference. It's just paint and can be painted over!!

"Catching Air"

15"x30" oil on canvas

This is a Short-eared Owl. I've been working on this one on and off. Infact, I finished the face first. I think I was intimidated by his wings. The blending of the background was challenging, but very rewarding when completed.

"Casey"

6"x8" oil on panel SOLD

I just completed another dog commission. She'll be going to Virginia Beach. I've been working on two 30x40 paintings and put them to the side to get back to my small commissions. I love my small paintings, but I do enjoy the challenge of painting large. I guess it's a balance!!

"Cedar Waxwing"

8"x10" oil on canvas - NFS

These are common berry eaters in the Adirondacks. I'm donating this painting to the Old Forge Library for their silent auction this spring. My mom-in-law and I made a trade this past summer :) I really enjoyed painting this one. When we were there last summer one of these little dudes unfortunately hit a window on the a-frame.

"And What are You Having?"

24x36 - oil on canvas SOLD

This is a commission I did for a girl friend. She challenged me to do some wine bottles, something I've never painted. And of course she wanted it large. It took me some time, but I've finally have completed it and it's now hanging in her home. I think I'll be doing more wine related items.

"Family 4-ever"

15"x30" oil on canvas - nfs

This is a painting I did for my daughter, Megan. She loves elephants!! This painting came so quick for me. A true pleasure to paint. My signiture was different for this one because it was for her. She calls me Marmee, from a favorite movie of mine, "Little Women". They called their mother Marmee. I watch this movie mostly during the Christmas season...her memory, like elephants, didn't fail her. I hope to paint more elephants!

"Owl Be Up All Night"

11x14 oil on canvas

I painted yet another wonderful species in the owl family. Across the street from where I live is the Cleveland National Forest, so at night when I have my window open in my studio I hear the wonderful calls of these magnificent owls. The Great Horned Owl is the most commonly known owl call. I have a few more owls I'm currently working on and will post those soon. I also have many more other paintings that I'm currently working on. Yes, I love to multi-task. ALL good!!

"Mini Cooper"

8"x8" oil on gallery wrapped canvas - SOLD

This was an actual first for me, painting a Golden Retriever puppy. He was a joy to paint, very fluffy. The recipient cried when it was given to her...she truely enjoyed her gift!

"Harley"

8"x10" oil on canvas board - SOLD

This was a painting I did for a friend for Christmas of her Puggle. He was adorable and just had to paint him...it was a surprise to her and her family! Isn't that the best kind.

"I Will 4 Ever Love You"

8"x24" oil on gallery wrapped canvas - SOLD

This was a wonderful commission that I recently finished for Christmas. They are all rescued cats. From the left is, Nina, Gus, Mimi, and Gozwald, he's the oldest at 15. The others are 12, if I believe correctly. A beautiful family of loved cats!

"JuneBug"

8"x8" oil on gallery wrapped canvas - SOLD

This is a commission I just recently finished. She's gone to doggie heaven, but not forgotten by her friends and family. I'm sure her owner will enjoy this gift!!!

"Pharoh"

20"x16" oil on canvas

When I started back into painting I was introduced to painting the human portrait. I loved it, but it wasn't coming easy for me. I started to wander and paint fruit, flowers, landscapes, etc. I painted anything to avoid people. Then the animals started, all from a few commission pieces and I have been running with them ever since. I LOVE painting animals and I would have been the first one to admit that I never saw myself painting animals.

Then, my girlfriend lost her husband a year ago. I told her I wanted to paint him when she was ready. Almost a year later she had a fundraiser in his name, there on the table was his photo that I knew I had to paint. I really hoped that I could capture him. I had been so hard on myself with previous portraits that I talked myself out of painting them. In fact, I still have a couple unfinished.

Well, not only was I surprised of the outcome, but I painted him in 6 days. I think the second full day was when it just poured out of me. I also felt this amazing energy when painting him.

Normally the best part of a painting is looking forward to seeing a clients reaction, but knowing that it would be an emotional viewing for my friend I decided to wrap it up and dropped it off for her and her family to open in privacy. She had a different opinion...she wanted me to be there. She had a family dinnter last night and asked if I'd come over after since she had everyone there.

They all loved it! I was glad to be there. I shared that when I first started to paint him I kept seeing a race car behind him. She informed me he LOVED and watched the racecar races. He definately was with me the whole time I painted him. I look forward to the next one!

"Chocho"

8"x8" oil on gallery wrapped canvas

This is a commission I recently finished for a girlfriend of mine. She didn't need it until next summer, but I thought, why wait? He's a Siberian Husky. Another fun new breed for me to have painted.

"Sammy"

8"x10" oil on panel

This is my girlfriend's dog, Sammy, a schnauzer. I'm really enjoying painting different dog breeds. It brings new challenges to me. I actually did this painting in about 5 hours, which is a first for me. I guess I'm getting more efficient these days. That's a good thing.

"Snowy Owl"

12"x12" gallery wrapped canvas

This painting was pretty much done and I tweaked it today, complete now! This is actually a juvenile snowy owl, adults are pure white. He was fun to paint, especially the right side with his whispy feathers. I also signed my initials to look like feather markings on the right. There are so many more owls I want to paint. I do have a short eared owl in flight I'm still working on. Will post that one soon, I hope. I have so many paintings I work on at a time I never know which ones I will complete first.

