Some Favorite Things.

Some Favorite Things

8"x6" oil on Canvas Panel  SOLD

Artist Note

I just enjoyed a wonderful 

few hours in the studio.

I gathered a favorite porcelain vase

to go with some beautiful flowers

I was given over Christmas plus

a table runner that was my mothers,

and blissfully went into 

a zen zone.

Christmas was very, very special 

as I hope yours was too.

This will be the last post of the year.

Once again I thank you all for

following my blog.

Also for the friendship as well as

the encouragement I feel

you give me. 

I AM GRATEFUL!

I get so much pleasure out of 

visiting your blogs 

and being inspired, 

 not only with the images 

but also the words you write.

Thank you.

.

I AM GRATEFUL!

May 2018 be one of good health

and personal happiness for you all.

Bosque Del Apache, NM. Sunrise

Bosque Sunrise 

8"x 8" oil on canvas panel $200.

Purchase HERE

Artist Note

I finally had time to paint this 

amazing sunrise view

from my visit to the Bosque in the Fall.

(If you look carefully at this

on the early morning of the 25th 

you will see the Santa's sleigh 

going across the light!!)

I held my annual December 
Fracturing Technique Workshop

and it was a pure delight for me

 due to a very compatible  

and also

 a talented group of artists 

who were willing to push themselves

into new territory.

Thank you all for honoring me 

with your painting trust.

Now it is MY time to paint 

before the new classes start in January.

 I have a Do Not Disturb sign on

my studio door.

 My friends are honoring it!

We have been blessed with 

not selling the house yet 

and so my kids & families 

are coming in for one last 

holiday blast in the home we all love.

Wishing every one of you who 

follow this blog, a wonderful

Christmastime of Love, Peace, and Hope.

May our fine military forces,

the first responders everywhere

and  especially the amazing firefighters 

in California

get to be home or at least be able to 

skype/facetime their loved ones

for the holidays.

I will be back before 
the New Year.

Orchids

                                                                                   

Orchids

6"x12" oil on canvas panel  $200. SOLD

Artist Note

This was a demo for

 the last class of the semester

at the Artist Guild SNM

It was painted on a surface 

already colored

by a previous wipe-off.

I started with the transparent
darker areas first, adding
the colored opaque areas bit by bit
as I gradually moved into
the whitest areas,

I used a photo I had taken
at Trader Joes of the
tops of the orchids through
the  clear wrapping.
Purple, yellow and white flowers.
Beautiful together.

This is an unusual size but I like
how it flows
and do not want to crop it.
It will need a custom frame.

Thank you for all the
great comments on my last post.
I am sorry I have not had time
 to answer them.
Busy, busy with Thanksgiving
and fun company.
Plus...
the house still on the market!!

Blessings Are Everywhere.

Blessings Are Everywhere

watercolor on Yupo

Sold

First, let me wish you all 
a grateful and peaceful

Thanksgiving

Every 7 years it falls on my birthday

and this year is THE one.

My daughter will be doing the cooking!

Artist Note

I painted this one in the car going

to and from the dentist. 

A trip of an hour each way.

It was almost finished 

by the time I got home

(as you can see in the car photo.)

I spent another hour tweaking it

in the studio. 

I really, really like it,

partially because it is 

totally from my imagination.

Pulling on my memory of shapes

and movement of the birds, etc

It is larger than 

my usual daily paintings 

and when matted and framed

I hope it will continue to please me.

Steps

to start...

I deliberately used a staining blue

and took it right across

the page and then lifted it off leaving 

a light blue foundation.

Next, using a big brush I 

placed puddles of 

yellow pale

transparent orange oxide 

and transparent brown oxide

then fractured into them.

I lifted off the shaped of the birds 

with a paper towel and water.

I then began the details...

the fun part, but also what takes

the longest and is the most absorbing

with all the decisions to be made.

Great Blue Heron

 Great Blue Heron

Bosque del Apache NM

8"x 6" oil on canvas panel  $150. SOLD


Artist Note

I joined other artists at
New Mexico's amazing
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
where we
hoped to catch the fall colors
and see the cranes.

