Personal Art Blog

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

Monday, December 31, 2018

Favorite Nest of 2018


Wishing you all a terrific and creative 2019.

Artist Note
This is my favorite nest of last year
I painted it three times.
The one above
 It is 8"x10" oil on canvas.

Lots of layering went on...
and on... and somehow 
I feel as if I built this nest -
instead of painting it!

It is a Bluejay nest.
Friends from Santa Fe gave it to me a couple
of years ago when they were having an addition
put on their house and found it. 

It is on a beautiful sycamore branch in my studio.

The one below was 24"x24"
HUGE for me. 
I LOVED painting it.
 Ladybugs, grasses, feathers, leaves, 
are all in there -  part of nest making!
.
Sunrise colors are behind the large one but 
I became creative with blue twigs
in the top one. I found I enjoyed playing
around with colors and glad I stuck to it.

So, as you see, the same nest provided me
with hours of pleasure
How many of you thought I meant the 
PAINTING at top was my favorite
and not the nest itself?
Interesting how we read things. 
Though I better put it right!


Both of them sold and I hope the owners 
enjoy finding little areas of interest 
that have my heart and soul
embedded in them.

Again....happiest of years ahead 
and thank you for following my blog.


Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Poinsettia Celebration

Poinsettia Celebration
8x6" oil on canvas panel SOLD

Artist Note
This painting was one of a little series
of holiday-themed paintings.
the gallery had asked for.
They all sold fast so I just 
finished another one I have given them.
It is a 6"x6" gallery-wrap canvas
so it stands or can be hung.
 Sides are painted red.



If interested, please call the 
M Phillips Gallery
575-525-1367

This is my last post before Christmas.
My hubby and I are off to visit my daughter
who has a husband in Afganistan.
I am looking forward to seeing her 
and all my grand-pets.

I wish you all a very 
Peaceful and Blessed Christmas.
Be safe.





Saturday, December 8, 2018

Poinsettia



Poinsettia
6"x 6" oil on Raymar panel SOLD.

Artist Note
This was a demo done during the workshop
last week. 
My last workshop from my own studio. 
I had a great group of talented artists
who did some wonderful
fracturing work.
It is not easy to break up 
a perfectly nice piece of work and 
I know that, but, with some 
encouragement, it was very rewarding to see
them beam with pleasure when they finally
got it!
They all traveled many miles to attend
and I am grateful and honored
they chose to learn from me.

A personal chat.
I have mixed feelings about not hosting
any more workshops because
I really enjoy teaching and have met some 
amazing artists from Hawaii, Canada, 
South America, Mexico and all areas of the US,
but I selfishly want to have more time for 
my own development. 

When I started fracturing 9 years ago,
very few oil painters were into 
any form of the 
"create, destroy, rebuild"
school and it took time for me to find 
my own way of doing it.
 It took me even longer to 
show the public, and that was 8 years ago,
but, it became noticed
and I was asked to make a video 
for Daily Paintworks!!
I still am gobsmacked at how successful
it has been.

Fast forward to the present time.
I see many, many more 
"messy" paintings 
- as my husband calls them - 
and I am excited to be mainstream
where people are not asking me 
why my lines are not smooth!!
I want to push myself further
and see what develops.


Saturday, November 24, 2018

Santa Fe Gate


Santa Fe Gate
8"x6" oil on canvas panel $150.
Purchase HERE

Artist Note.
I found this delightful gate
on a trip to Museum Hill in Santa Fe.
The property must be old because 
the trees were very tall. 
Fall color were glowing through here and there
and the yellow was like a spotlight on the lens
...way too bright,
so bright the camera had to be adjusted
so they didn't bleach out.

Then it was important to decide, 
was the gate the focus
...or the golden trees?
I hope the gate is noticed first.
Tricky!

