Blue Cat II

I guess I'm into Blue, right now. I just finished another Blue Cat...this one is 12" X 6". I kind of like them together. The snow is still here, but my little dog, GusGus, is insisting we go for a walk. Sounds like a good idea, actually! Have a great evening!

Spring Break? Looks Like Christmas Break!

We woke up to a Winter Wonderland this morning! It's the first day of Spring Break, but it looks a lot more like Christmas Break to me. I snapped a few pictures of our fur family investigating our white landscape. Rory and Riley loved it, but Rudy Farcus...he's not so sure about it.

Blue Dog, Yellow Cat and a Green Bird

Here are my new paintings. I have another abstract dog that I've been working on, and will share her very soon. Need to get back to painting...thank you for stopping by!

AND The Winner IS!!!

Carmelina!!! Congratulations, Carmelina! I will be shipping the cards to you on Monday! This was so much fun.... I think I will be having another drawing soon. I hope everyone has a great weekend. I get to paint! So, I will be sharing a few new paintings soon. Thank you to everyone who left comments! I love reading your comments and appreciate you a lot!

Blue Cat Painting

The Facebook Artists' Group that I am a member of...has a different theme every month. This month the theme is BLUE. I painted this whimsical, abstract, Blue Cat...with no name. I guess I can call him, Blue. It's so windy here in Oregon today...I think I had better get dinner ready before we lose power. Have a great evening!

Blue Lady and Yellow Spider

I have to share a gift I received and a painting that I just started working on. My Sister-in-law just returned from Arizona and brought me this very cool metal sculpture. I love her...she's so happy. She's hanging by my kitchen sink...to provide smiles all day long. And, I just started a painting from a photograph that I took last June. I was working in the garden and came upon this gorgeous yellow spider. I like spiders...so, I think she's pretty, but some do not think so. I'm wondering how she's going to turn out. Not sure where to go, yet.

Have a great day!

I'm having a Drawing on the 16th of March!

It's Spring in Oregon, for today anyway! It's, also, my grandson's 9th birthday...So, we went out for lunch...Just the two of us. It was so much fun. I'm not sure why we didn't do it sooner, but we will have lunch dates, more often, from now on.

Years ago I had several cards for sale on a website. Unfortunately, they closed the site and the lady that owned it sent me a lot of cards. I've decided that I might as well share them...I certainly have way more than I can ever use. I'm going to sell a lot of them on eBay and Etsy, if anyone needs cards...sorry, no envelopes. I've, also, decided to do a drawing for a package of 100 cards. Not sure anyone needs that many cards, but I'm sure they can be re-purposed. So, leave me a comment and I will draw a name on Friday the 16th of March. The card is shown above.

Fevrier Chat

This is my new painting, "Fevrier Chat", or "February Cat". He's a mixed media piece; created with paper from an old book written in French, and acrylic paint. I was going to write more, but my husband is waiting to watch American Idol...so, I best go for now. Let's see if I can get the painting on this page...I am learning how to use a new computer, and a new picture editing program. Not an easy thing for me!!! But, it's good to learn new things...I keep telling myself.

My new painting...Dora

Happy Friday! I just finished the portrait that I started many months ago. I started the piece by sketching a woman, now called Dora, on a canvas. Then I used matte medium to glue pages of an old French book to the surface. Many hours of painting later.... here she is. Dora came to mind after watching, "Midnight In Paris" the other night. She wasn't in the movie, but Picasso was...and I had the privilege of seeing his Dora Maar paintings several years ago. (They are amazing!) If anyone hasn't seen "Midnight In Pairs"....I highly recommend it. It's my new favorite movie. So good!

Tophatter Live Auctions

Hi! I've been very, very busy finding new ways, and places, to sell my artwork. Not leaving much time for making art, but it's been fun. There are two new sites, to me anyway, that I am very excited about. The first is, Tophatter. I think this auction house is going to be a lot of fun to sell and buy from. It's a real, live auction house! I am selling my first print, Frida Dog, on Monday, Feb. 20th, at 9:00. Wish me luck. And, then, there's a site that's been around a while.... Artist Rising. I, actually, signed up a while ago, but forgot about it. You upload your artwork, and they do the work selling your prints. (My shop isn't coming up, yet...not sure how long that takes) They have framing available, too! You can sell originals, also, but I haven't looked into that, yet. I will let you know how things go. Especially with the Tophatter auction. I think it's going to be fun to watch.

