Torn Jelly Donut, 6x6 Inches, Acrylic

SOLD

It's Monday! and that means a new battle in the Donut War with Susan Roden!  Truly, this casualty was quite accidental!  I was headed to the set up with my new painting lamp, and a nice, plump jelly donut.....  the next thing I knew only half of it was remaining, and it was oooozing jelly!  What's a painter to do?

I plopped that baby under the new light and used acrylics this time - the same, but different...  It's a hot day, and I had a fan on me (had to wrestle my way in front of it - Paco and Harry the Orange Cat both felt THEY should have the fan... ) and the acrylics dried so fast!

I'm starting some paintings for a show in Dedham in September - so you will probably see them in the coming weeks.

Hey - it's August - how'd that happen???

Kenny II, 6x6 Inches, Oil Painting

$100 & $10 S&H

This guy is a model for my Girls Just Wanna Paint Group.  He's so adorable.  But I do love the close up!  One thing - kitty paws are really awesome to paint - I think I'm going to do one more - of him on his back - he is a HAM!

Plein Air Provincetown, 8x8 Inches, Oil Painting

$100 & $10 S&H

Wednesday I partook (that's a word, huh?) of our annual Jeep Trip to Provincetown, MA.  Three other artists and I, for years now, have piled into Paula Villanova's Jeep and headed down Rte 6A, then to Rte 6, landing in Heaven On Earth.  If you've never been there, this little town is the very tip of Cape Cod, surrounded on 3 sides by water.  It's kind of low, and the light is incredible.  It's a very colorful town, a mix of verve and sass and chic and history.  There are lots of really good galleries.  A place to see some important work.  The tourists are very interested in art, and have lots of comments ("NEEDS MORE RED!" shouted by a man riding a bike down the street).

Anyway, we stopped to see the exhibit at the Chatham Creative Arts Center of Charles Sovek's work.  Going right now to watch the DVD I got there which featured him....

Last Safari of the Summer was today - and that painting will be posted Tuesday.  We were at Linden Place in Bristol, RI - a drop-dead gorgeous place which had so many subjects - well, there will be more paintings inspired by that place coming!

Chocolate Munchkins and Iced Coffee, 8x8 Inches, Oil Painting

SOLD
Donut War Ammo of the Day: Chocolate Munchkins!

There's a little girl here in New England, who very, very soon is going to be a Big Sister.  Her mom likes to cool off with iced coffee, and she likes munchkins... and iced coffee.  We had coffee as kids as a treat - with milk and sugar, and my mom used to make us iced coffee, too.  So I identify with her.  Her mom is thinking of getting a painting for her.  Right now all you can get is Captain America cups at Dunkins - hunh?  But if she wants to wait out this movie theme, then this painting will be for sale and I'll do another one for her.  Good luck, little Big Sister - I hope you love, love, love your new baby!

So for the Donut War... today's treat (I mean weapon) is CHOCOLATE MUNCHKINS!

Take these little tender balls of chocolate cake glazed with honey-dip, Susan Roden!

Beach Path, 6x8 Inch Original Oil Painting

SOLD

This, to me, is one of the most inviting scenes there is... a path to the beach.  I love paths in general, but when there's the prize of a beach at the end... even better!  Even just looking at it is a little escape for me.  And who doesn't love painting sand????

I was featured in this really cool blog this week, too - I am so excited!  It's called Lemley House Art Guild...  Check it out!

Tonight we had a surprise thunderstorm... followed by:

See the rainbow to the right of the trees?  Cameral did not do a great job capturing it....

Fun Painting Safari (see tab above) at Linden Place in Bristol!  10 a.m.!! Join us!

Sparkle Donut, 6x6 Inches, Oil Painting

SOLD

 It's Monday!  Thank means there's probably 'incoming' doughy delectables coming in from CA from Susan Roden's blog!  I've got this great big chocolate frosted incredibly sprinkled donut as my shield!  Seriously, I could have gobbled this up - but I didn't!