We left in the dark
for the two hour drive
and was rewarded with
Wow -
a gorgeous sunrise

This beautiful refuge has a long loop road with
bird watching sites and boardwalks at regular intervals.
Our cameras were busy clicking away
and I wrote down color notes.

Lots and lots of Snow Geese

The Blue Herons
are usually on their own so we
were looking for them along the ditches.
which led to us finding
this extra stunning ditch
with the green weeds.
 I cannot wait to paint it.

There is a photo/video link below
of a  Blue Heron
eating a HUGE fish at the
Bosque del Apache.
And I mean HUGE

I found it pretty fascinating
(seeing is believing}
but only because of the
stubborn nature of the Heron
...who obviously was
determined he wouldn't have to relay
the traditional fishing story
to his mate, when he got back to the nest.
You know the one...
" the one that got away!"
Heron eating fish

Aspen Colors

Aspen Colors #1

8x6" oil on canvas  SOLD

Aspen Colors #2

8x6 oil on canvas panel  SOLD

Artist Note

It's the Blue Sky 

Gold and Scarlet leaf time.

  I always try to paint an aspen

or cottonwood

every year.

 I did two this year -

experimenting with the different light 

on the same group of trees.

I am quite sad really 

because it reminds 

me that the clocks go back

and I drive home

 from work in the dark!

Does anyone else dislike that?

Double Beauty

Double Beauty

6"x6" oil on canvas panel. $110.

Purchase HERE

Artist Note

The last roses of the year. 

A warm protected spot 

produced an extra gift of beauty
during this busy time.

My son came to help with sorting
and moving all my art books.
A huge job as most had to be
brought from the studio
and into the house...
up and down a flight of stairs.

He said he felt he had moved the
Library of Congress!

Anyway, they have been
all thinned down
to just under a hundred
of those friends I feel
 I cannot live without.
Downsizing bit by bit!!

The Blue Screen Door

The Blue Screen Door

6"x6" oil on canvas panel $110.

Purchase SOLD

Artist Note

A typical New Mexico door...

except this one was in Texas!!

I am always drawn to 

blue doors wherever I see them.

This place had lots

of cats hanging around 

and I attempted to paint them.

Notice the word

attempted...and notice,
 no cats!
Paint, scrape, paint, scrape.

Sigh.
But loved painting this anyway.

Wish I could wave a magic wand 
and restore everyone's homes
lost to fire or hurricane.
It is beyond my comprehension
the scope of what I am seeing.

Prayers to all and extra
gratitude
for those who help in such
dangerous situations
like the
 firefighters, policemen 
and other heroes.

But please...
also remember the 
voiceless, displaced animals.

The Blue Bow!

Blue Bow  

18"x24" oil on canvas SOLD

Artist Note

I am so busy dealing

with all the stuff

that goes along with 

selling a house,

 plus working,

that I have not been

 able to get around

to visit the blogs I love so much.

If you have not seen any comments then

please know, I will be back !!

My daughter is posting older

paintings of mine

 on Instagram and Facebook

 just to keep

the flow going.

This one was painted back when

I accepted commissions.

A friend's boyfriend surprised her

with this bouquet...

tucked inside the bow 

was an engagement ring!

Sweet!

Rooster Fun!

Rooster With A Checkered Past
Gouache on Aquabord. Sold. 

Artist Note. 

This is a painting that was in a
Rooster show
almost two years ago.
Decorative and fun to do!

I have almost finished
transferring
"art stuff"
from my home studio
into my downtown studio.
One more weekend should do it.

I have been listening to old episodes
Of the Savvy Painter Podcasts.
The one on Gamblin paints
link below is very interesting
Podcast

And for those who follow
Jillian Morrow
on Shifting Light
 will enjoy this great interview
Podcast with Julian

I hope you enjoy
Savvy Painter. 
There are
Some really interesting
interviews on there.
AND
The amazing
Carol Marine is the juror.
for their upcoming competition 
information HERE

Patina & Peaches

Patina & Peaches
6"x 6" oil on canvas

Artist Note.
I painted this while visiting a
good painting friend, back in August.
I was attracted to the
beautiful patina
on the antique tray.

