"Scout"

22 x 30

oil on stretched canvas

This painting is being sent for jury selection to the Chisholm Trail Western Art Show at the Tales "N" Trails Museum in Nacona, Texas, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Chisholm Trail. This period in the late 1800's represents the cattle drives from Texas to Kansas.

Paint The Town

Here are a few of the plein air paintings from last week's Paint the Town event in Marble Falls, TX. The wildflowers were abundant everywhere you looked and fortunately the weather was equally as perfect. Spring in the Texas Hill Country is a season every artists looks forward to painting. 

"San Juan River"

11x14

oil

Couldn't have found a more beautiful display of fall colors than this view of the San Juan River in Pagosa Springs, CO. Painted while on a paint out with a group of OPS painters this past September.

14 x 11

oil

This was the first morning light coming through the fog in the backyard of the Pagosa Springs, CO cabin where we stayed this past fall. Just noticed that my previous post is a painting of that cabin. What a great trip!

11 x 14

oil on canvas panel

sold

Had the pleasure of staying in this fantastic mountain cabin in Pagosa Springs, CO this Fall. And yes, that is a bear in the front yard...a bear sculpture.

The painting is now hanging in the homeowner's office.

"Happy Halloween"

11 X 14

oil on canvas panel

This is Christine our model from yesterday's portrait studio. Perfect timing with the Halloween season right around the corner, love the witches hat!

"Hill Country Road"

11 x 14

oil on panel
Sold

Driving along any back road throughout the Texas Hill Country, my favorite place in this great state!

"Beau"

8 x 8

oil on gallery canvas

nfs

Beau is our son's lovable pet, full of excitement, and always happy to see you! The painting was a birthday gift for a new home.

"Trail's End"

16 x 20

oil on stretched canvas

This painting has been entered to be juried into the Bosque Art Classic for this coming September. Wish me luck!

"Abby"

12 x 12 x 1 1/2

oil on gallery stretched canvas

sold

Here's hoping this birthday gift commission is a big success!

"Homeless"

16 x 20

oil on stretched canvas

See this gentleman almost every time I go to the grocery store. He and his worldly possessions in his grocery cart take up residence on a bus stop bench just across the street from where I shop. Stopped one day to ask if he minded if I took his photo explaining that I was a painter and would be interested in painting him. He was so accommodating and couldn't wait to talk about art with me.

Hoping this will be juried into the national OPA show here this coming spring.

"Homeward Bound"

22 x 30

oil on stretched canvas

Heading home at the end of the day results in an eager sprint! 

This will be one of my two entries into the National Oil Painters of America show held here in Dallas this coming May, 2016.

"Sunset Campsite"

22 x 30

oil on stretched canvas

Not sure how I let so many months pass before I post new paintings on this blog. Certainly not that I haven't been painting! Miss it and especially keeping up with blog friends and seeing their new artwork. Okay, like everyone else, here's to new years resolutions to improve on posts!

This painting was inspired by a group of tepees just south of Santa Fe, NM. The western sunsets add even more awe to an already magnificent landscape. 

Thanks for checking in!

"Sam"

6 x 6

oil

sold

Sam is a precious dog that we met on a recent trip to TN. Not sure of the breed, but shaggy definitely fits the description. Wonder what he sees out from under that mop of hair!

"Santa Rita Veranda"

9x12

oil on canvas panel

The residential area of Santa Rita in San Angelo, TX has some of the most beautiful homes in the country. This is a veranda on an outstanding Spanish style home, with beautiful gardens overlooking the Concho River. Still remember the PERFECT plein air day this was painted, sitting under a shade tree, mild temperature, no wind...all that keeps a plein air painter coming back for more.

9x12

oil on canvas panel

This was painted in San Angelo, TX in the Santa Rita area, late one afternoon on a recent OPS paint out. Loved the dancing shadows on this adobe wall surrounding a beautiful Spanish style home.

"Bluebonnets and Cactus"

9 x 12

oil on canvas

available at Adobe Western Art Gallery

Fort Worth, TX
sold

Painted from a Spring trip to the Texas Hill Country, near Llano, Tx. This season was exceptional for the wildflowers, and the bluebonnets mixed with the cactus made for a painting every where you looked.

"Afternoon Nap"

12x24x1

oil on gallery wrapped canvas

Have a friend who has three boys and lastly, this precious little girl. Saw this photo and immediately knew that I wanted to create this painting. With permission granted, here is my interpretation of the "afternoon nap" with the family dog. Thanks, Bridgett!

