New Studio

WOW!  It's been a while since I've been here.  We've had a couple of family members going through some health issues, helped move two of our daughters, and I have moved my studio to a space that is a little bigger!  The snow and ice have slowed us down, a bit...like most everyone else.  I am so happy that it's starting to warm up!!!  We are now looking forward to the Holidays, and fun with family and friends!  Here are a few photos of the new studio, snow, and my GusGus...he's ready for Christmas!

Still some work to do...but, it's close!

Everything has a place!

Still have to get paintings on the wall...

All ready for Christmas!

And, it's still here a week later!

GusGus loves looking out this window

New Studio View!  No blank wall!!!

Go SEAHAWKS!!!

We had a great weekend!  Our nephew plays for the Seattle Seahawks, and we had the chance to watch him play in person this weekend.  The weather was great, the game was great, and it was wonderful to spend the weekend with family.  Fun times!!!

Gorgeous Autumn day

We could feel the heat from where we were sitting...

Not sure where all the guys went...lol 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN, Everyone!!!  I hope you all have an amazing day!  I plan to go Trick or Treating with my adorable grand kids...so, it's going to be a fun evening!!!

I have a new painting that I just listed in my Etsy shop, too. "PUPPY LOVE" I went back to my old style for this one.  I love attempting to show the love between our pets and us.  I, also, love this palette...olive green, burnt sienna, burnt umber, titanium white, payne's gray, yellow ochre, gold ochre, and light cad. red.  This painting was fun, and I hope you enjoy it!

OWLS for October Nibblefest

Owls...this month's theme for the Nibblefest Auction/contest.  There are a lot of very cool owls created by the Nibblefest Artists.  Be sure to check them out.  Here is the Link NIBBLEFEST

Free Shipping at Society6

Hi!  I haven't posted about it yet, but I've opened a Society6 Shop, and I have had fun filling it.  Still have a lot more to do, but I'm thinking they are going to be a great company to work with.  I have a link to share for Free Shipping until October 13th.  I've just ordered two bags, to see if they look as great as they do in the photos.  I like the way they look on their page!  Very cute.  Cute Pillows, too.  Another Artist has been ordering their pillow covers, and says that they are beautiful.  Here's the link if you would like to start Christmas Shopping, or are in need of tote bags, prints, or pillows! FREESHIPPING

NIBBLEFEST TIME!!!

The theme for the month of September is, Birthday/Anniversary.  It's, actually, Nibblefest's 10th Anniversary!!!  I was thinking about what I should paint, and this image came to me.  I think I had my two, Yorkie Granddogs on my mind.  The title of my painting is, "It's My Birthday!".  If you would like to see the entries for this month...click on the Nibblefest banner on the right side of this page.  Thank you!  Have a GREAT weekend!

Hello! It's been a while!

Hi!  I hope everyone has been enjoying a beautiful Autumn!  I know I have!  GusGus and I have been walking a lot.  It's just so gorgeous, right now.  I've, also, been busy painting, and working on wood block prints.  Today I decided to hang a couple in my kitchen.  We've been in our house for 20 years now, and it's time I start decorating!  LOL! Have a great weekend, and be on the look-out for Nibblefest!  It starts tomorrow!

NIBBLEFEST TIME!

The theme this month is Sci-Fi/Aliens.  "Frenchie" the French Bulldog from another planet...is my entry.  Click NIBBLEFEST , to view the auction, and click the banner to see fun paintings by all the Nibblefest Artists. 

I can't believe summer is almost over!  We have been very busy with Weddings, friends visiting, and family birthday parties!  It's been fun!  I am, however, looking forward to my favorite time of year...Autumn, and catching up on work, and the house.  Today was the first day that it felt like Fall...

New Shelf Sitting Prints on wood

Several years ago I bought some Plinth Blocks.  I didn't really pay attention to what they were, but thought they would be cool to paint on.  Yesterday I found them in my studio, and decided that they would be great for small prints on wood.  Instead of hanging them; I think they look great sitting on a shelf, or window ledge.  Here is my first..."Madeline".  I think they would look great in groups, so now I'm busy planning!  I like having things sitting in my kitchen window at the Holidays...so....I need to get busy!