Preparing the house
AND studio ready to sell
has been a lot of work
but at least this was part of
our own plan.
I really feel for the folk
who have just had their homes
torn apart or flooded in
Florida and Houston.
Getting it all back to normal
will take a huge effort.
I send my true
and warmest blessings to all those
reading this who have been,
 affected. May the future get brighter
very quickly.

Harvey Fundraiser

Bouquet of Hope

8"x8" oil on canvas panel

Auction DPW Harvey Fundraiser

This is my donation for the 

Daily Paintworks Harvey Fundraiser

Please go to the above link to see 

many, many amazing paintings

 donated

 for this worthwhile cause.

You can specify where you

 want your money to go.

Only a couple of days left on this one.

Threesome - Watercolor on Yupo

Threesome
9"x7" watercolor on Yupo SOLD

Artist Note
This a piece from
my Avian show
last November.
I loved doing it.

I am happy to report that
the yard/garage sale went very well.
I was well-prepared, thanks
to the helpful hints from
my blogger friends.

It was even fun... due to
several fabulous friends
who turned up to help
with
laughter and energy.

We didn't have one
difficult customer and
very few "negotiators".
I would say that my
first and last
yard sale
showed me how
really nice most people are.
I feel blessed!

Another Mustard and Garlic

Mustard and Garlic

6'x8" oil on canvas  Sold.

Artist Note.

I am so busy I decided to 

re-post an image

from a  previous post 

using the Gray Poupon mustard jar

I have painted it several

times.

This is from Jan 2015.

I find it interesting to see

 the two different approaches.

Still sorting, eliminating or boxing

for either the garage sale

 or keepers.

This is a lot of work!

Thanks for all the helpful hints

on having a garage sale.

All written down for a guideline.

They have given me peace of mind...

well... as much as is possible

at the moment. 

Happy I started the process early,

 but still so much to do.

My classes prevent a full-time focus, 

but also provide a refuge

from it all.

The sale is on Sept 2nd

Nothing as great

as having kind and caring 

blogging friends.

Thank YOU!

Gray Poupon

Gray Poupon

7x10"  Oil on canvas  SOLD

Artist Note.

The wonderfully versatile artist

Ann Feldman 

came up with 

this weeks

The Daily Paintworks Challenge 

The Name Brand.

I love the Gray Poupon jar

and have painted it several times.

So well known it doesn't need 

more'than a suggestion 

of the name.

To see the other entries

here is a LINK

Have a great week. Think of

me and please send positive energy

as I work on clearing up 

my home studio ready

for the garage sale 

to beat all garage sales.

I have never had one before 

so if any of you have any

helpful tips, please pass them on.

Peony Time

Peony Time

8"x 8" oil on canvas panel SOLD

Artist Note.

Cherries and Peonies,

what could be more classic than that?

I always remember what 

Ovanes Berberian

told me...

Paint in  the NOW and not in

the ways of the past.

So did he mean the brown type
or dark backgrounds?

He certainly has never done 

one remotely like a Chardin,

The Dutch School or Rembrandt.

He was true to his beliefs
and I love his colors...but I wanted 

a dark cloth behind these peonies

so

I added the

 non-traditional striped cloth.

I think it gives it a little more

of a contemporary flair.

Going to have a "packing" weekend.
This is just so we empty
the house of too much "stuff"
to get it ready to show.
My studio will take at least a week to tidy up.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Farmers Market - The Red Hat.

Farmers Market - Red Hat

8"x6" oil on canvas panel SOLD

Purchase HERE

Artist Note

Every Saturday morning

the market is right outside 

my downtown studio. 

I have all the reference material

I could ever need.

BUT

this market scene is from a visit to 

Santa Cruz, CA.

I needed those striped awnings!

. 

Personal stuff...

After fabulous 16 years

 in our Las Cruces, NM home 

it is time to move.

Anyone want a beautiful view...

a 1700sq ft studio or workshop.

