"Regina"

8"x10" oil on canvas board - in progress

This is a commission that I've been working on for the last couple of weeks. She's been a joy to paint. I wanted to post after I put her whiskers on. They don't come alive to me until that point. This photo is the closest to the correct color but on the bottom left there is a little glare. I'm working with the owner to capture Regina's likeness, as I'm using several photos, some when she was younger and current pictures.

"Tuffy" and "Hildie Mae"

8"x10" oil on canvas panel

These are two commission pieces I've just finished. They were fun to paint, but did have a hard time starting. I wasn't sure of the outcome so I had to just jump in. I didn't drown after all! I might tweak them a little bit but other than that they done.

"Twisted"

15"x30" oil on canvas - in progress

This is a much better photo than the last. I finished the starry night and even added a shooting star. I'm thinking the bottom area is missing something, maybe another branch. I thought about adding a black crow but my daughter made a face, that's what I get from talking out loud.

"Twisted"

15"x30" oil on canvas - in progress

This has been a fun painting to paint. I'm very pleased with it's outcome so far...almost done. I was reallly scared to add those branches, but once I started the transformation was amazing to see. Yesterday I started to add the stars. Almost done.

"Twisted"

15"x30" oil on canvas - in progress

I have this painting visualized but for some reason I'm painting very slowly. I think there's a little fear I could screw it up. As you can see from the photo I have A LOT more detail to add. I'll continue to push my brush around on this.

"Happy Faces"

9"x12" oil on canvas

I'm still working on my tree and commission piece, but I bought some sunflowers the other day and well, decided to do a quick painting of them. I like how they turned out. I've also started another painting of wine bottles. I like to have many paintings started as I get to choose which one I want to work on and when that painting needs to dry I grab another one. And if I'm not in the mood to do any of the ones I started, well I'll start another. Of course, sometimes a painting will sit for a long time and I'll revisit it and it turns out great. Enjoy!

"Twisted"

15"x30" oil on canvas - in progress

I recently started this painting of a cool tree I took a picture of when I lived in Northern California. I've been wanting to paint it and well finally just went for it. I always see a finished version of my paintings, so this one has been challenging me. I want to get real detailed but yet I love how it looks loose. I would love another artists' opinion...thanks!

I've also been working on another commission piece but wasn't too sure about posting it. I need to ask permission just in case...don't want to spoil a surprise! I also have started a sunflower painting; they so sunny and bright and let's not forget how long they last in a vase.

"Luke Walton's LA Laker's Ball"

16"x12" oil on canvas

My basketball(s) are finally signed, yay! Unfortunately, this past July's event was cancelled. So, this painting will have to wait until next July. I hope I don't miss the event next year as I go back east about the same time this will take place. It would be great to have a photo op with Luke and the painting. I painted two basketballs, and he was generous to sign both. I'm planning on donating it for a silent auction to raise money for a local school.

"Sea Treasures"

5"x7" oil on paper

Each of these are 5x7 and will be framed individually. I'm having fun painting on paper. If I screw up I can throw it away. I have a series of fruit that I'm going to do and will possibly hang them in my dining room. I still have a blank wall and wanted a grouping of small paintings so thought this would be fun.

"Corks"

8"x6" oil on canvas board

I have a few people asking me to do wine paintings. So, I started with the cork and working myself up to to the bottle. I did this one last week. I did have great plans to make them more realistic, but they had a mind of their own. Sometimes you have to listen to the painting. Lately I've been painting on black painted backgrounds. I might experiment and paint them another color. For now the black is working for me.

San Francisco, Part 2

My lovely friend, P.K., she's gorgeous!!

Her lovely shoes...

Left to right: Pete, Airic, P.K., and me, Cheryl

Meeting a new artist friend, Airic

P.K. and I, I'm feeling a little short, I'm not wearing 4" heels only wearing 2" boots, lol!

My new artist friend, Pete. He's a wonderful person, 14 years younger than I, ugh! But what a gentleman...he's going to make a wonderful husband and father to a lovely gal, real soon!!!

Just a morning view from where I stayed...Don's place, thanks honey!

P.K. , Debbie and Pete

The first time meeting, having a great lunch!

Just a fun view of SF!

San Francisco Weekend, Part 1

Left to Right: Charles (birthday boy), Don, Pete and P.K.

I had an amazing experience this past weekend. I painted a commission piece "Shui" (pronounced "shwee") for my friend P.K's friend Don's boyfriend for a birthday gift. There's so many details, but to make a long story short, I ended up going along with her to SF and met all her wonderful friends, who are now mine as well.

Don gave Charles a surprise birthday party and above are a few pictures of him opening the commission painting I did for him. Charles was so excited that I believe he became quite emotional over the piece, making me tear up as well. WOW, it overwhelms me that something I created/painted gave so much joy to someone! And that is why I paint...

"California Poppies"

6"x8" oil on panel

Just a little painting all about poppies. I had lots of fun with this, again just experimenting. Might go back in and tweak a little, wouldn't be me if I didn't, hehe! Enjoy.

"Shui"

20"x20" oil on gallery wrapped canvas - COMPLETE!

I believe this is complete. I know myself though that I'll study it and tweak here and there for a bit. I found the perfect spot to photograph this. The colors came out pretty accurate. Well, onto the next project.