Stretched Canvas Print

I forgot to mention my Limited Time Promotion, and tomorrow is the last day for this promotion.  I'm featuring "Bird".  It's for an 8X10, stretched canvas print.  I  have been working on my Fine Art America Shop, and it is fun.  I could spend a lot of time just seeing what different paintings/prints look like in the different frames.  It's so much fun!  I hope everyone has an amazing day!  Click HERE to see promotion.

Nibblefest Time! Bird Theme

I made it!  I wanted to have my painting listed on the first day of Nibblefest...and I just listed it!  Now I'm going to watch the second Sherlock Holmes...haven't see the first one, but I think it won't matter.  Be sure to check out all of the Artists' artwork on Nibblefest...this month's theme is Birds.  Click HERE to go to my auction.  I have a link on my page for the other artists' work.  Thanks!!!

"Forest Nymph and Baby Buzzard"

Mixed Media on wood

8"X8"

En Plein Air

My sister, granddaughter, and I had a great day!  We headed out, early this morning, for gorgeous McDowell Creek Park, and we were the first people to arrive!  Not for long, however, because it's a pretty busy little park.  There were picnic tables by the river, so we set up, and started painting right away.   My sister is just learning how to paint, and she did a great job!  My granddaughter has been painting with me for some time now, so she finished three paintings.  I decided to give watercolor a try because it's easier to travel with, and I've wanted to learn how to paint with watercolor.  I think I started to get the hang of it, and it was fun. I'll be doing more of it, hopefully, at the beach soon!  We all think it would be fun to paint the ocean, and eat clam chowder!

McDowell Creek Park

                                            

Ready to start painting

Gorgeous!

 

My Sister

 

The Process

I didn't think about posting a little about how the paper paintings come together.  (Or, collage, mixed media)  Here is a link to my Facebook Art page that shows a few "Work In Progress photos". 

"Bird" New Mixed Media Painting

Hi!  I hope everyone is having a great summer!  It's been a busy one for us.  I've been trying to paint everyday, but it doesn't always happen.  I did finish a new mixed media piece on wood...I'm calling it "Bird".  I used my new favorite medium...paper.  It's now listed on eBay.  If I get the chance tomorrow, I will have some fun photos, and paintings to share.  My two granddaughters, and my sister and I, are going to give painting outdoors a go.  Packing a lunch, lots of paint, and we are all very excited!!!

Summer Sale in my Etsy Shop this week!

I am having a summer sale in my Etsy Shop this week!  Save 20 % off by using coupon Code SUMMERSALE20 at check out.  I've been thinking about starting my Christmas Shopping, and decided a Christmas in July sale would be good. :-)

Link to my Etsy Shop Click Here

 

 

New Mixed Media Painting

I had a lot of fun creating this piece.  I love working with paper.  I hope you enjoy it, too!

                                                         
                                                  For Sale on Etsy Click Here

NIBBLEFEST Time!

It's that time of month again!  Nibblefest!  Actually, it started on the 20th, but I'm a little late with my Entry.... "Queen Of My Heart".   The auctions all start at $0.99, and will end on the 27th.  Go check them out...the link is above, or on the right side of my blog.  Have a great rest of your weekend!

Featured Artist on EBSQ ART

Today is my husband's birthday, but I got the first surprise, and a very nice surprise.  I'm the Featured Artist on EBSQ ART!  It's a great site for Artists, and I'm honored to be on their front page.  If you would like to take a look at the site, here is the link... EBSQART  There are a lot of very talented Artists on this site, so if you have the time...take a look around.  Now, I'm off to bake, and get the Birthday Party ready!

Unconditional Love

Can you imagine what the world would be like if we all treated each other as our pets treat us?  They have so much "Unconditional Love" for us.  They are so forgiving, and always so happy to see us.  I think we can learn a lot from our furry friends.  My new, mixed media painting is about the "Unconditional Love" our pets give to us.  I, once again, have used torn pages from my trusty, old, French Novel.  I'm still deciding if I should add color, or just leave it black and white.  Have a great weekend!!!

Something a little different...

I've come across some artists recently that are so inspiring.  Their artwork is so open and honest.  Being vulnerable, like that, is so difficult...for me.  I was raised to be private.  Not a good thing for an artist...lol.  Well, I'm not getting any younger, so I guess I'd better start exploring, and see where my art goes.  It's just so hard to share unhappy paintings...but, here it is...  "It Is".  (It Is Personal) 

The saddness came about from a FB post...of the most horrific photo of abused dogs.  There are no words

Pineapple Ginger and Coconut

I am having so much fun making healthy smoothies with my new blender!  Then I got to thinking...I have quite a few pretty glasses, so I'll share those, too.  We'll see if Rudy wants to be included...he loves the camera more than GusGus or Rory, but that's not saying much.  I did catch him with the Pineapple/Ginger/Coconut smoothie...