"Cactus Out Back"

9 x 12

oil on canvas panel

On a recent trip to San Angelo, TX, a friend offered his ranch for the day to our plein air group. I found the perfect place to paint, covered patio in the back of their bunkhouse, out of the sun and the wind and with this perfect view. All the plein air comforts of home!

Award

Was honored this past weekend to win second place in the "Paint The Glen" plein air event in Glen Rose, Texas, sponsored by the Barnard Mill Art League.

We had terrible rain and thunder storms the night before, but fortunately the sky cleared for the paint out. "After The Rain At The Sexton Feed Mill", 11x14, oil, is the winning painting.

"Morning Walk"

9x1

oil on canvas panel

Snow is a rare occurrence in Texas, so we enjoy the beauty of a sunlit morning on fresh snow whenever we can. Started to name this one, Here Today, Gone Tomorrow, which is how long we normally get to enjoy the snow around here. Found a neighbor walking his dog right after we had a 3-4 inch accumulation the night before. As you can see the sun was out bright and early, so it was mostly melted by that afternoon. Aww, Texas winters!

"Bend in the Rio Grande River"

9x12 oil

available at the Adobe Art Gallery

Ft Worth, TX

This was painted along the Rio Grande River on a beautiful fall day not too far north of Santa Fe, NM. You can't beat the colors in New Mexico!

Painting Challenge Day 5

Day five of the 3 Paintings in 5 Days takes me to some plein air paintings I have done in the last couple of years...the cabin in Estes Park CO, the DeGolyer house at the Arboretum in Dallas, lawn chairs in Monteagle, TN, a low water crossing in Palo Duro Canyon, a horse trailer on the Tweedy Ranch in San Angelo, TX, adobe in Taos, NM and back to Co for the tepees. Lots of travel, and each one a memorable trip. 

I've always said that plein air painting is like keeping a diary, every painting brings back a memory of the place, the season, the weather and the people we traveled with or visited along the way. I joined Outdoor Painters Society four years ago and have met the most fabulous people throughout the country as well as outstanding artists who have aided in my growth as an artist. Life is good!

Thanks for following along with this 5 day challenge!

Painting Challenge Day 4

And still keeping with a theme of paintings for the 3 Paintings in 5 Days, here is a selection of still life paintings.

Haven't done as many still life setups lately since I have gotten more involved in painting en plein air with the Outdoor Painter's Society.

 So guess that tells you what the theme for day five will be!

Thanks for following along with this challenge where people are posting their works on Facebook. Just in case you think I can't count, I couldn't decide on just three paintings, so here are five instead!

Painting Challenge Day 3

I'm still keeping with a "theme" for each day of this 3 Paintings in 5 Days Challenge, and today I've chosen portraits or figurative works.

 In case you are thinking that I can't count, I know that I included four instead of three paintings, hard to choose what you want to feature, so just went with an extra one.

Featured in this post is "I Haul Bulls for a Livin'", "Indian Chief", "Frida", and "Lining Up the Putt".
Have never really studied portrait painting and I certainly don't consider myself a portrait artist, just love doing them!

Painting Challenge Day 2

Continuing with the 3 Paintings in 5 Days, I have chosen some trucks and tractors from earlier paintings. Haven't tried these recently, might have to revisit this theme. And speaking of themes, I seem to love to paint all subjects so my topics are all over the place. Wonder if that is a good or bad thing!

Thanks for following along with this challenge, now to look up some older paintings and decide what will be featured on day 3.

Painting Challenge Day 1

Someone, not sure who, started a "3 Paintings in 5 Days Challenge" on Facebook not long ago and if you are a Facebook user, you have probably seen some fabulous artwork going across your screen. I was nominated to participate by friend and fellow artist Melissa Arthur, CO artist with Texas roots. The idea is to post three paintings, starting with some earlier work and progressing each day to more current paintings...and each day nominating another artists...so you can see how the idea is spreading across the internet.

These three, as you can see, are pet portraits I did several years ago. I still paint pet commissions, so contact me if you are interested! Always fun to reminisce over older paintings, so will check my files to see what comes up tomorrow. Stay tuned!

Christmas Truck

6 x 6

oil on panel

sold

Hope everyone is having a great holiday season.

Merry Christmas!

"Frida"

12 x 12

oil with acrylic border

sold

We are still so astonished by the hospitality of the entire town of San Angelo during the recent EnPleinAirTexas show, especially the gracious hosts that housed us for the week. I wish I could share with you their spectacular house, decorated entirely with Mexican folk art. As a thank you I have painted this portrait of Frida Kahlo. If you are not familiar with her, please google and find out about her life...she's a real legend in the Mexican culture. Believe me, this will not be the only Frida in our host's home! I'm sure I saw dozens there!

