"DECEMBER DAY"

"December Day" painted this past week right before it started raining.  It's a most familiar site but changes always with the light and atmosphere.  9 x 12 oil on canvas panel.  For more information or to bid CLICK HERESOLD

"PEPPERS & GREEN DUCK"

Another oil painting on mylar.  7 x 5 inches with a 1 1/2 mat making it just right to slip into a standard sized 8 x 10 frame.  This little glass green duck appears in many of my larger works.

"Tea For One"

This is the first painting  I've done using my newly constructed 'light box.'  It's a 24 x 24 inch square made with white plastic pipe and a white sheet over it and a black cloth over that to keep out room light.  I then placed two lights in the box...one color corrected florescent and the other incandescent low wattage.  It is fashioned after Carole Marine creation.  I still need to get a heavy duty tripod after I put a plywood base on it so it can be raised and lowered.  At present it just sits on a table.  The painting is oil on mylar 6 1/2 x 6 1/4 inches. 

"LIME & SILK FLOWERS"

I painted this alla prima wet into wet paint.  It's north light with sky light....my favorite lighting.  8 x 10 inches oil on canvas panel. 

"SECOND THOUGHTS"

This was painted back in 2008 oil on a linen Raymar panel.  I've always loved this classical pose and used it in several other paintings.  It's 11 x 14 inches done in a life drawing setting and finished later in the studio from photo references.

"PAINTING UP HIGH"

8 x 10 oil on canvas panel.  Fun to include a figure in the landscape.  Adds necessary color and perspective.

"HANDMADE CANOE-PIERCY CIRCA 1880"

8 x 8 inches oil on canvas panel.  Painted from an old vintage photograph. sold

"RED TENT"

I have much reference material from fairs.  I like this one because of the wild colors so typical at events such as this.  Adults and kids having fun......i didn't notice it when the shot was taken but there seems to be a little scenario going on which give it that little bit of ambiguity. Hope you can see it.  This is oil 8 x 8 inches on canvas panel. 

"PLEIN AIR PAINTER"

I painted this from a photo reference I took while in Mendocino.  It is oil 8 x 10 inches on canvas panel.

AMOIRE & CHAIRS

This is an interior scene which is very special to me.  I stay here when painting Mendocino with a friend.  We usually stay about a week and since it usually rains some of the days interiors get painted often.  The ambiance is charming....antiquated...somewhere between antiques and hippy decor. To learn more or to bid CLICK HERE SOLD

"Doe & Fawn"

Painted from a photo I took....couldn't resist especially with the Naked Lady bulbs in bloom in just the right place.  8 x 10 inches oil on canvas panel.

"HAZY MENDOCINO MORNING"

I've done many paintings along this stretch in Mendocino.  I love how the early morning fog blankets the scene in soft harmonizing color.  8 x 10 inches oil on canvas panel.

"MAD RIVER"

A group of dedicated women painters gather at this ranch in Kneeland to paint.  It has beautiful vistas as well as Mad River frontage.  I took this shot from a canoe.  It is oil on canvas panel 8 x 10 inches. 

"BRENDA'S DAY"

11 x 14 oil on Raymar panel.  Done in life drawing session with some photo reference to finish later in the studio.  To learn more or to bid CLICK HERE SOLD

"FIGURE IN WHITE"

This is a sweet model who was expecting here first child.  It measures approximately 10 x 7 inches.  It is matted and will fit into a 14 x 11 standard sized frame. 

THREE SMALL WATERCOLOR STUDIES

I painted these small studies to warm up to watercolor after painting for quite a while in oil.  It's necessary because the thinking and approach is quite different between the two mediums.  After painting a bunch of small ones I then felt confident enough to tackle a big watercolor.

"SUNFLOWERS"

This is a painting I did back in 2008.  I made some changes....added my greenhouse....indicated some fencing etc. and now I like it much better.  12 x 9 inches oil on stretched linen. 

"APPLES & ROSES"

"APPLES & ROSES" is from a studio setup using various props I have available to me.  I had to slap my hand numerous time in order not to fall prey to over- rendering of the enticing detail in the white roses.  It is 8 x 8 inches on oil primed canvas panel.  To learn more or to bid CLICK HERE
SOLD

"PINK ROSES & GREEN DUCK"

Back to my green duck....This little guy appears over and over in my paintings.  I'd like to get some shore birds and other decoys because I seem to like painting them.

