Handmade, 6x6 Oil

This wonderful mug was made by my son Conor. It has a bluey-green color with a hint of a soft orange that is really neat. People want him to make more, but it was an 'accident in the kiln' that created this color, he says. A challenge to paint? YES! But inspired by all the striped backgrounds I've been seeing on blogs lately I tried using some great striped fabric I have... see the result below. Ummmmmm... can you say 'wipe off'? The background was so vibrant that it overpowered the delicate shading of the mug, which was, after all, the focal point. So I switched to a white background, above. Took hours, but there you go.

Roadside Blues, 6x8 Oil

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I don't know what the name of those blue flowers that sprout up in every untended spot in our area. Usually they are right alongside Queen Anne's Lace. Well, I always think about painting them, even though they are 'weeds'... my son Conor, when he was about 6 scolded me for weeding once by telling me "Mom, those are nice plants! There's no such thing as a weed - it's just a plant that grew by accident!".... and that, I guess applies to all sorts of things I take for granted in my life! I think tomorrow - some sort of coffee or tea cup theme...

Three Little Quinces, Oil, 6x6

Three Little Quinces, 6x8

$100 + $10 S&H via Paypal

These are 3 of the 4 quince that one of my quince bushes produced. I don't know if anyone does anything but make jelly with this fruit, but I don't have enough this year to put up. I was, once again, looking for a monumental feel to a small item, seen from eye level. I pile up about 6 boxes to get them to this height, and set the lamp right at the edge of the set up. Working on my sky series today, I took a slightly too-bright and sweet sunset, and dulled it down to the point where it is boring and gray. Tomorrow - CPR for that painting!

Jelly, Jelly, Jelly, Oil, 6x6

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I found this place called Supreme Donut ("Our name says it all" it says on the box.) in Seekonk, MA, and although they actually don't have very MANY donuts, their jellies are far superior to Dunkin or anyone else's I've found in terms of pillowy texture and drippy jelly (if you like that kind of stuff, which, ... I do when I'm painting them!). I was going for a 'monumental' feel in this little painting, and also a sort of empathy, which I was trying to achieve with loose brushstrokes. I know, empathy for what???? But that's what I was going for!

In Little Compton

Yesterday my friend Sally Dean, of the 365 Flowers Blog fame, came by to paint. We went to Little Compton, to a magical property owned by a generous woman who told me I could paint there - and every turn was a beautiful view. We were overwhelmed. I started with this little 6x6 inch oil, above. The view was east-ish, actually over their wall into the land next door.

Then, afterwards, I turned west, towards the Sakonnet River, and painted a corner of their house with hydrangeas in an 9x12 format. Thank you, Mary, we had a wonderful day!

Mushrooms II, Oil, 6x6

My Challenge Group this month, I think I mentioned, was about 'mushrooms'. So I have spent HOURS this week constructing elaborate set ups and piles of this veggie. Wipe off after wipe off. Finally, this one came together, and even though it's a bit 'dotty', I like the mushrooms. The soft skin of the 'shrooms was very reflective. Trying to keep it loose.

Also yesterday I hung the my show at the Tishman Speyers building. I will send out a 'shout out' about this, but for you bloggers, a sneak peek... (this was me, after TWO paintings fell right off the wall and completely wrecked the frames - note to self - the smooshy walls there need LONG nails, and also a Lucy-and-Ethel scene of Tim & I taking two dollies loaded with paintings and getting stuck in an elevator, getting out, getting back to the guard upstairs, getting back down, having to go though a maze which led to one street length OUTSIDE the building in order to reach the atrium where we hung the paintings. Other than that it was a snap. :)

Because I need 8 paintings for an upcoming submission, I really only had a few from this summer to hang :(

Wok'in, 6x6 Oil

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My Challenge group is doing a 'mushroom' theme this month. So I thought about a stir-fry... also I loooove snow peas, and was getting hungry in the produce aisle ;) So if you're in the Challenge group - close your eyes! Mushrooms might seem boring to paint, but they are actually, if you study them, lustrous and reflective. These positively lit up with the orange reflections. Slaving away getting ready for a show I'll tell all about this weekend!

