What's Your Secret?

I did this while at class with my Thursday afternoon pals......Linda Whitehead, a phenomenal artist (especially portraits!), is the most knowledgeable person I know as far as art and art history. So, Thursdays are fun days.......always something to learn! This painting is from a photo I took recently at lunch outside (before it got cold here). It is 10x10 with deep painted gallery sides and is available at dailypaintworks.

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Good Things Coming

I discovered an artist recently that just blew me away......not just what and how he paints, but how just plain nice he seems. His name is Mel McCuddin and he doesn't have any idea or plan before he begins a painting. He just covers the canvas, and sits and looks at it for a while until an image emerges. I painted this with him in mind..I covered the board with just lots of colors, etc, and then started negative painting. I didn't achieve his looseness and spontaneous look, but then again, we all have our own "voice". Here is a great video of a very interesting man sharing his technique: 

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3wz9wg0Dos
( Mel McCuddin - Figurative Expressionist)

This is 16x12 Acrylic on Gessobord and available on dailypaintworks.

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I'll Follow the Sun

I was concentrating on negative painting and shapes, with this. In fact I discovered a new favorite artist and am in the process of creating something that is inspired by him. Stay tuned! The title of this is a Beatle's song. The Beatles have always been my favorite. I had Paul McCartney posters all over my room. I always knew that he meant to call, but I guess he was busy. I waited a few years then decided I needed to move on.
I hope he was able to also.
This is 8x10 acrylic and available on dailypaintworks.

 Click to Bid

Worth the Wait

I had some of the things that we concentrated on in the Mark Mehaffey workshop on my mind...mainly that I was going to do a mostly neutral painting so the colors would pop. I also love negative painting, so the people are mostly all negatively painted (I carved around the objects). We talked about that in a class I teach and how good it is to train your eye to see the shapes around objects. We've also been talking about starting a painting with the big shapes and values, worrying about the details later. So much to learn......so little time......!
SOLD

Bells and Whistles

I was in my comfort zone again. I love painting flowers and this is already going to a new home!
SOLD

Meet Me in My Office

I have used this photo reference in the past and I love these chairs.
SOLD

Costume Day at the Hospital

Yesterday, the hospital where Wade and I visit, hosted an appreciation day for all of us! It was an optional costume situation, and of course, Wade wanted to dress up (not). Talk about a perpetual smile on our faces, the staff's faces, and the patient's faces! Unfortunately,  the dogs didn't seem to be smiling so much. The little kid in me came out yesterday as I was downright gleeful over these beautiful and generous animals! Wade is at the far right in the group photos, and of course that's him in the middle photo. He was a shark (compliments of my daughter). He clearly is VERY ferocious....

"Inseparable"

This is the first time I've picked up a paintbrush since the challenge. Strange thing that happened-just a huge slump in terms of not knowing what to paint. Millions of things around us in life, and nothing seemed exciting enough to get into the studio. What the heck is up with that? Does that happen to everyone? Anyways, I decided to just go and have fun, and here's what I came up with. One of my comfort areas; just free hand fun flowers. Hopefully, this exercise will get me going again.
SOLD
 

Also, good news! Last night was the opening night at the Birmingham Community House's "Our Town" art show. I was tickled to win an award for my painting "Happy Hour"! and tickled again to learn that it sold, as well as one of my other juried pieces, "Tried and True" which sold also! The show goes for 3 days now....if you're in the area, check out the sale/show- there are beautiful works of art there, including sculptures and jewelry. It was a good night for me and I am grateful! I believe we all need a little success here and there to keep the motors running! 

"Happy Hour"

 "Tried and True"

30 in 30 Challenge September 2015, Collage!

Completed! Thank you all again for the great inspiration, comments, and friendships. I just got home from an awesome getaway to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Wow....just amazing up there! I'll be looking forward to looking at all of the collages. Congratulations everyone!