Wednesday, December 15, 2010

The Last of the Ballerinas

This is my last painting of Catherine and her friends as they were excitedly practicing for the big show. I liked just putting in gestures quickly. The oil Bars are fun to work this way. If I can only remember to leave it alone and not show every little detail! Thank you again for stopping by and leaving comments, I really enjoy hearing from everyone. This painting was done from sketches and photos. I used to take my granddaughter to her class every week. Think I will go back and do some more sketches. Only now you have to run it by someone and let them know you are an artist!

Sunday, December 12, 2010

The Mauve Hour

My Grandmother used to describe the hour just before the sun set as the "mauve hour" everything was tinged with that lovely mauve color, of course she lived in Tucson for 9 months every year and we were in upstate New York. I could never really see the Mauve Hour until I visited her when I was in 4th grade. My Aunt was a painter and I tagged along with her as she painted. She painted the landscape of Arizona and Mexico and Hawaii, and would talk to me about the colors and how different they were in each place. I am still trying to capture and recognize the unique colors of every hour when I am painting. I did this painting of my granddaughter from a sketch and photograph. The room did take on that mauve glow.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Waiting and Memories of the Nutcracker

I was just bringing the ornament box down from the attic and one of the nutcracker ornaments fell out reminding me of taking our girls to see the Nutcracker, and taking my granddaughter to ballet class. It is so much fun watching the girls as they get ready for the big night. This painting "Waiting" was one I did as Catherine was waiting for her turn to perform. I loved how the last of the sun came streaming through the high windows. I think I really love painting people best, and especially children. My concern is I don't want to get trite. So, any thoughts on the subject of painting people and not getting trite would be greatly appreciated. One artist who does a great job with people is Tracy Helgeson, her series of "People we know" is so unique, but I also love her landscapes.

I have been going through my sketch books and pulling out some pencil sketches to use for paintings. I have a few more of my ballerinas. Hopefully I can share them in the next few days.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Well once again it is Christmas time and I am beginning to panic because I haven't started doing any of the usual, cookie baking, or card writing, or decorating. And, I haven't painted for a few days either!! I do promise once January 1, 2011 rolls around I will paint every day. After all I did when I was working on the books.

I did the grapes in Oil bar and had fun with the high lights on the grapes and, and the reflection of the bowl on the table.

I am off to bake Sarah's sugar cookies. If there is a Sarah out there who took Tole painting classes from me in Nashua New Hampshire a long time ago, please say hi. Those cookies are favorites of my family and friends. I lost Sarah's address in one of our many moves and have always regretted that I could not remember her last name. But I remember her every time I bake those cookies. I have been fortunate to meet so many wonderful people and I am really enjoying meeting so may great artists through the internet. So, happy painting. If you have any questions about oil bar let me know, or just share some painting thoughts. I love hearing from you.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Afternoon Tea, with lemon

This is my favorite teapot, reminds me of visits to my Grandmother's and her friend, Adelie, who read our fortunes in the tea leaves. She once told me I would tell stories with my pictures. Do you think there is anything in the leaves? Does anybody do that anymore?

 Last week I delivered the miniatures to the gallery for their annual miniature show, Kaewyn Gallery, Bothell, Washington. I didn't have a chance to take pictures of them...... Where does the time go? That's why we all need afternoon tea, a time to unplug, sit back and just relax. Now it is time to start thinking about Christmas, and a new year. Hopefully, I will really be able to post everyday in the new year. Still need to learn how to make links work when posting. I'd love to mention all that Leslie Saeta and Dreama Tolle Perry are doing for another artist who had a stroke. They are such fabulous artists and so generous with their time and talents. To all who stop by thanks, love to hear your comments, or just say Hi.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

The kindness of strangers, and friends, and thoughts of thanksgiving

I was wrestling with some of my paintings that I was bringing home from the gallery when a woman in the parking lot asked if she could help, I thanked her and she picked up the two small paintings that were starting to fall. As I put the Mango painting in the car she said "I just love that painting, it makes me happy"
I thanked her again and headed home, smiling that someone had liked my painting, especially since she was not a friend or family member. When I checked my e mail there was a message from a friend, and artist, telling me how much she enjoyed the article about me in the recent Women Painters Newsletter. Once again a simple kindness had been something special and meant more than I am sure the stranger and my friend could ever imagine. So, I am resolved to thank all those people who come into my life and make it ever so much better by their words and kind deeds, by passing on the kindness. Thank you to all who stop by and visit. Hope to hear from you again. Mango Morning is painted with oil bars.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Reflections and Food for Thought