Iced To Go, 6x8 Oil

Well, I guess I never get tired of painting snacks. There were a few people interested in the last one, so if you wanted one and didn't get it, here's your chance. And for my son Conor, who is always looking out for my health - I ordered it with HALF the regular sugar. ;)

Last of the Blues, 6x6 Oil

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A very small hydrangea flower and a cosmos in a jar - the garden is winding down. Too much glare in this photo - I didn't notice it till I posted it. Hope everyone's having a good weekend!

Sketchy Days

Inspired by other bloggers sketchbook pages, I'll include some of mine from my trip to Europe a couple of years ago. Just because I found Paco chewing the pages, and it made me flip through it again!

DD Iced, 6x6 Oil

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People seem to get a charge out of paintings of donuts, donut shop stuff like iced coffee. Since I'm mildly addicted to the iced confection, I bought TWO today. One to paint, one to sip!

**And I'd like to announce - that barring any delays in getting him outside.... PACO IS HOUSEBROKEN!!!!!** YAY! What a good dog!

Pepper Gymnasts, 6x6 Oil

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I'm not going to say too much about these peppers, except that if I were to paint them again, the cloth I set them on would have more orange in it.

And below, a gift to my friends, a shot of last night's light... enjoy!

For Claudel, 6x6 Oil

I couldn't paint yesterday. This painting was after a couple of wipe-offs. Sally Dean made these little tiny (2 inches, no lie) buckets with fresh flowers from her garden as gifts the other night. So my plan was to paint it, but it was difficult, because all I could think about was this wonderful young man (29 years old), a brother of a dear friend of mine, who died in an accident at work the night I got these flowers. For you, Claudel, with thanks for being the kind of person who brought sunshine into the lives of all you met.

Chinese Eggplant, 6x6 Oil

Our garden was like everybody else's this summer - a little disappointing - but these Chinese eggplants were abundant. I have to say I'm married to an incredible gardener. So I held these three out to paint. I was working on a triad of light green, dull yellow and purple. IRL the green is a little deeper.

And I am excited to announced (sorry if you've gotten the email or the Facebook notice!) that I got interviewed by an Laura Tetrault who has an Art Blog in England, and you can see the interview here. It was fun! Thanks for checking it out!

Chocolate Glazed From Twin Donuts, Oil, 6x6

Chocolate Glazed 6x6

$100 + $10 S&H via Paypal

My daughter Molly's boyfriend kindly brought down a bag of donuts from Twin Donuts in Allston (did I spell that right? Geez, I used to LIVE there!) for me to paint. By the time I got around to painting them, the only one that held it's 'character' was the chocolate glazed donut. I love the 'drippy' side (not that I'd ever EAT a chocolate glazed donut), and thought it would be a good challenge to paint.

And CONGRATULATIONS to Mary Small of RI for winning the "Stacked Colors" pictured below. I just love giving my paintings away, because people write to me and say what they love about the painting, so I get a lot of feedback that people don't leave in the 'comment' area. I was happy and surprised when I realized it was Mary, because I didn't recognize her email address. I met her and her lovely daughter at my Open Studio in August - and I liked her right away. We spent a lot of time chatting, and now I get to see her again when she picks up the painting! We'll do another raffle at the holidays... so don't get discouraged - there's better odds than with the Lottery!

Cream & Sugar, Oil 6x6

Cream & Sugar, 6x6

$100 + $10 S&H via Paypal

I hope you're all having a wonderful Labor Day weekend. Really, we couldn't have asked for better weather. We had the best ever clamboil and lobsters yesterday. While doing the errands for the Big Event, I stumbled upon this tiny creamer & sugar bowl, in this gorgeous color. I think they looked great on my (only) nice tablecloth, so... with a recovering (from a sprained ankle) puppy in the crate next to me, I sat in the garden and did this.

Thanks for all the interest in the Stacked Bowls giveaway - it's still 'open' till Tuesday night. And welcome to all the 'new' people who signed on as 'subscribers' (on the right hand side of the blog, under the 'Google Groups' sign - as soon as I learn more HTML I'll get rid of that title!).

Stacked Colors, 8x8 Oil

Taking a little break from the 6x6, and enjoying the 8x8 inch format.  These bowls were a Christmas Tree Shop find.  I wish they were brighter colors, but there you go.  I know I told you I just got my 100th subscriber, and when I went in to check two people has opted out, so I'm only at 98.  But who cares, right?  Let's give THIS baby away!  IF you subscribe to this blog (get it in your inbox as I post it) email me if you'd like to have this painting for just the $10 shipping and handling.  I'll close the raffle on Tuesday night, so you can still 'subscribe' and be eligible through then.  I'll put all names in a hat (Paco will help) and announce the winner on Thursday!  Good luck, and thank you ALL for your support, encouragement and enthusiasm!

