Sunday, November 30, 2014

A Self-Portrait in Oil Paint

"Wisteria"
10" x 20"
oil on wrapped canvas
NFS

Wisteria is a symbol for longevity, among other things. 
I chose a photo that my
brother took of me - a very, very long time ago - to work from.

I have embellished some to make it more 'narrative'.
For now, I am calling this done, but as in the past,
I have realized the longer I look at it,
the more I am liable to make a few tweaks.







Friday, November 21, 2014

A Finished Painting of Three Dogs

"Three Dog Night"
24" x 36"
 oil on black canvas
NFS

Finished and allowing drying time, and will have it to
LOOK AT while I organize and PAINT ON.
Always see something, but not going to NOODLE this one.



Saturday, November 15, 2014

ARTIST AT WORK

WORK IN PROGRESS

oil on 24" x 26" black gessoed canvas

I have had this photograph I took of my three dogs 
hanging on the fridge for many years.
The black and tan Herman, passed 4 years ago, so it's been awhile.
In fact this photo I am using was taken very soon after moving
from Colorado to Kansas.  It was that 'first' winter
and they were all huddled up on their 
dad's lap on the couch to get warm (and vie
for his attention - like a 'me - me - me!!').

I had to paint it, it was just a matter of 
that FEAR you get
when you wonder if you 
can paint it right --- looming
over my head all 
these years.
I have waited and waited and finally
something told me it was time.

I have the dogs likenesses and expressions 
down just about right,
now I just need to work on the 
fur, the light, the shadows...continue
tweaking - it will look so great
hanging in our bedroom
above the Weims crate.

Here it is on yesterday's studio time...

Thanks for stopping by!
Please come back soon to see it finished.


Thursday, November 13, 2014

Batman and Chaco

Today we have had hundreds of European Starlings migrating through, landing and eating off the grass, on the fence, on the roof.  My dachshund Chaco has been in and out of the house - all morning barking and carrying on.  A little earlier I had heard a fairly loud 'THUNK" like one of the birds may have hit the porch enclosure.  A little later, DH called me to come outside and corral the dogs to go 'inside'.  

There was a brown bat laying up near the house, panting and obviously in distress...wings outstretched, opening and closing it's mouth, showing it's teeth...if I could hear it - I would say it was growling...but no sound.

DH put it on a shovel and we removed it from the yard...


and placed it on the open and dry trailer in the sun...it's cold here today.
It still seemed to breath in a labored fashion though - like it had the wind knocked out of it? - and one leg was tucked underneath, so I was thinking it was injured somehow - pretty sure the dog had not hurt it, he only got close to bark and growl.
About 5 minutes later, I went back out towards the trailer to see if it was any improved or even gone..as I opened the door, a caught a shadow of something flying over - it must have been the bat.
It was gone.
Glad it regained it's little self and got back out to it's job.
All wild things have a place here ~ and we plan to keep it that way when we can.




Thought for Today

AS I was looking through my weekly updates
from several sites 
I visit regularly, I felt this one needed to be shared.  
(and it's NOT JUST to match the sofa)

I think of the spaces I have in my house
that tell of that inspiration and gallery effect
that the article above shares.
My bedside 'dream' corner - a dreamcatcher I got 
from my DH when we were dating,
a copy of a petroglyph on a plaster plaque I bought at a store,
a painting of me and Chaco from one of my Where I Stand
Sunday photos painted by Susan Carlin/Texas,
a portrait of ME done in Fauvist style by Carol Nelson/Colorado
a handpainted livestock bell given to me
by a first grade student many years ago ~ 
that hangs off the lamp and makes a sound 
when I turn on the lamp (and that sound brings back memories
of teaching at Elk Creek Elementary in Pine, Co.) - and my lamp sits 
on a hand towel crossstitched by ME.

It's a hodgepodge, it's eclectic and it's inspiring!
What are some gallery spaces that you have created?

Sometimes they are created without even knowing it.




Saturday, November 8, 2014

A Sunrise Painted in Watercolor and Pastel

"Harvest Sunrise"
10" x 36"
watercolor beginnings with pastel finishes
on Utrecht WC paper

I love to watch the sun change positions on the horizon 
by the seasons where I live.
Right now, it's easier to see as it gets
closer to my first view out the
bedroom window
in the morning.

Listed FOR SALE HERE.

Saturday, November 1, 2014

A Watercolor of Some Pumpkins for Fall

"Scarlett's Jack-O-Lanterns"
11" x 14"
watercolor and colored pencil on Arches

Fall is my favorite time of year.  Colors of the leaves, crisp fall air, chilling temps - 
all commands a difference
in activities.  
 Halloween time - fun!  
I like Halloween things all year long - the colors, the images, the excitement -
it helps to transform fall into winter for me.
We have been busy changing the scene for winter at the farmstead.

This is a painting of my granddaughter's carved pumpkins 
last year when she was 6 years old.
I think the tall one, looks just like
one of her many drawings back then.  
So nice to see her able to transpose it to a jack-o-lantern
face.  The lights in their faces at dusk creates that special mood.


Art Still GOING On

(I've been really neglectful of this space. Yikes!)   This summer we planted TREES on our property - spent so much time caring for them,...