The James Library, 6x6 Inches, Acrylic

This month my Challege Group, Girls Just Wanna Paint, is painting scenes in and around the James Library in Norwell, MA.  Check it out in the morning when we post!  We're having a show of our Challenges in December.  The Opening is Dec. 2 and it is sure to be a Big Night.

Bad photo in low hotel room light made it really hot red, and blurry.  Will re-take tomorrow.

I had my first day of the workshop with Karin Jurick today - it is so, so great.  

Donut War Day! And A Road Trip From Heck....

Happy Halloween!  WHEW!  I bet 'dollars to donuts' that my partner in War (Donut War that is), Susan Roden, will be shocked, SHOCKED that I managed to post today.  See... I've been on the road for a couple of days, en route to Karin Jurick's Workshop in Hilton Head, SC.

(kitties pre-missing me)

Now... if you do the *math* you'll see that I set out for my trip on the DAY of that horrible snowstorm.  In October - who'd have thought?  It was clear when I left, and I thought that having my husband drive out to Providence to meet me with a new cord for my iPod was the 'glitch' of the day...  but then I missed a turn for the 'quick route south and ended up snarled in New Rochelle, NY, and then the Bronx, for over an HOUR... and then...

It started snowing..

All through New Jersey the road signs were covered with snow and ice...

And we travelers played 'pac man' dodging trees falling from both sides of the road.  

I could take photos because often we were going at 5-15 mph.   Hence, the 12 hour trip to Maryland.  Today was another 12 hour day on the road.  I think I need a few days OFF before I dig in to the workshop!  But it is beautiful here - today's drive, was smooth sailing, and gorgeous landscapes.  I'll keep you posted.  Thanks for all the well wishes!

Autumn Treasure, 5x7 Inches Oil

$100 & $10 S&H

When my children were small we spent many afternoons gathering "The Most" beautiful leaves, then pressing them in wax paper to mount on our fridge.  Along with a rock collection along every windowsill, I truly treasured these gems that we would find.  My favorites were the Maples.  Living in New Hampshire was the best for this.  Talk about  treasure trove of Maples!

Anyway now it's Paco and I that wander the leaf lined streets.  S'Ok.  He's a great pal, and loves these walks.  He gets a little confused and likes to dive into the piles of leaves, thinking this is the 'game'.  I have to rescue the pretty, whole ones before he tears them up!

Well, this is one leaf that won't dry up or lose it's color!

Chicklets, 5x5 Inches, Acrylic

$100 & $10 S&H

Buzzing around getting ready for my Karin Jurick workshop next week, and I spied a box of Chicklets (remember them?) I bought on the Cape to paint these colorful little pieces of gum.  I was thrilled when I saw so many reds (I ate 2 while I was painting), which are my favorite!  The background is lighter than this - but I took the photo after the sun set, and I couldn't correct it without adjusting the colors of the chicklets.

I will definitely post from the road.  The biggest road trip of my life!

Strawberry Kewpie Donut, 6x6 Inches, Oil

SOLD

Though the frosting on top of this strawberry donut was a little skimpy, they managed to make it cute with the little tuft of frosting on the top!  OK, I apologize for being a day late for the Donut War - and Susan Roden may have 'stormed the coffee shop gates' on me.. but I was a little busy with opening my studio for the Warren Walkabout.  Pics of the studio below:

The entry way to the studio...

A couple of works in progress, and the current Daily Painting table...

The long view of the studio, with the 'clearance' tables, and my friend Jane snuggled on the couch at the end, being very brave but struggling with a bad cold.

Paco, exhausted from entertaining, being 'supported' by my son Conor - who was a huge help to me...

She's An OPI Red Girl, 6x6 Inches Oil Painting of Nail Polish

SOLD

 I am entrenched getting the studio ready for 'company' on Sunday - The Warren Walkabout is from 12 - 5.  Lots of good studios to check out - including Debbie Gonville Miller!  Be there or be square.   Just sayin'...

ALSO I was interviewed for a really awesome blog called Carrie's Creations, she's an excellent artist who is beautiful inside and out... and her blog features.... well I'll let you discover Stephen and Sam yourselves...  Check it out HERE.

This was a demo from class today - our topic was taking a primary color and setting it against a grayed down complementary color.  I brought lots of props but we all painted OPI Red.  I bet you know someone who is a staunch OPI Red girl!  It is quite a true red, and just lovely.

Below are a couple of students' work - all I can say is they ROCK!

OK!  Here's Lynn Puckett's

And Leslie Lawrence's (and yes they both gave me permission to post!)

Lovers' Lane, 5x7 Inches, Oil Painting of Blithewold

Don't you just love "lovers' lanes?'  In the beautiful little town of Bristol, RI, there's a gorgeous 'summer home' mansion that's open to the public as a kind of museum.  They're preserved the house as it was long ago, with the gorgeous grounds, as well as furnishings inside.  On the side of the property leading down to the private dock, is Lovers' Lane.  When I first painted this, I knew I had a problem, because the camera could not focus - my values were all in the middle!  So I deepened the darks and lightened the lights, and now.... take someone's hand and go strolling beneath the canopy!