Ta-Da! Hydrangeas III, Oil 8x8

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Well, back at the studio this morning everything is 'taken care of' (you know what I mean in terms of the little mouse). I think I like this hydrangea the best, or maybe I was just more relaxed doing it. I hope you all have a FANtastic weekend. Clamboil and lobsters at my place tomorrow! :)

Thank God I Don't Have A Real Job....

Because the SMALLEST thing throws me!  This is not a 'Daily Painting' - it's an abstract sunset done a couple of days ago, and it's 11x14, done in acrylics.  My actual Daily Painting is loaded in my camera at the studio, which I forgot when I bolted out the door today.  See.... yesterday there was this ADORABLE tiny mouse in the DRAIN of my sink - hiding there because he (or she) heard me when I came in, and it couldn't get out.  So I left it alone, and washed up in the bathroom sink before I left so I wouldn't disturb it.  Well, today I came in and....hmmm... still there, standing on my chunk of brush soap, EATING it.  It occurred to me - the mouse COULD not get out of the slop sink!  DUH!  How thirsty/hungry must it have been to have been drinking the soap water and eating soap???  So, I made a 'ladder' out of scratched cardboard, gave it a little bit of fresh water in a jar top, and bits of muffin and left it to figure it's way out.  Only it couldn't even make itself eat or drink, it was so sick and weak from the soap!  So as I painted today it slowly DIED - and although I did two daily paintings (the final hydrangea, I promise, and a really different painting after that) I was a little freaked & sad about the (now expired) mouse.  So I ran out (with Paco, of course) and left the camera there.  I'll grab it tomorrow a.m. and post.

AND I'm celebrating - I have my 100th subscriber!!!!  I'm going to have a giveaway next week to celebrate - I'll post a painting and anyone who wants it can email me, I'll put names in a hat and whoever wins gets it for $10 postage.  Yay!!!!  Thank you all, you are amazing!

Hydrangeas II, 6x6 Oil

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A little better? Thanks everyone, for your comments, and your personal emails with tips on how to tackle flowers like this! Soooo appreciated! Let's see if tomorrow's is even better!

Hydrangeas, 6x6 Oil

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Sometimes I think - "Why do I do this to myself?" Hydrangeas, one of my all time favorite flowers, can be so HARD to paint. There are zillions of painted hydrangeas that are bad examples floating around. I did not want to get into painting each petal (as Camille Przwodek says "dibby-dabby-do-ing"), and I knew I'd never be able to do an M Collier masterpiece, but I wanted to just indicate the gorgeous, lush blooms. I just went back to the studio this a.m. to retrieve some things and saw this, that I did yesterday, and noticed that the peach cloth was much darker than I have painted it. I could go in and fix it, but I may, hopefully, just do another one. Sometimes the second pass is much better. The third, as the saying goes, is the 'charm'.

Sparkle in the Summer, 6x6 Oil

I think I mentioned that I was doing this Challenge... well this month's 'object' was sandals!  I thought this subject was going to be the death of me, but actually, I survived.  These are 'going out' sandals for me, and we're just going to say that's a French Pedicure.  I was focusing on color for this, and trying a 'triad' - with the gold from the sandals being the significant color, and the other 2 parts of the triad were the blue-y green (grayed down a bit) and the violet.  Interesting, to me, as I've never really tried this before.

And I don't know if I've ever shared my palette with you, but here we are - I have a rolling kitchen cart that I put waxed paper on about once a month, held in place with duct tape (or duck tape, whichever you prefer).  It takes 2 sheets, one for the top and one for the bottom, and I just tuck the edges in and tape more.  It's easy to clean up.  My colors are (and this is a little enhanced, I usually only have about 7 or 8 colors on it) from left to right: Burnt Umber, Pthalo Blue, Prussian Blue, Ultramarine Blue, Permanent Rose, Alizarin Crimson, Cad Red Light, Cad Orange, Cad Yellow light, Cad lemon and 3 squiggles of Titanium White.  And those are one of my pairs of Atlas Gloves - super to work with - 'so flexible you can pick up a dime'... really, and with mesh in the back, they are breathable, and don't make your hands sweat.

