The Bond

#17 of the challenge. I have used this reference photo before. I took it because I loved the connection, the love, and the protection that this young dad and his son conveyed. 

It is on a wide painted gallery edge canvas. No framing, and it looks wonderful sitting on a shelf or table. 

To bring it home

Pick Me! Pick Me!

#16 of the challenge. I snapped photos of pups (of which we were there to pick one!)

This little guy had the sweetest expression. I don't know if he's the one we picked, because he quickly ran into the rest of the crowd. 

To take this pup home

Just Knowing

#15 of the challenge. I snapped a photo of a beautiful church on a trip with some art friends. I didn't go in, but next time I will. It's good to know it's there if I ever return. 

Extra hugs to all our kids today. 

to purchase

I'm Mr. Lonely

#14 of the challenge. Just a vista that came from a beautiful photo from my daughter and one of her trips. And speaking of Meg, she's having a different kind of trip these days! One of my favorite photos is to the right- her beautiful Golden Retriever, Norman, with the babies, who are 4 1/2  weeks old already. If there's such a thing as Heaven on earth, that's where I am when I am holding those babies.

To take this home 

Preteen

#13 of the challenge. We had an "adventure day" one day this past summer and went to a dairy farm. This little calf was really friendly and cute! I decided to paint him with the goal of  a colorful and graphic looking outcome.     

To take this little bovine home

I Like That About You

#12 of the challenge. I love pinks and oranges  together. So I made a painting with pinks and oranges. I have to say that I love how these colors sing together!

To take these flowers home

While Supplies Last

#11 of the challenge. These girls got up early to get to the big sale. But one of them was running late because she almost couldn't find her green scarf. So now they're in a big rush. They may have jeopardized their chance of being first in line. And to make it worse, the other two are irritated and blaming her because she's always late. They may need to talk this out. But not now. They need to get there.

To take these girls home

"Your Time Will Come"

#10 of the challenge. This bird made it's nest right outside of our garage and it was cool to watch her every day! There are lots of transparent glazes on this painting, giving it lots of depth. This is hard to capture with my camera. This has 1 1/2 inch gallery wrapped sides that are painted to extend the image around it. No frame is needed, and it also looks very cool sitting on a shelf!  

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Sentimental Reasons

#9 of the challenge. A free flowing little flower that came from a a relaxed and happy paint brush!

To take this flower home

"You Seem Cool Today"

 #8 of the challenge. I was inspired when I went to the Detroit Zoo recently. It was freezing cold that day, but was very fun to watch the penguins! These two looked like they could have been in a little spat.
This is 8x6 inches and has 1 1/2 inch wide gallery wrapped sides. The sides are painted with the image colors to extended around. It needs no frame, and also looks really "cool" sitting on a shelf! 

To take these little guys home

From All Of Us

#7 of the challenge. Another imaginary (design) little bunch of flowers.The dark flowers in the background are actually  variations of dark colors, not black, as the photo might show.

You're a Good Egg

#6 of the challenge. I snapped a photo of my breakfast recently. This was fun! 

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Lil Enchilada

#5 of the challenge. 

This little boat just floats along, and sings his own little tune.

There's nothing to prove, and no need to race,

And for that he's over the moon!

Mexican food is his all time fav, and that's where he got his name.

He shares the joy he feels inside,

and feels no need for fame. 

He knows that things will be alright, in good times and in sad,

And knowing this he hums along, 

How freeing for the lad!

(Sorry, my sweet daughter- all you did was share some vacation pictures with me, and look what you got! haha)

 To own Lil Enchilada

Waiting for my Bride

#4 of the challenge. I snapped a photo of this man while I was in a restaurant recently. He was simply sitting and waiting for someone. I imagined he was waiting for his wife, but what do I know? It was just a really nice thought.The background, colors, objects, etc, are all different from the photo.  But that's what they call artistic license, right? I challenged myself with being aware of color harmony and unity with this painting.

This is available at the Detroit Artist Market.

Ready and Willing

#3 of the challenge. A fun imaginary vase of flowers. It's so enjoyable to me to just paint, without a real objective or goal. This is one of those. It was a little bland and I couldn't figure out how to "unbland" it. The deep red shapes behind it did the trick!

Value contrast seems to solve my problems most of the time.

To bring these flowers home:

"I'll Be Here"

#2 of the challenge. This is an imaginary little scene of the trust that every child deserves to have. And I wanted to make a painting where most of the colors were cool, and with a dab of warm. A good little challenge!

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"Me First!"

#1 of the challenge. I always seem to start the challenge with a very enthusiastic bird. So off we fly!

To have this bird fly to your house, press here  

Angels!

Yes, the babies made their appearance! Our daughter and husband are now Mom and Dad. Everyone is healthy and it has been quite a week. They are beautiful! A little blonde girl weighing almost 6 lbs, named Betty Jean (my mother's name!), and a little dark haired 

boy, weighing almost 7 lbs and named Charlie Paul. I couldn't be more overjoyed. And tomorrow our grandson Graham gets to meet his cousins.    

I actually got a head start on the 30 in 30. I didn't feel like I was "cheating" because the point is to paint every day for a month, and that's what I've been doing, knowing there would be a slight interruption. So I'm looking forward to resuming my paintings and posting them in February. Hope to see you all there!

Here are some pictures of these little gifts from Heaven!

Christmas Commisions and Happy New Year!

It's 2018. I can't believe it. I have had a wonderful year. I am blessed in so many ways, and feel gratitude every day. Life can seem so fragile and I pray for people who have lost loved ones and/or who are suffering. I hope 2018 brings joy and peace to all of my family and friends, including all my art friends online. And to this world.

 I have been busy painting over the Holidays-mostly dog portraits. Fun! And an owl! Here are some recent pups I painted. Thank you for the opportunities to paint those awesome animals. I hope I did them all justice. Our family has two big blessings in tiny packages coming very soon now! What a way to start the New Year.  The 30 paintings in 30 days will be in February. I will be participating, and I hope to see lots of you there!

   

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!)