Just Beachy

I am having a show at Studio 14 in Tipp City, Ohio from July 12-September 8, 2013. The theme is SOLAR ENERGY, or paintings featuring sunny things or inspired by the sun. Many of the paintings I take to the show are not painted yet so I hope the rain stops soon and I will get outside and get busy. I painted this one last week when it seemed to be raining every day. I used a picture I took of some beach chairs and a photograph of the ocean that I found on line-- together they seemed to make a nice painting.

I call it Just Beachy.... 12" x 16" oil on linen

Another Mini

Until the major renovations on our home are complete my studio is temporarily housed in a small bedroom, along with my computer, my art books and everything else I do not want to have full of drywall dust. I don't mind because it will be worth it to have a new kitchen, bath and laundry room. It does limit the size of what I can paint though, so I may focus on smaller paintings until these projects are finished. There isn't much room for a large canvas after I squeeze my myself, my big Lyre easel, my paintbox, and assorted paints and brushes into this space. And I can't forget my dog, Jake, who likes to keep me company. It is quite crowded-- or should I say "cozy", like the realtors do?

This was a small painting of a subject I do often-- kids having fun at the beach. I spent a lot of time at the beach with my kids when they were young and it's one of my favorite places. I like to keep the palette high key and summery when I do these beach scenes.

6" x 6" oil on canvas

Sun, Sand and Friends

Still a little cold here and the paint was on the palette already so I used another reference photo taken last summer to create this painting. I always change the faces - I don't want some kid's mom calling me up and yelling at me for posting their child's picture online. These small pieces are so impressionistic that the people don't really have faces. They have the suggestion of a face. I love the interaction between the kids. The girl in the center is the same one I used in the other piece but I've made her much younger here.

6" x 6"

Oil on Gessobord™