I have been enjoying a quiet Sunday, and have been making a list of things I want to paint. I love reflections and decided to try some. I love how the metal pitcher reflects the pears. My other love is patterns, I would like to paint more patterns this year. Vuillard is a favorite of mine, and I really enjoy his interiors, and use of patterns. I keep discovering more and more wonderful painters out there it is so exciting to see everyone's work. If you are looking for a good book on creativity, I am reading Twyla Tharp, The Creative Habit Learn it and Use it for Life. Also just finished Matisse on Art. Lots of food for thought.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

I have spent the past week trying to master taking pictures of my paintings. Can you teach an old dog new tricks? I have often wondered that about my two, who are totally incorrigible, but so much fun, and now I find, I am asking the same question about myself. I love painting, but am so inept at anything mechanical, so can I learn to take pictures of my paintings? Maybe it is the camera? I have a sony cybershot. Anyone like to make a suggestion? Today's painting is from the Netherlands, a small flower and garden shop on a side street. I loved the attitude of owner, and ended up buying some clay markers for my herb garden. So, I will post this painting and see how my skills at photography reproduce. Any ideas on cameras and reproduction are greatly appreciated. Several friends have suggested cameras, and I want to check them out at the camera store.

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Celebration

Yesterday I posted a painting I did in Walla Walla, today I am posting another painting that I donated to a charity auction in Walla Walla. This was done in oil bar, the title is "Celebration". I saw a couple in one of the posh restaurants in Walla Walla, and while waiting for our order to come I quickly sketched them. More and more I am drawn to painting people, and, I love trying to capture them just enjoying the moment. I used more medium in this painting so I could really move the paint around quickly. I try to leave some areas of quiet, but I still seem to be trying to make everything important. I have a few more women in the market place paintings, and then I will try something new.

Friday, October 29, 2010

What could be better!

I love cheese, and I loved painting this scene at the Monteillet Fromagerie in Walla Walla, Washington State's wine country. We were there last March and I wanted to visit the Fromagerie, after seeing an article about them in the local paper. Joan, the owner and her husband were so welcoming, even though it was lambing season, they invited us in. She spent a wonderful morning tell us about making cheese and explaining the different cheeses, giving us samples. I want to go back and spend a day making cheese and learning more. They have a wonderful cottage to rent, there are wine and cheese pairings during the summer, a fresh vegetable garden,  fresh eggs,  beautiful surroundings, what could be better!.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

The Artist and the Inner Critic

So, how many of you out there have a resident inner critic? I know I do, and I find it quite annoying, most of the the time, and sometimes quite helpful. Today I have been trying to figure out how to use Adobe Photoshop Elements, and how to take a decent picture with a point and shoot camera. And, to top it off I have been working with a brush and oils trying to get those loose wonderful strokes. So, my critic is having a wonderful time! The painting today is a test, I wanted to see if I could get a decent picture, and then if I could figure out how to get it cropped and posted. So, if anyone has any thoughts on the picture or hushing the inner critic, please let me know. I love a quote that I read from Samuel Goldwyn " Don't pay any attention to the critics. Don't even ignore them" It makes sense, if you spend time listening and worrying then you won't have time to do what is necessary. I laugh whenever I think of that quote!

Monday, October 25, 2010

I love the idea of painting every day, but somehow am not as excited to share my blunders, but then who is? So, I am remembering one of my professors who said "draw every day" and made us keep a small sketch book. He always quoted Cennino Cennini from his ll LibroDell'Arte " Do not fail, as you go on, to draw something everyday, for no matter how little it is, it will be well worth while, and will do you a world of good." And, so today there are so many of us doing just that, following the words written in the early 15th century. It is well worth while, and I do love seeing what everyone else is doing and sharing, there are so many wonderful artists out there sharing their knowledge. I look forward to seeing and learning each day.

This lady was in Singapore, I love visiting markets and this one was especially lively and colorful, so I just concentrated on color again. This one is done in oil bars too, and I am getting ready to try working in oil. 

