Red Rider

Click to Bid
This ol' workhorse really appealed to me.  I took this photo out near Nicassio; forgot I had it. There is something wonderful about old red tractors, no?

Regarding the auction for Oklahoma - thanks to  winner Jack R..and to those who bid on this good cause (I can't thank you personally because the auction site doesn't show the bidders; only the winner)  So far - the artists have raised over $3400. I'm proud to have been a part of it.

White Nasturtiums..who knew?

Click Here to Bid

My 'models' for this piece were quite surprised to see they were painted white rather than their real color - orange.  I thought I was being so creative to paint them white...artistic license and all that.  But then I learned that, sure enough, there are white nasturtiums. Who knew?  No wonder they were miffed.

Just received confirmation that I'll be teaching about six classes this Fall.  Stay tuned; I'll post them on my website and here.

Pinkies on the auction block

   
               Click to Bid 

As you know, I used an auction for the fundraiser piece posted last week. It's been pretty popular. A reader wrote and asked if I plan to use it for other work I post.  Not sure it's right for big paintings but for small pieces it might be a fun way to go, so I'll give it a try.  The Click link above takes you to the bidding site. (live June 6)

The big flowers from the bouquet didn't last long but these little gals are going on three weeks.  Tiny but mighty.  This piece comes in a floating frame - white beach wood.

Red Rower

Three stages to final (above):

        Sketch

blocking in values 

first pass at color

My second rower painting and so enjoying this little (soon to be) series.  Maybe I should join the woman's kayak group that meets each morning at Corte Madera Creek, just 10 minutes from here.   Naw-not likely. They meet way too early.

Thought I'd include the process here - the top painting is the final.... the next three images include: sketching in the composition; secondly - blocking in the shadows vs. lights; the third is my first pass with color values.  The top and final pictures included refining shapes, value and color issues.

Update on the Oklahoma art auction:  so far, seven bids on Tumbling Poppies.  Only two days left.  We'll have a winner soon - and more funds for the donation total. Thanks to all who have participated.

Art for Oklahoma..p.s.

Thanks for the heads up from one of my readers who pointed out the link in the post below didn't work.
I've made it so it will take you to the art auction to raise money for those who lost so much in the Oklahoma tornados.

Or to make it easy super easy: I'll just repost it here.    Good luck - you may win and do something very kind.  To bid on Tumbling Poppies, or another piece of art - Click Here.

Art for Oklahoma Victims

Tumbling Poppies

A group of artists from around the country are participating in a fundraiser to benefit those who lost so much during the recent Oklahoma tornado.

I'm offering Tumbling Poppies (6x6" acrylic, ready to hang) for auction - all proceeds, minus shipping, will go to the Red Cross for Oklahoma. 

To see my piece ...any many other donated paintings, click on the link below.  You can then bid on my painting...or any other.   Winners end up with a gift for themselves while helping out a tornado victim.  I do hope you'll consider being a part of this event.

Click here to bid!     Just scroll down to fine this - and other 'good cause' art work.

Dylan at Dillon Beach

This little guy is our niece's son...the photo taken from his first trip to the beach.  Evidently he was both attracted to and a little fearful of it all.  But in the photo it looked like he was embracing the adventure.

My plan was to do a quick study so I just used part of an old canvas. It went along quickly and seemed to be developing into the final... so decided to finish it then and there.  Ended up cutting the piece of canvas off the stretcher bars; final piece was about 5x7.  Our niece was tickled with the surprise and did a lovely job framing it.

Spring Diptych

Thought I'd share another side of my painting journey with you. Very different than my usual..no? Painted after being under the weather a couple winters back. It was gray and drizzly--had been for awhile.  So when I finally got back in the studio I found myself painting something joyful - needed some spring around me.

I began with the left canvas-not thinking diptych at that point  Using a long round, I began drawing and swirling loosely, making big gestures, flowing lines and abstract shapes.  The 'flowers' evolved on their own. It was like watching film develop. Worked in paint and pastel, juggling between wide and skinny brushes.

About two-thirds of the way it became obvious it would be a two-piece canvas (36x48).  The funny thing is the second half was pretty hard to paint.  Trying to get the rhythm and energy to match the first was a challenge (it's easier to work on both canvases at the same time when you want to make a diptych).
What a ride!

And the winner is......

Thanks to all who participated in the "Salute'" print giveaway.  Stay tuned for future art adventures.

And now...the WINNER is....(drum roll pls)...Cindy Campigli!
Will mail your print this week, Cindy.

