Busy summer!

I apologize for the lack of posts these past couple of months.  I knew that June would be busy, but July proved to be just as crazy!  But it was all good!  June was full of college visits for our youngest who was offered several football scholarships, and chose to commit to Fordham University in NYC to play D1 football next fall!  We are so proud of his hard work and so excited for all the opportunities he will have there.  And... he will be close to his older sister, so we will get to visit BOTH kids when we go!  :)  July started off with a secret we had to keep for weeks until our older son proposed to his girlfriend on the lake Michigan beach with all of the family in attendance.  So thrilled for them and happy to have Ally as part of our family. Having said all that, I have been able to get a few paintings completed and started a new bag series which I am really enjoying.  Here are a few of my recent paintings...

It's In the Bag  11" x 14" oil on board

It's What's Inside.. 9" x 11" oil on board

Goody Bag  10" x 10"  oil on board

Kiss Me 8" x 10"  oil on board

Inner Glow 36" x 48" oil on canvas

It Was Beautiful 48" x 48"  oil on canvas

Color Palettes

The past couple of weeks I played around with some different color palettes and really tried to focus on the color harmonies as I painted.  

For Medicinal Purposes Only 30" x 40" oil on canvas

 And, yes, more dead birds. :)

You Call I Cry 8" x 10" oil on panel

You Fall I Die 8" x 10" oil on panel

 

Small Works!

I have been loving painting smaller works over the last few weeks.  I got really excited over some small moody NYC scenes, and then earlier this week, I just really wanted to paint a bit tighter and found this ribbon candy that has been sitting in the studio for a year or more waiting for the right time.  (I wouldn't try to eat it, but it wasn't in bad shape considering! )  :)
How blessed I am to be able to do what I love!
Happy Thanksgiving to you!!

Carrying On  11" x 14" oil on panel

October Snow 8" x 8"  oil on panel

Evening Commute 6" x 6" oil on panel

Sunny Side of the Street  6" x 6" oil on panel

Ribbon Candy  12" x 12" oil on panel

Expired birds..

Last week I found this poor dead bird in the driveway.  We live out in the country and there are tons of these swallows that live in  the neighbors barn during the summer.  They are beautiful to watch and keep the mosquito population in check.  This one must have gotten caught by a car coming down the drive.  I love its colors and shape.  My dear friend Vicky thinks I need to be medicated for painting dead things.  It's not like I kept it or anything.. my husband wouldn't let me.  :)  But I took a ton of reference photos, and not to further scare Vicky, but I loved painting it and am going to do so again.  Soon.

Funeral For A Friend 16" x 20" oil on board

Death at the Doorstep 9" x 12" oil on board

Exciting News!

 I am excited to have two new works showing at the Hammond Harkins Gallery in Columbus, OH this month.  It is a lovely gallery on Main Street in Bexley, OH, and I am so thrilled to be a part of their gallery.

Crossing 5th Ave 16" x 20"

Morning Commute 8" x 10"

Painting and traveling... traveling and painting!

The first half of this year has been a whirlwind of exciting travels!  I have traveled overseas twice, to both coasts, and a couple places in between!  I have been trying to record some of these adventures for future paintings and am also experimenting a bit in the studio as I have time.  Here are a few recent paintings.

Beach Memories 36" x 48"

Taxi! 16" x 20"

Colosseum 8" x 10"

The JZ Line 16" x 20"

Just Us Two 8" x 10"

Salon International 2012

I was so pleased to hear yesterday that my entry in the Salon International 2012 at The Greenhouse Gallery in San Antonio, TX, has been accepted!  Most of my work is too large to enter into shows, so I entered this small still life.  Now I need to get it framed and shipped!



Natural Light
oil on board
8" x 10"



Small works to the Wells Gallery

I have been working on some small paintings and got 4 shipped today to the Wells Gallery in Charleston for their Small Works December show! 

Odd Man Out 6" x 12"

Ready For More 12" x 12"

Hints of Pink 6" x6"

W 16" x 16"

New work!

It has been far too long since I last posted here!  I have been working on some commissions and some works for up coming shows!  The Wells Gallery in Charleston, SC is hosting an invitational group exhibit titled, "Metaphoric", Art Inspired by Literature.  It was an interesting concept and I had a ton of ideas, but really wanted to stick with painting the glass jars so came up with work that fit with it. The show will open Friday, Nov. 4.  I will be sending these two paintings:



Half Full
36" x 60"
Oil on Canvas



Time In a Bottle
16" x 20"
oil on board

White Peony

Spring is my favorite season, and although I always take tons of photos of all the blossoms, I don't often paint them.  But yesterday I just really needed to get in the studio and I wanted to paint a small piece and gave this peony a try.. It felt really good to paint a bit looser!



