I'm Yours

8x8

acrylic on cradled wood panel

I know...its a bit early. This is for the third and final submission to the Epperson Gallery "Small Treasures-From the Heart" Show. I'll keep you posted on what gets in. Wish me luck!

Cat Nap

8x10

acrylic on cradled panel
sold

I am entering this into the Epperson Gallery  "Small Treasures-From the Heart" show. There are 8 days remaining to submit your images with a limit of 3 paintings...I have one more to go!

Row Boat

8x8

acrylic on cradled wood panel
sold

"Row Boat" is a recent painting I finished. I am hoping it will get juried into the Epperson Gallery's  "Small Treasure-From the Heart" show. You can see all the entries by clicking here. Feel free to "like" any entry including mine :-). 

If accepted, I will have this for sale. Keep you posted! Fingers crossed!

Differences...

Can you see the difference? I thought my first version (top pic) was too saturated with the orange and pink ground. After seeing it online for a couple of days, I had to neutralize it more. What do you think?

Long Term Parking

6x6

acrylic on gessobord
sold

This is for this week's DPW Challenge. Its a fluke that I post paintings back to back but I couldn't resist the picture Carol Marine posted and had to paint it!

You can see the challenge by clicking here.

Meet Nathaniel

6x6

acrylic on cradled panel

Nathaniel was a winning bid for a local charity auction. The winner has been patiently awaiting him. Hope she likes him! Happy Sunday!

Neighborhood House

6x6

acrylic on gessobord

sold

The next assignment in Tim's class is to do a nocturne. This is my second night time painting. I took the reference while I was stuck in traffic.  Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving!

M and M

8x10

acrylic on cradled panel

This is a commission. I got to choose which photo reference to use from a variety of selfies. It made me smile. I hope the painting will do the same for my collector!

Brun's Rose

6x6

acrylic on gessobord
sold

This is from the reference I took about a month ago in the garden of the hospice facility I work at. This will be my last weekend at my side job. I will really miss working with such wonderful people. I always tell family members that it has been a privilege to work with them and their loved ones. It really has been that!

Pink with Green

8x8

acrylic on cradled panel

Sold

Roses are really hard! I think I am done but I have to say this has been a true exercise in subtlety. Getting colors and values in this was particularly challenging. I will be submitting this to the Valley Art Gallery holiday show.

Blog Hop Around the World and the Umbrella Ladies

8x10

acrylic on cradled panel

sold

Margaret Sheldon was nice enough to invite me to post to Blog Hop Around the World. Thank you Margaret!! You can see her wonderful paintings by clicking here. 

A little bit about me. I have always loved art and my kindergarten teacher was the first to announce that I had some talent. I started painting when I was 16. At that time I took from Hawaiian artist Joe Dowson. He is a beautiful person and kumu (teacher). I am an Army brat and grew up on Oahu. I left home to marry a mainland hauli and now reside in California.

 I never thought I could make a living  as an artist and along the way I fell into my other passion...social work. I now divide my time as a medical social worker and an artist.

I study with Stanley Goldstein, Tim Horn and Peggi Kroll Roberts. Thanks to them and other art instructors, I have had, for helping me to develop my work!

Now to the questions...

1. What am I working on?

Right now I am finishing up on a 6x6 cat portrait for a commission.

2. How does my work differ from others in its genre?

I have never really thought about that. I can only say that I paint what excites me. Light and shadow, shapes and color get me going.

3. Why do I create what I do?

I think the world can be filled with a lot of ugliness. I hope that what I paint can capture the positiveness I look for out there, humor, serenity and connection.

4. How does my creative process work? 

I am always thinking about my next painting. No matter where I am at, I look around me and see if there is something that would make a good composition or if I were to paint it, could I get that color, shape or value. When I paint, I lose all track of time except when the light changes, then I realize, I am at the end of the day. 

Thanks for visiting! I have invited 2 of my artist friends ....

Nancy Roberts

http://nancyrobertsstudio.blogspot.com/

Jo Mackenzie

http://jomackenzie.blogspot.com

The Shoppers

16x16

oil on cradled wood panel

It has been awhile since I last posted. I did get busy with work and finishing up on the children's book my niece and her husband are making. I will soon have more time for painting as I am leaving my weekend job in November. Its a mixed thing, I love the people and I love the work. There is just never enough time for painting though!

This painting is from a reference I took when taking a workshop with carol Marine in April 2013. I worked on it in Stan's class. This fits with my love of back lit things! Its currently showing at the Valley Art Gallery in Walnut Creek.

This painting is for sale on the Daily Paintworks site as well.

#19: Pasta Chef

8x8

acrylic on cradled panel

This is almost done. Another illustration for "FIFO Daddy".