And this... well, a gift to all of you, tonight's sunset sky.

Double Tree, 6x8 oil, plein air

Another small painting from the farm.  Later in the day.  More interesting in person.  Thank God I finally have a good computer to upload & post with!  Here's to lessons learned... thanks for your patience, guys!  I'll be surfing around this weekend seeing what I've missed from all my favorite blogs!  

Three Chickens, 6x8, Oil, and an apology

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This one's been added today from my new computer, and is a better representation of the image! (above)

First off, let me say I'm sorry for going 'dark' on you, as they say in Vegas, this past week. Between my Open Studio Tour (which was FABULOUS! Thank you, everyone), and trying to juggle between my husband's two ancient computers.. it's been crazy. And in the computer department, thanks to my overwhelming weekend, I'm getting a brand new laptop tomorrow. Unfortunately ALL my files (photos) of my work, and even my family life (Paco's baby pictures, too) are gone forever. UNLESS I want to pay $800 for some super dude to try (no guarantees) to lift them from my old hard drive. Which, BTW, when plugged into the new computer, blew it up, so I am getting a new, new computer. THAT's the last you'll hear of my computer woes, I promise. And lesson learned about backing up files....

But I painted at Taylor Bray Farm on the Cape yesterday, and one of the paintings I did was this little chicken painting. I really like chickens, and these were so cool - black & white with red. Even though they've been raised in captivity, and never been in the 'wild', they knew, somehow, there was a Red Tailed Hawk in the tree above them. It was amazing, and they set up a sqwaking you wouldn't believe. Here they are trying to keep cool by digging a little impression in the dirt and getting as low to the ground as they could.

Hey - you're not going to believe this, but I got a painting in the Portsmouth Art Guild 'Abstration' show! How cool! Of course my image of this painting is on my fried hard drive. I'll take a photo at the Opening! Yeah, I know... ME! ;)

Red & Ready, Oil, 6x6

One of the last few red roses, this flower is much more beautiful than depicted here. I remember Qiang when he was 'struggling' with roses (THAT's how long I've been blogging!), and I see where he's gone with it. Maybe I'll get there, too. I felt like I should paint a flower... after all, it's Summer! Wish me luck on the Studio Tour tomorrow!

*+*+*+*+*+ If anyone is planning to come by, you can download the brochure Here , BUT there's a zillion artists spread out over a large area. To stop by my studio first (it's very convenient and right on the way to a ton of other really cool studios) just take rte 24 South INTO Rhode Island, Get off at Exit 2, Take a LEFT and I'm about a mile or so on the left, at #1888, right after the gas station (there's only one). I'll have lemonade & iced tea & munchies, too, so get refreshed!

Outsider, 6x6 Oil

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Taking inspiration from my friend Mary Sheehan Winn, I decided to paint some of these yellow cherry & mini plum tomatoes. But for good measure I had to add one of the red ones from my garden. It looks like the red mini plums are the only kind we're going to get, outside of a couple of Roma's. The Big Boys succumbed to the blight (that sounds tragic, doesn't it? But really, they are tomatoes....)

I'm getting excited about this Open Studio Tour on Saturday and Sunday... I've decided to really clear out my studio, and have TONS of paintings for $50 and $75 as well as the 'old' Daily Paintings for $35. I'm going to display my newer work, but I know that this year anyway, the sales will be from the 'Bargain Boxes'. That's fine - I really need space in my studio, so... Bye Bye paintings! Let's hope the weather's good!

Wishing Cairn,Oil 6x6

When you stack stones like this there is supposed to be an energy that appears. Whether that's true or not I always want to make a wish when I stack them. These stones are from Briggs Beach in Little Compton, RI, and if you've ever been there you know they're a little magic ;). I'm sending out my wishes for a couple of friends that really need them today. This turned out quite photo-realistic... not how I planned it!

ETA: No 'black' paint was used in the preparation of this painting!

Come On Down!

You Are Invited!

To my second Open Studio
As part of the South Coast Open Studio Tour

This Weekend, August 22nd and 23rd
11-5 p.m.
Held at 1888 Main Road
Tiverton, RI

To get directly to my house, where I've got my work, just get to Rte 24 South in RI, take Exit 2. Take a left, and we are a little over a mile on the left, at #1888. There's a lovely coffee shop just before our house called Coastal Roasters, with great coffees, for a comfort stop. We have the same view. Come on by!

