"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!!

"Brooklyn" - complete!

6"x8" oil on canvas panel

This was a fun painting, I tried to keep it loose. Which is no easy task for me. Now I just need my friend to give me the thumbs up. I'll be painting Maya Moo next.

Family Photos - Adirondacks 2008

Matthew hugging his Mom

Megan and Matthew (not fighting)

Megan with Dad; not so little anymore

I can't believe it's already March. It won't be long before we're back to the Adirondacks for our annual summer trip visiting family and friends. I so enjoy the mountain air, especially after a summer thunderstorm! My husband grew up on 4th Lake in Old Forge, NY. It's hard to believe that I've been visiting this place for 20 years. It doesn't seem like that amount of time has passed. The kids' will have so many great memories to cherish as they grow older. I hope that one day that they can enjoy this wonderful place with their families.

"Chelsea"

8"x6" oil on canvas panel - SOLD

This is a commission I just finished for my neighbor. Chelsea is an Australian Shephard. She's a beautiful dog! I really enjoyed painting this, as this painting literally flowed off my paint brush. I wish they all would do that. I have a little bit more tweaking to do, like adding a few more fine hairs around the muzzle.

"Laguna Keyhole"

12"x9" oil on canvas panel - in progress

Over this past weekend I attended a one day workshop with Greg LaRock and he was so kind to critique this painting for me. He gave me some great tips. So, I've been working on this to get the atmosphere right and get my water to "lay down" the way it should. It's slowly getting there.

"Shadow Boxing"

16"x12" oil on canvas - Finally complete!!

I'm happy how this came out. Adding the hightlights and details always makes a difference. I loved painting the old leather. The color is pretty acurate in this photo. I did sign it to the left, but softened it as my eye directly went to it.

"No Stopping Any Time"(Crystal Cove)

8"x6" oil on panel (in progress)

My friend P.K. and I went to Crystal Cove a couple of Fridays ago. It turned out to be windy on the beach so we set up in front of the strip of old garages where the wind didn't blow. We of course had lunch first at the Beachcomer Cafe, yum! I did a color study not thinking I'd continue on with it, but once in the studio I dabbled with it and this is how it's coming. I love the character of these old buildings. This pic is a little blurry. I think I'm starting to get my groove with plein air painting. Practice, practice, practice!

"Pearing Up"

8"x6" oil on canvas panel

Finally complete. Added highlights and bruising, as all things aren't perfect!!

Friends!

P.K. (she's a beautiful person inside and out) and I

Miya (Moo) and Brookline - very entertaining duo!

My new friend, P.K. and her two girls, Miya and Brookline came to visit. I met P.K. at my last workshop and we hit it off. She is a very talented artist! It's wonderful to share our passion for art, along with our life stories. Of course, much laughter was involved!! We origninally had plans to plein air paint on Friday, but it rained. So, we went and had our toes painted instead, had great conversation with wine, and a homecooked meal, compliments of my hubby. Her girls got along with my girl, Roxy. My boy, Bug, just wanted to play, kitty with claws and eyeballs are not a good mix. P.K. is planning to move to Ireland this year. Our plan is to get out together and paint as much as possible. My heart is already sad, but it's all good! She'll remain my friend, always!

April Showers!!- updated

April is the weirdest month for me! April holds the most friends I know for a month that have a B-Day! I must draw Arians towards me some how. (Added one)

April 2 - Wendy, neighbor/friend
April 3 - Samantha, niece
April 4 - Old (real old) boy friend, Bob
April 5 - Paul, friend and awesome exercize instructor
April 10 - Kristen, neighbor/friend
April 10 - Dave, friend of hubby and mine
April 11 - Tim, husbands best friend and mine
April 14 - Patty, best friend
April 15 - Monique, best friend
April 16 - Aunt Mary, on husbands side
April 19 - Kitty, my other best friend
April 20 - Scott, husband
April 20 - Winnie, mother-in-law
April 26 - Kory, neighbor/friend

Whew, I might have missed someone, ya think?

Busy Finishing!

12"x9" oil on canvas panel - "Laguna Key Hole" in progress

This is one of the other paintings that I liked from the last workshop I took. I made a color study, took pictures and worked on it in the studio. I think I like this process. It fits with my technique. I have a little bit to go. I might re-visit this area again, it was very pretty, and relaxing.

8"x6" oil on canvas panel - "Pearing Up"

This just needs a little more hightlights and then it's done.