Tulips Galore!

This is one I especially enjoyed painting because the flowers were "for no special reason" gift. And because it pretty much painted itself ---I didn't really plan the vase or abstract-y feel that developed....it all came about organically as I painted fast and furious two afternoons 'cuz tulips dance around so much.

For more info..or to buy this piece, Click Here.

Sitting on the Dock.....

When I finish a painting I put it on my drying shelf and wait to see what it might tell me. Yesterday afternoon I glanced up and knew immediately what I needed to do. The original figure was too big- shoulders overpowering the small boy. Also I felt like the very dark water competed with the figure too much.  Made some changes and here's the result.  Hope you like it.

OH! and "Tom Sawyer-ish" is NOT the title....but it makes me think of Tom.  Any catchy title ideas?

A Print Giveaway for May

   Would like to win this giclee archival print?

"Salute"

Ways to Enter:  (you'll be entered for each action you take)

• Check out my website, comment below telling me which is your favorite painting.

• Like my Facebook page and comment below that you did.

• Comment on your Facebook page with a link to this giveaway, then comment below.

• Share this giveaway on your blog and comment below when done.

This giveaway ends Sunday May 19th at midnight.

A Wedding Dress..and more...

Two studies from last week's class: the first is a 20 minute value study. The assignment was to choose two colors and paint the scene with only three values: light, mid-tone and dark.   Our model Tanya slipped into the wedding dress and grabbed up the skirt in both her right and left hands. She was standing on a little grassy knoll in the park at the harbor.  It was a really sweet pose.

The second image was a lesson on painting light coming through fabric.  She wore a sheer blue tunic over her bathing suit. And just in case you're wondering...no, that's NOT the sun :-)  It's a parasol but I ran out of time...

Dana Point Plein-Air Painting

The model was standing at the surfs edge

Just home from a three-day workshop with Peggy Kroll Roberts in Dana Point  -what a gorgeous spot- and the weather was great. I don't do a lot of plein air.  It is very different painting where people walk by, stand behind you to watch, talk with you.  I don't mind it when I'm in a group like this, but not as comfy when alone.

It's a challenge to work with an instructor who paints in a very different style but learning new techniques helps me grow.  There is always something I can apply to my own work. The studies are still wet so I left them with my friend Linda, who generously hosted me while I was in Orange County. Can't wait to get into the studio tomorrow and do some new work.

old dog - new tricks...!

Yes, you CAN teach an old gal new tricks!   Proof?  Today I created, as part of Leslie Saeta's May month of artists' tips, a link button.  Using picmonkey - a very easy on-line tool to use, I created this visual 'link' button - I added it to my blog today. When clicked it will take the visitor to my workshop web page schedule.  Now if only I had the fall schedule already.  Stay tuned; dates should be available soon.

First Collage

Every day this month Leslie Saeta, artist and mentor to so many, is sharing a wide variety of technical and marketing tips.  What a generous spirit!  The other day she blogged about ipiccy - a site that allows you to make posters, collages etc.  So I gave it a try. I thought the white borders were going to be gray. And the text more visible.  Oh well ;-)  It's a start - will play with it more.  It will be fun to use for photos and other creative projects.

Tumbling Tulips ....

acrylic on canvas      TUMBLING TULIPS       click to enlarge

This little painting was one of several small pieces I painted for my Dec. Open Studio.  Several of its 'siblings' found new homes.  I was planning to sell the last couple during Spring Open Studios (this month) but it was just too soon to ramp p again.  So...this 6x6" framed (shadow-box), poppy orphan is looking for a cheery home.  6x6" framed.  $130
Secure, Easy with several payment options with PayPal 

Morning Chores...not bad, huh?

oil   8x10                      Morning Chores                    click image to enlarge

Painting pal Linda and I were walking the Corta Madera Creek early one morning during her last visit and took a couple photos of folks getting ready to row. The challenge on this was catching the wet shimmer on the deck he was standing on.
$225.00

Emerging Artist Visits Studio

Occasionally, visiting artists come to work in  my studio. The most frequent is this sweet 'emerging artist', a favorite, who recently spent time creating a large installation piece--one that will include not only painting, highlighting the cleaner wrasse, but also factual essays and creative fictional work.  How lucky I feel to be painting along with such a fun studio mate.

