"Antique Book"

8 x 10

oil on stretched canvas

sold

Enjoyed incorporating this old Shakespearean book, dated 1858, into this painting. It's a beautiful book with a gold embossed cover and spine, but is so fragile that just by opening it causes pages to loosen, so it's not handled very often.

"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".

"Hilton Head Beach"

8 x 10

oil on stretched canvas

The beaches on Hilton Head Island were incredibly beautiful and pristine.

On another subject, my "Johnny Appleseed" painting has been purchased by the Toby Jug Museum in Evanston, Il. Check out the museum's site to learn more about the history of these unique ceramics.

"Beaufort Bay"

8 x 10

oil on stretched canvas

Just returned from a tour of the Low Country around Charleston and Savannah; loved everything we saw, but especially Beaufort, South Carolina. This is a view of the bay in Beaufort with the lush marshes in the foreground. These are the grasses that are used in the gullah baskets handwoven in the area. Beaufort was also one of the cities used in the filming of Forrest Gump.

"NEW BLOG"

8 x 10

oil on gessoed hardboard

Some Texas Artists Like To Paint is a new blog that officially kicks off June 1, so I invite you to visit our new group of Texas artists who will paint a different assigned theme each month. Of course we had to start out with "anything Texas" for this first month. When I saw this longhorn steer skull hanging on the front of a bar-b-q joint in Glen Rose, Texas, I thought this had to be my first entry. The longhorn, the Lone Star flag, the weathered wood siding...all screamed TEXAS to me. So visit often and see the many interpretations that all the different artists have to share.

"Texas Pickup"

8 x 10

oil on stretched canvas

Don't you think the pickup truck should be the official Texas state vehicle! On the highway outside of Lampasas, I spotted this one with cactus planted in the bed of the truck and sitting in a field of spring wildflowers and bluebonnets.

"Out To Pasture"

8 x 10

oil on stretched canvas
sold

Spotted this old rusty tractor out in a field on the back roads of the Texas Hill Country. It might have been put out to pasture as a work horse, but it still holds lots of beauty for an artist's eye.

ACA Award "Santa Fe Vendor"

8 x 10

oil on gessoed hardboard

The Dallas Associated Creative Artists (ACA) Annual Awards Show was last night and I feel very fortunate to have won one of the Merit Awards with my "Santa Fe Vendor" entry. He is a favorite of mine painted from a photo taken at the train station marketplace in Santa Fe. The show will hang at the Artist's Showplace for the month of May and I encourage anyone in the area to drop by to see some outstanding paintings. I'll attach my other two entries in the show.

11 x 14

"Johnny Appleseed"

sold

11 x 14

"Fruit Basket Turnover"

"Texas Pastures"

11 x 14

oil on stretched canvas

A couple of weeks ago we were heading south on highway 281 in the Texas Hill Country and were awestruck when we saw these fields of yellow wildflowers. A quick u-turn produced this lazy afternoon scene.

"Copper Tray"

11 x 14 (canvas size)

oil on stretched canvas

Decided to post this most recent painting in the frame. We've been out of town and it was great to get back home to paint. While we were gone I ran across this copper tray at an estate sale. I could just picture it in a still life setting, so couldn't resist bringing it home.

"Copper Teapot"

8 x 10

oil on stretched canvas
sold

Just found this teapot at an estate sale, and the cantaloupe and grapes were a part of our dinner. My husband says he can't tell if I'm buying food to eat or to paint! How about both!

"Herbs"

11 x 14

oil on stretched canvas

These parsley, rosemary, and basil plants were nice enough to "pose" for me before I repotted them! They will definitely end up in some summer dishes before long.

"Azalea Trail"

11 x 14

oil on hardboard

My second plein air painting! Our group went back to the Turtle Creek area in Dallas since the azaleas are in full bloom. There were only four of us today, but lots of fun to see the different interpretations of almost the same scene. I quit a little early to run out to SouthWest Galleries to see the plein air exhibit there. Be sure to go by if you are in the Dallas area.

"Pansies" and I'm a Winner!

8 x 10

oil on stretched canvas

The pansies this Spring have been "out of sight" beautiful! Hope they last a little longer, but I'm afraid they won't be happy with the approaching Texas heat.

On another note! Not long ago I discovered the wonderful artwork of Lisa Daria, and signed up to follow her blog. To my great surprise, this morning there was an email from Lisa announcing that in a drawing (by her dog, no less) that I had won her 300th daily painting. Check out her blog and enjoy her colorful, fresh style. Can't wait to receive my new painting...my birthday's next week, I'll consider it an early gift!!! Thank you, Lisa, and Brie (the dog)!!!

