10

10 - Sold

Oil - 5 X 7

I have a soft spot for firefighters.

Historical Trekking

Voyageur - NFS

Watercolor - Half Sheet 

This watercolor was based on my fascination with a re-enactor at an encampment of French-Canadian fur traders / woodsmen back in Michigan a few years ago. 

I actually got a likeness of this man which is a rare occurrence, trust me.   We went back to the festival the following year to gift him with the painting, but couldn't locate him.

  

 So the painting stays with me, a memory of a warm, wonderful day on Lake St. Clair.

Still Hungry

Watercolor Batik - 5 X 7

Even when I'm painting, I'm thinking of food...

Pretty in LuRay Pink

Pretty in LuRay Pink - Sold

Watercolor Batik - 9 X 13

When I was a little girl, Saturday was my favorite day of the week because my grandmother and I would spend the day

scouring garage sales in and around Detroit.  We would then take the cache back to her house, cook dinner, and examine and critique every piece.

 When grandma died a few years ago at age 97, my father turned many her vintage pieces over to me - varieties of Depression glass, assorted costume jewelry, and my favorite, LuRay pastel pottery.

Whenever I look at these pieces, they bring a smile to my face and a warmth to my heart.  Oh, oh...  I can feel a series of paintings coming on.

In Progress

In Progress - Commission

Oil - 24 X 36

This commission is about 3/4 finished.  Working larger has really propelled me out of a painting slump.  I'm ready to dive back in.

 Or maybe it's not a slump.  Maybe I just have to accept that I paint in spurts.

Someone to Watch Over Me

Someone to Watch Over Me - Sold

Watercolor Batik - 12 X 12

Angels - an unwavering presence in my life.

Good Day, Sunshine

Good Day, Sunshine - Sold

Watercolor Batik - 8.5 X 11

A happy memory of a beautiful summer day in Michigan.

It's a Zoo

When I lived in Detroit, one of my favorite things to do was visit the Detroit Zoo.

On one particular drop by, I got chased by a dinosaur,

stalked by a polar bear, 

and had a staring contest with this big guy.

I figured I would be safe over at the children's section and I was right.  All I found waiting for me was a sweet baby elephant just chillin' under a tree.

Watercolor Batik - Sold

15 X 11

Ideas are Everywhere

Artemis - Sold

Watercolor Batik - 17 X 13

About five years ago, my husband and I took a road trip to North Carolina and visited the Biltmore Estate.

I took photos of everything that interested me.   For some reason, I was really drawn to statues on the estate.  

When I started doing batiks, I realized the statues would make great references.  Artemis is one of my first batiks. 

Here are some original photos that inspired this piece.

    

Taking Care of Business

A Mighty Heart - Sold

Watercolor Batik - 12 X 12

Thursday mornings are the highlight of my week because they're spent having breakfast and an art discussion with an awesome gang of artists (Alla Prima Portland).  I call it group therapy.

Today we'll be attending an art marketing workshop at the Regional Arts and Culture Council in Portland

(About RACC | Regional Arts & Culture Council).

I'm liking it here in Oregon.

A Horse is a Horse

Watercolor Batik - 16 X 22

The best of the challenge paintings have gone to a good home.   As far as the stinkers go, may they rest in peace.

I ran out of titanium white (how did I do that?) & can't get to the art supply store till Thursday.    Hence the day was spent starting some sky-scapes using a technique I learned from my mentor a few years ago.  It involves using oil paint thinly and repeating layers over dry under layers.   I haven't done this in a while and have been looking forward to trying it again.

So, in the meantime, all I have for show and tell today is a year old batik.  It would be great getting reacquainted with these, too. 

You've Got a Friend in Me

You've Got a Friend in Me - Sold
Oil with Palette Knife - 8 X 8

Did you ever have a song stuck in your head?

I was walking around the thrift store looking for something to paint and I couldn't stop humming one of the Toy Story songs.  Suddenly, I caught my foot on the bottom of a large wire bin.  When I stopped to take a look, the sweetest, most loved-up trio of stuffed animals just jumped right into my arms.

Lucky me.

30 - 30 Challenge Collage

30 paintings in 30 days