What next? 

dabbing leftover shelf liner for creative effects

Almost done- wrasse's yellow body & shiny eye really draw attention 

A Painting - A Painting Tip

oil   8x10"                  untitled                          

Silly, sneaky surf ---laying low and far out and then suddenly it comes up behind you and in one fast swoosh, wipes out all your best tunnels!  The kids just laugh and start again.  I guess that's the fun - to see how far you get before the sea pushes its way in to play.  Sea Ranch 2013.  I haven't  come up with a good name about the tide or surf...  open to suggestions, please!

Also, a painting tip - for those who want to paint more loosely.  
One technique that artist Peggy Kroll-Roberts uses to help students loosen up is the "25 strokes or less" exercise.
A quick overview.  (1) set up a simple still life...or figure or use a photo; (2) squeeze blobs of your usual colors around the palette edge;  (3) look at your subject and determine the colors you want to use --mix up big puddles of paint in various colors and set these, also, around your palette --leave room in the middle for any additional mixing you find you need along the way;  (4) draw in your composition;  (5) begin painting - AND COUNTING strokes.  Each time you pick up your brush-counts as a stroke. Use a large amount of paint on your brush, spread long strokes to cover as much of that color in your painting as you can.  See if you can complete the subject in 25 strokes.  Not easy, especially at first. It's fine if it's not a lovely painting - just keep trying.  

Peggy has a video that shows her doing this exercise and it really is helpful. "Limited Strokes".  You can find it on her website.  While you may or may not want to paint in her style...or use this approach all the time, it's a great way to get away from painting way too tight, too much detail.  Something I battle with ALL the time.

Artistically YOURS!

These gals were SO brave today! I made them paint from their heart rather than from a tangible subject.  And they embraced it fully.  Some went for realsim; some totally abstract. One had never painted before....another jumped from detailed watercolor painting to bold primary color abstracts.

We 'drew' music....we painted adjectives.  Looking for the brush strokes, colors and subject matters that make up one's 'signature' style.  A journey that can last a life-time.

Have Board Will Travel....

oil on canvas       8x16

My pal Linda caught a photo of this dude..while she was driving! (yea- she's ok!)  Is he a Surfer Dude...Hot Rodder...Hot Surfer....or ?  Bet you've got some fun titles..send them along and we'll share them.
Lots going on -
First - Sat. March 23, College of Marin - I'm teaching "Artistically Yours".  There's still room in the class so if you're free, come make some art.  Music, painting, fun people - doesn't get much better than that!  9:30 - 1:00.

Second - just joined Marin Society of Arts and have two paintings in the current show.  These pieces will be in their rental gallery for a few months.  If you are local, check out their rental program- a terrific and inexpensive way to get some fresh art up on your walls.

Finally - Studio Gallery in San Francisco accepted "Salute"...the glass and wine bottle painting (posted awhile back) ...for their Delicious show.  They've got a lot of great paintings for this theme. Check out their website...and the slide-show.  Reception is this Sunday.

OK off to play a little ukelele with my hubby (and his guitar).  Plug your ears!

Pampered Tootsies

(Tilt screen until colors pop)

 A few days ago a painter, Carol Marine, posted this photo of her friend/model ..and invited others to use it if they liked.  So here's my shot at it.  There are some things I'd like to do a little differently but overall am happy with it.  Trying to learn how to make whites pop is NOT easy.  I'd better go look at a few Sargent paintings - he is amazing.   Just noticed..I forgot her pearls!  She's a classy bather, no?!

Pleasant Lane Wildlife

too fun...found this canvas, and the original photo of these little guys (standing on the hillside behind our house), while moving my studio a couple weeks ago.  I think it's about five years old. Had only the bodies on a solid pale gray background - no heads! Happily they went in easily.  Loved working on it -and rather than detailing all the wild grass and trees I squinted and painted an abstract of the hillside lights of darks.

After all my complaining about moving into my new studio space - thought I'd share a photo.  More to do - like hang some art!   Know where I can get any? (haha)

Happy Valentine's Day

oil 8x8      just hanging out   click to enlarge

Grandson Ethan - a couple summers past...sitting out on a little dock on a lake.

What a crazy, fun, full month.  Taught two terrific classes: College of Marin-14 newbies; Drake High-7.  (sorry you all - i forgot to take photos of our activities!) Lots of wonderful new painters who tapped into their creative juices and fueled mine.