White
8" x 10"
oil on board

Grandma's Things

I have been wanted to play with fairly monochromatic still life's for a while now.. I think it will help me with refining color choices and really thinking about what I want the painting to say.  I was pleased with the way this one turned out.. I am looking forward to trying more!  Have a great weekend!



"Grandma's Things"
oil on panel
16" x 20"





Wired Artists Show William Jessup University Library

The Wired Artists Show at William Jessup University Library opened last night!  I hope all went well.. I wish I could have been there!  For more images of the show click here
Have a great weekend!



Hanging work



Wired Artists Show at William Jessup University Library, Rocklin, CA

A few weeks ago I was thrilled to receive a phone call from an artist whose work I had seen online and very much admired.  Frank Ordaz was calling to invite me to a show about artists who have met and interacted via the Internet and social media!  It was such a great idea that I couldn't say no!  I sent two 16" x 20" paintings.  The show is being held at William Jessup University Library 333 Sunset Blvd. Rocklin, CA 95765.  The opening of the show will be April 15th from 5:30 to 7 pm. It runs until May 12 .  The artists' blogs and or Facebook sites will be featured in the show. There will be laptops available so that show viewers can log on to their sites.  How cool is that??  And look at the line up of artists!
Stephen Magsig*Chris Hopkins*Mick McGinty *Denny Holland*Rob Carey*Armand Cabrerra*Debra Pero*Don Hatfield*Janice Skivington*Marc Hanson*Thomas Fluharty*Terry Miura*Michael Dudash*Frank Ordaz*Regis Pattenari*Robert Lemler

Yin and Yang
16" x 20"





Turning a Corner
16" x 20"

Daily Paint Works Challenge -Auction for Japanese Red Cross

I have been heartbroken over the recent events in Japan, but felt fairly helpless about it.  The Daily Paintworks crew has given all artists an opportunity to do something to help!  I have donated a painting, Bread and Water, to be auctioned off with all proceeds to be donated to the Japanese Red Cross.  There are currently 230 works of art for auction, with more being added constantly.  So far, the bids have amounted to over $9000 and growing!  I'm thrilled to be able to do something to help..  Please click here to go to the auction page! to see the art and place your bid!



Bread and Water
8" x 10"




 



Blossom-Art of Flowers Juror's Choice Award!

I found out this week that my painting, "Change of Seasons" was awarded a juror's choice award in Naples, FL.  I'm so thrilled!  The show be in Naples until April 10, and then tour the US. 

February 5 - April 10, 2011 Naples Museum of Art, Naples, FL

 April 30 - June 26, 2011 Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, AZ

July 12 - October 16, 2011 R.W. Norton Art Gallery, Shreveport, LA

November 5 - December 31, 2011 Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago, IL
Jan. 18 - Feb. 29, 2012 Art Center Manatee, Bradenton, FL

March 19 - May 20, 2012 Greenacres Arts Center, Cincinnati, OH
June 10 – July 22, 2012 Museum of the Gulf Coast, Port Arthur, TX

We will get to see the show when it comes to Cincinnati next March.

My friends Mary and Nichole were able to attend the opening and sent me this photo.  I wish I could have been there with them!!

I really AM working!

I know I know.. I am already breaking my New Year's resolution to blog more often!  I'm sorry!  I am painting like crazy for three upcoming shows!  The first is a group show at The Wells Gallery titled "Wanderlust" for the March 4th art walk in Charleston, SC.  I have chosen to paint images from a trip to NYC to visit my oldest child, Cat.  And then for the art walk in April (April 1st), I am so thrilled to be having my premier show at The Wells Gallery  along with three glass artists.  LOTS of shiny surfaces and glass-  Can't wait to see it all together!   And finally, in May, I will be having a show at the Brandt-Roberts Gallery in Columbus, OH, with the opening on May 5!  PHEW!   I have several new paintings that I am anxious to share but will wait until after the shows open.  In the meantime, I will show a recent landscape I painted, showing the view out our front door one morning.  I am trying find beauty in this long, cold winter we are having!  Definitely ready for spring!!



Sunrise 18" x 24"



The Holiday Season in now upon us...

The Holiday Season in now upon us.....And with it comes all the hectics chaos!  But I am happy to say that it's all good craziness in my world!  Not that I have any of my holiday shopping done... but I have gotten some great news this week!

I am honored to have received 1st prize for guest artist in the Fall 2010 online Exhibition at the Perez Fine Art Galleries for my painting titled, 'Gettin' Steamed'.

And also this week, I found out that my entry into the Susan Kathleen Black foundation Art of The Blossom II has been accepted!  This show will start at the Naples Museum of Art and travel to several museums throughout the spring and summer.  I feel so honored to have my painting, 'Change of Season', accepted!  

And last, but not least, I have been painting several pieces for the small works show at the Brandt-Roberts Gallery in Columbus, OH this December.  I promise to post some later this week!