Sunday, November 19, 2017


It's been a while since I've blogged or even spent more than a minute on my computer! Life has been busy, as everyone's. My classes are going great at the Birmingham Community House, their annual "Our Town" art show was a success for them, and for me! And I have been doing LOTS of dog portraits! Here are a few random fun paintings, ("There's Our Ride", "Wow, I Can't Believe That", "There is a Season", and "I'm Having Carbs"), but mostly I've gone to the dogs! I will post them all after Christmas/ Holidays when most of them will be presented as gifts. I plan on new adventures with the New Year. Painting big, small, and in between. I have been very fortunate to become involved with the Detroit Artist Market, and I have my friend, Pat Riascos Goodrich to thank for introducing me! (http://patriciariascosart.com/). Her art is ALIVE with color and vitality! And I am happy to say that their current Holiday sale is awesome, and has been good for me as far as several paintings going to new homes. 
But mostly, I want to say that the biggest blessing of all is coming to our family.............new little human beings! Our daughter is having not one, but TWO! Yes, a little boy and a little girl. My head is spinning (even more than usual-haha). Through our son, we have a beautiful Grandson who is 5 and precious, and now this! First baby(s) for our daughter- she calls it an "Insta-family". Hopefully, they will stay cozy with Mom until they're ready for their grand entrance- mid to late January.
To say I am full of gratitude would be a gross understatement. 
(But I think I may try the January 30 in 30!)




Saturday, September 30, 2017

We Can Straighten This Out.

This is # 30 of the challenge. I only completed a handful this time, and it worked out ok. The time I saved (which was needed) was put to good use (class, family, etc). For years I have created a "Fun Box" for the people who I love, for birthdays. Late September and all of October is fun box time for me, as there are 6 birthdays! I gather up all the things I've collected over the past year that's unique to each person. I have SIX in progress! Birthdays are important to me.....! Hence the fun box. 
This vase of flowers was inspired by a still life I set up in my class, although my paintbrush went awry after while, which I'm used to. The students got off to a really good start and I'm looking forward to seeing theirs on Monday! I wanted to do a "mostly" painting, and this is a "mostly" green. It was fun to add the compliments of purple/pinks. I congratulate everyone who finished the challenge. It's a lot of dedication, but it's a great way to keep that practice up while making lots of new creations.
(which 12x9 and is ready to hang without a frame)

Thursday, September 21, 2017

The Picnic

This was a painting that I had started at the Mark Mehaffey workshop a couple years ago. I ran into it recently and played with it. I didn't have a photo, so I just kind of winged it (seems like it should be wung!?). Anyways, it's pretty abstract looking now, and I realized I like it. That's a good feeling! 

Friday, September 8, 2017

Priceless

#8 of the challenge. I came across this Dad recently with his boy. I loved the feeling I got from them. 
I won't make the whole challenge all the way through this month. Just can't seem to fit in all this painting right now. But I love it and so it will just be a little spotty, and I want to work bigger. I may even get myself a new device so that I can do things online without pulling out the computer. (I sound low tech, but I'm not that bad!). So we'll see. Just as I had decided this, I spotted a half finished funny dog on my easel. So we'll see. 😉
Oh and by the way, I appreciate my art friends online and in person more than you know. The comments and camaraderie are treasured so much!

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Sliders

#7 of the challenge. It was only a matter of time before food was involved! My daughter took this photo (she takes the best photos!). It is 6x6 on gessobord.

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

"Let's Chill"

#6 of the challenge. Just a little oil painting (6x6) of another imaginary scene. I'm beginning to think I need a vacation!

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

Heartstrings

#5 of the challenge. I love to paint dogs. And well, that's what I did here. And FYI, a dog portrait is a great gift for Christmas, Holidays, Birthdays, etc. Just email me for sizes and price list if you or someone you know would like their pup immortalized on canvas! (See 7/22/2017 blog entry for a few samples, or go to dailypaintworks and check them all out).
Only 25 paintings more to do for the challenge. Keep going everyone!

Monday, September 4, 2017

Sheepskates

#4 Sheepskates"   Time for silly! I had the title first, and then did the painting. There will be a few of these silly animals during the challenge. Why? Because I love doing them!

Sunday, September 3, 2017

There You Are

#3 of the challenge. Just a serene little boat ride. I want to be on it. But I can't. I have a painting challenge to do😀
http://www.dialypaintworks.com/buy/auction/746980

Saturday, September 2, 2017

You Have Me, and I Have You

#2 of the challenge. I painted this with oils and tried to be loose with my strokes. It felt so good to paint with thick "chunks" of oil paint! 

Thursday, August 31, 2017

New Artwork

On top- "Mommy Longlegs". Yes, that's right. This was one I named after the fact!

Then, a thick oil painting (landscape) called "Tabasco"

Then comes "Ascent" A large collage I just entered into a contest. In fact, I have my fingers crossed for several entries right now into various contests.

And finally, "I Fell For You", a redo of an earlier version.

