"Evening Glow"

"Evening Glow"

oil on board, 8" x 10"

SOLD

We had this little house in our backyard when we lived in Seattle and it always had the best cozy feel at night with all the lights turned up. I love small buildings!

"Coming to Town"

"Coming to Town" 

oil on board, 6" x 6"

SOLD

Had to do it. I've never painted a Santa before. We're getting in the spirit over here!

"Spotted"

"Spotted"

oil on board, 5" x 5"

SOLD

Beauty has its dark side. I love that these grow in our area but I make sure to keep some distance as they are poisonous. They are stunning though...

"Big Red"

"Big Red"

oil on board, 5" x 5"

SOLD

Big Red has moved on to a farm with 25 hens and one happy camper. I hear he is doing a great job of protecting them from eagles. He has glorious colors!

"Joyfully Bursting Through"

 "Joyfully Bursting Through"

oil on board, 4" x 4"

SOLD

Big name for a small painting. I know. This is from a forest near me in Agren park and one day during soccer practice the sun just burst through the tall trees changing all the light around the area. It was spectacular. It really warrants a large canvas. Maybe soon.

Vashon Art Studio Tour!!

Chester and Branagh

"Chester"

oil on board, 11" x 14"

SOLD

"Branagh"

oil on board, 11" x 14"

(finished)
SOLD

I've been working on this pair of commissions for a bit now and might be finished (pending approval of the owners!). What a sweet pair of dogs! I really enjoyed working on these two. 

I'm finally in my new studio and am loving to have more space. The Studio Art Tour is next weekend and the following weekend and then I am looking forward to painting some new large format pieces.

"Branagh"

"Branagh"

oil on board, 11"x14"

Working on a commission and this is my first try. She is such a cute terrier! There will be more to come along with her companion Chester. I love animal faces! Not quite finished but I have to let it dry before I can add the final details.

"Bright Eyes"

"Bright Eyes" study

oil on board, 5" x 7"

SOLD

There are so many colors in the human face when you look closely! I may add a layer of softer colors over this to get the sweeter look of this baby but I love the brightness of the eyes. 

"Cornered"

"Cornered"

oil on board, 8"x 10"

It's hard for me to avoid painting cats when I get down to business working on daily paintings. This is Lilly hanging out by the heater. Different day, different mood.

"Busy Bee"

"Busy Bee"

oil on board, 8" x 8"

SOLD

I don't know where the time has gone but I have been feeling exactly like this bee... busy, busy, busy. My show at ArtsWest will have a reception this week but other than that my life has been taken over by the needs of children, parties at school, auctions, birthdays, and Halloween. It's always the craziest 2 weeks for me each year. So, I'm glad to get the chance to paint today. I find it hard to be creative with out some moments of quiet. I should be in my new, bigger studio by the end of the month in time for the Vashon Art Studio tour with friends Laura Strand Whitmore and Diane Fox.

ArtsWest Show Open!

"Crusty Loaf"

"Crusty Loaf"

oil on canvas, 24" x 30"

SOLD

Just finished this (mostly) with a few details to go as it dries. There is more contrast in the background and below the bread but I need to photograph it again for more of it to show...

"This Little Piggy Stayed Home"

"This Little Piggy Stayed Home"

oil on board, 12"x 16"

SOLD

I painted this fellow once before in another pose but I wanted at least one more chance. He really stole my heart as he tried to get my attention but seemed shy all the same. What a beautiful creature!

"Soft"

"Soft"

oil on board, 4" x 4"

SOLD

This is my second painting of this same subject. I bought a few new colors and painted this version with a completely different palette from the set I normally use. I loved some of the new ways to mix colors. More to come.

"Sleep"

"Sleep"

oil on board, 8"x 8"

SOLD

I had a painting that was a big fail, sooo I wiped it off and started putting different colors on it one at a time. This is what came of it. What do you think??

"Madrona"

"Madrona"

oil on board, 5"x 5"

SOLD

Another tiny piece for me while I work steadily on larger pieces... The island has many of these Madronas with their beautiful peeling bark and orange interior. This is just a quick glimpse while we still have days of sun here in the Northwest. We don't see this kind of blue sky forever.

"Wrinkled" WIP

"Wrinkled" WIP

oil on canvas, 22" x 28"

I still have some details and softening to do with this but I'm mostly done. I will post the final product in a day or so...

"Unwrapped"

"Unwrapped"

oil on canvas, 54"x 54"

This piece has been on the easel for a long time and has had many transformations. I didn't like the background colors before. I tend to think the dark brings out the subject better for my purposes. This was really a lot of work and I'm happy with the outcome. Hopefully this piece will be part of my show at the Artswest Gallery in November and December in West Seattle. It should be a great show!

"Whiskers"

"Whiskers"

oil on board 5" x 5"

SOLD

These are some of my favorite colors to paint. This is my cat Bob spending the afternoon soaking up warmth from the window.

"Things Are Looking Up"

"Things Are Looking Up"

oil on board, 2.5"x 3.5"

SOLD

We went to the Puyallup Fair last week and enjoyed seeing all the animals so much. This beautiful goose wasn't so sure about us and watched for a while before venturing closer. I haven't painted many works this tiny but I really enjoyed this one.

Opening Friday!

Hope you can join me!

"Art Bug"

"ArtBug"

oil on board, 5" x 5"

This was my bug, I should say my last bug, but I had to sell it as we don't have a garage. It was quite challenge to paint as it had such a crazy paint job. You would recognize it if you ever saw it. I'll paint another one someday, the actual VW bug I mean.