Pugspot, 5x7 Inches, Oil Painting of a Pug Napping

$100 & $10 S&H

My little studio assistant, Paco, is my assistant in all areas of my life.  He sits on my lap while I have my morning coffee.  Makes sure the cats do not get too many treats, by gobbling them. Goes to the supermarket (waits in the car) and updates my blog - that's what he's doing in this photo.  Although he prefers to do that half in my lap on the sofa.

I tried to keep this very loose, focusing on the shapes..  Funny how it works out even though I wasn't thinking "Pug"  I was just putting darks and lights in the right places next to each other.  Happy Nap to you!

Today, I'm hanging paintings and sweeping the studio!

Perfect View, 6x6 Inches, Oil Painting of the Sunset in Hull, MA

From one of the highest points of the seaside town of Hull, MA, you can see.... everything - to the right you see the ocean and the reflected light on the clouds when the sun sets.  If you look straight, you see the winding peninsula that is the town, resting between the ocean and the bay behind.  And slightly to the left, you see this.  The land mass is called World's End, a reservation where you can walk all around the drumlins on paths, and see Hull, Hingham and, in the distance, Boston.  At sunset, when you look here, sometimes everything is hot pink, salmon and lavender.  I was lucky enough recently to share this view with a few friends...

In other news, the Warren Walkabout is this coming Sunday!  12-5!  Should be SO much fun!  Below is a sneak peek of one wall of my studio (well, the bottom half of the wall anyway!).

And below are examples of students' work from our first class last week.  First we did value studies, then added color - some pumpkins were white, some orange.

*oh, yes, about yesterday's post - I believe it was McDonalds that had the lawsuit over the hot coffee  - not my beloved DD's!*

Letting It Cool, Dunkin Donuts Coffee, 5x5 Inches, Oil

SOLD

It's Monday, and time for a crack at the Donut War with Susan Roden!  Actually it's turning into  a Dunkin vs. Starbucks war, and we can paint anything from those shops.  This photo is has a bit of glare in the black background - I took a zillion photos, and every one had glare somewhere!  Anyway, you know how HOT those coffees are (yes, you do, you remember someone got something like 3 million $$ for burning herself with it...) sometimes I crack the lid open to let it cool down a bit.  I haven't painted on this canvas type surface for a while, and I must say, I really enjoyed the 'tooth' grabbing at the paint on the brush!  Have a happy week, everyone.  See you tomorrow!

Robin's Nest, 5x5 Inches, Acrylic

This sweet little painting speaks to the 'nesting' lots of us feel, where we want to make safe places, comfortable places to care for the ones we love.  I love robin's egg blue, and it just makes my day in the Spring when I find the empty shells on the ground - hopefully signifying that a tiny robin has made it's way safely out!

Girls Just Wanna Paint at Kennedy Gardens in Scitucate, MA!

Join us from 11 - 4 at Kennedy's on route 3A for fun and flowers (and painting!)

Girls Just Wanna Paint!

Pug Love, 6x8 Inches, Oil, Pug Dog Painting

SOLD

Here's a painting of my little Love Pug, Paco.  I have to say I've had, and loved, other wonderful breeds and mutts.  But there's something about a Pug, and their hearts.  They were bred, for generation upon generation, to *need* people.  They are loyal, yes, like a lot of breeds, but they are devastated without their people.  They trust, and tune in to our every shift in mood.  Raise a glass to pugs tonight.  And.... I'm loving painting the pups - if you have a good photo of YOUR pup, I'd love to give it a try!

If you are on the South Shore this weekend, stop in at Kennedy's Garden Center on rte 3A in Scituate.  The Girls Just Wanna Paint Group will be painting there!!!  Come say Hi!

Little White Pumpkin, 5x5 Inches, Oil

SOLD

I got these little pumpkins from Walker's Roadside Stand and they have such creamy colors in them.  This funky - almost random dotty fabric has been just waiting for something to set against them.  I love days like this in the studio - fun and full of music and color!  I made pizza tonight for my husband and son - Paco is always so bereft that all he ever gets is tiny crusts.

Tonight I made this for him: 

The tiny one with just cheese & sauce was his.  About 3 inches across..  He LOVED it.  Please don't write to me and tell me that dogs should never have cheese or bread or tomato sauce.  Paco does not want me hearing anything like that. :D

Sunday Donuts, Dunkin Donuts, 5x7 Inches, Oil

SOLD

Here we are, truce over, in the Donut War with Susan Roden.  We've come back from our truce with more directed ammunition.  Dunkin Donuts vs. Starbucks - so is it about the donuts?  The coffee?  The ambiance?  East Coast vs. West Coast?  White collar vs. blue collar?  Yup.  All of it.  And we're taking it week by week, informing you all of updated ammo, plans and casualties.  This opening salvo I'm sending to California is a whole BOX of jelly donuts! OK, I had one bite and Paco had me give him a piece, too.

The most fun part of this painting?  the little 'flag' boxes on the side - Seriously!

Have a GREAT week!  I'm taking down my show from Nest, so I get to *shop* there :D.