Motel 2 SOLD

Motel 2

5.5 x 6.625 inches

acrylic on board
SOLD

Another painting of an old motel sign for the "Ipswich Thru The Artist's Eye" exhibition. I'm painting these on wonderful MDO boards that I got from my awesome brother-in-law for Christmas. He cut two boxes full of panels for me - best gift EVER! MDO is frequently used for outdoor signs, so I thought it would be an appropriate surface for this series.

It has been a crazy, busy week. Lots of appointments, and activities for the kids, but on Wednesday I got to attend a demo at the Concord Art Association by fellow blogger Kara Bigda - one of my favorite watercolor artists. It was great to see her - and her work - in person, plus I learned quite a bit.

Next I'm starting on one more motel sign, then I will probably move on to a different sign after that. Stay tuned!

Motel 1 - New Painting SOLD

Motel 1

6-5/8 x 5-1/2"

Acrylic on board
SOLD

Still not sure about the title for this one!
Anyways, the theme for the upcoming show at MiXtMedia Gallery is "Ipswich Thru the Artist's Eye". Ipswich has many wonderful natural resources - I'm sure the gorgeous beaches and marshes will be well represented at the show. I decided to concentrate more on architecture - and I got a little stuck on the idea of working with signs. I love older signs - the lettering, the colors, especially ones with neon. Not exactly what most people equate with Ipswich - but still things that the locals will recognize. By taking just pieces of them, I am almost abstracting them, concentrating on the shapes and textures, as opposed to the words themselves. The images are local, yet in some ways universal - this could from any motel of that era - little bits of America quickly disappearing. I found out after I had already decided on using this sign for some of my images that this particular motel has been sold, and the land will probably be redeveloped.

I will  probably do each one of my subjects a few times, from different angles, with different crops. I do plan on doing some paintings based purely on  Ipswich's architecture, but I don't think I will have them in time for this show. For now, it will be about the signs of Ipswich!

Over You - Still Life with Daisy

Over You

4x4 inches

acrylic on gessobord panel

The boys are off from school this week - and the weather has been beautiful. Lots of time outside - but not much painting time. I wanted to finish this little one to kind of get back into the swing of things after being out of town. I've been wanting to play with pattern a little - hence the polka dotted cloth.

Next I need to get going on a bunch of paintings for the next show at MiXtMedia Gallery....more to come  ;-)

Over You - $55 + $4.95 shipping in the US

(please contact me for international shipping)

Regional Juried Show

Morning Meeting

10x8 inches

acrylic on canvas

Sorry for the little break from blogging there.....we took a little family trip down to Washington, DC to visit some friends.We covered a lot of miles in just a few days, came back exhausted, but it was a great trip. I hope to have a new painting to post tomorrow.

I am very excited to announce that I recently received the notice that both "Morning Meeting" and "Turning Away" were accepted into Newburyport Art Association's Regional Juried Show! The show runs from May 11 through June 9th with a reception on Sunday, May 20th from 3-5pm. Hope to see you there if you are local!

"Turning Away"

8x10 inches

acrylic on canvas

"In Cooperation" Kitchen Decor Vegetable Still Life SOLD

In Cooperation

6x4 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper
SOLD

I can't decide if these guys are plotting mischief, or just trying to be helpful. If something goes wrong, I think it will be the red one's fault  ;-)

I have a few more for this series sketched out, but I am going to take a break from them for now to paint my daisies before they wilt - and then to get ready for my next show.......

"Quiet Conversation" - Kitchen Art Still Life with Fruit - SOLD

Quiet Conversation

6x4 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper
SOLD

Back to the pears once again!
I find pears to be a wonderful subject - their shapes are irregular, and they come in so many colors. Each color takes on so many different hues - they are always interesting to paint!

First Plein Air Painting of the Season!