This was a very 'family' weekend.  Sons came and hung out and ate... nice, nice, nice!

On Friday Tim and I went to visit Mary Sheehan Winn at her spot on the Ptown Pier~!

Here's Mary deftly taking a credit card from my hubby.... (I couldn't resist - I bought one of her beautiful paintings!)

Mary's wry sense of humor (the next shack had art from China).  Her set up was on the right side of the room.

It was a hot and steamy day.  Broke records.  We couldn't find a cool restaurant to eat dinner!  We ended up in Wellfleet, and it was HOTTER inside than outside - and the hostess argued with anyone who complained!  She kept insisting that the air conditioners were working.  We mentioned it to our waitress (in between sopping our faces) and her response was "Well, it's 125 degrees in the kitchen."  Um... yeah, I wasn't planning on eating in the kitchen, and I felt bad for them, but.... next time, we'll head to an awful fast food place, because they ALWAYS have air conditioning.  Bad food, yeah, but at least you won't melt while you eat!

Jamestown Rocks, 6x8 Inches, Plein Air Oil Painting

SOLD

This week's Safari (Thursday) was held on a day that was billed to be a disaster in terms of weather.  3 of us boldly went ahead and re-visited the rocks at Beavertail Lighthouse in Jamestown.  We were steeled for blistering heat.  What we got was FOG, and, man it was chilly!!!  The lighthouse itself had fog drifting around it, so my first inclination was thwarted, as I wanted to take a run at the white stucco walls and red roofs.

But Carole pointed out the gorgeous sea-green spot in the water among the crashing waves - ah!  That's what I had to paint.  Strangely enough what I enjoyed MOST about this painting was the rocks - they seemed to take form on their own, and the lovely colors showed through.

One of those days when life give you lemons.... and you make lemonade!

*Oh, yes, my new easel withstood whipping wind without blowing over the cliffs this time (yup, rocks in the trash bag, and the backpack clipped onto it as an anchor!).  I foolishly tucked about 50 business cards in a baggie under my turp container... nowhere to be found when I returned from checking out my students' work...  Moby Dick, if you see them, you can drop them at my house!

Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind?, 6x6 Inches, Oil Painting of Donuts

SOLD

Back to the Donut Wars with Susan Roden!  She'll never suspect a trio of Chocolate, Vanilla and Chocolate Drizzle donuts~!!  Seriously... I went to FOUR Dunkin Donuts to get donuts with a decent amount of frosting (fortunately I live in Rhode Island, where there is one on every other corner practically!)!!!!

I don't know about you, but I'm cowering in air conditioning these days.  This 'heat dome' (explained by the weatherman that it is like an upside-down cake pan over most of the country) is headed our way and it's hot already!  I'm sitting in a sweater in front of the biggest air conditioner I could find. My husband is trying to coax me into the humid and despicable weather by wagging a fresh, over-limed, chilled gin and tonic.  Now I ask you... is that fair?

If anyone is intrepid and wants to attend our Painting Safari today (Thursday) we'll again be at Beavertail Park in Jamestown, RI.  If I can take it, so can you... :D  9 a.m.!

Bully Lobster, 6x6 Inches, Oil

SOLD

We had lobster Sunday to celebrate my daughter's boyfriend's birthday.  It was a really nice day, and, chicken-heart that I am, I left the actual COOKING of the beasts to my husband.  I ventured into the kitchen right after they went 'in', and heard a bit of knocking on the pan - I ran out of the kitchen faster than I thought I was capable!  They cooked one for me to paint, as I don't eat them, and then he became part of a pasta dish.  I had a lot of fun with the drawing of the lobster, and then I just had a blast putting brushloads of green paint on, in slightly different shades, for the background.  I love my life!

My husband says I always seem to paint lobsters looking angry - now I ask you.. have you ever seen a HAPPY looking lobster after he's been cooked????

