Tiny Dancers

A rework of a painting that I did in 2005 and that I was never completely happy with. Being able to finish it so easily in one three hour sitting really demonstrates to me how far I have come in the last two years. It also makes me wonder if I will keep improving or if painters hit a plateau and just kind of stay there. I don't know what it is that I love about this painting so much but I think it's just the way they are sitting there playing with their shoes. One is rubbing her feet like they hurt. And they are so LITTLE!
I think I am caught up with the blog now. No- wait - I painted some vegetables too. This was a very painterly painting completed in one session with big brushes in natural light.

Cats with Attitude

This is Cocoa, my daughter's cat and it is painted about 5 times life size, or the size of a tiger. I solicited my friends at WC for more cat pictures and I have plenty to work from to continue with this series. I have four more 18" x 24" canvases so I will do at least that many more. Maybe call them CATTITUDE. I am selling large canvas gallery wrap prints of them- I have actually sold one already and I put the message " LOVE ME OR LEAVE ME" on the tag. Every cat will have a different message that enforces their "Cattitude".

Finished the Close-up of Liz

I started this one to help me with the face for the ballerina painting. I got so involved that I became more interested in this one. But at least I can use it for a reference to finish the other painting. I love the way this painting turned out. I think it is the best portrait I have ever done.

More Pear Paintings

Two small 8" x 10" pear paintings on linen. I love to paint on linen and I wish I could afford to buy it all the time. The surface is just so much nicer for oils. These pears were painted in different light with the same palette. It was a little experiment to show students how much lighting affects what you see and paint. Same pears, same wine, different room and different light.

Liz- our model on Saturdays- she is only 15!!!

This is from two sessions and I had to miss the third. We sold ice cream for our church at a Motorcycle Swap Meet. Now that was an interesting experience- I took lots of photos of bikes and bikers to use for potential paintings. The final session is this Saturday for Liz so I started a close-up of her head from a photo and will use it to finish this one and the larger piece.

Mr. Halbeisen and his kitten are finished. I love paintings like this that tell a story. Thsi one was done just in time as I intend to enter it into a juried competition Thursday.

Actually- I forgot two. These are the models from June. Bob - 4 hours and Billie 2 hours.

They are a married couple.

And another work in progress, this is a painting with lots of character and charm. I want to add some vines to the fence but I think it's almost there! 12" x 16" oil on canvas...

The title bar is not working- I have no idea why. So I cannot post titles on these paintings. These are some black-eyed susans I painted yesterday.

Next is a picture of a ballet dancer who posed for our portrait group this morning. I hope to finish her next week.

I am a little bit behind on posting my work. The fourth was a big family time and we were gone for awhile but I did a few paintings this week and last week. Blogger was down and I couldn't post the last time I tried.

Turn Back Time...

The premise behind this little painting is simple if you've ever heard the song made famous by Cher: "If I Could Turn Back Time" The lyrics of the chorus go like this:

If I could turn back time
If I could find a way
I'd take back those words that have hurt you
And you'd stay
If I could reach the stars
I'd give them all to you
Then you'd love me, love me
Like you used to do
If I could turn back


The jar of "face cream" and the lipstick represent our efforts to turn back time. On the surface, the cow is a clock, but she is also the ultimate symbol for fertility and reproduction, especially when she has a calf by her side. I found the clock when I was going through some boxes designated for our church rummage sale and the idea for this painting was born as soon as I set eyes on her. The Minnie Mouse cup represents our eternal youth. Quite a bit of thought went into choosing the objects for this still-life. First of all, I needed them to be small- I like to paint my stills life-size or very close to it and this is an 8x10 canvas. I also wanted to stay with the three color theme of red, black and white because it was just so retro and fit the cow and Minnie so well. The jar of face cream was truly an inspiration when I thought of Cher, who has really tried to keep her youth as long as possible. I don't know how old she is exactly but I know she must be getting up there. And you never see her any more. She used to do those Bally fitness commercials. Anyway- the lipstick was the perfect color and so was the face cream jar. The circular composition draws the eye into the painting and around it with the red and the placement of Minnie's eyes because she is gazing up at the cow.