Monday, November 19, 2018

Sunrise Over The River



Sunrise Over The River
6x8" oil on canvas panel $150. SOLD

Artist Note
This was painted from a 
watercolor sketch.
which was very loosey-goosey
because it was such a fast rise. 
I tried to take my mind back to 
the actual time but it has been a few years.

Oh well...I enjoyed painting it
and that is the important thing...right?

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Aspen Colors


Aspen Colors
8"x6"  oil on canvas panel $150. SOLD


Artist Note
A truly impressionist painting.
I obviously love the aspen tree
and my favorite way to capture them
 is to use this impressionistic 
use of colors.

I just had a three-day weekend trip
to see a friend. 
We are birthday buddies.
They fall on the same week
and throughout the many years
of our friendship, we make time
to enjoy a few days together
during the month of November,
 and we go shopping.
She picks her present and I pay, 
and I pick mine, and she pays!
It is quite wonderful.

Saturday, November 3, 2018

Its pansy Time Again!


Pansy Time
8"x6" oil on canvas panel $150.
Purchase SOLD 

Artist Note.
The pansies are back
and I have planted them in pots
on our balcony.
Such a happy flower. 
They make me happy
thru the wintertime.
Anyone else like them?

Sunday, October 28, 2018

Anemones



Anemones
9" x 8 1/2" oil on canvas panel  $225. SOLD


Artist Note.
This is a weird size and 
 I cannot think how 
to crop it in any other way -
so this is it!

This one was fun for me because 
I can see all the colors much
better, and, as you know...
I love color!

Regarding my computer woes, 
(see the previous post)
they were fixed with
a complete close-down. 
I had to download everything
onto a hard-drive and then
install them again.
The IPad was then able 
to get caught up with  
redoing settings after getting rid
of cookie cache and re-setting
Passwords and Accounts.

Not easy and very frustrating
for this computer challenged gal!
Thanks for all the hints 
and support from you guys.
Jennifer hit it right.😊


Monday, October 22, 2018

Pizza Time!


Pizza Time
8x6" oil on canvas panel $150.
Purchase HERE

Artist Note
Inspired by a local restaurant.

Complaining session follows
so don't read any further
if you are not up for it!

I am having problems with
 my blogger site since the 
new update by Apple. 
Sheesh...
so much time spent trying to 
use it and replying to the comments
 from the last post was
daunting, to put it mildly. 

My iPad and computer had the issues 
 I would type everything I wanted to 
for a reply to a comment
 and enter.... and nothing...
and I mean NOTHING!

Finally, I had to do it all 
on my iPhone 6S. 
and THEN have to enter
my name and password
for each one. OUCH!

It took FOREVER...
not that you all are not worth it, 
but, I ain't a saint!
Lots of unladylike words flowing.

If anyone has a solution 
then please let me know.
I would like to reply to my 
blog on my iPad or computer.
Definitely not my phone.

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Farmers Market - Pink Cap



Farmers Market - The Pink Cap!
8x6in oil on canvas panel SOLD

Artist Note
I came to an abrupt stop when I 
was passing this stall at the market.
The pink cap was glowing 
with the sun hitting it 
and 
wearing it was a manly man
bearded and muscular!

You have seen the type.
It reminded me how 
times have changed.
When I was growing up 
a man could not be even
found who would wear pink in any form.

I went over and bought some sweet onions
and told him I liked his cap color.
He told me very proudly 
he was wearing
it to support his sister who had
breast cancer.
So there you go.
HOW NEAT IS THAT!

Saturday, October 13, 2018

Pomegranate Pair.


Pomegranate Pair 
8”x6” oil on canvas panel $150.
PurchaseHERE

Artist Note
An artist friend gave me some
beautiful poms right off her tree. 
I have painted them in
three different sizes and 
this is the first one I finished.

A bright glowing red can be 
very difficult 
to paint. 
Adding white can cool it too much. 
I used 
Grumbacher Red (napathol)
Naples Yellow
Alizarin Perm. 
Thalo Blue
I used white to make a purple
from the aliz and blue. 
The greens were made with 
that wonderful 
Perylene Black and yellow. 
Transparent Brown Oxide
is always on my palette. 