He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not, He Loves Me.... 6x8 Inches, Oil

NFS

One gray day in Maine, I was casting about for something interesting to paint, and friend and wonderful artist, Pat Gray let me use a beautiful blue vase she brought. I went into the yard and collected daisies, and these little blue flowers, which I cannot for the life of me remember what they are called...., and put a peach colored cloth under it on the broad railing of the wonderful porch... and this happened.  It so happened that my husband really liked this one, so it belongs to him.  And the title?  It's what most of us want, isn't it?  And as young girls we'd pluck the daisies and count off "He loves me, he loves me not..". and NEVER did we want it to end there!  So I don't know about you, but if it looked like that would happen, I would simply end it one petal early and toss that bad boy!

The Best Defense Is A Good Offense, 8x8 Inches, Oil

SOLD

OK, I need to explain the title:  As of TODAY, the DONUT WAR is officially re-opened.  California artist Susan Roden and I will be flinging frosting, glaze and jelly across this great land of ours once again.  She is a wonderful artist and friend who takes as much delight as I do in painting pastries and confections.  We are both new members of the DailyPainters.com, and we thought we'd celebrate by re-instigating our *war*.  I believe in the saying "The best defense is a good offense!!"  This is a commission for a fellow Dunkie lover, but there are more in my ammo pack, not to worry ;)

Hey, I was lovin' that pink frosting and glaze... so fun to paint!
Jelly
Strawberry Frosted
Glazed (or Honey-Dipped)
Medium Regular Hot Coffee
YUM!  Couldn't wait to bite into that JELLY~

Beavertail State Park View, 8x10, Oil

SOLD

Today the Painting Safari went to Jamestown, RI.  This is a view from the rocks on the side of the lighthouse.   What I loved painting was the changing colors of the water, and those gorgeous puffy clouds!

To clarify something - this is the weekend for the South Coast Open Studio Tour -  but I am not participating this July.  I WILL, however, will be open in August - and it will be fanTAStic.  This weekend, however, I will be visiting as many studios that I can! 

Also, below is a commission I just finished for my daughter's boyfriend's birthday:  It is he and Molly last Derby Day:

First Kenny, 6x8 Inches, Oil

SOLD

My friend Page Railsback has a beautiful, charming cat named Kenny.  He made such an impression on our Girls Just Wanna Paint Challenge Group last week we decided to make 'Kenny' our topic for the upcoming month.  I've decided to paint him in various poses, and maybe in different styles... and see what one 'makes' the cut.

I also want to thank Pam Copeman for featuring me on her blog - she's fabulous!

In our area, it's been so darn hot and humid.  But this week our Painting Safari will be in Jamestown, RI.  If you can make it and want to know where we're meeting (at 9 a.m.) just call me at 339-222-1998 and I'll tell you where we're going to be.  Most of us are meeting to carpool at the Prudence Island Ferry in Bristol at 8:15.  We'd love you to join us!

Oh, and here's the pics and info for that wonderful viewfinder with grid lines:

Along with directions on enlarging your small paintings into big ones and a value scale:

Their contact info:

San Miguel Souvenir, 6x6 Inches, Oil

SOLD

I've been lucky enough to visit San Miguel de Allende in Mexico three times - each time I buy little painted or metal crosses.  The painted ones are so cheerful and colorful, they make a nice display grouped together on a wall.  I am longing to return, it is such a wonderful little town, and I hope maybe next year.....

And just to put your minds at rest, the Donut War will probably only be 2 days a week!  So adjust your diets accordingly!  I know for a fact a few of you relieved Dunkin Donuts and Sip and Dip of a number of Chocolate Frosted Donuts today!!!!  A wonderful artist I met in Atlanta, at Leslie and Dreama's workshop, bought the Chocolate Donut painting!  

YUM! Chocolate Frosted Donut, 6x6 Inches, Oil

SOLD

Ooooey Goooey frosting, and I sent this guy back to get EXTRA frosting.  My theory is this:  If someone actually decides that they will purchase a frosted donut, DON'T skimp on the frosting.