"Flag of Freedom"

24"x30" oil on canvas

I took a photograph of our home flag around the 4th of July for my fb profile picture. I decided to paint it and here it is complete. It was a joy and honor to paint this as a tribute to the men and women who have given to our country for our freedom and to those who have given their lives for our country so that we can have our freedom! Thank you to all our troops!!

"City Paws"

10"x8" oil on panel - SOLD

This painting is another one of "City the Kitty". I painted an earlier painting a 16x20 of him sitting in his favorite bowl. His mom, Lori Shepler is a professional photographer. Her photo, that I used for this was and is my top favorites. I asked if it would be okay to paint this one as well. I wasn't too sure of painting it in black and white at first. I must say though that I learned a lot from this painting. I handled the blending so differently and I was able to paint wet on wet with this. I look forward to the next black and white picture with open arms, I mean hands.

"Colby"

8"x6" oil on panel - SOLD

Colby just past this week. I memorialized him by painting him for his owner. She used to live next to us when we lived in northern California. I incorporated her favorite color, orange, into the background. He'll be shipped off to his new home this week. I hope this painting brings her comfort.

"Gnatcatcher"

"10x8" - oil on canvas

Another feathered friend. I finished this one a couple of weeks ago. This one is a Black-capped Gnatcatcher. The texture of the tree was fun to do. I carved my initials into this painting like I did with the "Nuthatch". I just finished a dog portrait and will post that one this weekend. I'm definately keeping busy in the studio. I have at least 5 paintings going at once in different stages. When I come into the studio I work on the one I'm in the mood for.

City the Kitty meets..."City the Kitty"

12"x16" oil on canvas

I painted this one a while back and I just delivered it to his owners last week. Lori Shepler, http://www.lorishepler.com/ is a professional photographer in the LA area who is going to take our family picture by the ocean and figured I'd hand it over when we set the date. Well, with her busy schedule and a busy summer, we finally connected, at least for the delivery of the painting.

She shared with me this photo of him touching the painting. Lori said he kept admiring it and pawed it several times. I think he approves!

City the Kitty has his own fb page...it's fun to see what he gets into and tries to get out of. Of course all captured by his moms, Lori and Shanna. I hope you check his page out, he's very handsome!

"Max"

12"x16" oil on canvas

This was a commission that I just finished. I hear he was a great dog and companion! He's in doggy heaven now, but obviously NOT forgotten. It was a great pleasure to paint him.

"Scout"

12"x16" oil on canvas

I painted Scout for my girlfriend's husband's birthday. Scout was a shy dog to take pictures of, it was very funny. Finally my friends little boy came up behind me and Scout gave her best pose. I believe they were very happy with the end result of the painting. She was a pleasure to paint, as most are for me.

"In Flight" - in progress

8"x8" oil on gallery wrapped canvas

I wanted to share this with you before my vacation. I started this a while ago and became daunted by it. Mean while, I painted my three 16x20 birds of prey, owl, hawk and eagle, go figure as they just rolled off my brush. I don't know why this bird had me at a stand still, but it did. Last Wednesday, I volunteered at my church to face paint. Guess what?? I was painting humming birds on little girls faces and they were the easiest to do. That made me come back to it and I just painted. I still have some small touch-ups, but it all worked out. Will update when I'm finished with him.

"Peace by Piece"

8x8 oil on gallery wrapped canvas - SOLD

I've painted some of these stones before. I enjoyed stacking these like a cairn (karn), which is a mound of stones piled up to mark a boundary or to point the way for adventures seeking a trusted and well-traveled path. Of course, the butterfly represents ability to accept change, a transformation.

"Otis" and "Sophie"

6x8 oil on canvas - both SOLD

Here's some of the latest pets that I've painted. They were such fun to paint. Otis is an English Bulldog and I couldn't resist painting that face. Sophie, well a blue eyed beauty. I have many more in the works and will share soon. If you want a commisioned painting of your loving pet you can email me at thepaintedcanvas@cox.net

"Owl Be Seeing You"

16x20 - oil on canvas (detail shown)

I've been retouching this painting that I previously posted. He looks ten times better to me. I still need to sign it. I'm going to send this to the 60th Central Adirondack Art Show in Old Forge, NY. My husband is from there and his mom still lives on 4th Lake. It's been a long tradition for our family to meet there every summer for a couple of weeks. I always visit the art center to view all the wonderful paintings. I thought I'd send one this year, as they are opening for the first time their brand new building. I thought it fitting to send one of my birds that I've been working on. He has a long journey, so I'll make sure I get a picture or two with me in front of him at the show.

"Nuthatch"

9"x12" oil on canvas

This is a white-breasted nuthatch. I'm enjoying painting winged species these days. The texture of the bark was a fun challenge. I even attempted to make my initials look as though they're carved in the tree. I think a little highlight will make it pop more.

"Miss Cindy"

8"x10" oil on canvas panel

This is my cousin's greyhound, Cindy, that they helped find a new home for. She was a lovely subject to paint. Yes, more practice for me...I hope her new parents will like her.

Just a couple of birds...

16x20 "Owl be Seeing You"

16x20 "Hawk Eye"

I had so much fun painting these two birds. I'm enjoying my new "winged" friends and see lots more fluttering happening in my studio. I've been busy working on several paintings and will post as I finish them. Lots of ideas have been pouring out of me...love that part of the creative process. Now I just need to keep up with the painting part.

"White Egret"

9"x12" - oil on canvas

I did this in pastel in November and thought I'd give it a try in oil paints. I like this oil version much better. I'm really digging painting birds. I'm working on an owl that I'll post soon. He's a hoot!