I looked back at the poms 
I paint every year. 
These are the first 
I have done with them
hanging from their branch. 
I enjoyed having the leaves
to help with the design. 

I have made a little video
I will be showing soon. 
Learning to edit!





Saturday, October 6, 2018

Yellowstone Stream



Yellowstone Stream
6"x8" oil on canvas panel  $150.

Artist Note
This is painted from sketches 
I made while on a trip to 
Yellowstone National Park.
What an incredible place.

I have a visitor - 
a very special blogging friend,
Lisa Graham.
She arrived for a weekend stay.

Lisa recently moved from Witchita, Kansas, to 
Castle Rock, Colorado. Just south of Denver.
Happy me...it is a much shorter drive 
and a straight shot down
to Las Cruces on I-25.

Those of you who have followed 
me for a long time will 
remember how our friendship 
developed while she took care 
of her ailing mother 
and then after she died
 I invited Lisa to visit in 2014💙
Then I visited her...💙
and now she is visiting me again...💙

I have always loved the honesty
in her work.
Totally and authentically, Lisa.
She is a storyteller with paint!

Here is her latest post and
I hope you check it out.


Friday, September 28, 2018

Snowflake Dove

Snowflake Dove
6"x8" oil on canvas panel  $150. SOLD. 


Artist Note. 
I have been wanting to paint 
this beautiful dove ever
since I since I first saw it. 
I have painted it seven times 
learning all about 
its shape, feathers, beak and that 
amazing eye...and this finally
is the closest to what it is like
and importantly...the one I like best.

An interesting fact.
I cannot find a thing 
about Snowflake Doves.
I have tried Google and books.
Zip - nothing.
Here is a pic.

Any of you know anything about them?
(David Gascoigne - an expert on the avian world)
They are so truly beautiful 
with the snowflake markings on their wings.

Saturday, September 22, 2018

Asian Pears


Asian Pears 
8x6' oil on panel SOLD

Artist Note
The fruit was a gift from a friends garden 
She is an artist so she left a 
couple with branches. Happy smiles!

I tried something different with this one.
I first painted the panel with gray gesso
and then I painted it as I would
a vignette in watercolor.
I really liked the effect in a frame - 
it kind of makes its own border
so I am going to do some more this way.

Here are some greens made
from the 
Windsor Newton Perylene Black
Look how natural they are.

Top row - Lemon and P Black
Middle row - Yellow deep and P Black
Bottom row - ochre and P Black

The 3 blue/gray spots are with white added.
You can see why it makes good greens. I think it 
would be perfect for the ZORN palette
(Vermillion, yellow ochre, black, white)
because it is a beautiful blue-black


I am picking up steam with my painting.
I will be posting more often as I continue
to get comfortable with paint again.
Thanks for sticking with me...
you are the BEST!


Monday, September 17, 2018

Video Demo - Landscape!




Artist Note.
I came across this old video of me painting a landscape.
It was painted on Senso linen. 6x8'
It is at a MUCH faster speed than I paint!
Hope you enjoy it.

Saturday, September 15, 2018

Waterlily Light #2

Waterlily Light #2
6x8" oil on panel   $150.
Purchase HERE

Artist Note
Here I am - back to the Lilypond. 
I am really captivated by the 
three components...
Water, plants, and light. 
It appears almost
 magical to me when
the sun casts through the shaded areas.

I can see why Monet devoted 
so many years to painting
his waterlily series. 
He bought the land and 
diverted water from a stream
to start designing what he wanted.
Seven years of planting, building
and creating.
Then he spent 30 years 
- the rest of his life-
painting it!

The two 80-ft oval rooms
in the 
Orangerie of the Tuileries. Paris,
where the enormous and stunning
murals of 
his water garden are shown
are often described as the
"Sistine Chapel of Impressionism."