5x7" oil on panel - "Laguna Sky"

8"x6" oil on canvas panel - "Grape Scott"

Again, same thing, needs a little more hightlights.

My Lovebug

This is my 5 month, almost 6 month old, Bug. I've posted him before. He really thinks he's a dog. He plays fetch with me in the morning while I have my coffee. I throw, what used to look like a mouse, and he returns it right to me, usually jumping onto my lap and dropping it. I grew up with cats and never had one fetch before. He even plays with my dog who's 5 times his size. He's a charmer!

Busy Painting!

I haven't posted in a while, but I have been very busy painting. Here's just a few that I've been working on. I have three more that I'll post soon.

5"x7" canvas panel - in progress

This was one of the paintings I had started during my last plein air workshop. It looked nothing like this. I took a picture and I've been working on it in the studio. I guess that's where I feel most comfortable. Not that I'm going to stop painting plein air. I'm more comfortable getting a color study vs. something finished. I have another painting that I liked that I've been working on as well. I'll post that soon.

8"x6" oil on canvas panel - "Grape Scott" in progress

Still working one grape at a time on this one. The grapes are starting to get that glow that I want to capture.

16"x12" oil on canvas - "Shadow Boxing" in progress

I still need to work on this one a bit more. I like how the leather is looking. The actual painting is much warmer than this photo.

A Few Small Paintings

8"x6" oil on canvas panel - "Grape Scott" in process

I thought I'd show a few small paintings I've been working on. The title of this piece, well, my husband's name is Scott and I couldn't think of anything else. The grain of the wood has been fun to paint. I'm daunted by the grapes. But, I'll take it one grape at a time...

8"x6" oil on canvas panel - "pearing up" in process

I love painting pears. It's been a while since I've painted them. I love the yellow-green pears with the soft red blending through the skin. It's always a fun challenge to capture the soft dots on the skin.

8"x6" oil on canvas panel - "Bug" in process

It was hard to capture a great photo of my 5 month old. He finally stopped moving to allow me to photograph him. I'm not sure if this will be the last painting of my little bugger. It's not the most creative pose. But, it's not a blurrrr like the other shots.

"Shadow Boxing" in progress

16"x12" oil on canvas

I'm liking how this is coming along, almost done. I've started a few new small pieces in between the drying time for this. I wish I could figure out how to paint wet on wet. I try but always pull off the color. I have another plein air workshop next week and I hope I can focus on being loose and learn to paint wet on wet. Habits are hard to break. Not that I'm trying to change the way I paint but, I truely enjoy trying new aproaches to painting. The end result can be awesome (or disappointing). The fact that I give it a whirl is what counts in the end.

"Shadow Boxing" in progress

16"x12" oil on canvas

Underpainting complete, now for the fun part! I'm not sure if I want to keep the brush strokes loose or get tight with it. I guess the brush will guide me.

"Shadow Boxing" in progress

16"x12" oil on canvas

I've been kick boxing since last May, and I love it!! Yes, this turned into another one of my goals...bikini this summer! I know, I know, your saying what, at your age! Why not. I came across a photo of an old pair of boxing gloves and thought it fitting to paint them. I'll show you this painting in its entire process.

"Bird's Nest" finally completed?

12"x12" oil on canvas

I believe that this is finally completed. This photo doesn't give this painting justice, as the colors of the nest are richer with many different browns and the blue is actually more teal. I'm hoping to invest in a better camera this year, maybe that will help.

Like yourselves, I have many personal goals for this New Year. Top of my list is painting, painting and more painting. I hope to get myself out and about more with the possibility of selling some of these. I have a goal of having a showing in November at my house (I need to start somewhere). I'll be inviting my friends and neighbors to show them I'm not really a recluse. I notice that some of the blogs I follow mention they want to paint a certain amount of paintings within the year. I probably should have that kind of goal as well.

Happy New Year!!

"Bird's Nest" - in progress

12"x12" oil on canvas

It's almost done!! I like how I've toned the blue down. Today I'm using a pallette knife to soften the top portion as I don't like the square shapes. It already looks different then this. I'll post, hopefully, the finished piece tomorrow.

"Bird's Nest" - in progress

12"x12" oil on canvas

I've been working slowly on the background. I'm letting the paint guide me on this, as I don't have a final "look" in mind.

"Birds Nest" still in progress

12"x12" oil on canvas

This piece is taking me longer than it should. I still need to decide on the background. My intention was the nest resting on weathered painted wood. I think this color might be too bold. I have some old shutters that have paint chipping off so I might incorporate that look onto the background.