"Clay Pots"

11 x 5

oil on moleskin paper

The Texas Moleskin Round Up blog features some interesting paintings with varied themes. I think Jean Townsend's moleskin wins the prize for the most unusual topic for her book and that is detritus (noun, meaning rubbish, scrap, or junk) These clay pots in my backyard have been "rescued" from the trash making someone else's junk my treasure! Thanks for the challenge, Jean. 

"Blue and White Still Life"

6 x 6

oil on hardboard

Never seem to get tired of blue and white,  this is an arrangement in our entrance hall.

Randy Higbee 6" Squared Entry "Country Road"

6 x 6

oil on hardboard

I'm pleased to report that this painting was juried into the Randy Higbee 6" Squared Show opening in Costa Mesa, Ca. April 16th through May 6th. With over 1200 entries, only about 1/3 were chosen for the show so I feel especially honored to be among that group. This was painted from a plein air study I did in East Texas about a month ago.  

"Play Ball" for the Help Japan Challenge

8 x 10

oil on gessoed hardboard

March 11 marked the beginning of the devastation in Japan with the earthquake, following tsunamis and now the nuclear crisis. The Daily Paintworks website has found a way to help this stricken country. Artists worldwide are donating paintings to be auctioned off with all proceeds of the sold piece going to a charity of your choice that will benefit the Japanese people. Several charitable organizations are listed on the DPW webpage. The theme for this challenge is "home" and I can't help but think of all the children affected by this catastrophe with their loss of homes, schools and time to play and just be kids. After only a few days, over nine thousand dollars has already been raised, and with weeks to go, I expect that number to be much higher. I hope you will click on the above link and see all the wonderful art and consider helping in this much needed cause. I have chosen to let the buyer of "Play Ball" donate their winning bid amount to a charity of their own choice and upon documentation of their donation, I will cover all shipping costs and send the painting to them. Thanks for looking and helping this fundraiser. 

"Tarnished Copper"

9 x 12

oil on gessoed hardboard

Jerry Hunsinger is a wonderful artist living in Howe, Texas, about an hour north of Dallas. I had the pleasure of taking a Saturday morning class in her backyard studio this past weekend. What a treat to watch Jerry's demo followed by a painting session in her studio. Some of the class painted from photos while I chose to paint this beautiful copper pot from many of Jerry's collectibles. Be sure to check out her website and enjoy her artwork, especially the portraits. Saw one of her pet portraits that I hoped would follow me home, but unfortunately it didn't! Will look forward to future classes with Jerry, maybe plein air next time if anyone in the Dallas area wants to join us!

"Blue Plate Special"

6 x 6

oil on hardboard

sold

Couldn't resist this assortment of colors from the last trip to the grocery shopping!

"Early Spring"

8 x 10

oil on canvas panel

Today I joined two artists, Angela Elledge and Ron Sullivan, for a day of plein air in their Spring Park neighborhood. Winding through the green spaces are beautiful creeks, ponds, and lots of trees ready to bud out with Spring fast approaching. Still lots to learn painting in plein air but am beginning to be more comfortable with the set up and surroundings. 

"Lincoln"

8 x 9

oil on canvas sheet

The Daily Paintworks Challenge this week was Raymond Logan's idea, paint a portrait of Lincoln from his photograph using just three colors: ultramarine blue, burnt umber, and titanium white. Limited palette but great for considering the correct values. It's fun to see all the submissions, check out the above link!

"Mexican Pottery"

9 x 12

oil on gessoed hardboard

Wanted to get in some plein air painting time the other day, but oh, the wind was out of control. So settled on a view from my patio which was sheltered from the gusty day. Liked how the sunlight on these pots was filtered through the trees. 

"Confetti Rooster"

8 x 10

oil on stretched canvas
sold

This is my entry to this week's challenge by Carol Marine of the Daily Paintworks. It was an exercise of painting one bush stroke with one color, then repeat...second brush stroke, another color. You get the idea. It is meant to loosen up your composition, eliminating too much detail and overworking of the subject...stopping one's habit of "messing" with the paint on the canvas and over mixing your colors. Sounded a whole easier than it actually was. Check out the other entries with the above link. Thanks, Carol, for always giving us self improving challenges!

"Blue and White Collectibles"

oil on gessoed moleskin paper

The first of March begins a new project for a number of Texas artists. The Texas Moleskin Round Up is officially under way! A group of us have purchased our personal moleskin book and started this project with painting in our journal, and now it's time to send it off to the next artist to enter her preferred work. At the end of this "round robin" we should each have our own book back with artwork from everyone else in the group. Am sure it will be a fun project and a real treasure to have at the end of the book's journey. Check our new website occasionally to see how we are progressing, and thanks for following along!