Anyway I am happy to announce that I have been asked to join the DailyPainters.com group - and I am thrilled, thrilled, thrilled!  I have long had it as one of my artistic goals to be part of this group.  By Monday night I hope to have the widget link on the side of my blog that will take you right there!

Also, Susan Roden and I have been talking about re-igniting the Donut War!  She and I are passionate about these comely balls of fried dough, and will soon be slinging the jelly and frosting from coast to coast - me, being the East, and she being a CA resident!

I don't know what the weather has been like for you guys, wherever you are, but here in RI we have nothing to complain about.  It was a perfect weekend.  And I got a new PINK hydrangea plant.  I Luuuurve it!

Bristol Swing Bridge, 8x10, Oil

NFS

This was my favorite painting done on location in Maine last week.  It is in South Bristol, I believe, and it is at the location of a tiny Swing Bridge (the whole piece of road spins around like a top to let the boats go by), and in a couple of years from now it will be a drawbridge, as all the Swing Bridges in Maine are slated for replacement.   If you know who Connie Hays is, I think she painted in this area, too.  I was very disciplined about using my new viewfinder with grid lines - as there was so much I wanted to include, plus the wind-y road and the house on the hillside.... it made it so much easier!  

I enhanced the colors on the houses and road, because... well, because I wanted to.  I, at this point in Maine, started feeling freer.  It has continued and expanded since I've come home.  When I show you the first painting I did in my studio when I got back I'm sure each and every one of you will say "Wait.... WHO is this person who painted this???"  And I'm having a walloping good time doing it, that's what I'll say!

Tiny Island Cottage, 6x8 Inches, Oil

NFS

When I went back to Christmas Cove later last week, I concentrated on this small cottage on a tiny island.  It was connected to the land by a bridge.  No car gets to this island.  Everything has to be carried over the rather long bridge (see below).  

  A million paintings were sitting right in front of me!

But I'm glad I'm home, finally able to celebrate my anniversary with my husband, and have my pets snuggling with me.  

Pemaquid Lighthouse, 8x5 inches, Oil

NFS

I painted this as the sun was going down at Pemiquid Lighthouse.  Kitschy?  Maybe, but when I go on location I paint what are essentially 'postcards' for myself.  Better than photographs, which live forever on my hard drive!  It was a magical evening - the shadows were growing, tourists from everywhere - and I mean that (we met a young couple from Prague!) - and the sky was just this amazing blue.  I was with Jody Regan, and we were agonizing, because we knew that back at the farmhouse, Val Vitali was cooking up something luscious, and we were late.  But. It. Was. So. Beautiful.  The heat of the day was gone and it was getting chilly.  The crowds had thinned out and the slight breeze caught the smell of the salt air.  And quiet.  Soooo deliciously quiet....

Ah, yes, dinner was waiting for us, and I swear nothing had ever tasted better.  And sitting around that big table with 5 ridiculously accomplished artists, full of good cheer and a sip or two of wine.... it was a perfect day for an artist in Maine....

Christmas Cove, 8x8 Inches, Oil

Christmas Cove, 8x8 Inches

I am a little technologically challenged here at our retreat in Maine!  I have to drive into the Post Office parking lot to make a call from my cell phone, and make a 1/2 hour trip to the closest wi-fi.   I just loved this little painting I got done the other morning.  The light was perfect and it just seemed to flow.  I don't sell the paintings I do on these trips, they are way better than postcards.

It's like a girls' camp here.  We paint, we read, we tell stories, and eat very well!  We are all lavishing attention on 'Maurice', as we call him (better than 'Hitler, regardless of the mustache!), who literally 'laps it all up'.

Everywhere I look is a painting.
Oh, yeah, and I was almost eaten by a lobster - they're BIG up here!

**forgive me for not responding to comments or emails - I have no internet connection and have to drive a long way to get one....I'll be home soon!**