"AFTERNOON WALK"

9x12" Oil on Canvas

This was painted upside down ~ and enhanced once rightside up! Amazingly, the gentleman in the window was not apparent to me UNTIL I flipped it! MANY years ago, teaching art to high school students.....when finding someone 'stuck' it was fun to watch them get 'unstuck' by turning the reference upside dowm.....forcing the mind to abandon labeling we really see, and can draw, or paint, shapes rather than what we think we should see. GREAT FUN!! Check out all the other paintings of this reference on "Different Strokes From Different Folks".

"3 & COMPANY" ~ SOLD ~

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9x12" Oil on Canvas

Never knew what fun shadows were!! They certainly create shapes that are fun to pay around with in the overall composition! Another of the weekly challenges from "Different Strokes From Different Folks".

"BOVINE QUEEN"

6x6" Oil on Canvas

This painting is this week's challenge for "Different Strokes From Different Folks". REALLY a fun way to see many styles of the same subject ~ Thanks to Karin!

"PEAR PARTY"

Collage - 8x10" Watercolor, Ink & Cut Papers

These little pears are done for this months "Virtual Sketch Date". There was a great reference photo of three pears in a white tray. As I began this project, I got carried away with creativity! Painting and cutting and playing with color! The circles, for some reason, kept reminding me of a childs birthday party ~ similiar to ballons perhaps!! Great way to spend part of a rainey day!

"SUMMER BREEZE"

8x8 Oil on Canvas

Thought about naming this one "Two Scoopes" but with the chilly temperatures we've had the last several days, warm 'summer breezes' just sounded great!!

"WALLSTREET WONDERS" ~ SOLD

Oil on 6x16 Canvas

Private Collection

Another challenge from Karin Jurick and her blog "Different Strokes From Different Folks". I, personally, would NEVER have selected the New York Stock Exchange as a topic to paint! Trying to create the movement, the hustle-bustle, that goes on in the trading floors was quite a challenge!!!

"CHICAGO CLOUDS"

Prismacolor on Paper

Another piece for Karin Jurick's "Different Strokes For Different Folks".
This is the Chicago Cloud Gate Sculpture in Chicago's Millennium Park. It's also known as the "Bean". After working on this I feel as though Ive taken a trip to the windy city! I would have never selected this topic but thats an advantage of these weekly challenges ~ Thank You Karin!

"FOR YOU"

Acrylic and Oil

What a wonderful afternoon of painting! This is for the monthly references from "Virtual Sketch Date". Someone mentioned using black as their ground and, altough I dont use black, I may try using this dark background color as a ground...

"LUNCH HOUR" ~ SOLD

Acrylic on 8x10" Canvas

This is the thrid week of Karin Jurick's Different Strokes From Different Folks. She's a very inspiring artist and its wonderful that she is willing to put forth the effort for the site. The rendentions of her references are fun to see; last week there were 68 to paint her subject!

"HE'S THE GUITAR MAN"

Mixed Media ~ Acrylic and Prismacolor on Paper

Got alot of joy doing this one ~ In doing the art AND in recalling all the wonderful singing done with this guy playing!!! He's the best!! I've been experimenting a bit with flesh colors and like these ~ adding a bit more white.

"A SOUTHERN SUMMER"

Acrylic and Oil on 6x8" Canvas

This is my painting for the blogsite that artist, Karin Jurick, has created called "Different Strokes From Different Folks". Karin started this site two weeks ago and is posting a photo each Wednesday for any artist to paint or draw from. The results are very exciting as there are various mediums being used and, as you might imagine, the many styles and interpertations.

While painting this I recalled a close friend who mentioned how the heat of the southern summer causes the power lines to sag ~ we should all pay such attention to details... huh?!

"KING OF THE PIER"

5x7" Acrylic

This is yet another inspired from the lake! Amazing how many things I want to paint; so many that, in fact, it can be overwhelming. Best to jump right in and paint rather than think about it too much. These chairs were really all different colors but Ive kept two as dominate. The colors of the pier and the water may be a bit too similiar ~ any thoughts?

"WHATS IT ALL ABOUT?"

Acrylic

The purples in the water were actually accidental but I like it! Again, I feel more free to experiment when doing these smaller paintings ~ I don't worry so about details! This scene is such a typical one on the lake ~ what a great way to spend a summer afternoon!

"DOWN BY THE RIVER"

5x7" Acrylic

A wonderful lake in NC that we frequent with family and friends! Fun to paint places that have a little sentiment isnt it!

"WAITING"

5x7" Acrylic

I find it amazing that once on the blog Im better able to 'see' composition 'problems'!! Anyone else find this true? And because of this, currently, I am gaining alot from that.

"PURPLE PASSION" ~SOLD~

12x12" Watercolor

In case some of you aren't aware of the Virtual Sketch Date check it out! This watercolor is the result of the August 'assignment'! Each month a reference photo is selected and many bloggers create from it and then post their works on a given date. Its interesting to see the varoius handlings of the subject.

"SILENT PARTNERS"

8x8" Acrylic and Oil on Canvas

This little painting has been an issue!Funny how paint can humble you! Not sure that the leaves are what I want just yet ~ but I'll live with it for a few days! Im considering removing the fat little leaf at the bottle top and making the stem lighter in that area- any thoughts?

"MUSEUM MUNCHIES"

Acrylic on 6x6" Canvas

In May, two of my friends and I spent several days in NYC ~ Art, Art, Art!!! These ladies were at MOMA, enjoying lunch in the courtyard. I did a prismacolor study, and last night just jumped in with acrylic (haven't used that in a while!). I like waterbased paints for their quickness in drying and the ablility to layer the paint so readily.

"TWO FOR THE SHOW"

Prismacolor

The first drawing got tossed ~ the composition I just couldnt get like I wanted. Good to recall that ole 'rule of thirds' ~ one of those rules that really does seem to help! It will be Saturday before Im able to post again.....a few days at the South Carolina coast hopefully without Hurrican Fay's influence!

"THE LAST LOAD"

Prismacolor

Amazing how many compositions you can get out of one photo! These smaller drawings are great in order to 'play' with color and design before moving on to a larger piece.

"TIME OUT"

Prismacolor on Canson

I love blues, purples and greens! The colors seem to make the bench call out an invitation to take a 'time-out'! These prismacolor drawings have really helped me concentrate on color and composition. This is one that I'll do a painting of and when its complete Ill post it also.

"Swinging In The Breeze"

Prismacolor on Canson Paper

This drawing, and the last post, are both drawn from the same photo taken at a neighbors house last summer. In reality, a series of about 5 or 6 paintings could be done from this one photo that I almost tossed! The movement was nice but overall the photo was too busy and dull by void of color. The sheets were actually plain white ~ isn't color a wonderful thing!

"LAUNDRY DAY"

Prismacolor on Canson Paper

Not a frequent sight any longer ~ even in the south!!! So well I recall the smell of sheets that had hung in the sun all day! Should have thanked my mom! The colors just sort of came from no where on this one and as I worked I found myself balancing the coolness with warmth ~ summer sun yellow and water cool blue!!!

"BLAKE"

Prismacolor on Canson

One of my favorite and greatest inspirations ~ My son! Doing several studies of him in order to do a portrait before too long. Have several small paintings of him from his younger years but look forward to doing another of him now.

"COLE" ~ SOLD

20x24 in. Watercolor on Arches

I've had this to post for a while and just haven't done it...so....today's the day!

~ Commissoned portraits are available upon request ~