Forgive me if you've already received my email blast (half the addresses failed!), or seen this on Facebook!

Also, I have updated my Studio Blog with the above image in a larger size, with close-up photos!

The Stash, 5x7 Oil

I decided to post the various stages that evolve, from initial sketch to massing in of values, color, and at last, the highlights. Once again, Milk Bones, in a small jar. ;) This is the initial sketch:

Getting the dark values established:

Adding some color and light values:

Giving the background another layer of transparent color and adding more strokes of color to the bones:

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Voila:

I also wanted to mention that my Blog has been honored by being featured in a very cool new blog about... well, cool stuff! Blogger Eileen Sheldon included my blog on the August 14 post of So Suburban Chic, a blog about all kinds of things that make for a fun and interesting life! You should check it out (I love the Espadrilles from - if you can believe it - Talbots!)!

One Tomato, Two Tomatoes, 6x6 Oil

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Thanks so much guys, for your support of yesterday's post - I had responses immediately (and a sale!). I will continue to play and learn with more of that texture and transparency painting. Today, though, a set of little tomatoes from our garden. I loved the light shining through the tomatoes, and their long, curling ... what are those things near the stem? First I painted the background too warm - it didn't let the tomatoes have the 'spotlight' so much.

The next post will have a step-by-step series of images... maybe you'll enjoy that - I enjoyed thinking about it and doing it!

Restless Night, 6x6 Acrylic

Well for the life of me I couldn't get this image cropped correctly. I am reduced to using my husband's work laptop, my son's laptop and our big old S-L-O-W mac. None of which does everything I need, so am hopping from computer to computer trying to upload, crop and post. I have a few paintings done this week for the next few days. But if there IS a computer/technology angel, I hope he/she takes pity on me, and helps me quickly find the funds to restore my own laptop so I'm back in business!
This is a really unusual piece for me... layers and layers of translucent paint, thick textures from modeling paste in the water, wiping off top layers to reveal what's underneath.... I had a lot of fun, and it's a real departure. Should've done something like this for the Out Of The Box, but I really just let myself discover it last week. Thanking Manon Doyle for inspiration and courage to do it! Have a great weekend, everyone!

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Good Boy! 6x6 Oil

I picked a flower to paint at the studio, and forgot it at home. I got there and couldn't find anything I wanted to paint - but Paco does not - NOT - like Milk Bones and now I have this huge box just sitting around. It was a hot-hot-hot day in the studio, so after a little work on a bigger painting, and this one, I high-tailed it home, where there is at least a breeze.

Cosmos, 6x6 Acrylic

I don't usually post my acrylics - as Daily Paintings - because I'm not so so confident with them. But today I was inspired by my blog buddy Karen Mathison Schmidt who has a couple of blogs, and paints with acrylics so beautifully, they look like mosaics of paint sometimes - I could look at them for a long, long time. So here I am, with the puppy eating ice cubes off my toes (if you've never experienced this, you should try it, especially on a hot day) trying. But, as usual, I smooth things out too much. Anyway I ended up happy because of the layering especially of the petals, which has three or four colors of deep pink. For a girl who grew up in a tenement, and had no use for flowers when I got married, I have 'seen the light', and can never have enough of them. Cosmos oblige by re-seeding by themselves (thank you) and are so cheerful in the garden.

No Daily Painting, But Cows

I spent the greater part of the day dropping off 2 paintings (a small Clamscape and my Lobsta!) at the Duxbury Art Association Mid Summer Show. They also feature at this time a 'clean-out' studio sale - so 20 of my Daily Paintings will be there at a GREATLY reduced price ;).

When Paco and I got to the studio I only had time to work on this painting of the cows down the road that I started ONE YEAR ago, on location. Yes. On location. I simply stood with a bull horn and asked all the cows to please FREEZE for 2 hours. "No problem." they said. At least that's what I think they said. You could ask Paula Villanova, as she and Jody Regan were with me that day. I really got most of it done there, seriously. I was quick-sketching those bovines as they waded. I put my mind on autopilot and just entered the zone. Nice hostess.. I am... I hardly was gracious or chatty that afternoon. We had a swell time anyway. Just tidying up a bit and fixing one cow's frightening eye today... for the Sakonnet Arts Network Farm show in the Tiverton Town Hall this month. LOTS going on these days! ETA: This is a 20x20 painting in oil.