Thinking about all the people
and animals who are 
suffering in
The Carolinas 
in the aftermath of Florence.
Sending heartfelt prayers




Sunday, September 9, 2018

Anemones plus Hint


Anemones
8x6 oil on canvas panel SOLD

Artist Note
I really enjoyed painting this one. 
I can see red again!
And painting every day 
I feel the old flow 
is coming back.


I sent out my Fall Newsletter
with this new painting in it and 
was really pleased with the response. 
I am going to paint it larger
and see if I can capture the same 
color harmony. 
Easier said than done!

Artist Hint
I have added to my palette
Windsor Newton/Perylene Black .
if you do not already use it,
TRY IT!
It makes fabulous greens 
with different yellows. 

It also makes a beautiful blue/black
when white is added.

I am excited to find a replacement 
for my LeFranc Cassel Earth black paint. 
which I previously used for olive greens.
This Perylene black produces a much 
greater range of beautiful greens...
and I still get the olive with adding ochre.

I was told LeFranc & Bourgeois had a fire
and that is why it is impossible to get their
paint anymore.  
They were the oldest 
European oil paint manufacturer
and their Titanium White was a joy to use.
Sure hope they come back.





Monday, September 3, 2018

Santa Fe Adobe


Santa Fe Adobe
6"x8" oil on canvas panel  $150 SOLD

Artist Note.

Most of you know how much
I love living here in the southwest 
and this is the painting which
got me back into the flow
of painting again
after having cataracts removed.

I feel like a whole new person.
 I am enjoying seeing clearly.
Life is good
... but the painting part of my life
has only just starting to flow 
instead
of hit and miss.


I have completed
several paintings 
and I am going to 
show them first in my newsletter.
It has been sadly neglected
so I am hoping to make amends.

If you feel you would enjoy 
getting it about four times a year
you can sign up on my website 
using link below

Enjoy your week.
Maybe I will be back before then.









Thursday, August 16, 2018

Fracturing from the Imagination. Step by Step.



Fracturing from the Imagination.

8x6in  oil on canvas panel   SOLD

This is a re-post I thought some of you would find interesting.
I am doing color charts galore...trying to rediscover my palette
since the cataracts removal


Artist Note

I love painting from my imagination.
Finally at the stage where I feel I know the lemon well enough
to paint without looking at one. I start off with a basic design
and then I respond to what the paint does on the canvas.
Here are the steps I took to do this piece.


First I randomly applied color
in two stages.
A thin underneath wash of colors
see the cool mauve and transp
yellow oxide.
Then I did the drawing of shapes
with a rigger  brush and dark paint.
Next I painted the warm red, lifting off
with the handy tool to expose underneath colors
leaving random areas and fruit, plain.




I added the dark at the top
and made a slightly darker
square at bottom right.
This was intuitive.
At this stage they were all going to be
lemons.







When I had put in the dark top
and moved down to place the darker area
I realized it was because I need another dark
so I made the lemon into a plum.
This is the great thing about painting
from the imagination. You have time to
listen to your inner art voice and
respond accordingly.
I paint at this stage in complete silence.
No music or story going on.



I usually start with the lightest and
focal point area as I did here.

Anyway, at this stage I feel  confident
that I can solve the rest of the painting
and as I feel the fracturing technique becoming
more and more natural

This post was in 2012 so by now the
fracturing has certainly become as natural as breathing.




Posted by Picasa

Saturday, August 4, 2018

Sunflowers and Daisies


Sunflowers & Daisies
10"x 8" oil on canvas panel  $250. SOLD



Artist Note
This is my first painting
with my new pupils!
Notice it is larger than my usual 6x8.
I am having a bit of trouble 
with the small size. 
Out of practice!