As well as a 2600 sq ft house?

Oh, yes, and a swimming pool!

 I am going to be one busy lady!

Fig Trio

Fig Trio

6x6' oil on canvas panel  SOLD

Artist Note.
A friend gave me some figs
and I do not think
 I have painted them before.
Surely I would remember
their funky shape.
and coloration.
Yes,...and the striped cloth
is still holding my interest.

It is monsoon season
and the clouds are quite amazing.
It is my favorite season because
the skies are so amazing.
It is possible to see multiple storms
at one time due to the vastness
of the horizon.

We need the rain and we are getting it.
The purple sage is blooming
and the desert smells so fresh.

Thanks for visiting.

Copy of a Mancini.

Copy of a Mancini

 6x8 oil on canvas $150.\

Purchase HERE

Artist Note

Carol Marine

came up with a great

Daily Paintworks Challenge

The idea was a fabulous one...

copy a painting you admire 

and  then do a painting 

using what you learned

details HERE

BUT... after I copied this one 

I found I had no heart to do another.

How can I ever match what this 

guy does - he is brilliant!

Took me forever to do this little urchin!

I saw this piece in a traveling show at the

El Paso Art Museum. 

I took the photo on the left.

 I eye-balled the proportions 

so there are  

several areas that are not quite right.

Doesn't matter - I learned a lot.

I have followed Antonio Mancini's 

work for years.

Sargent was an admirer and has

been quoted as saying,

Mancini

 was the worlds greatest artist

The great Richard Schmid has said

 he, too, was heavily

influenced by Mancini's work.

If you are not familiar with 

his paintings here is a link.

Antonio Mancini

Pitcher & Apricots

Pitcher & Apricots
8"x6" oil on Raymar board  $150.
Purchase HERE

Artist Note.

I think that the striped cloth
adds a bit of zip to this
otherwise ordinary still life.

Priscilla Hoback made this
wonderful pitcher
and it is my first time painting it.
Fascinating discovering
the layers.

Priscilla does amazing work and
you can see some of her large
 animal art pieces
HERE

Peaches & Stripes

Peaches & Stripes

6"x6" oil on canvas panel  $125.SOLD

Artist Note.
I must have a little thing going for stripes
at the moment. I have done three
still life set-ups and they all
  have the same striped cloth.

Does anyone else notice that they
favor a certain item for a while?
The cherries are still being included too!

When I finished this painting
 it reminded me
in color
 and pattern
of a
Vuillard or Bonnard.

Lordy...had I subconsciously
copied one of their
still life paintings?
This can happen when you have
a lot of art history background.
Anyone relate?

After trolling though
 nearly everything I
 could find on Search
 I could see quite clearly
the differences, but I am
rather happy that
 this one reminds
me of their patterns
and colors.

Why I Like To Fracture Plus A Still Life.

Summer Still Life

8"x6" oil on linen panel $150.
Purchase HERE

Artist Note

After my Fracturing Workshop

I took a few days off to paint

with a friend who is a regular

plein air painter...and 

due to the extreme heat

(thank heavens)

we set up a still life.

I have been asked why 

I like to fracture

The following is a piece 

I did in my workshop

showing everyone

the premise of why I use the

fracturing technique.

It is all about keeping the

viewers eye's interested.

Below is the type of surface

I would get when I 

used a brush in a smooth, flat way.

One glance and you have grasped it

Then here is the same square fractured.

The idea is 

there is more

to entertain the eye!

Hope this helps explains it, Susie.

Workshop Review

Sunflower Demo  sold

Artist Note.
I always really enjoy my
workshops but this one
was extra special due
to the fun and talented artists
who all got on so well.
A true blessing.

On the first day 

I provide all the surfaces to

 do the fracturing exercises

and a black panel is one of them.

I sketched out the placement
with white chalk.

 Then I started adding
 the orange/yellow transition color

alongside the dark center.
Next, I added the

yellow and green shapes only.

Looking at the light and dark pattern

I then fractured 

 randomly 

with the handy tool.

