Sunday, August 30, 2009

In the Company of Buttons

This is an oil pastel, about 12" X 12". It is framed, $650.00 and is available at Gold Strike gifts in Virginia City, Nevada. Sometimes I do this with my high school students. This is done on a brown paper bag that has been waded up and then re flattened. In painting if all the spots of color in the right place, there is no need for drawing.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

St. Mary's

This is a very old oil painting of the St. Mary's Art Center in Virginia City, Nevada(she used to be a hospital in the gold rush days). It is a 24" X 30" painting on masonite. I went to see the art center last summer and she is looking pretty rough these days. It is really sad. 20 years ago all the rooms still had antique wood burning stoves and that nostalgia was part of what made her such a special place. I was painting on location at the Ca. State Fair today and I think it was 113 degrees. I was working in acrylics...not a good idea. I should have taken my oils. The paint would dry in my brush before I could get the brush to the canvas. The painting is in the art display at the state fair if you want to see it. Like a dummy I did not shot a digital picture to post. I was so hot that all I wanted was to go home and get a huge cold drink!!

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Pink Palace

This is a 16" X 20" oil done on location in Virginia City. It is $800.00 framed and being shown at Gold Strike Gifts in Virginia City, Nevada. Another thought for the day. "The only constant is change".

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

North of St. Mary's


An 11" X 14" plein aire, oil done in Virginia City, Nevada. "Painting should be done from the floor up, not from the seat of a comfortable chair" by Robert Henri

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

An Up Hill Hike


This is an oil done in Virginia City, Nevada. It is 16" X 20", $800.00 framed and hanging at "Gold Strike Gifts" in Virginia City. I got some great news Saturday. My 2nd barn painting sold last week, so both paintings I did for the barn show have sold. Yahhhhhhh!!!!!!

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Naked Ladies

Sorry, I have been so tired that my blog has been the least important thing to do. This painting is an acrylic on paper called Naked Ladies. I started it on location and finished it in the studio. I need to slow down and make very careful choices about how I spend my energy.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

White Iris

This is a large acrylic. The light on the petals are what drew me to the subject. I am still working on the midpoint review power point. I went to my 1st power point class last night and made a visual for my A.P. 3-D Design class. It was pretty cool and much easier than the power point for my Masters. This quote sounds like me. It is one of those things I need to change. "I'm defensive even when what's going on has nothing to do with me. I just know I must be wrong somehow." by Elizabeth from "Meditations for Women Who Do To Much".

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Purple Iris

This is a 11" X 14", oil of an iris I saw in a vineyard on Peltier Road. I wish I had taken pictures of all the iris pictures but I did not. I am always busy. I need to take the time to decide if all the business is adversely effecting my life. I need to remember what is really important and eliminate the unimportant business from my life. What is REALLY important?

Monday, August 10, 2009

Coral Iris

This is also 16" X 20 " watercolor. I used a lot of dropped in color in the background while the background was wet. I only wet the areas that I am working in. This reminds me of my daughter, Melissa. She taught me how to make flower pens. I love the ones she made for me a few years back and use them everyday. I was at a garage sale and bought a group of silk roses and made some yesterday just for fun. Thank-you Melissa. "It is not the realization of our dreams that makes us feel lost. It is what happens to us when our dreams become nightmares." by Anne Wilson Schaef.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Yellow Iris

This is a watercolor I did of a yellow and white iris. The image is a 16" X 20". I try to do a watercolor every year as a demonstration painting for my high school art students. This is an older painting that I want someone to see. Much of my work never makes it out of the studio. I really love painting flowers and so many other things. I wish I had a separate body to paint each subject that I am fascinated with because I will never be able to cover all of them in my lifetime.
This is a moment. I will live each moment fully. Then when death comes, and it always does, it will be a culmination of well lived moments, not an end. And no, I am not dying but each day I am one step closer to that moment.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Reflections of Iris

This is an older painting that no one has seen. It is 36" X 48" oil painting with the still life on a mirror. I really like using mirrors and things that reflect color and light. Enthusiasm and aliveness are intimately connected!

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Worry Lines

Don't you have to love that face!!! This calf is done in acrylics on paper, it is 21" X 14.5" and is $1,100. framed. It is also called " Worried Calf". It is now at the Knowlton Gallery. Something about the shape of the cow pulls at my heart. I can not explain why. My school district is doing an after school training in Power Point! yahhhhhhh!!!!! So I will be there on Aug. 11th. I am making progress on learning eschool...I actually was able to put a few assignments in the online roll book. Did I say progress not perfection yesterday? I am grateful!! Try to be grateful today, there is always something to be grateful for. I am alive today, even that is a treasured gift!

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Mackville Spectators


This is a pastel that is now at the Knowlton Gallery. It is 12.5inches X 17.5inches and is $850.00 framed. If you are interested in it contact the Knowlton Gallery. They have 4 of my cow ieces right now. This is a good example of how the cows gather around when I am on location painting or even planting a tree. They all want to see what the excitement is all about. When I lose my integrity, I have lost my soul. Just another thought for today.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Spotted Cow

This is an acrylic painting on paper of the cows out on the Mackville Ranch. They can be so cute! They watch me as though I am an entertainer. They are very funny!! I especially love it when they have calves. What beautiful faces they have.

Sorry I have not been posting. I went back to work last week and am trying to keep up with 160 high school students, learn a new program for work called eschool (and I don't know it yet and no training, so it is trial and error!!!) I hate that! Also I gave up on a laptop and installed Microsoft Office and soon will install my webcamon the old computer, as I have time. So I am teaching myself to use Power Point for my Midpoint Review in Sept. at the Academy of Art in S. F. All things in time. Progress not perfection!!! Remember that...it will keep you sane!!!