Big Honey bear mostly done.

Title???

36" x 48" 

finally covered in paint, final details to come...

I don't have a title just yet and there is more to come but it feels like a huge accomplishment to have it covered in paint. This has been taking me so long due to the complicated shapes and subtle color shifts. I will post the final version soon.

The 3 little pieces below are my series called "Tired of Games" , "Rock", "Paper", " Peace." They are 5"x 5" paintings on board.

SOLD

Max Paintings

Max Too.

oil on board, 6"x 6"

NFS

Max with Ball.

(Never Going to Let Go.)

oil on board, 8"x 10"

NFS

These are for my dear friend Amy. Max is a blast to paint due to his pointy fur. There could be more coming. I'm still working on my huge Honey Bear and hope to finish in a week or so. I will also post some other miniatures I've been working on later in the day. Just haven't had the time to photograph everything.

Recent work

detail of work in progress

I've been working on this painting for weeks now, very slowly I might add. It is very complicated and I was feeling guilty about not posting so here is part close up and  below is the work in progress. The bottom has the most beautiful red and yellow honey in it and I think when it's all finished, it will be spectacular. It is really large, 36" x 48". So I am taking it slow to get it right with all the complicated reflections and distortion...

WIP

Below are a couple small pieces I have fit in at night. I definitely am feeling the difference of my 2 styles, impressionistic when small and photorealistic when large... I guess I can be both.

"Knee Deep in Grass"

oil on board, 6"x 6"

SOLD

"Riff"

 oil on board, 2.5" x 3.5"
SOLD

a couple small works

"Jeans and Sneakers"

oil on board, 6"x 6"

SOLD

"Loaded"

oil on board, 2.5" x 3.5"
SOLD

Thought I'd toss in a couple small things. I've been super busy as summer nears it's end and school is on the horizon. I'm still working on my really big piece and will post a partial view soon. Feels like slow going...

Standing Stones

"Standing Stones"

oil on board, 5"x 7"

SOLD

I'm working on a really cool large piece at the moment but I keep trying to do a few small pieces at the same time. Here are some beautiful stones from the beach the other day.

BAM Artsfair Weekend

My booth at BAM Artsfair in Bellevue!

I just wanted to thank all of you who came by my booth and made my show so successful this past weekend in Bellevue. I loved talking and meeting so many people and being a part of this wonderful art show. I am back to painting and thinking about all of your ideas for other things to paint! What fun... I hope to be back next year.

"Warming Buddha"

"Warming Buddha"

oil on canvas, 18" x 24"

SOLD

I painted a much smaller version on this Happy Buddha a little while ago and have also been working on this larger version. This one was lit from below and in front and the other from the top. This made me think on Buddha sitting in front of a toasty fire, warming himself, hence the name. What terrific colors to combine in a shiny object!

"Popped"

"Popped"

oil on canvas, 45" x 15"

SOLD

I have been slowly working on this piece for a month, even as I continued to try to paint small here and there. I think I am finally finished with just some tiny fine tuning and softening. This was really fun and I think I know popcorn inside and out now...Now off to the movies for Harry Potter 7 Part 2! Enjoy!

"Cookies and Milk"

"Cookies and Milk"

oil on board, 5"x 7"

SOLD

This is a teeny, tiny version of cookies and milk similar to one of my large pieces that sold a while back called "Stacked". I still love the idea of this so I thought I'd try small.

"Butterscotch and Caramel"

"Butterscotch and Caramel"

oil on board, 8"x 10"

The new chickens are getting to be full size. Alas, Caramel is obviously a rooster...

"Pliny the Elder Beer"

"Pliny the Elder Beer"

oil on board, 7" x 5"

available at the Bellevue Artsfair July 29, 30, 31

If you are a beer enthusiast, you probably know about this one. "Pliny the Elder" by Russian River Brewing has won Best Beer in the World 2 years running and we happened to find some in our local store just this week. Mostly you can only get a bottle or 2 by adding your name to the waiting list and being patient for a few months but we really lucked out and I have to say that it lives up to it's reputation! Of course I had to paint it while I had it.

"Krispy Kremes"

"Krispy Kremes"

oil on board, 8" x 8"

SOLD

Of course I had to paint doughnuts. They seemed to be missing from my Bad Food list of favorites.

"In the Field"

"In the Field"

oil on board, 8"x 10"

More of Kurt's beautiful cows in the pasture. This young pair and their Mom were so sweet.

"Cloudy"

"Cloudy"

oil on board, 6" x 6"

NFS

This one is for my dear friend Kristen... Isn't he pretty??

"Evidence"

"Evidence"

(Bob's Bakery Cheese and Cherry Danishes)

oil on board, 8"x 10"

SOLD

So, I live on an island that in order to leave, one must take a ferry. These are big ferries that hold about 100 cars and there are plenty of state ferry workers that man the boats. Just this week there was an incident that made the news about one such person smearing a Bob's Bakery Danish onto the windshield of a regular commuters' car. Very unfortunate but quite humorous actually. Anyway, you can check out the video on Youtube (Danish) but of course it gave me the opportunity to head over to Bob's ( a local standby) and paint the offending pastries. I quite enjoyed myself.

"A Few Strays"

"A Few Strays"

oil on board, 5"x 5"

SOLD

Thought I'd try some popcorn. It was pretty fun. I think there will be more!