Click here for the "30 in 30 Challenge"

#18: School Girl

8x8

acrylic on cradled panel

This is my grand niece Sage. Yup. I am old enough to say grand niece. This is another illustration for Aimee's book "FIFO Daddy". Thank you for those who are looking at the Facebook page!

Check out the "30 in 30 Challenge"!

#17 for day 22: FIFO Dad

8x10

acrylic on cradled panel

This is going to be the cover of my niece's book. I know the photo could be better but the circumstances today did not lend itself to good photographic conditions. FIFO stands for Fly in Fly Out. There are many families in Western Australia who have dad's go off to work in isolated outposts for weeks at a time. This is Rory who is doing just that to support his family of 4, soon to be 5. The book will support suicide prevention.

You can like us on Facebook...My FIFO Daddy: a children's book.

Click here to see the "30 in 30 Challenge "

Day16; The Team's beginning.

8x10

acrylic on cradled panel
sold
 

Just the start. Thomas and Swabby have the important job of maintaining the marina. Fortunately for me, they are also willing models. Thanks Thomas for swinging by the boat for me!

Click here to see the 30 in 30 Challenge.

Day 14: Done...at least for now.

6x6

acrylic on cradled panel

I think I am done. Tomorrow may mean a different opinion.

Click here for the "30 in 30" challenge.

Day 13; Getting there.

6x6

acrylic on cradled panel

I think I am 2/3 of the way finished. I have to work my other job today, otherwise I might have been able to finish. It is good to have a break from what you are doing and go back to it. With a fresh eye, I am sure I will discover things I need to correct.

Click here for the "30 in 30" Challenge.

Day 12; A Cat Beginning

6x6

acrylic on cradled panel

This is the underpainting for my next commissioned piece.

 Hey its Friday!

Click here for the "30 in 30" challenge.

Day 11; Done. At least I think so.

8x10

acrylic on cradled panel

So I think I am pretty much done. I usually sit with paintings for a few days to study what is working and what is not. 

Click here for the challenge "30 in 30".

Day 10; Still working on it!

8x10

acrylic on cradled panel

I think I am more than half way done. Had to end here today...got to go to the day job! 

Happy "hump" day (Wednesday)!

Click here to see the "30 in 30" Challenge.

Day 9; a little more

8x10

acrylic on cradled panel

I painted in more of the white fur and a little more on the background. Definitely more to go.

Day 8; Massing in the colors.

8x10

acrylic on cradled panel

This is the beginning stage of "At Rest". It is a commission for a family who loves huskies. I can understand why. They are smart and loving. They do like to break out and explore though. Niko has been caught several times on the docks and one time in the water, flailing! Good thing we have good neighbors. There have been no more episodes for awhile now. Whew!

Click here to see the 30 in 30 challenge.

Day 7: An Exercise

8x10

acrylic on cradled panel

This Tuesday we will reconvene our critiques group with Tim Horn. We had an assignment given to us in June? Anyway, par usual, I waited til the last minute. We are supposed to paint an interior from life. I am either here on the boat or at work so I guess it was painting the interior of the boat. There are all kinds of mistakes going on that I won't point out. I will tell you though, that the blob thingy on the couch is our dog Niko. Yes, we are THOSE people. We do cover the couch as you can see. I painted this in 2 hours. I know...it kind of looks that way. It was a good exercise though!

Check out the 30 day challenge!

Day 6; Final Version of Beach Day

8x8

acrylic on cradled wood panel

So, I think I am done. I am sure there are still some improvements....there always is.

Day 5; Laying in some color

8x8

acrylic on cradled panel

This is my step 2, laying in color. I am still making drawing corrections as I go along. Hmmm...there's something about the dog's head.

Check out the "30 in 30"challenge by clicking here.

Day 4...Still painting.

8x8

acrylic on cradled panel

I decided that since I work full time, have a second job and upcoming commissions, I am not going to kill myself trying to get a painting done every single day but rather just paint everyday.  

This is the beginning of "Beach Day". I am trying to assess value patterns and get my drawing correct. I toned my panel with burnt umber and used it to lay in the figures. The negative shapes help to correct my drawing. See the spaces between the legs and the arm of the man and the dog? Its close but still not right. You can tell I struggled with the man's arm. Yes drawing and painting are definitely challenges!

Day 3; Lunch Time

8x8

acrylic on cradled panel

Yet another Western Australian painting. I didn't think I would be doing any sort of theme for the 30 in 30 challenge but I guess I am, at least for the first part of the challenge. This is my little niece Sage. Aimee, her mom, is a wonderful photographer and shares her photos with me all the time!