The portrait is painted in oil with the frame-border serape design in acrylic. 

Thank you Lori and Pat for your hospitality! 

"San Angelo Collage"

Here is a "taste" of the paintings I had in the San Angelo En Plein Air Competition Show. Wow, what a week we had here in West Texas. This was the inaugural event and because of the outstanding promotions, organization, sales and acceptance from the community, I feel sure this will be an annual event.  Feel very fortunate to have been in the show with so many talented artists from around the country, even France. Next goal...getting accepted in the judging next year!

The first day as I was painting the above train, I was approached by a local news agency, interviewed, and was featured on the evening TV news. How cool is that!

All the artists were wined, dined and introduced to the entire area by way of planned paint out locations, including the downtown area which includes the Concho River and Fort Concho, beautiful residential area with homes dated from the early 1900's at the time of the Santa Rita oil discovery, a beautiful winery in the small community of Christoval, and two days of painting on area ranches (truly West Texas country). Think rocky terrain, live oak and mesquite trees, cattle, goats, cactus, oil and gas wells, lots of areas only approachable with a four-wheeler.

All in all, a fantastic week of painting, meeting all the West Texas charming people of San Angelo, and mixing with fabulous artists from around the country.
I'm sure I'll be posting lots more about this first time event!

"Play Ball"

12 x 12 x 2

oil on stretched gallery canvas
sold

This is a donation for auction to Treasure Street, benefiting the Scottish Rite Hospital here in Dallas. The hospital does wonders for children with disabilities, which is especially dear to my heart since I had a brother who was a paraplegic all of his life. He was the director for Easter Seals in his area and always gave more than he received. He was very active in promoting handicap access to public buildings, and I always think of him when I see ramps and cuts in sidewalk curbs. Hope this little "eager to play puppy" will be of some help for a very deserving child.

Thinking of you, Buddy, love you and miss you!

"Dog Days of Summer"

4 1/2 x 12

oil on canvas

Purchase

Something a little different...have a Happy Labor Day Weekend! 

"Creek Bed Discoveries"

11 x 14

oil on stretched canvas
sold

A good part of the fun in painting is trying to capture the feeling that you had the first time you see a scene that intrigues you, and trying to keep that freshness that drew you in, in the first place. I was driving across a country bridge when I spotted these two boys, stopped the car and took a couple of photographs, thinking about how much fun they were having on this summer afternoon without a care in the world. Then there were screeching tires, and a mom yelling that she had been looking all over for them, get home immediately. Oh well, end of their fun....and mine too!

"Happy Hours"

9x12

oil on canvas panel

sold

This is a commission painting that I did for a client in Monteagle, Tn. "Happy Hours" is the name of this summer home, and seemed very appropriate to paint over the fourth of July weekend. Can't you just imagine the fun times this family has on that screened-in porch. 

If you are interested in seeing a great youtube about Monteagle, here is a link to the video that my husband put together after his photography workshop there. Photos are his students as well as some of his own taken during the week we were there. Enjoy the music as well as the photos!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kioriYtmKKs  

"Orange and Sunflowers"

9 x 12

oil on canvas panel

Sold

I've been concentrating on plein air paintings so much lately, it was nice to do something different. 

I have an upcoming plein air competition event this fall so will still be getting ready for that, but hope to do more fun pieces like this as well...altho, believe it or not, this too was painted outside from a still life set up. 

"Til The Cows Come Home"

9 x 12

oil on canvas panel

Purchase here

Spotted these guys on a ranch outside of Dallas. Seems as they were very curious about me as I was determined to take their photograph. Found the back lighting on this late afternoon especially interesting. 

"White Rock Stables"

9 x 12

oil on canvas panel

Purchase here

Had a great day out with some of my painting buddies for a day of plein air. White Rock Lake in the middle of Dallas offers wonderful painting opportunities away from the hustle of city life, not only the lake and boats, but hiking and bike trails, and a real hidden jewel is the stables. 

Wasn't sure how this photo would turn out, seems I've misplaced my camera charger, so took this was taken with my iPhone camera. Think it's pretty close to the original painting. Have new batteries and charger ordered so will retake when they arrive and compare the two photos.

"Heidi"

9 x 12

oil on stretched canvas

commission, sold

Meet Heidi, a friend's Schnauzer, and truly the "queen bee" and love of her family. Guess most family pets fit into that category! I had a ton of photos to paint from, but knew immediately that this was the pose that stood out of all the rest. She does look very queenly and proud of herself, don't you think!