"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!

"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!

30 in 30, #21

9 x 12

oil on canvas, $95

Purchase here

Love this cowboy's happy face knowing he's having fun working on the ranch, #21 from my series "30 Paintings in 30 Days".

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!

"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.

"A Day At The Beach"

11 x 14

oil on stretched canvas

I painted this beach scene that was fashioned after a similar painting by deceased Dallas artist Helen Cuthbertson. I know very little about Helen or her work except that my daughter in law and her twin sister collect her paintings. I was fortunate to find this one at an estate sale and was thrilled to have found it a few weeks before my daughter in law's birthday which was today. Ever gotten a gift for someone else and really wanted to keep it for yourself? Well, that happened to me with this painting, but did the right thing and gave it away, but not before painting a smaller version for myself. The framed original was painted on a 16 x 20 canvas. Now we'll both be happy with our new works of art!

"Lining Up The Putt"

20 x 24

oil on stretched canvas
sold

Here's the finished golfer that I posted last week in the beginning stages. The first post showed the block in, and using only a combination of burnt siena/ultramarine blue the value ranges were laid out. I usually paint in the alla prima style but worked on this for several days. What fun to finally add the color!

On the easel

Haven't posted anything recently, but have been painting. Thought I would show what's on the easel now in the "sketch" stage. Painted on a 20 x 24 which is a little larger than what I've been doing lately, mainly because of my small studio area. Looks like I'm creeping out into the living area of the house!

"Little Ranch Hands"

11 x 14

oil on stretched canvas
available at Dutch Art Gallery

A couple of young guys at a local rodeo, dreaming of the day that they will be ridin' and ropin'. Loved painting these young boys, makes me think of our two sons...how quickly they grow up! 

"Can You Hear Me Now"

8 x 8

oil on gessoed hardboard

The Daily Paintworks challenge this week is a photo of a windy day in New York City taken by Linda Popple. Carol Marine, who started this weekly challenge, sent out a call for ideas and Linda provided this photo. Such a typical scene these days as we all try to stay connected. Check the link for all the different interpretations!

"Rainy Day in Rome"

11 x 14

oil on stretched canvas

A couple of years ago on vacation my husband and I stopped at this cafe in Rome and enjoyed lunch under the umbrellas on the left, unaffected by the afternoon showers. The rain stopped just as we finished eating and when we left the cafe I turned around to take the above photograph. Great memories!

"Patty Cake"

8 x 8

oil on hardboard
sold

I was out shopping yesterday and saw this adorable child with her grandmother, who I quickly asked if she minded if I take a photograph. Gave her one of my cards so she wouldn't think I was a stalker! But I was instantly taken in by this happy little girl, and with so much hair at such a young age. She immediately started playing "patty cake" when I took my camera out. Had never painted dark skin tones, so refered to Color Mixing Recipes by William F. Powell for a good formula. A great reference book if you haven't read it.

"Fishing In Pagosa Springs"

8 x 10

oil on gessoed hardboard

The Some Texas Artists Like to Paint blog has a different theme each month and for September it's "fish". Not having any idea what I would contribute, I looked through some past photographs and found this, a guy fishing in the stream in downtown Pagosa Springs. We were fortunate to spend a week with friends in Colorado last year and I remember snapping this photo from a bridge along the river walk. Thought the overhead view and foreshortened figure looked a little abstract amidst the water and rocks.

"Dreaming"

7 1/2 x 8

oil on hardboard

This month the theme for the blog Some Texas Artists Like To Paint is "dreams", and I have painted this picture of my granddaughter napping at age 3 (she's now 13). Be sure and check out what my fellow Texas artist friends are posting.

"Last Putt of the Day"

8 x 10

oil on stretched canvas

Another golf shot inspired by the recent British Open.

I have a good friend who just started her blog, check it out http://suethompsonpaints.blogspot.com/ and welcome her to our blogging community.

"In The Rough"

8 x 10

oil on hardboard

sold

Thought this was a great shot from the recent British Open. My golfer husband said a better title would have been "Out of the Rough" if the player hit the ball correctly. Which ever is correct, you get the idea!

"Texas Star"

8 x 10

oil on hardboard

sold

Texas is known as the Lone Star state, and I think the real star (besides the one on the flag) is the Texas cowboy.

"Surfing"

8 x 10

oil on stretched canvas

There's a different kind of surfing going on at the beaches these days! This sun worshiper at Hilton Head Island was staying connected to the outside world by "surfing the internet".

"Caroline"

8 x 10

oil on hardboard

Guess Karin Jurick's recent on line challenge still has me in "portrait mode". This is painted from a photo of my granddaughter, Caroline.

Self Portrait

9 x 12

oil on hardboard

Since Karin Jurick's recent portrait challenge, many of the artists were doing self portraits. I realized that I had never done one myself, so why not start this year out with that challenge. One thing for sure, it's given me a whole new respect for portrait painters. This was painted from the entry photo I sent to Karin.