Reaching Out

Kelsey Arboretum, Boxford, Massachusetts

6x4 inches

acrylic on canvas panel

I've been eager to get out and paint, but the weather hasn't been too agreeable. We had one really warm week (when I was swamped with projects!) but then it turned cold again. This morning didn't feel too chilly, and after catching up on some of my favorite plein air painters blogs (make sure you check out Sonya Johnson's pastels!) I decided that I NEEDED to get out!

I was so eager to get out, that of course I forgot my hat and gloves, so I knew I wouldn't last too long - but I figured any time out would be a start. I have promised myself that I would take the pressure off myself to "produce" when painting en plein air and just enjoy the process - and realize that I learn something from each experience, even when the painting is not satisfactory. I also told myself that it is okay to paint sitting, with my tiny box in my lap if that makes me feel more comfortable. I think I am a little intimidated by setting up with an easel - it makes me feel really self conscious! I plan on getting a little camp stool to throw in the back of my car so I can figure out what will work best for me.

I have also told myself that it is even okay to paint from the back of my car when needed, so I don't have to wait for perfect conditions or a "perfect" spot - that I don't need to do things a "certain" way. Isn't it funny how some of us feel like we need to give ourselves "permission" to find our own way? I love painting still lifes, but something keeps drawing me back to painting outdoors - maybe it is just the love of nature and landscapes in general. I know my landscape techniques need a lot of work, but it is going to take a lot of practice to get even close to where I would like to be.

Anyways, today I headed to the little arboretum around the corner from my house. Some forsythia in bloom, some green buds, but not much color at all. It looks like the Korean Rhododendrons may have tried to bloom in the warm weather we had earlier, but then were thwarted by the later frosts. The bushes had no leaves at all, but had some shriveled up purple flowers - very strange looking. I wandered into the edge of the woods and spotted some wonderfully shaped old dead trees. I believe this one is a Canadian Hemlock. I'd like do a few studies of the tree - I think it might have potential as a subject of a larger studio painting.

I sat on a big rock - and found that I like working with the box on my lap. So the painting was quick - and rough - but I was glad to get out there and am looking forward to an active plein air season!

A Lily for Easter (But Not an Easter Lily)

Pink Lily

2.5 x 3.5 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

I ended up with some unexpected painting time today since I was home from a family function with a sick kid. Between games of Battleship and Stratego I worked on this little floral. I didn't have an Easter lily, so I decided this one would have to do!

Happy Easter!

Pink Lily - $15.00 + $1.95 shipping in the US

(please contact me for international shipping)

Taken Aback - Pear Still Life Kitchen Art SOLD

Taken Aback

6x4 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper
SOLD

I thought the pear in back looked a little surprised at the antics of the one in front  ;-)

These pieces are fun to do - the handling of the acrylic on the watercolor paper is a little tricky. I think I am handling them similarly to watercolors, but having very little watercolor experience, I can't say that for sure! But it is very different from working on board or canvas.

Admiration - Still Life Kitchen Art SOLD

Admiration

6x4 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

SOLD

Another one for my Relationships Series.
The red on this didn't scan very well as usual. I have to figure out the secret to scanning reds!
Now I am looking forward to doing a few more of these fun little paintings to replenish my Etsy shop - then onward full force in preparation for one more show!

Admiration will be available at West Village Provisions, West Boxford, Massachusetts for the month of April.

Contemplation - Kitchen Art Still Life SOLD

Contemplation

6x4 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

SOLD

I realized I hadn't made any additions to my popular "Relationships" series lately, so I decided to remedy that!

This series is about focusing on 2 or 3 pieces of fruit or vegetables, their shapes and their shadows, and seeing how they "relate" to each other. So often the objects take on a personality of their own, so I decided to concentrate on just that, without getting the background or any other objects involved.

The paintings look kinda cool in person. The acrylic is painted in thin layers, then the rest of the cold pressed textured watercolor paper is left unpainted. I apply a spot varnish with a satin finish to only the painted areas.

These paintings are always a fun break from my other work. I plan on displaying the first two locally, but then hope to squeeze in a few more to add to my Etsy store.

Contemplation will be on exhibit for the month of April at West Village Provisions, West Boxford, Massachusetts.