This is not my first painting
since cataract surgery
by any means,
 but it is my first completed one.
 My depth perception is
slightly askew.
 and I am having
to learn color without
seeing a green haze
Meaning lots of tossers! 
The only way to stop me
from painting over and over
on the same canvas, 
(trying to get it right,)
has been to razor it!
Bet you are saying...
been there, done that!

Anyway, I am very excited.
with my new vision
and 
look forward 
to the joys of painting
once more.



Sunday, July 22, 2018

A Little Vacation!



A trip to Portland, Oregon. 
with a day outing to Cannon Beach.
Surely one of the most 
beautiful beaches anywhere.

Four days after my second cataract surgery
I flew to Portland for a week.
A wonderful and much-needed visit
to see dear friends.

The sketches are from a previous trip...
one, where my eyes were not blurry from
all the drops I needed to put in!!

I painted from the balcony of the 
Hallmark Hotel,
chosen
so I could capture the
different atmospheric moods.
of Haystack, 
the amazing
monolith rock formation.

I was thrilled to meet two 
BLOGGING FRIENDS.

First, on the trip to Cannon Beach

Lauren Nelson was kind enough 
to drive up and meet me 
and my friend, Jan, for brunch.
           She is as delightful, warm and fun as
the person I know from the years
following her blog. 
(We share a love and respect for animal life.)

 A marvelous hour or so was spent in the 
Dragonfly Gallery, sharing what we 
liked and why...she is smart!
It was stimulating.
Thank you, Lauren, for making the time
to meet me. It will be a treasured memory.
Link to Lauren's blog HERE

A couple of days later I had the 
pleasure of a studio visit with 
another artist
 I have followed for many years.
Randall Tipton
What a guy!
Knowledgeable, articulate, generous and fun!
Patiently, he allowed me and my friend, Jan,
  to pour over his inspiring work,
answering questions and sharing painting
info. I felt like I was in heaven!
Jan and I left both carrying treasured
pieces of art.
Thank you, Randall, for the wonderful visit.

Link to Randall and I recommend his blog

Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Poppies!

Poppies!
6"x8" oil on canvas panel  $150
Purchase HERE

Artist Note.
I really love this type of poppy
with the white next to 
the dark center.
I painted it a while ago
keeping it close because I
 really liked the touch of blue!


Personal Note
Many thanks for the wonderful 
sharing of ideas and hints regarding 
my vision needs
 after cataract surgery.
Apparently, many of you have 
experienced the issue.

I am having my other cataract 
removed in the morning. YAY!
The first one has revealed
a crisp, bright new view
of the world
- amazing -

BUT
My brain has NOT co-operated
with the other eye which is 
close-sighted so the monovision
 is totally out 
and "readers" will be needed.
One in every room!

BUT
another blogger has shared 
what she has done 
and it has me all excited. 
I have to wait a couple of months
for the eyes to settle then 
I will pass it on it it works!


Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Waterlily Pleasure!


Waterlily Pleasure
10" x  8" oil on panel  $225.SOLD

Artist Note
This is another with lots of greens and blues.
The two colors I seem to gauge the best atthe moment.
 I love painting the
waterlily ponds so it has been a pleasure.
 It has gone through
lots of changes though
and I learned from each change.
 It was all about the values of the water.
Too light and it competed with the main lily.


Personal Note
I want to thank all of you who took the time to
pass on information regarding
the lens choice for cataract surgery.
The doctor believes that regular
distance vision would be best...
mentioning that dreadedword...AGE as the reason.
He found monovision to be
less successful
in his more"mature" patients.
Stab to the heart!
I thought cataracts only happened
to mature folk!
so now we know there are
levels of mature, my friends!

So goodbye visions of
having no reading glasses
and I will be forever
searching for them...
unless any of you can pass on helpful hints.

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Light On the Lily Pond



Light On The Lily Pond

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


Artist Note

This is a beautiful lily pond 
which was illuminated
by a
single ray of sunshine.
Although I painted this from 
the photo I took, 
it was still 
very clear in my mind
making it so much easier 
to capture the mood.

