Hill Country Ranch

11 x 14

oil on stretched canvas

sold

This is a commission painted from a photograph of the client's Texas Hill Country Ranch. Can't get any more central Texas than bluebonnets, cactus, and rocky hills. Having the lake on the property is an added bonus.  

Texas Cowboy

oil on hardboard

sold

This was painted some time ago for a project in the Dallas Arts District. Because of it's shape, I thought it would be perfect for my Facebook cover page. Like it also because my husband was kind enough to pose for me, well, sorta made some changes, I added the mustache and dark hair. It has recently sold to a new Texan, moving here from out of state. Welcome to the Lone Star State!

"Naptime"

8 x 10

oil on stretched canvas

purchase on DailyPaintworks

On our recent trip to Tennessee, we had the most fun with this yellow cat. It kept appearing on our porch, even though we made numerous attempts to return it to it's home across the complex. It would follow us on long walks just like a puppy, and thinking we had finally convinced it to go home, there it was when we returned, back on the porch taking a nap!

"Butterfly House"

8 x 10

oil on panel

Purchase through DailyPaintworks 

Another Monday painting with the Tutti I Lunedi group, and this week we went to the State Thomas District of Dallas, one of the largest collections of Victorian era homes in our area. I was attracted to the beautiful array of foliage and flowering plants in front of the "butterfly house".  The house had recently been featured in our local paper, a fact we weren't aware of until the owner came out to see what we were up to. We were rewarded with a tour of the house when we finished painting! Win, win...painting and a house tour in one stop!

"Highland Park Presbyterian Church"

8 x 10

oil on hardboard en plein air
sold

Joined the very talented plein air group, Tutti I Lunedi, on Monday to paint this well know Dallas church. I am amazed at all the Dallas landmarks they have captured in their outings.  

"Monteagle, Tennessee Paintings"

"Screen Porch"

11 x 14

oil on stretched canvas

sold

Have just returned from a wonderful week in Monteagle, Tennessee, staying in a friend's 1907 summer Victorian home at the Monteagle Sunday School Assembly (MSSA).  The entire area is filled with homes with these wonderful wrap-a-round porches with wicker furniture and blooming flowers, all nestled among these towering trees. If you ever get stressed, you can close your eyes and dream of "rockin" on one of these porches, a real step back in time! Following are the three paintings I did en plein air while at the Assembly.

"Hill Top Manor" painted en plein air

9 x 12

oil on hardboard

This house was near Moses Rock which was the original water supply back in the late 1800's, now I'm happy to say that there is running water in each house, along with air conditioning and all the other modern conveniences.

"Juniata Creek" painted en plein air

9 x 12

oil on canvas covered hardboard

These creek beds run all through the Assembly and have these wonderful old stone bridges that cross them for foot traffic as well as bikes and cars...oh yes, and golf carts.

"Millie's Garden" painted en plein air

9 x 12

oil on canvas covered hardboard

sold

The flowers throughout the Assembly were spectacular, a photograph or painting everywhere you looked.

"Summer Cabin"

11 x 14

oil on stretched canvas
sold

On our last trip to Estes Park, Colorado, our friends we were traveling with took us by this mountain cabin. Many fond memories were formed here where he spent each summer as a young boy vacationing with his family. We never know the impressions we make on our children, but this is definitely one that has lasted a life time.

"Hill Country Tractor"

8 x 10

oil on stretched canvas

What is it about tractors that we find so intriguing? Maybe they wouldn't be so appealing if we actually had to use one for work! Saw this one last year on an OPS painting trip in Fredericksburg, Texas.

"Ready For Work"

9 x 12

oil on hardboard panel-$95
sold

Last summer in Estes Park, Colorado I saw these two trucks every day backed into the lot across from our condo where we were staying. The late afternoon sun gave them a personality of their own which was only enhanced by the dirt and rusty bumpers.

"First Light"

9 x 12

oil on hardboard panel

This was painted from an early morning walk in the Texas Hill Country, catching the sun's first rays through the trees and on the new Spring grasses.

Have added several paintings to the Daily Paintworks site, be sure and check them out on the right of this page.

"Bark 2"

6 x 6

oil on hardboard

sold

Number two in the "bark" series! Fine myself looking at dogs differently these days... 

"Bark 1"

6 x 6

oil on hardboard

I know, this is a switch from my recent plein air paintings. Thought I'd have some fun with some dog protraits and hope to do a series of "bark" paintings, so they will have numbers instead of names for these cute little guys! Look for them to be available on Daily Paintworks.

"Reflections"

9 x 12

oil on canvas hardboard

What a way to start the weekend, en plein air with three painting buddies at Curtis Park in University Park!

"White Rock Meadow"

9 x 12

oil on canvas hardboard

available at Southwest Gallery

This is a heart stopping painting, or should I say nerve wracking better describes it! This past Saturday I participated in my first Quick Draw, which is a timed plein air paint out with lots of other artists. We all met at White Rock Lake and painted in the area for the two hour contest, quickly framed the piece and delivered it to the gallery which hosted the remainder of the Plein Air Southwest Salon juried show. It has been an honor for me to be accepted into this show with such an incredible list of fine artists from around the country. If you are in the area be sure to stop by the gallery to see the juried show as well as the special wall of quick draw paintings. 