"Nasturtiums"

I brought these lovely Nasturtiums into the studio after deciding all the activity and other plants on the porch just didn't do them justice.  Sometime a more controlled setting is necessary.  I noted a sort of rhythm about the leaves and the flowers are mainly right on top and don't hang over. This is oil painted alla prima (wet into wet paint) 8 x 8 inches on a linen panel.  To learn more or to bid CLICK HERE
SOLD

"LILY & PINK CUP"

"Lily & Pink Cup" measures 8 x 8 inches and is painted on oil primed linen panel.  With the pressure of my show behind me painting this little still life was a joy.  I felt so free.  I placed these sweet  lilies in a vase and kept adding stuff till it felt right.  "Society of Six" is a favorite book so I added it and placed an antique cup and saucer on top and then finally a peach completed the picture. To learn more or to bid on eBay CLICK HERE SOLD

"REDHEAD"

This is a sneak preview of one of the paintings in my show at the new Jack Sewell gallery opening August 6 Arts Alive.  All pieces are oil on mylar.  Hope to see you there.

"WHITE ROSE, BLUE POT"

This is a night time still life.  The rose had been in the vase a few days and beginning to sag in an appealing way.  I set it up against a mirror and dark middle toned drape.  I added the blue pot and bud for more interest and to make the background feel right.  Their reflection shows in the mirror.  To learn more or to bid on eBay CLICK HERE

"101 PIERCY BRIDGE"

Two bridges were built rerouting Hwy 101 around the Confusion Hill slide area which took nearly 5 years to complete.  This is within walking distance of my house but the area naturally was closed off during that time.  Sure feels good to be able to get to the river again.  This is the second northernmost bridge.  It is 8 x 8 inches oil on panel and done plein air. 

"GARDEN SCENE, KALE"

Kale and chard are beautiful plant and so much fun to paint.  Don't often get to use red and blue like that!  It's also about the healthiest vegetable you can eat.  As I was painting this two female turkeys came by with their brood of babies.  My day was complete.  It is 8 x 8 inches oil on linen panel.  

"CORNER GROCERY"

I found these old photographs from back when I lived in St. Maries, Idaho and decided to do a few paintings.  Brought back old home week.  My house was just across the street and I wonder now if any of the old buildings are still standing.  I know my house was bull dozed about 15 years ago.  This was a joy to paint because it is on an oil primed linen panel.  Dimensions are 8 x 8 inches.

"SPRING GREENS"

This was painted in my friend's back yard which was a riot of new greens and flowers.  I usually run the other way when confronted with this much green to paint but since the weather said probable rain we decided to stay. It was beautiful to look at but a real challenge to paint.   I had to look very closely at the subtle color modulations and be careful not to generalize.  The size is 12 x 9 inches oil on canvas panel. 

"MIDNIGHT SPECIAL FLORAL"

This painting is acrylic on mylar 4 1/2 x 6 3/4 inches.  I'm always amazed at the translucency of this medium on this support.  Sometimes the values are tricky because acrylic dries darker but I was pleased with how the reflection on silver vase turned out.

"CR RESPITE"

8 x 10 oil on panel.  This is where I went when time allowed...usually between classes at College of the Redwoods.  A convenient bench was just out of the picture.  I really love big fir trees and fences always get my attention.  Not only for their wonderful 'lead in device' but I like to put some human element into the landscape.  Another sign of human activity is you can also see where the lawnmower stopped. SOLD AT OPEN STUDIO

APRICOT ROSES & BLUE STRIPES

This was painted this past week in Mendocino from a table top set up.  The watercolor image measures 9 x 6 inches and with the mat 14 x 11 which is a convenient standard size frame opening.  It is currently up for bid on eBay. To learn more or bid CLICK HERE SOLD

"ALDERPOINT RD. FALL"

"ALDERPOINT RD. FALL" is oil on canvas panel 6 x 8 inches.  I used to travel this road every Monday and got to see the incredible vista in every season.  The hills and mountains go on forever.  I was attracted to how the clouds cast the middle ground in shadow and yet sunshine was illuminating a background hill and foreground. Also the steep angle of foreground hill was intriguing.  This will be up for bid on eBay 5/14. PRESS HERE after 1pm

NIGHT TIME YELLOW IRISES

"NIGHT TIME YELLOW IRISES" is a little set up I did in my studio last night.  I used a strong directional spot light pointed upward from a slightly lower than eye level....then painted it looking somewhat down on the scene.  There was, of course ambient room light from daylight florescent tubes.  The shapes of the Iris were intriguing  and beautiful as was the shadow on the white cloth. It is oil on canvas panel 8 x 6 inches. To see on eBay CLICK HERE SOLD

YELLOW ROSES & BONNARD

SOLD

I borrow this vase from time to time. It's like Bonnard used in many of his beautiful Interiors and it can certainly get me going. It's actually not a vase but a little pot with a lid and hot chocolate was served in it....in the Gilded Age no doubt. I wasn't sure where I was going with this painting so used a slow dry medium to keep the paints open longer.  Also thick paint...thick yellow paint (notoriously slow dryer) might mean longer time to dry. To learn more or bid on eBay CLICK HERE

"LESLIE"