I have always been grateful
for my visual memory.
My hubby, bless him, has not
much visual recall.
For him,  directions are given
 by miles and compass, north, south etc,
whereas I see the blue fence,
the yellow house, the big tree, etc.
I bet most of you are the same
as I am.

A little personal note.
As you probably have noticed,
 I have not been posting
anywhere near as frequently
during this past year.

Paintings are taking 
MUCH longer
because I am having  some
problems (quite a bit) with my vision 
but it will be corrected 
in a couple of weeks
when I will be having 
cataract surgery. 
Second eye early next month
Alleluia!

I wonder if any of you have had 
or know anyone who has had
experience with the monovision - 
where one eye is corrected for distance 
and one for close up?
Would you share with me, please?

I have been posting my older work
on Instagram and Facebook.
I hate to have worked so hard 
to build up to build up a following
only to have it all disappear due to 
age and mother nature.

Thanks for sticking with me.




Monday, May 21, 2018

Meet Miss Nova Rae

Meet Miss Nova Rae
8"x8" oil on canvas - gifted

Artist Note

Yes, I know,
this is a bit of a surprise
as I do not do portraits...

BUT
this is the
precious granddaughter
of a dear friend
who has done me a
special and generous favor.

I knew I wanted to
show my appreciation
BUT,
what can you give someone
who has everything?
A painting?

Taste is so subjective
so the choice
had to be right.
What better than to capture
a moment in time
of her Special Treasure.

I loved painting Nova Rae.
It was a challenge for sure
but every time
 I would see this child
I’d catch my breath.
Her eyes were large and thoughtful.
Her skin - perfect
and
she had the neatest outfits!!!
 I knew I wanted to paint her.

My friend got teary-eyed when
I gave it to her.
It meant she liked it💕


Tuesday, May 15, 2018

The Rio Chama, Abiquiu, N.M.




The Rio Chama, Abiquiu, N.M.
6”x8”  oil on canvas panel. $150. SOLD


Artist Note
One of the most gorgeous spots 
I have ever painted. 
 Over the years I have captured it
in all seasons but the monsoon season
  with cloudy skies casting random shadows
has to be my favorite. 

There is a particular time when
the sun cuts through a gap and
shines across the river. 
It is magical.

Photographing this painting was
rather difficult due to the blue of the
mountains appearing far 
bluer than on the paintings.
It took forever to get it close.
seriously...
I could have painted another painting!

Anyone know a solution to this problem?

Thursday, May 10, 2018

Round Nest in Square!


Nest in Square

24"x24"  oil on canvas SOLD

Artist Nest.
I LOVE this one!

This nest took a while and I enjoyed 
having something to paint on
between my busy schedule.
Can you spot the ladybugs?

I am in a great gallery here in Las Cruces.
-they carry my larger works -
and although my art sales 
have been going
rather well during
the last couple of months,
 I was still really surprised 
when they called to say it had sold 
after only a couple of days.
Why?
No special show and
it was still on the floor 
propped against
a chair leg!

The only reason I am relating this 
is because I hear some artists getting
 all hung up about what they perceive to 
be a poor placement
of their painting
 in a show or gallery
but, I have been everywhere
in many different galleries...
in  the back room, 
the corridor, dark corners, 
even left out for days on a patio...
BUT
all it takes is for the right person to see it.
Because when someone sees a painting 
that resonates in their heart
 they will usually buy it or remember it.

That is why the internet has opened
up such wonderful opportunities
for artists and especially the ones 
who cannot find an established gallery
or place to show their work.

A far larger audience gives 
artists a much better chance to be seen.

There is a discussion about not needing
galleries now with the internet. 
I think for some that may be true 
but I want galleries to survive 
because there is nothing
like actually putting your eyes close up 
to the painting and absorbing the 
artists technique.


Any thoughts?