Personal Art Blog

Sharing the lessons I teach at the Artist Guild and the personal discoveries in my art.

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

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.


Tuesday, December 19, 2017

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.




Thursday, November 30, 2017

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!!





Tuesday, November 21, 2017

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.

Saturday, November 11, 2017

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


Thursday, November 2, 2017

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?


Wednesday, October 25, 2017

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!!


Tuesday, October 17, 2017

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.

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

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!



Wednesday, September 27, 2017

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

Monday, September 18, 2017

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.

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Harvey Fundraiser


Bouquet of Hope
8"x8" oil on canvas panel

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.


Tuesday, September 5, 2017

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!


Wednesday, August 23, 2017

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!

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Gray Poupon



Gray Poupon
7x10"  Oil on canvas  SOLD

Artist Note.
The wonderfully versatile artist
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.



Wednesday, August 9, 2017

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.

Monday, August 7, 2017

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!

Monday, July 31, 2017

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.

Friday, July 28, 2017

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.

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

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



Friday, July 21, 2017

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.


Thursday, July 13, 2017

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.


Saturday, July 8, 2017

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



Tuesday, June 27, 2017

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

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

You can see she paints a variety
of subject matter
but all of them, magnificently.

Still putting together my workshop post.


Thursday, June 22, 2017

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.

Sunday, June 18, 2017

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.

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

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


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.

Hot today with more 
heat on the way.
 My new studio in nice and cool.


Tuesday, June 6, 2017

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!!