I started a 30 day challenge last month. Posted eight but then got involved in moving my studio (huge project; took way longer than I planned) so didn't finish them all.  But did learn a lot...like how hard it is to paint a full scene/landscape on a small surface!  for me - it's easier painting a 36x36-72" painting than a big scene on a small canvas. go figure!

oil 6x6                      Ethan & Ama              click image to enlarge

My bad! I am a couple days behind on my challenge postings.  Painted this yesterday and will post a drawing I sketched in the car on the way to a family birthday dinner Saturday. Weekends are a challenge; you'd think it would feel like extra time but there's always to many things to fit in.

Meet my grandson Ethan and his dog Ama...on one of their after-school walks.  It was fun painting these two - each stroke feels so much more personal than when I'm painting a still life or something I'm not emotionally connected too. (remember to tilt the screen if it's not sharp; it's hard to photo oiil paint when it's wet -lots of glare). 

Garden Variety ........ 9th of 30

oil on paper   garden variety    click of  enlarge

 Planted eggplant starters..expecting the generic purple kind... got these little green guys instead. Yup, they're full grown. Turns out they're Thai eggplant - who knew?  (note; if this looks a little washed out, tilt your screen --the colors will be sharper.  Sometimes the oil paint and light battle for attention)

Balboa Treats......8th of 30

Yesterday I mentioned painting a room - Oy! the color is like a sick salmon.  I just couldn't deal with it today so took on a challenge within the 30-day challenge.  My goal was to paint the sunlight hitting the buildings etc.  Too often, my 'light areas' is too cool, yet you have to be careful not to make it too yellow. I learned a lot on this piece...and it took some trial and error.

It was a tough piece to do in one day. The photo has a ton of detail,  most of which I left out.  Simplify Simplify is what art teachers always say...man, did I!    From last summer, Balboa Island.

Little Elena ...

This ends week one of the 30 in 30 challenge.  It's been quite a personal learning experience (on so many levels) and a lot of fun.  While some of the work this week isn't the caliber I'd like it to be,  as I study them now, I see ways to do things differently, experiment, improve.

I started a home project today - just couldn't seem to get a new painting done. So instead  I finished a sketch tonight (Tues.) that I started a few days ago.  I was going through a box of old photos Sunday and came across a photo of my granddaughter Elena at about 3 (she's 8  now!)  Seems fitting that I celebrate the end of week one with something/someone so special to me.

On the Porch.....6th of 30

5x7" oil on paper   On The Porch   click to enlarge

If you recall, I named this 30/30 challenge series: Everything But the Kitchen Sink. Well, in need of a subject for today's entry..and not wanting to resort to painting the sink (yet!) ...I grabbed a photo from our recent trip to Mendocino and used myself for the subject.  Happy memory - sitting on a porch at the inn, overlooking the ocean, on our 20th anniversary.  hmmm think she needs some features?Maybe I'll add them later today..

Oldies But Goodies (ii)....... 5 / 30

oil on paper           Oldies But Goodies (ii)        click to enlarge

See the tin? It's a cast-away from hubbies tea addiction :-) He loves to try a zillion different loose teas --they come in assorted tins with lovely labels....make perfect brush holders.  Today I again painted on a torn-edge archival paper.  I like the affect of the torn edge - you usually set it in a floating style frame so the edge of the paper shows.  Here it's just laying against a white board I had in the studio. hmmm as a look at it I think I need to soften the shadow of the palette knife.  Back to work I go...

'Twas the Season".....4th of thirty.

            oil on paper    'Twas the Season    click image to enlarge

All that's left from decorating for the holidays - this little twig of holly.  Today I used archival water color paper with 3 coats of gesso so I can oil paint on it.  Really like the surface texture.

 I was lucky to get this perky little branch...even when there's a large 'crop' of berries, most are moldy.  Any suggestions on keeping them healthy?

Oldies But Goodies ... 3 /30

6x6    oil            Oldies but Goodies    click to enlarge

These tubes got a make-over for their portrait today. They are so smudgy with various paint from my fingers that the white areas are a grayish-tan color.  Seemed only right to spiff them up. As I painted them I realized they are like old pals that bring me much happiness when I get to be with them.

I decided to call the paintings for this 30/30 challenge "Everything But the Kitchen Sink" - so I can let whimsy decide what to paint each day.   I love having options - don't you?

Used a board that has a very smooth surface and sort of clay-sh. Forgot I had these.  It just drinks up the paint so 'dries' quite fast.  That can be good but the downside is when you go brush on a new color near or on another color you applied just five minutes before, it's sticky and hard to blend.  I haven't decided if I like it or not.  Different, not bad; but takes some getting used to