These are all available on dailypaintworks.com.


Friday, August 4, 2017

Anabelle

This is Anabelle. She has recently passed away. Her wonderful family had asked me to paint her so they could have a lasting memory. What a joy it was, although bittersweet. She just seemed to be helping me paint. I have begun something recently that I didn't pay much attention to before: painting the eyes first. The eyes are my most challenging part, because I believe it's the eyes that reveal the soul. So it's been good for me to do that. Once they are perfect (to me, and I always hope to the family, too), then I can take a deep breath and move on. The family was very pleased with this and that's what matters to me.

Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Order In The Court!




You guessed it.....another imaginary floral. Could I be having more fun than this? I don't think so. Every now and then I think to myself, "Self, you need to get more serious with your paintings". But then the other side self says "Other side self, paint what you WANT to paint on any given day". So I'm going with the other side self. Anyways, this group is rowdy. It's hard to get them under control.
It's 14x11 and Acrylic

Saturday, July 29, 2017

About Face

This is a 14x11 inch Acrylic. I am enjoying painting these imaginary flowers.

Friday, July 28, 2017

Stand By

Here is an imaginary pot of flowers. I love painting with the dark blues out there, and especially when they're grayed down a bit. This painting makes me happy, and I think because it was so much fun, but also because they seem like they're looking at me (and you!).
It is 14x11 and Acrylic

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

No Pressure, Just Play!

"Disorderly Conduct"
Purchase


These are some of the "marks I put down" when I have no commitment, or pressure, and a couple hours to just play. I am so lucky....I have now created TWO spaces to paint! Wow. How cool. But not just that. I am lucky in SO many ways...............I will tell you one of those ways when I am allowed to:)..in the meantime,  this guy, who has no title, was one I started in the Donna Zagotta workshop, which I loved.


And this girl, well she's a model. And this modeling gig has forced her to stand in the same position for way too long. Her poor feet and legs are about to give out, but she's hanging in there. 




Purchase



Monday, July 24, 2017

Larger pieces and a cow for good measure

"On Pause",
"We're Here For You",
"I Think I'm Ready" (collage)
"Cozy"



"Oh. Hi" 10x8 oil.
Purchase 

Saturday, July 22, 2017

Going to the dogs!

It's been a while since I've been on my computer (I know you can blog from your phone, but I haven't upgraded my phone in a while😕). Anyways, dogs have been keeping me busy! These are recent commissioned pieces: Griff, Maxie, Murphy, and Stanley. I loved doing them all! More recent artwork to come!  




Tuesday, April 11, 2017

This is one of the paintings I did at the Donna Zagotta workshop. I will be writing more about that in the near future. I have caught a nasty virus and have been coughing for more than 2 weeks, so I haven't felt much like painting, catching up with my notes from the workshop, or writing in my blog. I'm feeling better though, and that's the good news. This is mixed media with watercolor, gouache, and acrylic. The image itself is 4 1/2 by 5 inches. I mounted it (after varnish) on black board, and matted it in a black mat. Overall size is 9x12, and it will fit into any frame of that size (which is standard). Looks very cool! I've missed my on line art friends and will be checking into what everyone is up to!
Sold

Thursday, March 30, 2017

I'm Ok

I saw this man in Detroit recently. He looked a little down trodden, but seemed to have a slight spring in his step. I don't know what his situation was. I imagined, though, (and hoped) that he was heading to a family dinner or to meet a friend. I also imagined (and hoped) that he might have good thoughts going on, and would say "I'm OK".
Sold

Friday, March 10, 2017

Art work enlarged!

I just received 2 more canvasses with my artwork printed on them, and I'm very happy! I thought you might like a look. The first one was a little 6x6 oil, and the second one was an 8x10 oil. They are both now 24 x20. I'm trying to learn more about resolutions, sizing, etc. Printerpix.com is who I used and I love this new fun adventure. It gives us more impact in our home, but also gives an option to buyers who want bigger art for their money. I'm heading out for the weekend with my daughter for our annual trip. Can't wait. A cold couple days by the lake. Yay! 

Sunday, March 5, 2017

Yesterday

I painted from this photo a while ago, and decided to do it again. But this time, I went outside my comfort zone and used a palette knife. I haven't done that in a while, and it was fun. By the time I ended up, though, it was sort of half and half. It's oil, very textured, and 16x20 inches. It is available on http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/663256

Friday, March 3, 2017

Sea of Love

Another imaginary scene from another life I guess! I love making these blocks/shapes of color. It's very relaxing to me. And I found myself singing  "Sea of Love" while painting, so the title was easy! Such a great song.
 I am really looking forward to the Donna Zagotta workshop at the end of the month. (http://donnazagotta.com/blog/)  She is one of my favorite artists, and I'm looking forward to getting back to watercolors and learning her unique technique of watercolor and white gouache. 
(Plus a little birdie told me she is a very nice person!)
More to come on that! But before that happens, our yearly trip to Saugatuk is coming up! My daughter, Meg, and I go every single year during St Patrick's day time. It is so special and we both look forward to it starting at Christmas. We love the dog parade there, where all the dogs are dressed in costumes.There is not one face in the crowd that doesn't have a smile while watching. A very fun March is coming up, and I am so incredibly grateful!
sold

