Moving Ahead: Light Patterns

I'm still working on "Quite a Pair."

I had an area that wasn't working, and I like to add humor to my paintings, so I hope you enjoy how this piece is moving along. I'm going to continue emphasizing the interplay of shadow and light. I still have a long way to go, but it's snowing and I'm happy to paint tonite.

LIght Patterns

Here's another painting that's on the easel. I usually have several pieces going at a time, so that I can keep it fresh and moving and spontaneous.

I'm teaching my students how to paint fabric; yesterday's lesson was how to paint quilts. Watch as I develop this piece.

I love to paint pears because they're such a classic subject and there's so much more than meets the eye, if the artist takes their time in observation......

Color, Light, Action!

I'm currently thinking about, and painting about: Things I Don't Need Anymore.
Society and clothing has changed quite a bit since my teenage days and I can see painting more lacey items that....are no longer fashionable. Of course, as always, I'm painting color, light and....action.

Yin and Yang

I'm trying to rest more, laugh more and play more, in order to replenish my yin, as advised. It's difficult for me to slow down, though, because I find real joy in multi tasking, organizing and pushing ahead to reach my goals.

I am finding, however, that my creativity is soaring. As a result of slowing down just a little, ideas are pouring out of my head. I now have three paintings going in the studio.

I'm teaching my weekly students how to paint fabrics, and in searching for subject material, I've begun to look through some of the items that I've been saving through the decades. The picture here is "Things I Don't Use Anymore," and it's in the beginning stages. I'm spending most of my time building glazes that glow in the shadows and creases. I won't even begin defining the lace until towards the end of creating this painting.

Replenishing My Yin

I have a solo exhibit coming up in late March at Bridge Gallery in Shepherdstown, WVA. I need to have twenty quality pieces completed by then...framed....competition worthy....I'm spending lots of quiet time painting this winter, which is nice.

Last year, I worked myself hard, but I did well even in a tough economy. This year, 2012, I plan to continue working but to be nice to myself. I'm going to replenish my yin. I think I'll feel better. I'm going to rest more, laugh more, and try not to set unrealistic goals for myself.

The picture posted here will hopefully be in the show coming up in March at The Bridge Gallery.

Happy Painting Holidays!

December 20, 2011

This is the time of year when I just feel darn grateful. Not everything has gone my way, for sure, but I'm grateful to be working as a professional artist and instructor, to be selling artwork to those who love it, and to be able to travel (I'm a gypsy) to share my knowledge.

This year has found me teaching, and/or painting, in Italy, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina, Florida and throughout Virginia. I have loved every minute of it.

I've sold a lot of paintings and I've met a lot of wonderful people who share a love of watercolor painting with me. I enjoy sharing what I know (and, I'm still learning and hope that I always will be), and watching students advance. It's pure joy to start seeing results from students and know that they love painting just as much as I do. Along with this blog, I've posted a picture of some of the cards students have sent me this December.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to one and all and, most importantly, Happy Painting!

Ghost Ranch: Thanks for the Memories

Thanks, Debra, for sending me so many good pictures to share with everyone from Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico. I'm sharing pictures here: Lani and her paintings at our final exhibit; some of the wonderful students; Debra, Nancy, Linda and I in front of one of O'Keeffe's subjects (Debra is holding a copy of the Georgia O'Keeffe painting): finally, a photograph of me and my best friend, the wild burro, Ed.