6 x 6 acrylic by Lisa Daria

Happy Easter

11 x 14

oil on canvas

Thought that I would paint something this week with an Easter theme, but never got around to it, so decided to post these bunnies that I painted over 20 years ago. Vladan Stiha (1908-1992) had a showroom at the LaFonda Hotel in Santa Fe and I remember being very inspired by his work. He mainly painted art of the Southwest but also created the most memorable works with ducks, and also rabbits. Thanks to Mr. Stiha for the inspiration for this Easter greeting to each of you!

"Fruit with Blue and White"

8 x 10

oil on stretched canvas

Since I collect a lot of blue and white china, it's always easy to find a piece or two worthy of incorporating into a painting.

"Chinese Bowl"

8 x 10

oil on stretched canvas

sold

When our son was first married, he and his wife were lucky enough to make a trip to China. Before they left, my daughter in law asked if there was something special she could bring back for me, and I told her anything blue and white would be great. Well, to my surprise, she hand carried this beautiful bowl back home to me. It is one of my special treasures! Thanks, Mallory!

"Solo Daisy"

8 x 10

oil on stretched canvas

Just realized that I started this blog one year ago. It's been a great year for artistic growth and especially for meeting and connecting with other artists in the blogging community. Thanks to each of you who have been so loyal with your comments and the wealth of information that you are so willing to share. I appreciate your friendship more than you know!

"Grapes Galore"

8 x 10

oil on stretched canvas

Started this with the canvas primed with red, something I've done in the past, and like hints of the red background "peeking" through. Have you seen the price of grapes lately, wow!

"Flavors"

8 x 10

oil on stretched canvas

Had fun painting all the layers of this purple onion, and do the green sprouts on the garlic mean that it's been "around too long"? Even so, I was happy to have that touch of green.

On another subject: Met a very talented artist, Carol Carmichael, at my last workshop and thought you would like to check out her new blog. Join me in welcoming her to the blogging community.

"Exall Lake"

9 x 12

oil on gessoed hardboard

Today was tailored made for plein air painting, which was fortunate because it was my first attempt. Perfect Spring temperature and very little wind...I think that's what makes for a good plein air day...that, and fun and creative artists to share the day with! Joined about 7-8 local painters who get together once a month at different locations around Dallas. Today they chose Exall lake, part of Turtle Creek in Highland Park, and also a popular picnic and walking area for locals since the late 1800's. Spring is definitely bursting out, starting with this flowering Bradford Pear tree. Will look forward to another outing with this talented group!

"Fruit Basket Turnover"

11 x 14

oil on stretched canvas

Isn't "fruit basket turnover" a childhood game, it rings a bell with me from the past! Wanted to try one more still life after my workshop, but will now start thinking "plein air" since a local group has asked me to join them this weekend for one of the first outings this year. It will also be a first for me, so will have to downsize my gear from "u-haul" size to something I can carry!

"I'm Guarding The Fruit"

11 x 14

oil on stretched canvas

sold

This ceramic rooster seems to be in charge of all the fruit!

"Qiang Huang Workshop # 3"

9 x 12

oil on stretched canvas

sold

The workshop with Qiang Huang has been a fantastic three days, all so well run...and filled with a wealth of information and hands on instruction. I would encourage anyone who has a chance to study with Qiang to not miss the opportunity. He is so well organized, very giving with his knowledge and has a gift for sharing his talent with each student. He is hoping to have his class demos posted to his blog within the next few days after he returns home. Be sure to check out his work. It is magical to see him "in action" at the easel!

"Qiang Huang Workshop #2"

8 x 10

oil on stretched canvas

sold

Qiang paints the most beautiful roses and many in the workshop today requested that his demo include roses. So when it was time for the students to paint, I felt that I should follow his lead and give it a try. My hats off to all you floral painters! This was another great day in the workshop with lots of valuable information given in a power point presentation, followed by Qiang's demo and then the class doing a still life of their choosing from a number of available props.

Thanks to each of you who have shown interest in these workshop posts, hope to have one more post tomorrow after the last day of the class. It's been a blast!

"Qiang Huang Workshop"

8 x 10

oil on stretched canvas

sold

Today was the first day of a workshop with Qiang Huang and I feel like a kid in a candy store! He is such a great instructor..very hands on, approachable, and a comforting ease with his students. Starts the workshop with an hour of power point background and instruction, followed by an incredible demo, lunch, then painting with available setup material. This is the result of my afternoon's painting...with lots of hands on suggestions. Qiang is helping me see colors I've been missing, lights and darks that "who knew", composition, lost lines...you name it...my head is swimming! Two more days!!! Yeah!!!

