"Anderson Grist Mill"

9 x 12

oil on gessoed hardboard

This was my first day's painting from my recent workshop with Calvin Liang. We started the week at the Anderson Mill, an old grist mill dating from around the Civil War days.  

Here is Calvin in front of the mill and just starting his demo in the morning. Not sure what he is saying in this photo, but am sure he is stressing the importance of the four elements in the structure of a painting: shape, color and it's correct temperature, values, and edges-sharp, soft or lost. He stressed these four principles all week. Thanks, Calvin, I need the repetition! 

This photo of our workshop attendees, along with Calvin and Qiang who organized the class, was taken the last day of the workshop. What a sterling group, I couldn't have asked for a more talented bunch of artists to spend the week with. As you can see, the weather was sunny and perfect all week long. 

"Red Row Boat"

9 x 12

oil on gessoed hardboard

Packing up with great anticipation for the Calvin Liang plein air workshop next week in the Austin area. Before I put the lid on all the paints, I wanted to try Calvin's suggested palette, so what better way than to experiment with one of his painting subjects. Check out the link above to see Calvin's paintings at the Greenhouse Gallery in San Antonio.

Donation

8 x 10

oil on stretched canvas
sold

This painting, titled "One Left Out", is being donated to the art auction for New Friends New Life, an organization that benefits young women in trouble and their families in the Dallas/Ft Worth area.   

This is painted with the Swedish artist Anders Zorn palette using only four colors, cadmium red light, yellow orche, ivory black, and titanium white. 

"Onion and Garlic Picnic"

8 x 10

oil on stretched canvas

Getting ready to make a big jump into plein air painting! Heading to a workshop with Calvin Liang and, weather permitting, we'll be painting on location north of Austin around the lake area. Hope to get his suggested palette together and practice with it before I head that direction in a few days. Am so excited to have the opportunity to study with Liang and to also learn more from a previous workshop instructor Qiang Huang who is sponsoring this workshop. Two such fabulous artists! 

"Pears and Bamboo"

8 x 10

oil on stretched canvas

Think this is my first attempt at painting pears, have these sitting on a small bamboo stand. Think I'll use them again but in a different setting, but have to hurry before they get eaten! 

"Antique Books of Common Prayer"

8 x 10

oil on stretched canvas

These miniature antique books were a gift, perfectly tied together as a small package...two Books of Common Prayer, one from Sussex, England, and the smaller one, a New Testament dated in the early 1900's.

"Sunflowers and Pumpkins"

8 x 10

oil on stretched canvas

sold

Can't resist a fresh bouquet of sunflowers at the market! Seemed like a perfect match for the pumpkins and autumn leaves. We are so grateful to finally have some cooler Fall temperatures.