Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Saturday

I love Spring! People are out and about and there are lots of photo opportunities. I tried out a technique that I saw another artist do, which is using a small brush for most of the painting. It was actually really fun because it seems like you have more control and less room for error(?) because they're such small spaces. Don't get me wrong, there is still plenty of room for error, but anyways, I liked how it turned out. This is oil, 8x10 on board  SOLD

Friday, April 24, 2015

Glee

I reworked this from a previous painting. I liked the original, but I've never (in my shortish experience with oils) seen anything fade like it did. It was originally sort of muted anyways, on purpose, but geez, the paint soaked into the canvas so much that it all seemed the same value, dullness, blah-ness. The only thing I can think of is that it was a cheap canvas and I should have gessoed it more, or just not used that brand of canvas. My paints and mediums hadn't changed, so it had to be the canvas, right? Anyways, I like this one better, and now I don't have to look at the other one feeling so sorry for itself! This is 14x11, oil (the same canvas but now sitting on layers of paint, so I doubt it will "sink" this time)!

Thursday, April 23, 2015

One and Only

I saw this man and little boy in a park last weekend. It was just the perfect day here in Michigan! About 60 degrees, sunny, and a bit breezy. Everyone looked happy to see spring. Then yesterday it snowed! These two looked like they had a very special connection. There is nothing more powerful than the urge to protect our children. That's not a quote from a famous person....just me!  SOLD

Monday, April 20, 2015

Let's Stay Together

I have been in a slump. Just a real slump. Can't get inspired. So I decided to "just do it", and be free and just paint on a fairly large canvas. So, I did. It got me moving again! This is 20x16 and 1/2 inch sides are painted. Ready to hang without a frame, or can be framed. Available on dpw:
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/372849

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Dogs, Kids, and Life


A good friend, Chris Lally, has a great blog. I was reading it yesterday, and as usual, it inspired me to think about things. Her blog always does that. But she REALLY had me at the dog part. Her comments, and the picture of Cobie were great.  (check her out at the art experience, chrislally.blogspot.com).
Anyways, I got to thinking about my boy, Wade, again (as I do 24/7!) (and his funny little crooked teeth!). We did our hospital visit yesterday (he's a therapy dog), and it never ceases to amaze me how these people respond to dogs. It is that moment when we ask if they would like to see a Therapy Dog, that you witness a face just transform into pure joy! Very rewarding for Mom, too! Then I got to thinking about my first grandson. I took this picture of his little shoes while he was napping at my house Saturday. I think they're the cutest thing I've ever seen! So for whatever reason, I thought these two photos should go together. The  beautiful generous soul of a dog, and the innocence of a small boy who loves not just dogs, but ALL of life!  I took him outside that day, he looked up, and immediately said,
"A BIRD!!", with excitement beyond belief. I think we grown ups need to remember to look at life that way whenever we can. Pure awe and joy in the everyday things. I believe we can learn alot from dogs and children! 

"In his grief over the loss of a dog, a little boy stands for the first time on tiptoe, peering into the rueful morrow of manhood. After this most inconsolable of sorrows there is nothing life can do to him that he will not be able somehow to bear".
James Thurber

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Stand Up. We're On!

This was painted on a 10x10 cradled wood panel. The sides are 2 inches and painted. It is wired and ready to hang without a frame. Available on DPW:  http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/368465
And by the way, the jury's still out on the roofing nails. Not the dumbest thing I've ever tried, tho!

Sunday, April 5, 2015

Vice Versa

This painting was redone around 5 times! It looks absolutely nothing like the reference photo I had taken. But it ended up that I liked it!
SOLD

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

She Thinks She's So Fancy

These women could be related to the Gossip Birds. If birds could be related to people, that is. They just aren't very nice. Especially the one in the yellow hat. She doesn't feel good about herself! 8x10 oil available on auction at DPW

http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/366400