The Waterford Crystal goblet is a wedding gift from my Grandmother. 

 

                            I cut fresh pineapple into chunks...and popped them into the freezer.  A few days later I added; about a 1" piece of fresh ginger, and coconut water...blended it all up...and it is great!

Cheers!

I bought a blender about a month ago to make smoothies...healthy smoothies.  Today I finally made one, and it is delicious!  While I was taking a photo to share...I noticed that there was a reflection of the sky on the glass table, pretty cool, and then I noticed our Rudy...he wanted to be in the picture too!

Green Smoothie: 1 pear, 1" piece fresh ginger, 2" piece cucumber, 2 cups fresh spinach, lemon juice and coconut water to blend.  Very filling, and tasty!

ETSY SHOP SALE

I'm having a Sale in my ETSY SHOP today.  25% off all items in my Shop...  Use the coupon code REMEMBER25 to receive the discount when you check out.  The sale will go through May 29th...in case someone had the opportunity to go camping this weekend!  You can click on REMEMBER25 to start shopping!  I hope everyone is having a great weekend with family and friends.

Literary Tree II featured in EBSQ's Friday Five!

What a nice surprise!  "Literary Tree II" is one of Five paintings being featured by EBSQ today!  Check it out... EBSQ FRIDAY FIVE

Clown Fish and Literary Tree II

I absolutely loved snorkeling!  Swimming with colorful fish in beautiful blue, warm water was amazing.  The fish were inspiring, as were paintings on a restaurant (The Fish Hopper) wall, in Kona, by Artist Shelly Maudsley White .  I'd never really considered painting fish, but my trip to Hawaii inspired just that, and here is my first fish.  A tiger clown fish, painted on wood.  

 

I, also, have a painting, "Literary Tree II" that I am sharing today.  I finished it a few weeks ago.  I used lots of torn paper, from that old French Novel that I've been using, and matte medium, to form the tree. Both paintings will be in my Etsy Shop later today.

 

Mauna Kea Observatories

Our first day in Hawaii we flew from Oahu to the Big Island, and drove to Mauna Kea.  It's the tallest mountain in the world, 13,796 feet above sea level; 32,000 feet from the Ocean Floor.  It's considered the most sacred place in all the Hawaiian Islands, and before we started our journey to the top a beautiful blessing was given.  Then just as you reach the summit you can see gorgeous, white and silver domes...the telescopes.  The world's largest observatory.  We were very fortunate to be able to go inside the Keck Telescope.  It was quite the experience being at almost 14,000 feet above sea level, and seeing inside the massive telescope.  The view wasn't so good on that day...it was very cloudy, but still amazing.

Hawaii

Hi!  I've been away for a while...  My husband surprised me with a trip to Hawaii!  I hadn't been there, and have always wanted to go, so it was an amazing surprise.  We had a wonderful time, and saw a lot of beautiful, interesting places.  I will post a few of our photos over the next few days.  Starting with Kona, a photo of the view from our room. 

We had a great lunch at Bubba Gumps.  The best part was the gorgeous view from the deck of the restaurant, but here's a picture of us.

 

We spent a few evenings watching the Sunset from Waikiki Beach.  One evening we swam in the ocean while watching the sunset.  Being from Oregon I had never attempted to swim in the Ocean; way too cold here, so I finally have that checked off of my bucket list.

 

A 20 Minute Painting that took 30 Minutes

This painting started out to be a 20 minute painting, but I was talking to my daughters, and it ended up being more like 30 minutes.  The 20 minute paintings are a great exercise, and I've always loved spontaneous Art with lots of brushstrokes...so, that's becoming a goal of mine.  I tend to blend...A LOT.  Hopefully, I will be painting 16X20 canvases, in 20 minutes, with thick, juicy brushstrokes...eventually.

 

I'm learning a lot about myself through these quick paintings.  It's very hard for me to leave the imperfections.  I want to clean everything up, finish adding shadows, and get the correct proportions.  But, I love seeing more movement, and those brushstrokes...so, I think I'm loosening up a bit. LOL