Vincent

This is for the Monthly Sketch Project. I hope you find it mooving. The reference photo was taken by Chrissy, thanks for the inspiration. I had been reading The Yellow House by Martin Gayford, a biography of Vincent Van Gogh (an excellent book) and the reference photo reminded me of him for some odd reason. So I attempted to paint it like his portraits. I'm not sure if I am finished with it yet. But it was fun, maybe a bit too cartoonish though. N/A

Sketchy Business at the Airport

This is a quick pencil sketch I did for The Different Strokes From Different Folkes. You can get away with a lot when it is just a quick sketch. Check out some of the beautiful paintings that others did on this same subject.

Rose's Friend, the Bottle

Well, this has been cropped a ton. The original photo by Leslie Hawes was very beautiful but my shadow turned out murky and the bottle looked awfully lonely without his shadow so I gave him a new friend from my garden instead. This is for the Monthly Sketch Project Blog. Check it out and join us.
6" x 7" $100

California Hills

This was painted for the Following the Masters Challenge. I had such a wonderful time loosing myself in the process of trying to paint in the style of Vincent van Gogh. I was inspired by the Olive Trees in the Alpilles (pictured above my painting) but I used a reference photo of mine to loosely paint the hills by my house. Maybe I should go back and make the olive trees look more like oak trees? N/A

Local Color

This is a modern approach to roof lines in San Francisco. It was for the Different Strokes from Different Folks challenge. The original photo was a challenge. It was very busy and washed out so I stepped out of my comfort zone and used the colors that I think of when I think of San Fransisco. The sky and the bridge colors for example.
5" x 7" $ 50

It's Fall!

These apples were done for a painting group I belong to called Monthly Sketch Group. The reference photo was provided by Leslie Hawes. It is a rare nice crisp Fall day here in Southern California and these apples were just what I was in the mood to paint today along with the watercolor portrait I did while I waited for the layers of this one to dry. N/A

Little One

This is supposed to be a painting of a friend of mine's niece if she can recognize her then she can have the painting as a gift. It is the first watercolor portrait I have ever done and it was fun. N/A

Flamingo Nights

Wow ! I've been away for a long time. Just got my oldest daughter settled in beautiful Portland,Oregon. Sorry honey but your old room is now becoming my new art studio (with a bed). This flamingo was watercolored on a card so that I can give it to a wonderful lady who has been a guide when I needed one. Thank you Marylou.

This is from a photo taken by Crissy who is part of a new painting group called quite simply Monthly Sketch Project. N/A

Urban Landscape

This is my submission for Different Strokes From Different Folks. I needed to do something quick, I had been out of town but really wanted to try this. I wanted to do something abstract and quick. I was kind of going for a feeling rather than an exact representation. I had a lot of fun just spacing out on it, I took off my glasses and did a lot of squinting.
5'x &' $ 150

Summer Harvest

This is my painting for week 37-38 challenge for Different Strokes from Different Folks. I had fun doing it, although the onions almost made me cry. In the end I'm okay with them but the corn could use some more work perhaps. I love the variety of these challenges.
8" x 10" comes with frame $150

Sisters

This is my entry for the May Virtual Sketch Date. It is an 8 x 10 oil. I am pretty happy with it . It is only the second portrait painting I have ever done. The first one was very comical . This doesn't count the endless doodles I do on the unsuspecting people during church service. (my secret is out!) I pray that these sisters will forever remain as close as they appear in the reference photo. N/A

Cabbies 1 and 2

This is my second attempt. I definitely like it better. I am so used to playing with watercolors that sometimes I am afraid to put on as much paint as I really should when doing oils. 8" x 10" $ 100

This is my entry for Different Strokes from Different Folks. It is an 8 x 10 oil. One of the things I love about New York is the bright colors against the drab colors of the skyscrapers. One of the things I dislike is the noise of the honking horns of the taxis, but that is what ipods are for.

Spring has Sprung

This is my post for the April Virtual Sketch Date. I did the back ground first around the blocked in areas for the flowers.
It is a watercolor on hot pressed paper. Thank you to Jeanette Jobson for providing the reference photo of a rhododendron bud from her garden.
7.5" x 10.75" $50

Passion for Painting Award

I received this award from the very talented artist, Ann Gorbatt. I was so encouraged by her appreciation. I am supposed to write 7 things I love and then choose 7 new artists to pass the award onto. This is my LOVE list (God and family are a given):

1. My Amazon Kindle, it is truly an amazing reading device.
2. The Mitford series by Jan Karon,a great book series about a kindly priest in a small town,
3. Cabins in the woods with porches
4. National Parks,especially Zion, Utah
5. Descanso Gardens in California in the Spring time
6. Santa Barbara's State Street scene
7. and of course PAINTING !!

The 7 new artists are

1. Belinda Del Pesco
2. Lorelle Miller
3. Nathan Fowkes
4. Linda of Quotidian Curiosities
5. Ruth Bodycott
6. Carolee S. Clark
7. Kay Sorensen

Check out these amazing artists.

Winter Blues

One of my favorite things to do is to watch the sparrows and finches at our bird feeder. Sometimes even a couple of doves will dine on the offerings. This watercolor for the March Virtual Sketch Date. I focused on just the one bird and added a little bit of snow and berries for color. This is the first time I have used hot press watercolor paper and I must say I love it.
7.25" x 11" $25

Loosie Sushie

Here is my watercolor painting from a reference photo from a group called Different Strokes from Different Folks. It is a small water color that I did while listening to music and trying not to think too much about what I was doing. I was just trying to feel what it wanted to be. It was very relaxing and fun.
on 8" x!0" paper $100

Lake Louise

Boy there is a lot of pressure when you are the one to submit the reference photo for a painting challenge. Self imposed ,I know, but felt none the less. I am excited to see everyone else's rendition. I need to learn how not to be so literal in my painting, so it will be good for me to see how all of my fellow artist express themselves. I am sure I will learn alot from all of you. To see the original photo that I took on one of my wedding anniversaries go to Virtual Sketch Date.
8"x10" $75

Wigged Out-Sketch

This is a challenge that I found while visiting one of your blogs. It's called Different Strokes from Different Folks.Mine is a very loose translation done with watercolor and pencil.
on 8.5"x12 " paper $25

Clemintine Virtual Sketch Oil

I love doing this virtual sketch challenge with other artist. It forces me to do something creative at least once a month.I know I need to do more paintings in order to learn more. I usually give other things priority because they are seemingly more necessary, but I have to tell myself that this is a part of who I am and I need to make time for it. N/A