Update on Artsy Home

For those interested in selling their artwork...I thought that I would let you know how it's going on Artsy Home. I cannot believe the hits I am getting! I haven't sold anything, but I have over 300 hits on the cat painting I listed last night...with 3 tweets! I've listed a few other paintings and a print, and they have a ton of hits, too. I had 19 hits on the Flower painting when I had it listed on Etsy. It has 37 on Artsy Home...and I just added it to my shop. Now, we'll wait and see if sales are better. I will let you know.

Today is my Birthday... Lunch with my Mom, Sister and daughters! Then, finally, going to see "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" tonight. I loved the book... Hope to work in a little painting, too. I'm finishing up a portrait that I started a while back.

Have a great day!!!!!!

Artsy Home Shop

Hello! I've been busy trying to organize my Studio, and find new sites to list my paintings. I love Etsy, but I think it's gotten so big...it's hard to be seen. I've heard good things about Artsy Home, and just opened a new shop there tonight. So far I have listed "Snow Princess" and the new little cat painting shown above. He was fun to create. I used a page from an old book...sketched a kitty head, glued it on a mini canvas and painted the little guy.

I've been working on another painting, and patterns for some kitty dolls...which I am very excited about! So, stay tuned! Have a great evening!

I love Pinterest!!!

My daughter has been using Pinterest for quite a while now...and I finally got around to checking it out. Oh My! I love it! So much inspiration, great food and fun ideas. Check it out...if you haven't yet.

Three New Paintings

I've been busy painting...and have three new paintings to share. Two paintings I started several months ago, and I just got around to finishing them. (The abstract flowers, and The Ants and Jellybeans) Snow Princess was inspired by our lovely weather, as of late. I do love snow...when I don't have to drive in it. We had a hair raising experience the other day trying to get to the Airport...solid ice on the freeway...it was very scary. I hope everyone is staying safe out there!

Wedding Pictures

Our youngest daughter is now married! It was an amazing day, so I thought that I would share a few pictures. The photographer, Ashley Dimeo Buchan, is a very talented young woman. We can't wait to see the rest of the photos!

Off to paint! Have a wonderful day!

Happy New Year!!!

I just noticed that I didn't post my last two kitty ornaments. They were fun to create and I am going to continue to explore soft sculpture this year.

2012! WOW! And, it's time to make my usual resolution...to create more and paint a lot more! Plus, I am looking forward to spending a lot more time with family and friends... The most important part of life; which does include our fur family!

I want to wish you all a VERY Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!

Second Cat Ornament

Here is my second Cat Ornament, and the third is almost finished. I have so many ideas, right now, and so little time! With Christmas close, and a wedding nine days after! It's an exciting time, but not much time to paint.

New Painting and A Cat Ornament

Hi! I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Our Day started with a "Turkey Trot" 5K. My three daughters, my granddaughter and I all finished the race! It was a lot of fun and we decided that it will be an Annual Event! Next year we hope to get the men and dogs to join us. It's a family race...including dogs. We then had a great Thanksgiving dinner and a nap; so we could be with the rest of the crazy, Black Friday Shoppers. The 8 hours of shopping was a lot of fun, too!

I finally finished another ornament, a cat, and a painting inspired by Mr. Gatsby and his favorite toy, Martha Chicken. A Martha Stewart dog toy that Mr. Gatsby loves. I really enjoyed sewing, again, and painting on fabric...so, I think I'll be creating a few more Kitty Ornaments.

I hope everyone has a great week!!!

Christmas Ornament Time!

I watch Martha Stewart every morning. I find her show to be very inspirational and full of great ideas. Most of the time I don't actually get around to making the crafts, but the other day I was so enamored with Melissa Sweet's adorable Ornaments...I just had to make one of my own. I don't think it's quite finished, but pretty much. I plan to make a few more, too. They are so much fun! My granddaughter has one started, as well. I'll post a picture of her ornament when she's finished. Also, check out Melissa's book "Balloons Over Broadway".

Isabelle Finished and New Cat painting Holly

Happy Friday, Everyone!!! I hope you all have a fantastic weekend! I have a lot of sewing, paper flower making and painting planned...we shall see what actually happens. I do know I want to spend some cozy time by the fire, looking out at the beautiful maple leaves! I love Autumn!!! I finally finished, Isabelle, and I have a new little cat painting...Holly. They will be in my Etsy shop by tomorrow. GusGus and I are heading out for our 2 mile walk in the forest now...before it rains.