Here's a few things I've been working on...

"Pink Peonies" 36"x24" oil on canvas - complete

My mom has been patiently waiting for this. I have to let it go. Sometimes it feels like it's not complete, in this case, but after leaving it alone, for a long time, it's done.

"The Brown Family Home" 16"x12" oil on canvas - complete

This was a commission piece that I literally had to paint in 3 days because it was an anniversary gift and I had to ship it to Atlanta. I did my best in that time frame. I wish I had had more time. They were happy with it and at the end of the day that's what you want to hear. Imagine that, it's not about me.

"Shui" 20"x20" oil on canvas - in progress

This is a commission of Shui a Chihuahua. I'm still working on her, the photo came out more blue than actual painting. I'll get a better pic when it's finished. I've been enjoying this dog portrait. This is my first larger piece since starting with animal portraits. The others I've painted have been 6x8, so this has been a blast. I'm enjoying animal portraits, I just wish I had a few more to do.

"To Russia With Love"

16"x12" oil on canvas - complete

I've been very busy painting. I just completed two commission pieces that I'll post later and I'm working on another one. I can't wait to share those. I haven't posted because of computer problems (bought a new one), also my camera is dead (fell in a river) and have to use other resources for taking pictures at this time. The above picture was from my Blackberry. I just couldn't wait to post again. I've been using my daughter's camera, unfortunately she's away this weekend with her camera.

I loved this challenge of painting metal. So many interesting colors bounced off, plus paint chipped areas. A great study for me. I might take another pic as I'm not sure how this will post.

"To Russia With Love"

16"x12" oil on canvas (in progress)

Here is another painting I've been working on. This is called a Russian Kettlebell. I actually use a 26lb. weight with my trainer, Paul Daniels, RKC. If you go on utube you'll find many fun examples of training with this weight. Mind you, I'm still in the beginning stages of handling one of these. It's a lot of work, but I love the challenge! I highly recomend trying it out!!

"Plymouth Sunset"

9"x12" oil on canvas - sold

My mom asked if I'd paint this for my Uncle Bobby's birthday. So I did. I have a little bit more tweaking to do, but for the most part it's done.

"Bug Likes to Fetch..."

"Luke Walton's LA Laker's Ball"

I can't believe it's been two months since my last post. Kids keep me busy, plus I was gone for two weeks vacationing in the Adirondacks, NY. I've been painting and will post my other paintings I've been working on soon. But here is the one I've been challenged with...

16"x12" oil on canvas in floating black frame

This is the painting I've been working on for a while. It's almost complete. It just needs a signature from LA's Laker Luke Walton #4 on the upper portion of the ball. It's going to be a door prize for a United Way event that is held just for Tocqueville Society members and their children who make an incremental gift to OC's United Way. It's been a privilege to paint this. I thought I'd miss the event because of my vacation, but they ended up moving it back. It will be great to get a pic with him but I think he'll need to bend down to my 5'2" level. LOL!!

Bug Knows...

living room couch

on my paintings

this isn't as comfortable as the living room chair...

closet, usually on my hubby's clothes

the living room chair no one sits in, but him

clean pile of clothes

my studio chair

My kitty, Bug, finds the best places to take a nap or relax. Thought I'd share them with you.

I have been painting; I'm just not ready to post what I've been working on. Maybe next week.

"Golden Key"

1 3/4" x 6" oil on canvas panel - SOLD

This was a commission piece for my friend, P.K. I'm still adding highlights and such. The colors didn't come out as they actually are in my painting. The key is much more vibrant and the background is much more of a warmer brown. I'll repost it in better lighting once it's totally complete. If you haven't noticed that I didn't paint a nail holding it. This key is actual size so I'm going to be adding an actual nail into the painting.

"Bug" in progress - EDITED - complete!

8"x6" oil on canvas panel

I love how this painting came together so quickly. I painted 30 min. at a time and then let it dry, except for the last one. Working on the details took much longer. I think I like the simplicity of it. The lighting is my favorite, in fact, I was going to give the back ground color, but I'm going to keep it black. I worked on the details after posting it earlier today. I believe it's complete at this point, but will check back with it tomorrow. I know I'll tweak something and of course I need to sign it.

"Bug"

8"x6" oil on canvas panel - in progress

Lately I've been enjoying painting dog portraits that I recently donated a pet portrait to my daughter's school for a silent auction. I look forward to seeing what kind of dog or cat I'll be painting (or other animal). As you can see I've started a new portrait painting of my kitty, Bug. I wasn't happy with the first one I started. I really liked this photo and wanted to capture the wonderful lighting. I'll post this painting in its progress.

My Favorite Bug!

My LoveBug is now 8 months old. He was so tiny when we brought him home. Shhh, he still thinks he's a dog. Here he is keeping me company in my studio.

I've been finishing a few paintings. I've also started a few new ones as well, I'll post them when they start to look good. I also have another painting, yet to start, that I'm going to donate for an awesome cause. I'll post that one when I'm allowed. Hmm, secrecy!

"Maya Moo" Edited

8"x6" oil on canvas panel - complete!

Here's my friend's other Chihuahua, Maya. P.K. loved the paintings!!