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Color and Shapes

I was reading Hawthorne on Painting, and came across a paragraph where he suggests if you get to a point and don't know what to do "just go back and simplify the big notes of color." Well that's what I did in this painting of the tea shop in Paris. I was struck by the color and shapes and I just concentrated on that in this painting. I loved the lady behind the counter, we managed to communicate with each other, and parted as friends. So, another woman in the market place reminds me of all the women out there that I have had the honor to meet. Hope you enjoy, as much as I enjoyed painting her and her wonderful little shop, just near  Place du Terte, where all the artists set up their easels.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Remembering Fiji

So far my plans for posting daily are falling by the wayside. We have been blessed with some beautiful sunny autumn days that have enticed me outside. I was remembering a trip to Fiji, and the shell collectors. I saw these two women talking and laughing and collecting shells early one morning, and later that day they were in the market selling shells to the tourists. It was a lovely day.

This was done with oil bars, not as impressionistic as I would like. But then that is the joy of painting, doing and learning, enjoying the process.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

One thing leads to another

It is amazing how we start doing something and then realize that by doing one thing it leads to another. That's what happened with this series. I did one painting and it got me thinking about all the women I had met as we traveled and suddenly there I was painting pictures of them and my memories. When we lived in Manila, I studied Chinese Brush Painting with Professor Chen Bing Sun. I adored that man, he really made us work, and at the same time taught us how to observe and "get to the essence".

This painting is a woman who lived in Baguio, in the mountains north of Manila. She wove beautiful fabric. We have a table runner that she made. I always remember her and that beautiful country whenever it is on the table. So, I hope I have gotten to the essence of the weaver.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Women in the Market Place

I started doing a series of paintings about women in the market place and I am posting the first one that I did, it is a picture of a wonderful woman that I met. She owned a small restaurant, and was interested in hanging my art work, and she did. I had several sales, and she always gave me free soup or a latte whenever I came in to check on the paintings or hang new ones. I admired the way she was so friendly and made each customer feel special, she invited the local bead shop to have morning coffees and bead shows, she had special ladies nights when it was Monday night football and the husbands were home. All in all she was so passionate about food and art, so when it came time to think about a new series for painting that was it.......Women in the Market Place. I have met many women over the years who have been out there in the market place, and if we don't speak the same language we still communicate with each other and understand. I hope you enjoy seeing some of the wonderful women that I have met. Now it is time for me to start considering another series and I have been thinking about that, but for now I will post some of my favorites. Let me know what you think, or how you work. This painting is done in oil bars.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Pike Street Market

Another busy week! Where does the time go? Today I am posting a painting I did at Pike street market, I love to see all the vegetables and fruits, and of course all the people. It is a place full of energy. Hope you enjoy it. This painting was juried into the EAFA Fall members show.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

The fall rains have arrived here in the Northwest, so it is a good time to plan for the coming year.  My biggest challenge is taking pictures of my paintings to post here. So, if anyone out there has any recommendations I would appreciate any advice. I am posting another one of my Chef paintings, also done in oil bar. This was in Nagasaki, I loved the attitude of the chef, so precise and careful. This painting is currently on view at The Women Painters Of Washington Gallery.

Thank you to all who have stopped by. I must also learn how to insert your names into the text so others can see your fabulous work! This is so much, exchanging ideas and meeting new people.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

It takes a long time to bring excellence to maturity.........Pubilius Syrus.  I read that quote just the other day and got to thinking that we need to have patience and just steadily work toward our goals. I have been out of the studio this week, so I am late again posting. But, I will just keep at it until It is in fact every day. I love the Olives and it was a fun painting to do.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Take a break!

Well, after adding just one painting I got so confused and frustrated because nobody could find me, I took time off to work in the garden. I decided that I will eventually learn how to blog, but first I had dozens of spring bulbs waiting to be planted. Here is a painting that always reminds me how to enjoy the simple things in life! The wonder of a field full of daffodils! This is done with oil bars, fun and quick! I would love to hear from anyone who works with oil bars.

Friday, October 1, 2010

Keep Growing

I have just finished re-reading several of Rilke's books and am once again filled with with enthusiasm for creating and learning. I especially like his Letters to a young Poet. This is my first post, so any comments are most welcome.  The Chef was done with oil bars, like finger painting for adults.! The colors are fun, and there is a great variety. No opportunity to get too detailed, but I still try. Hopefully by the end of the year I will be more impressionistic.