"Texas Bluebonnets"

9 x 12

oil on canvas

In spite of our state's record setting heat wave and no rain last summer, we are being rewarded this spring with an incredibly beautiful crop of bluebonnets and other spring wildflowers. Will attach a couple of photos I took a little over a week ago along the 'bluebonnet trail' in Ennis, Texas, where the Outdoor Painters Society will have their April paint out in a couple of weeks. 

"Double Trouble"

11 x 14

oil on canvas covered hardboard 

click to bid

A couple of curious guys from a paint out near Fredericksburg in the Texas Hill Country. 

"Lakeside at Cottonwood Park"

9 x 12

oil on hardboard

Saturday was a perfect plein air day and several friends met at Cottonwood Park to paint. A great way to start the weekend!

"Row Boat At Rest"

9 x 12

oil on hardboard

Headed to White Rock Lake in east Dallas for a little plein air and spotted this beached row boat "waiting to be painted". The wind picked up half way through the painting making me wonder if that's how the row boat ended up on dry ground...well maybe it wasn't that windy, but seemed like it at the time. 

I had been talking to a friend about the Anders Zorn limited palette of black, white, yellow ochre and cad red, so gave it a try with this, but did add a touch of viridian. Limited palettes can be very freeing!

"Spring Azaleas"

8 x 10

oil on gessoed hardboard

Haven't painted this week with family here for Spring Break, so was delighted to have a friend put together a plein air group today...good timing...went straight to the park after a drop off at the airport. Dallas is so well known for our beautiful azaleas, especially at Turtle Creek where we met today. 

"Terlingua Ghost Town Chapel"

8 x 10

oil on canvas/hardboard

Many of the other stone buildings in Terlingua have been left to deteriorate while this chapel sits on a high hill as if to stand guard over the ghost town.

Big Bend Youtube

Thanks to my husband for putting together this great slideshow of our recent painting trip to Big Bend.

"Blue Door"

8 x 10

oil on hardboard

One of the most unique and most isolated places in Big Bend is the Hot Springs area, complete with old adobe structures, palm trees, and old stone buildings like this one with the weathered blue door. Just down the path to the right is the Rio Grande and a 115 degree hot spring that is walled off just like a modern day hot tub, a favorite place for hikers and young children.

"Boquillas Canyon" in Big Bend National Park

9 x 12

oil on hardboard

Have just returned from a paint out with the Outdoor Painters Society, all of the 28 attending artists making the long drive to The Big Bend National Park in far southwest Texas. On the first day we traveled over 30 miles into the park to Boquillas Canyon and had this fabulous view of the Rio Grand River separating the US from Mexico. I never dreamed there would be so much action in this remote part  of the world, hikers of course, but the Mexicans on horseback crossing the river about every hour to check on money that might have been left in the little craft areas they had set up on our side of the river. And then there was Victor standing on one of the large boulders on the Mexico side, serenading anyone who came into view in hopes of money being left in his cup on the US side. What an introduction to this part of the border!

"Duo"

 oil in 9 x 12 canvas sketchbook

Have been very remiss in posting lately, not sure why because I have been painting. Thought I would start with these two exercises from Bob Rohm's book "The Painterly Approach". If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it, especially if you are pursuing plein air painting. I have found lots of valuable information here, and practicing his exercises in my sketchbook has been extremely helpful. Here is a close up of the individual paintings.

 Love this hint of fall in the mountains! 

Reminds me of the Spring bluebonnets in Texas!

"Hill Country Sunset"

11 x 14

oil on stretched canvas

This was painted from a plein air study from a trip to the Texas Hill Country just south of Glenrose. 

"Nash Farm Tractor"

9 x 12

oil on hardboard

The Outdoor Painter's Society met for their monthly paint out in Grapevine, Texas yesterday and a big thanks goes to Randy Saffle for organizing the cold weather "paint in" with live models and still life setups, and also giving lots of suggestions for painting outside. Guess about half stayed inside while the other half painted outside in colder temps than we would have liked. This tractor was one of the many old pieces of farm equipment at Nash Farm, an old homestead preserved from the early settlement days of Grapevine. 

"Drop A Line"

6 x 6

oil on hardboard

$65.00 + 4.95 s&h

The Seated Figure Challenge posted by Dana Cooper for the Daily Paint Works is this week's painting challenge. Check out all the other entries for a fun art show!

This was painted from a photograph taken this past summer in downtown Estes Park, Colorado. 

"Sailboats Near the Shore"

9 x 12

oil on gessoed panel

Met several other artists at White Rock Lake yesterday, a perfect day for plein air painting, 77 degrees and sunny. That's Texas weather for you...in the 40's today!

