25 minute pos/neg, 30

This is a 25 minute oil sketch.

40 minute, plein air 4, 30

This is the view on my way to work a few weeks ago. It is amazing how the clouds can reflect light. I stayed up to late last night, so I am tired this morning. My mid term painting is due on Sunday, so I am working on that...in between all the quick studies. After painting last night I sat down with a book and got hooked. I love and hate when that happens.It is so enjoyable that I do not want to put the book down. It is so much more engaging than movies. Have a great day.

40 minute, plein air 3, 29

Good morning all!!!! Well this was done from my back porch on the day that the sun shone between storms. I did it after work. It is a 40 minute quick sketch in oils and is 11" X 14". Although I really like plein air painting, I am finding it much harder lately. I am wondering if I have spent so much time working from photos that I am out of practice working from life. I will have to work on that!

25 minute plein air, 28

This was painted from my back porch. It was cold and raining...NO SUN!!!!!  Today the sun is supposed to be out so I need to go paint!!  It is supposed to rain all week!

25 minute plein air, 27

The evening I painted this was rainy and cold. I could see my breath. I set up my easel on the back porch to stay dry. This is a quick study of 25 to 30 minutes and is an 8" X 10" oil painting. I did a few value adjustments in the foreground later. It got darker and darker as I painted and pretty soon I was painting in the dark so I could not see the values of my darks...that is why I needed to adjust the values in the foreground.

40 minuteportrait male 26

Yesterday was slow progress. I got 1 and a half 60 minute paintings done and worked on the large painting of Clarene by the lake. The nice thing about the timed ones, is that when the timer goes off, I am done. The long paintings I paint..and paint...and paint... and sometimes I feel they are never done or that I take them to far and the freshness of the quick sketch disappears. Then I feel sad. Have a great day!

40 minute portrait female, 25

Well, here is another 40 minute quick study. This one the teacher liked. : )  I actually have 19 studies that I have not posted. This class keeps me hopping and I do not always have time to post here. Sorry! I really like doing the quick studies. They build confidence!! I am trying to decide if the weather is going to clear so I can do 4 plein aire landscape quick studies or if it doesn't I can work on the finished painting of Clarene by the lake. I must go, have a great day!!!

I pick up the work from Mon Petit Chic this Friday afternoon it is at 330 W. Lodi Ave., Lodi, Ca., so if you want to see the show you have less than 3 days left. Enjoy!

40 minute portrait male, 24

This is a 40 minute portrait. For a 40 minute oil quick study...I like this one. I am getting quicker about putting down information. I found a beautiful large scarf in an antique store last weekend and am going to use it to drape a few figures. I already did a photo shot and am really happy with the images. Hopefully I will start painting them soon.

25 minute, 23

Another quick one. I like this one. She has attitude! 11" X 14" oil

25 minute portrait, 23

I really did not like this one. It lacks life and enthusiasm. I think it needs a few more spots of warm color and maybe more contrast in the background to set the stage for some drama. This is 11" X 14" oil quick study. I however, love this model. I was told he died. I do not know if that is true or not but his face is so full of character!!! Must go. I have another quick study to do today and corrections to make for resubmission. I am learning about still life using unusual compositions and really liking it!

25 minute portrait, 22

This week is portraits of head and shoulders. This is the 1st one. It was done in 25 minutes.

45 minute cup, 22

This is the last of the cup still life. Once I finish this class I would like to come back to these and make a few changes and resolve them a little more. I have about 23 more sketches done that I have not posted yet. I will post them as I get time. I am doing unusual compositions in still life right now and really enjoying it. The idea is making me think outside the box. I like that. This information is something I can really run with!

45 minute cup, 21

This is another 45 minute oil sketch. It is 11" X14". It is interesting how the inside of the cup looks green.

45 minute cup, 20

Again these are only quick studies. This one is 45 minutes and I know to be a finished painting I need more paint in the background and more modeling in the cups but this was fun! I am tired but my grades for my high school students are in and I am free to do my quick studies for a few weeks! It will be very nice.

25 minute cups, 19

Sorry I have been trying to keep up with my class and had to stop posting here to get a little extra time for my quick studies class. I liked this series of cups but I got my worst grade on them so... see what I know.   Apparently I have a lot of tangents in them. Actually this piece has a tangent where the spoon tip touches the tiny cup.  When this class is over I would like to actually take these quick studies to completed paintings.

I just got some big news. I took 1st and 2nd in oil painting at the Lodi Art Annual which will be at the "Woodbridge Winery" the weekend of March 19th, 20th and 21st.

25 minute cups, 18

Remember this is a 25 minute oil sketch. Good night all. Rest well. Thank-you all that came to the reception at Mon Petit Chic. I so appreciate your moral support. The show will go on through the month of March if you were not able to make it to the reception.(The address is 330 West Lodi, Ave., Lodi, Ca.) It is a real cute shop and my paintings feel right at home there. It is a cozy place. See for yourself.

25 minute cups, 17

The idea to do the cups came from Carol Marine. Her cups inspire me and since I also love antique things, I added the tiny cup and saucer. Again this is only a 25 minute painting. My opening reception is tomorrow night at Mon Petit Chic, 330 West Lodi Ave, Lodi, Ca. from 6 till 8:30. Come it will be fun!

40 minute figure, 16

Sorry, I have not been posting. I am painting many quick studies but with high school issues, loading and unloading the kiln every few days, I just had to let some things go. This is not as important to me as meeting my deadlines for my class and making sure my students get the guidance they need in my classroom. This is a 40 minute oil quick study. When the timer rings it is over!

I am having an art show at Mon Petit Chic, in Lodi, Ca. by Fiori's Butcher Shop. It is the month of March and I have over 25 pieces of art in the show. The opening is Friday night, March 5th from 6 to 8:30. Come if you can!!