Leslie Allen

This is Leslie with her lovely tattoos and great smile.  This painting  will be in the Face to Face show at C Street Hall Gallery May 7th Arts Alive.  My two paintings will be 50% donation for Planned Parenthood. SOLD

"MIMI"

 

Mimi Laplant

Artists got together and drew names out of a hat and that's who they were to paint.   I didn't draw Mimi's name but caught this wonderful shot of her against the light.  Who could resist this elegant pose and the green outfit!SOLD

"BY THE WARFINGER"

I was determined to get a painting and tried in Old Town but too many people.  Here, by the Adorni Center was perfect...at least for a while.  I got well into the painting and the wind kicked in.....then it clouded over and changed value relationships and finally the last straw, it began to rain.  Such is the plight of plein air painters.  I finished it in the studio.  8 x 10 inches oil on canvas panel.  For more information or to bid on eBay CLICK HERE

"CAMELLIA SET UP"

Camellias are in bloom and I couldn't resist.  8 x 10 inches oil on canvas panel.  To learn more or to

bid CLICK HERE SOLD

"JUDY'S LIVING ROOM"

This is an 8 x 10 inch oil on canvas panel.  The low winter light cast beautiful patterns in the room.  To bid on eBay CLICK HERE SOLD

"MENDOCINO JUNE"

                                                                              SOLD

This 9 x 12 inch oil painting was done plein air back in June then finished just today in the studio from a photo reference.  I'm standing in the graveyard on the hill looking down at the houses. It's a lovely place to paint from with well kept grounds.  A nice group of ladies tend diligently to the upkeep.  The sun is high but the fog is just lifting and the distant trees are beginning to emerge. To learn more or to bid on
eBay CLICK HERE

"FRIENDSHIP"

                                                                               SOLD

This 9 x 12 inch oil painting will be in the JAPAN ANIMAL RESCUE PROJECT silent auction hosted by Regina Case at the C Street Hall Gallery in Eureka, Friday April 1st 6-9PM and Saturday, April 2nd of Art's Alive 12- 9PM.  These cats were friends and loved by me and both lived to be 16+ years old.  This painting was a 2009 September Finalist in the National Raymar Contest.  Mark Mao was the judge.

"THE RED BED"

This is a large piece.  24 x 30 inches oil on stretched canvas.  It was just juried into the RAA show at the Morris Graves Museum.  It will be on view 4/2/11 for Arts Alive. I'm proud to say it got an award. Painting this was quite a revelation.  I discovered many things about Red.  You can't alter red with any other color except a red without it loosing its redness.   For darker red in shadow for instance I went to Cad red deep and lighter reds for the light side.  I used reds I never think of using.  The ones in the back of the paint box.  Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed this one and learned a bunch.

"EEL RIVER AFTER STORM"

I walked down to the river a few days ago (with an umbrella) to see how big the river was.  It was huge and the color was all the light green you see in the back.  This was painted from a photo reference I took last year when the river was high but the center island could still be seen.  The lighting and mood were the same so it was easy to paint from the photo.  It measures 8 x 10 inches oil on canvas panel.  For more info or to bid on eBay CLICK HERE

"GEESE"

Painting in Kneeland with a group of women from the Southern Humboldt Art Association, I couldn't help but be drawn to these magnificent creatures.  The noise they made was unbelievably loud  because just out of the picture was a nesting pair.  10 x 8 oil on canvas panel.  To learn more or to bid
CLICK HERE SOLD

"BEHIND GISELA'S"

This view is standing on the porch of the little cottage I stay at in Mendocino.  We're looking at Gisela's house and shed.  It's a riot of color in June and can be overwhelming to paint but I always enjoy it.  The painting is on a Raymar canvas panel 8 x 10 inches.  To bid on eBay CLICK HERE

"ALL THINGS WHITE"

The challenge here was 'white objects on white cloth' and was completed over three days.  I deliberately took my time so as not to get lost in all the subtle value transitions and to keep it fresh.  It is 12 x 12 " oil on stretched canvas.  To bid on eBay CLICK HERE

"ROSES AND PETUNIAS 2"

I did a large pastel of this scene some years ago and because I am so fond of this type of lighting I did this smaller version in oil.  10 x 8 inches oil on canvas panel.  To  bid on eBay CLICK HERE SOLD

"FOUR KITTIES"

I really liked the design of the four cats in the black chair.  When I shot the picture I didn't think much of it except that it was cute and unusual to see them all together like this.  8 x 10 inches oil on canvas panel.  To learn more or to bid CLICK HERE SOLD

"FRONT YARD SCENE"

This is the scene out front and painted the same day as last post.  This unusually cooperative weather has found me painting out doors a great deal.  10 x 8 inches oil on canvas panel.  For more information or to bid CLICK HERE SOLD