"Look This Way"

8 x 10

oil on gessoed hardboard

Still mainly using the Zorn palette, but added a little green and violet to complement the red of the apples.

"Get in Line"

8 x 10

oil on hardboard

Ran across a new painting challenge site, RookiePainter, and realized that today was the final day for the first challenge. Check out the other entries. Hopefully some of the DSFDF artists will enter in future weeks.

"Left Out"

8 x 10

oil on gessoed hardboard
sold

Another painting using the Zorn palette mentioned in the previous post.

"Johnny Appleseed"

11 x 14

oil on gessoed hardboard

sold

Here is a view of one of my bookshelves, well, minus the apple. This was a new experiment for me; adopting the limited palette of Swedish painter Anders Zorn. There were only four colors used; cadmium red light, yellow ochre, ivory black and titanium white. Very freeing, but challenging as well. I will definitely try this again!

Also want to take this opportunity to thank three artists, each of whom honored me with the Sunshine Award: Trish Siegel, Karen Bruson, and Mitzi Easley. I can't thank you enough, along with other artists who are so kind to visit and leave comments on my work. Please check out the websites for Trish, Karen and Mitzi and enjoy their creative artistry.

The rules for accepting the award are:

Put the logo on your blog or within your post.
Pass the award onto 12 bloggers.
Link the nominees within your post.
Let the nominees know they received this award.
Link to the person from whom you received this award.

I am so appreciative of the people who have signed on to "follow" my blog and would like to pass this award on to some of them:

Rosemary Sexton

Nancy Elstad

Olga Wagner

Millie

Lisa Bebi

Cathie Tonkins

Silvia Williams

Carolann

Joan Sicignano

Sylviane

Linda Wilder

Kathleen Harrington

"Stacked"

11 x 14

oil on gessoed hardboard

click here to bid

Still working on some still lifes in preparation for my workshop with Qiang Huang in about 10 days. You might want to check out a video of one of his demos.

"White on White"

9 x 12

oil on gessoed hardboard

Have been wanting to try a more neutral pallet. Guess our record Dallas snowfall within the last few days has me seeing "white'!

"Dots and Daisies"

11 x 14

oil on hardboard

Guess I should have titled this 'dots, daisies, limes and peppers"! The gerber daisy arrangement is from a birthday party I had for my husband, and the peppers, well, they were just too delicious looking to resist.

I'm taking a workshop at the end of this month with Qiang Huang and thought I'd better work on a still life for a little practice.

"Bless This Food"

11 x 13

oil on gessoed hardboard

sold

This is a framed donation to a fundraiser at our church. The choir, well know for their incredible talent, puts on a Valentine's dinner and musical review each year to help fund their trip to England. This year they have added auction items to their program, let's hope this helps!

"Saints and Talavera"

11 x 13

oil on gessoed hardboard

One more painting of the Talavera jar and saints, but without the Santa from a December post.

"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.

"Saints Galore"

8 x 10

oil on gessoed hardboard

Merry Christmas to all (from my kitchen window sill)!

"Mighty Tasty"

8 x 10

oil on gessoed hardboard

Loved this image of our grandson taken this summer. When we saw this on the camp website, we stopped worrying that he might be homesick as a first year camper!

Portrait Challenge

9 x 12

oil on hardboard

At the end of year, Karin Jurick offers a portrait challenge for her participating artists of her DSFDF site. I was one lucky artist this year to have been sent this beautiful photo to paint. Karin had suggested doing more than one painting, which was great advice for me, since I was happier with my second attempt (see the original try posted below). I first printed the photo and painted from that, but feel that if I could have had the computer monitor and the easel side by side, it would have been a better reference. I paint in a different room than the office computer, but that's definitely something to work on in the new year.

See some of the first portraits submitted on You Tube! You Tube, part 2, part 3, part 4.

This past Saturday I spent a delightful afternoon with a fellow Dallas artist, Angela Elledge, visiting an outdoor painter's exhibit, and over lunch we were discussing Karin's upcoming challenge. I was concerned about being able to capture a likeness of my photo, while she was equally worried about what to do with a more whimsical photo she had received. Be sure to check out Angela's site and see her masterful portrait. I'm impressed, Angela!

Here is my reference photo.

Okay, didn't I just mention that I was lucky enough to draw a beautiful artist to paint! Wonder why I couldn't be as lucky and win the lottery!

8 x 10

oil on hardboard

This was my first try at the portrait, but felt it was too strong in color for the softness of the subject, so set out for a second attempt with a "lighter hand".