"Softness"

"Softness"

oil on board, 6" x 6"

SOLD

Still loving the softness of these jersey cows. Thanks to Kurt for letting me spend time in his field with his beauties. This little one was looking for Mom.

I also wanted to mention that I was inducted into Women Painters of Washington last month and look forward to taking part in their many upcoming shows! Thanks to those who voted for my entry!

"Curious" and ArtsWest Show

"Curious"

oil on board, 6"x 6"
SOLD

I had the best day last week in a cow field photographing a whole herd of the most beautiful jersey milk cows. This is my first installment of sweet faces. I'm planning a really large portrait of one but it might come a bit later...

I'm excited to announce that I've been juried into the upcoming season at the ArtsWest Theater and Gallery in West Seattle. They have offered me a a spot in their show that runs November 30th until December 31st. More info to come...

Second Place Award!! and more...

"Vashon Time"

oil on board,

14" x 18"

SOLD

My clock painting is finally finished with it's glazed colors and ready for delivery

AND

"Tiny Ballerina"

oil on board,

"3 1/2 x 8"

This is my small ( I should say SO tiny for me!!) painting for the day. Love the colorful tutu.

AND my big news...

"The Stare"

oil on canvas, 24" x 36"

Winner!

SOLD

This piece, I just found out, won Second Place at the Sequim International Juried Art Show, right behind best of show (which was a beautiful wire sculpture.) I am so excited to have this piece recognized, especially as it took considerable time this year to complete and I was painting in the old world technique which is relatively new to me. Thank you to the Juror and all the people involved in the show up there!! I am deeply honored.

"Full Bloom"

"Full Bloom"

oil on board, 10" x 8"

SOLD

My neighbor brought over the largest bunch of fresh lilacs from his 80 year old lilac bushes today. It is not my usual subject matter but they were begging to be painted. I'm not sure I did them justice as they are stunning in person!

"Happy Buddha" and "Tilly II" and THANKS

"Happy Buddha"

oil on board, 10" x 8"

SOLD

I have this really wide ornate gold frame that I found not too long ago and I've had it in my mind to paint a happy or laughing Buddha that would poke a bit of fun at the seriousness of the frame. This little statue is just perfect! It was truly fun to paint with all the different colors and shine on the metal. I may try more versions...

"Tilly II"

oil on board, 8" x 8"

SOLD

My first version of my friend's dog Tilly sold before she got to see the painting so I painted another one for her. She was still smiling at me!

And THANKS to all the wonderful friends and patrons who came and my made open studio show a terrific success! I truly appreciate you all making the trip to Vashon and supporting the arts on our beautiful island!

Be sure to look for me at the Bellevue ArtsFair in Bellevue, WA on July 29, 30, 31.

Click here for more info.!

Chickens on the Porch

"Chickens on the Porch"

oil on board, 12"x 6"

SOLD

Sold most of my chicken paintings this weekend so I am back at it! Yeah for chickens!

Stewart Kershaw Study 2

Stewart Kershaw Study 2

Working on some different poses. Not an exact likeness but I'm wanting gesture!! More to come...

Studio Tour this weekend and Next!

Come on by! I'd love to see you!

Vashon Tour Info- click here

Study 1 of Stewart Kershaw

Study 1 of Stewart Kershaw

oil on board, 8"x 8"

I am going to be working on a portrait of my friend and very well known and beloved conductor Stewart Kershaw. His list of accomplishments is incredible and I had the great opportunity to play under him for many years during his tenure with the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra and the Auburn Symphony. He graciously has allowed me to photograph him conducting so my portrait could be in action and then will be sitting for me from life as I work on the piece. I'm starting the process with a few small studies to get the my ideas flowing for the perfect pose. It is a point of reference from the orchestra that I remember and this is how I want to paint him.

In this pose, he is conducting a most somber and quiet part of one of Mahler's songs for tenor and orchestra. I love the gesture of his hand and the weight of his expression. More to come.

"Perched"

"Perched"

oil on board, 6" x 6"

SOLD

Just sitting on the railing in the sun...

"Rooster Standoff"

"Rooster Standoff"

oil on board, 6"x 6"

SOLD

2 for the price of one in my series...I still can't make this happen everyday as I am very busy with a multitude of art projects right now. I will post some of the mosaic installation when it is finished! Still loving to paint the chickens.

"Flocked!"

"Flocked!"

oil on board, 6" x 12"

OK, I'm not sure which one of my friends sent the Flock of Flamingos over to my front yard BUT I figured- if you have lemons, you make lemonade...

This was one of the hardest color combos I've done in a while. Green and hot pink make for challenging edges! It was a blast though and I'd like to put all my friends on notice- You Could Be Next!

It's not exactly part of my chicken a day series, but close enough and maybe it will have to be a chicken every other day as I'm spending most of my days at one of the schools here working on big mosaic installations for the Vashon Artist in the Schools Program.

"Peep Peep"

"Peep Peep"

oil on board, 10"x 8"

SOLD

See how cute my chick is?? This is Caramel. It supposed to be a girl but I have a feeling I'm looking at a rooster.

"Barred Rock"

"Barred Rock"

oil on board, 6" x 6"

SOLD

I love the warm and cool light behind this fine fellow. I am contemplating "A Chicken A Day" challenge for myself. I have some busy weeks ahead so I'm still thinking but it sounds really fun and we have some beautiful chicks right now...