"Bitten"

"Bitten"

oil on board, 5" x 7"

SOLD

Getting ready for my big show and just squeezing in a few small paintings while I can and hope they dry in our hot weather. I can't do this later in the year when we are steeped in rain. We have had an incredible summer in the northwest, the kind that makes you not even think about leaving in the depths of November rain. I have soaked every minute of sun I can.

"A Horse, of Course"

"A Horse, of Course"

oil on board, 5" x 7"
SOLD

"With Almonds"

oil on canvas, 36" x 48"

I posted this already but got a better picture of the actual colors this time. It's been hard as it is such a dark piece.

"Big Fellow"

"Big Fellow"

oil on board, 5" x 5"

SOLD

My biggest black cat in the sun with his white toes. 

"Easy Being Green"

"Easy Being Green"

oil on board, 8" x 8"

SOLD

Here is one of my favorite frog friends that occasionally hang out in my blackberry bushes. They come for the fruit flies once the berries are on. It's a tree frog no more than an inch. Nature is amazing.

"Coke Can"

"Coke Can"

oil on board, 5"x 7"

SOLD

Always fun to paint these kinds of reflections. I could see doing a large one of these.

"Pink Lemonade"

"Pink Lemonade"

oil on board, 12" x 16"

SOLD

What can I say? It's hot for the Northwest and this is just the ticket, pink lemonade with a lime slice. 

"Taking in the View"

"Taking in the View"

oil on board, 6" x 6"

SOLD

I'm on a VW roll. Guess I am missing mine. Yes, this is the Grand Tetons in the background. My Dad lives in Wyoming so it's about the other state we get to sometimes. They are sure a sight to behold on a clear day. My very first car was a cherry red VW bug but it didn't have the top down feature. It sure was pretty though...

"With Almonds"

"With Almonds"

oil on canvas, 36" x 48"

I have been working on this for quite some time as it is huge. I see a couple of things I'm going to soften now that that I have it photographed (like the red reflection on the bottom edge!) but I like the overall piece. It was also a bit hard to photograph due to it bing such a dark piece as well. The only way I get to eat one of these in my house is to buy them with almonds as the kids don't like almonds!! More for me.

"Fisher Pond"

"Fisher Pond"

oil on board, 9" x 12"

SOLD

I don't often paint landscapes but I loved the blue sky reflections in this so much... This is a real Vashon landmark!

"Stretch"

"Stretch"

oil on board, 8" x 10"
SOLD

I am a bit low on kitty paintings so I had to add a couple for this show...

"Happy Van"

"Happy Van"

oil on board, 6"x 6"

SOLD

I guess I could have also called this "Hippy Van" but it just seemed to be happily on its way down the road, not worrying about speed or anything at all. I miss my bug dearly now that it is summer but it's the winter that kills an old car out here. Maybe I will have another one someday... only if we have a garage too!

"Angry Birds"

"Georgina"

oil on board, 6" x 6"

"Butterscotch"

oil on board, 6" x 6"
SOLD

"Gnocchi"

oil on board, 6" x 6"

These three make up my "Angry Birds" trio. They are all hens and are pretty tired of putting up with the rooster. I have seen them all take after him on occasion so thought I would capture the mood. I wish I had a stare that good, it might keep the kids in line!

"Candied" Large

"Candied"

oil on canvas, 24" x 36"

SOLD

I finally finished this piece (large version). I might do just a few teeny, tiny touch-ups now that I have it photographed, but I really like how it came out... These apples are so red and shiny, two of my absolute favorite things to paint!

"Marshmallow"

"Marshmallow"

oil on board, 8" x 10"

SOLD

I love these kind of moments in the middle of summer. It sure takes a lot of effort to go camping but then it's always worth it for the perfect toasted marshmallow.

"AJ"

"AJ"

oil on board, 6" x 6"

For Amy... Happy Birthday! (AJ is a very lovely Bouvier des Flandres)

"Vashon Clouds"

"Vashon Clouds"

oil on board, 6" x 6"

SOLD

I don't often paint landscapes but I couldn't help myself when the evening clouds are this beautiful. 

"Candied Apples"

"Candied Apples"

oil on board, 8" x 10"

SOLD

I've been wanting to paint these for a while but it was a challenge just getting my hands on some. Eventually I spent the time to learn to make them from scratch at home. They came out terrific! Now, it will only be okay if we don't pull our teeth out consuming them.

"Couple of Pints"

"Couple of Pints"

oil on board, 11" x 14"

SOLD

A hefeweizen and an amber go to a bar... There is a joke in here somewhere. A toast to summer!

"Samson" a study in whites

"Samson"

oil on board, 6" x 6"

SOLD

I love the challenge of this all white stunning creature. It was a workout for my brain and I was painting late into the night. I usually don't do that as I can lose my sense of color after dark. I like how this turn out though... Maybe a big painting to come??

Article!

This is me in the local paper, The Beachcomber, in a photo by Liz Sheperd. I don't usually toot my own horn, but Liz wrote a really nice article about me in her Artful Life series this past week. I am truly grateful for kind words from Liz and Pam Ingalls as well. I don't love the limelight in general but this is terrific exposure for my work and my upcoming show in September on the island. Here is a link if you are interested! 

http://www.vashonbeachcomber.com/entertainment/160445735.html

"Bill"

"Bill"

oil on board, 6" x 6"

SOLD

This is another try, in a different style of painting. Impressionistic suits this pup better.

How Now Brown Cow ?

"How Now Brown Cow?"

oil on board, 6" x 6"

SOLD

This one was just for fun. I love these soft nosy brown cows. They were so friendly and curious.

"Toasty"

"Toasty"

oil on board, 6" x 6"

SOLD

His name is not Toasty, but his fur sure is. He loves a warm summer day.  This is Saturn, one of my large orange kitties.