Mr. Gatsby At Halloween...A little late

It's a little late, but I just have to share this picture of Mr. Gatsby on Halloween. He looked so cute in his Halloween sweater. Today I am going to start a painting of Mr. Gatsby with his favorite toy...Martha Chicken. Our daughter bought Mr. Gatsby one of Martha Stewart's dog toys at Pet Smart, and it's his favorite toy! It is pretty cute.

Cats, Herbs, New Poodle Painting and a WIP

Today, while I was taking a picture of my new Poodle Painting; I saw Rudy sniffing my herb basket, so I had to take a picture of him! Then walking back into the house, I noticed my WIP painting, and remembered that I haven't posted a picture of the progress, so I snapped a picture of it, too. I'm still deciding which way I want to go with it... bright color or more muted colors?

I hope everyone has a wonderful Friday! We're going to Trader Joes later today, and then to dinner with about 20 friends! I can't wait!!!

Playing with Matte Medium WIP

I was adding torn pages of an old book, French of course...since I'm still on my French kick. And, I decided to try and add more dimension with the paper. Took me forever to get all the matte medium off my hands (wear gloves if you try this), but I'm happy with the result. I still have work to do, I think. I kind of like the light, ghost-like quality, but I need to do more work on her eyes, for sure. Well, I promised my family pumpkin pie, so I'd better get busy. I'm using Martha Stewart's recipe. I'll post the recipe if it turns out well.

Christmas Cat Painting

The rain has stopped, finally, and it's a beautiful Autumn day here in Oregon. My little dog, GusGus, and I have had fun walking in the forest...looking at the gorgeous fall leaves! And, it's started me thinking... about Christmas...and how close it is! So, I've painted a "Christmas Cat". He may or may not be my Christmas Card this year. I have another Winter painting in mind...and then I'll choose. I really want a Winter landscape painting for above our fireplace, and I have a vision...it's just, Yet to be seen, if I can pull it off.

MAP PAINTING

Inspired by Jill Mayberg's colorful Bird paintings... I decided to paint a colorful Bird of my own. I used the canvas that I covered with pieces of torn map. I then sketched a very loose bird and whatever else came to mind, and started to paint. I like being able to see the pieces of map through the painting, and there's also a lot more texture...which I really like. It was a lot of fun, and I am looking forward to experimenting more with mixed media.

First Layers on Two WIP Paintings

I have the first layer finished on two of the paintings I'm working on; and I've pretty much completed the underpainting on, "Isabelle". I used an old map and Golden Matte Medium on a 6" X 12" canvas...not sure of what will come next on this painting. The "Isabelle" painting was started with a sketch directly on the canvas. I then added torn pages from an old French Book using the Matte Medium. The next step was the underpainting using Payne's Gray and Titanium white.

To be continued...

Girl's Day

Yesterday was a lot of fun! Two of my daughters and I had a Girl's Day Out. First...picking up a gorgeous wedding dress! Coffee and Portland Coffee Cake at Starbucks...yummy! Then on to The Corvallis Fall Festival, where I met two artists that create my kind of Art! I love their work. Jennifer Lommers (Her Artwork was on the tee-shirts this year), and Jill Mayberg... who has a painting I am so in love with. I'm still thinking about how gorgeous it would look in my living room! Then, if you haven't tried Cafe Yumm... I highly recommend it. We had dinner there and then listened to Calypso music all the way back to our car. Oh, and the French part of the day. I found a book written in French that I plan to use for a painting. If I can bring myself to tear it up. I love old books...and the thought of ripping pages out...is very difficult for me.

Time to watch our nephew play! He's playing in Seattle now... Go Seahawks!!!

FINI ET COMMENCER

A few coats of Varnish...and this colorful guy is heading to his new home. I really had a great time painting this piece. I love to paint on wood! It takes a bit longer, but I love the end result.

If the French is wrong...please excuse. I've decided that I need to get busy learning French. (The year that I took in High School...isn't really helping me.) We have cousins in Europe, and if we don't visit while they are there; I think we'd be crazy! So, more French words will be incorporated in my artwork...for a while.

Next projects... I've just started a mixed media piece using maps that my daughter was tossing in the recycling. Her trash and my treasure!!! And...I'm going to be creating three 6"X6" cat paintings to send to the Gallery in Bandon. I'm really excited, so I best get busy!

Au revoir!

Mr. Gatsby My New Granddoggy

We have a new Granddoggy, Mr. Gatsby. He was adopted by our daughter in Pennsylvania, and soon after made a very long trip to Oregon by car. She said he is an excellent traveller. GusGus and Rory have made friends with Mr. Gatsby, finally, and are having fun playing with him. It's been good for them...they're getting back into shape!