"White Rock Stables"

9 x 12

oil on gessoed panel

Another plein air piece painted in the White Rock Lake area of Dallas. Finding stables and horses not far from this large city makes us realize that we aren't totally a "concrete jungle".

Just found out that two of my paintings have been accepted into the Plein Air Southwest Salon 2012 at Southwest Galleries here in Dallas, a show that is sponsored by Outdoor Painters Society. The opening is April 7th. Mark your calender and plan to attend. Excited and very honored to be listed with this group of very talented artists. Below are the accepted paintings.

"Misty Morn"

9 x 12

oil on gessoed panel

sold

Painted en plein air at the Corinthian Sailing Club on White Rock Lake in late December when we had unusually mild temperatures.

"White Rock Lake Cove"

8 x 10

oil on gessoed hardboard panel

One of the scenic lakes in Dallas is White Rock Lake with lots of jogging and biking trails, and always perfect for a plein air outing. Caught this scene late one Fall afternoon just as the trees were starting to change colors. 

"Saints and Santa"

8 x 10

oil on hardboard panel
sold

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year with hopes of a lot of saints and santas in your holiday!

This past weekend the Outdoor Painters Society held their annual Christmas lunch and a "dirty Santa gift exchange". Over 30 artists attended and brought an 8 x 10 painting wrapped in brown paper, which were promptly traded and exchanged until all packages were opened. I am happy to show you my "gift" from pastel artist, Nancy Bozeman, who I had just met on a recent OPS paint out in the Palo Duro Canyon. Hope you'll visit Nancy's website and enjoy her other beautiful pastels. 

"Colorado Indian"

8 x 10

oil on gessoed hardboard

sold

At the end of August this year we were fortunate enough to be in Estes Park, Colorado for the Plein Air Rockies 2011 show. One of their paint outs included this wonderful American Indian model in full native dress, which was only enhanced by the brilliant warm sunlight.

"Late November"

9 x 12

oil on hardboard

This was painted en plein air on the last day of November near a small lake next to our neighborhood pool. Because of the lack of rain in our area this year, the colors have not been as vivid as in past years but still beautiful with the late afternoon sun on the fall leaves.

"Low Water Crossing in Palo Duro Canyon"

9 x 12

oil on hardboard

There were several low water crossings on the road in Palo Duro Canyon and this one caught my eye during the paintout with the Outdoor Painters Society last weekend. I set up just off the road where I was soon joined by two other plein air artists, several hikers, dirt bikers, other tourists, a white bearded gentleman from Florida who was in the area to play Santa at a nearby mall, and eventually a flock of wild turkeys. Never know who or what you will run into on a plein air outing!

"Palo Duro Canyon"

9 x 12

oil on hardboard

The Outdoor Painter's Society planned their monthly meeting in Palo Duro Canyon this past weekend. Often referred to as The Grand Canyon of Texas, the state park is south of Amarillo in the Texas Panhandle. It is said that wind and water erosion continues to widen the canyon even today, so I imagine that it is much wider after this weekend's high winds! Fortunately there is a scene worthy of a painting in every direction, so the goal was first to find a spot that had some wind protection. This is my first afternoon's painting where I was able to set up right next to some stables. 

After the six hour drive from Dallas, I knew I only had a small amount of time to paint before the sun started to lower behind these beautiful cliffs, so I used a Anders Zorn's limited palette of cadmium red light, yellow ochre, ivory black, and titanium white, plus ultramarine blue. The beginning of a great weekend with so many talented plein air painters! 

"Brown Lab"

Oil on moleskin gessoed paper

nfs

Finally back to painting after being away from the easel for a number of weeks while we were doing some updating on our house. This is my entry in Sharon Hodges book for our Texas Moleskin Round-Up. Check out the link and see what other artists have painted in these unique moleskins.

Thought I'd include a photo of the new studio/painting area we created. There was an outside atrium that we enclosed for my painting space, originally planned to be a separate room, but as we progressed it seemed better to open up the area to the kitchen. Have great light with the window at the top of the existing brick wall and have also included a light well in the ceiling, a good substitute for a sky light. The armoire stores most of my paints, brushes, etc. The open concept will force me to "stay neat" instead of just closing a door on a painting mess. First painting "done" in the new room and am looking forward to many more!

Artist Critique

Yesterday I received an unexpected email from Tony Moffit with Artist.Blog.Critique. Here is a review of his comments in reviewing my work, please check out this interesting site and discover what he has to say about other artist, listed on his left side bar.

Tony's kind words have left me a little speechless, but flattered. Thank you, Tony, this is just the kind of encouragement one needs to continue growing as an artist in hopes of producing even better work.

On another note, a second great "happening" yesterday was receiving the People's Choice second place award in the Associated Creative Artist show with one of my entries, "Mountain Stream". I have been studio-less lately as we have been doing some updating in our kitchen and adjoining studio area, and the only paint I have seen lately is out of a gallon can! But the end of the dust has almost settled and I'm looking forward to setting up shop soon!