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

"Good Dog" and Birch Trees

One of the things we do ("assignments") in class is to do a Birch Tree painting. I feel it's a great exercise because of the many things we talk about while doing it and after. Things like texture (using various "tools"), values, colors (warm, cool, etc) atmospheric perspective, composition, and more. It still amazes me that some of these people have never even held a paintbrush! These are some of the results of our project. I am so in awe of how they just go right at it- especially since a blank canvas can be so intimidating. It's a great group because we all help each other and everyone supports each other. Lots of talent here, and I have a feeling they will keep painting. 
Now as far as "Good Boy", that is my Birch Tree painting! I tried and tried, and couldn't stand what I was creating in those trees. Just wasn't making me happy. So.......one mark became a shoulder, then a figure, then a dog, and soon there was no evidence of a single tree. So that's a lesson in itself. If it just isn't happening  for you, just make marks and see what it starts to look like. One of  the students said yesterday as she worked on her painting, "This painting is telling me what it needs". I love that!  
"Good Dog" is sold

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Back Me Up

It's still hard not to give it a number! The challenge was great, but I love a little slower pace, too. I am lucky to be doing 2 commission pieces now, and I'm taking my time on the first one. I never knew that a Texas Longhorn is called a Watusi. But I do now, and he's mostly finished. The other will be a lot of fun, because it's a dog! Several months ago I took an art journey with my good buddies and fellow artists, Kristen Dukat, Gloria E.Moses, and Marianne Von Rohr. During a painting day, I started this one. I forgot about it until a few days ago. So I finished it and I'm very happy with it.
I love the stained glass looking colors. It's oil, 10x8, and I'm going to try to figure out how I did that, so I can try to do it again. Wish me luck!
available on:
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/656229

Saturday, February 4, 2017

"Good Buddies" and The bird grew!

I wanted to experiment to see how large I could have one of those companies do my artwork on canvas. So I took my little guy, "I'll Start Again" (day 1 of the challenge), waited for a sale, and sent the image off to, in this case, Printerpix. I was thrilled! It is a teeny, tiny bit blurry, but I need to learn a little more about resizing ,etc. It is a way I can have larger art work in my home, and/or offer larger art to people for a fraction of the price, and still have it as "sort of" original!. I think this was $60.00. Just a fun thing to experiment with. I also have a large angel above my fireplace, complete with a wide, beautiful, Salvation Army frame that I got for $20.00! Maybe I'll show that next time, since I'm sure not making art every day for a while!
And I started a painting with my class on Monday. Just an imaginary still life. They did great! It was to show starting a painting using thumbnails, and concentrating on values and big shapes first. I finished mine at home, and I can't wait to see theirs on Monday. I am so lucky to be able to have so many repeat students, and new ones combined at every class. They're awesome because we're all there to share, to learn, and to laugh. Takes your mind off everything for a few hours! Anyways, here's my imaginary still life! 10x8 and available on:
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/651928

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

January 30 in 30 Challenge Collage

The final collage! Thanks to everyone for support, laughter, and creativity in this challenge! I am so lucky to be part of such a wonderful community of artists. Thank you all for sharing your beautiful work!

Sunday, January 29, 2017

That Man's Off Leash!!

#29 of the challenge. This dog has seen it all before, during the course of a work day. A person off leash. He usually carries a person treat with him, like maybe some Twizzlers or Nerds, or even a Mike and Ike to keep everyone calm. But it's still sort of nerve wracking for the poor mailman!
sold

Friday, January 27, 2017

Simple Pleasures

#27 of the challenge. A little house. Somewhat rickety, and in need of repair. But as I painted this imaginary place, I was reminded of how I look at a house.......it's what's inside that counts.
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/648557

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Should I Get My Hair Wet?

#26 of the challenge. This poor girl just had her hair done with a blow dry. Then this happens. A pesky little duck making faces and teasing. This may not be a monumental decision for you or me, but for this dog, it could be the difference between a smooth and planned out day, or total chaos. Guess she'll have to weigh the risks vs. the benefits.
sold

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

You Two Rascals

#24 of the challenge. Just a few pals hanging around. The red one is the more mature, and is prepared to discipline the little ones if need be. Or maybe it's me that needs the discipline now......6 more to go, and I'm attaching human qualities to flowers,boats, dogs, etc. Why not? They have feelings, too!:)
 http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/647278

Sunday, January 22, 2017

If I Fell

#23 of the challenge.  I have gotten my second wind! This painting is 12x9 and has deep painted sides, so no framing. My favorite band has always been the Beatles (Paul was going to ask me to marry him once, but ......well.......didn't). Anyways, the title came from one of their songs, which is a beautiful one. 
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/646900