Added background colors
remembering to use opposing
strokes and then I fractured
lightly again.

I follow the fracturing marks
using brush and knife...
Defining certain areas. 

Artists are encouraged to
bring it back according to
personal preference for
the amount of detail.

Here are a few of the paintings
the artists did in the workshop.
Wish I could show them all.

Lindy

Carol

Michelle

Veronica

The next three paintings

show how 

 different artists used 

the fracturing technique

to have their own voice with paint.

Three dogs - all different!

Cheryl 

Connie

Veronica

Thank you, everyone, for
allowing me to show your work.

If you are interested in the
Fracturing Technique,
here is a link
Fracturing Tutorial

Sunlight On Rose

Sunlight On Rose 

6x6 oil on canvas panel 

Artist Note.

This one is for the 

Daily Paintworks Challenge.

The Rose Challenge was submitted by

 an artist whom I

admire greatly and I have followed

her for quite a while.

Her name?

Drum roll....

Kaethe Bealer

She is brilliant at nailing her values

with beautiful, rich colors.

Here is a link to her

Rose Challenge

Be prepared to have your 

socks knocked off when you 

see the rose she painted 

from the photo.

You will see many other 

beautiful rose paintings

this challenge has inspired. 

 Here is a link to 

her gallery page

Kaethe Bealer

You can see she paints a variety

of subject matter

but all of them, magnificently.

Still putting together my workshop post.

Silver, Red & Turquoise!

Silver, Red & Turquoise!

6"x 6" oil on gesso board $125. SOLD

Artist Note.

I am proud of this one.

Big beam and a happy Julie!

Tomorrow is the last day 

of the 

Fracturing Technique workshop. 

(The cherries were painted before it.)

What a great group of

talented artists, I was lucky

enough to have.

I will ask their permission 

to show some of their work

in my next post.

First, I need to relax.

Mums, Picasso & Cherries

Mums, Picasso & Cherries.

8"x6"  oil on linen panel  SOLD

Artist Note.
 The cherries are still
inspiring me, so I went into a 

different color palette

and am happy I did.
I find the color harmony
in this one very appealing.

This is an extra personal painting
because I used 

an old and much loved
Picasso top
as the background.

The challenge of this was

how to do a "busy" painting

but still manage to

keep a focal area.

It was fun to paint.

Spilled Cherries

Spilled Cherries

6x8inches oil on canvas panel $140. SOLD

Artist Note

This went thru several incarnations,

starting off with a silver bowl.

It became a fight of reflections!

I know when I am beaten 

so I went and got a white bowl

off the shelf.

This is another painting

 from the big box of cherries

we bought at Nichols Ranch

See HERE for directions.

Situated a beautiful 80 min drive 

from Las Cruces,

the orchards are 

at an altitude of 6,800ft

- much cooler than here!

Leaving, we stopped to admire 

this view

of the brilliant streak of light

below the distant mountains 

created by

 White Sands National Monument.

seeHERE

Hot today with more 

heat on the way.

 My new studio in nice and cool.

The Striped Pitcher

The Striped Pitcher

8"x 6" oil on canvas/panel $140. SOLD

Artist Note.

I LOOOOVE my new studio!

 I want to show you my

set-up for painting a still life

 I needed  something that was: 

convenient to get to... 

right by my easel...

      and very versatile...

This fits the bill perfectly.

I screwed two shelving strips 

into the wall

making them long enough 

so I could adjust

the viewpoint from either,

eye level - see below

- or moving it down for 

taller still life set-ups.

 (See last image)

It is so easy to adjust. 

. I used the longer18-inch brackets

to support a good sized surface. 

I used a 20"x20" piece of plywood

on top of the lower brackets

and  placed a piece of

24' foam core over the top

This also prevents my overhead light 

from interrupting a

single light source.

I can have fabric over this 

to drop down behind

And I can also use colored paper

The gooseneck light

 adjusts in any position

from any side.

This shows how 

I can also use the

  sight-size method. 

So there it is. I hope I get a 

lot of use out of it.

Whoo hoo!!