Day 2; Red Earth

6x6

acrylic on panel

Another painting for the project.This is Western Australia...not Mars!

To see the 30 in 30 challenge, click here.

Day 1 of the September 30 in 30

 6x6

acrylic on panel

This is "Earth Mover" its one of many small paintings that I am doing for a project in collaboration with my niece Aimee. This is of my nephew Rory who works as a heavy machine operator at an outpost in western Australia. 

Happy Labor Day!

 We'll see how many paintings I can get done this month!

Some exciting news... and Dog Park framed.

 8x8

acrylic on cradled panel framed

$200

This painting was accepted for the "Life in the Creek" project. There's a reception to be held at Shadelands in Walnut Creek on Wednesday, August 20th from 4 to 7pm. There, you will see all the entries that will soon  be featured on a vinyl fence covering in downtown Walnut Creek at 1500 Mt. Diablo Blvd.

I have started to use John Annesley's floating frames. They are made of basswood or maple and can be stained in a variety of tones. I have really liked the quality.

Meet Kasha

6x6

acrylic on cradled panel

sold

I have been pretty steady working on commissions. Kasha has been one of them. I deliver her today and hope her parents will like it as much as I enjoyed painting her! Until next time....

Tethered

16x20

acrylic on cradled wood panel

I am waiting for final approval but this commission for my uncle, I think, is done. Its quite a compliment that he would want one of my paintings as he is quite an artist himself! Thanks Fred Bealer!

The Best Seat

8x8

acrylic on cradled wood panel

Yesterday I didn't paint because I was under the weather. Today it was making up for lost time. We are to paint an interior scene for our next assignment in the critique class I take with Tim Horn. I do love interior paintings. I think I will be doing some more.

Sold

Gigi

6x6

acrylic on cradled wood panel
sold

This is a custom pet portrait. It was a fun one to do. The reference I used was from a photo taken in natural light. As you can see, there is a definite pattern with light and shadow which helps define the subject. We really are painting light when we are painting.

At the Beach

8x8

acrylic on cradled panel

I don't know if you remember my post at the beginning of the month when I painted roses while in Hawaii. I said I might have to paint a tropical flower when I get back to the mainland...I decided on my couple here, instead. Whenever I go home, my cousin and I drive around the island so I can take photos. We stopped at Laniakea Beach. This is where the sea turtles have come since 1999 to feed off the green stuff you see growing on the rocks. You can actually stand by them in the water. They are beautiful! Just don't touch or try to hang on. They are protected by law. And I know...I didn't paint any in this scene. 

If interested click here.

Wine Country

6x6

acrylic on cradled wood panel

Sold
This was done today for "The Vineyard Challenge". I have been painting away all weekend knowing this will be a busy week with limited available time. I actually finished 3 commissions and working on 2 more. Hope everyone is happy or will be happy with their paintings! 

Dog Park

8x8

acrylic on cradled wood panel

sold

I completed this before  my Hawaii trip. I combined a couple of reference photos to make this composition. It's not for sale...yet.

Roses in Hawaii

6x6

acrylic on gessoed panel
sold

I am visiting with my folks here in Aiea (close to Pearl Harbor). Its ironic that I am here to help with the Manoa Orchid Show and I am painting roses. Maybe when I get back to the mainland I will paint something tropical....its only fair you know.

NY Street Scene

8x8

acrylic on cradled wood panel
sold

 This for the "Busy City" challenge on DPW. Its a busy time for me, working my day job, getting ready for my trip to see my folks and help my dad with the Manoa Orchid show. If anyone is in Hawaii, on Oahu, come by the Noelani Elementary school in Manoa this weekend. Lots of orchids and local "aloha" spirit.

Enlightened

8x8

acrylic on cradled panel
Sold

This last week's DPW challenge was to paint what makes you joy. I have to say that I love cats. Their eyes and ears and whiskers are features I love to paint.

Hula

8x10

acrylic on cradled panel

This was done for the "Radiant Orchid" Pantone color of the year challenge. The reference for the image comes from paintmyphoto.ning.com, a photograph done by Donna Sommer. Not only was the dress perfect for the color challenge but it brought back wonderful memories of my friend Rey who danced the Hawaiian Wedding Song at our wedding. Hula is so graceful.

sold

Royal Chloe

8x10

acrylic on cradled panel

 

Let's see, I think it has been about a month since my last posting. Life is busy but good. Meet Chloe. She is one of my star models. I have done her 3 times now. Her dog parents adore her as does everyone who meets her. I really think all she is missing is the tiara.

I am off to the plien air convention next week in Monterey. Last year was very inspiring. You have a great week too!

Seal Break

8x8

acrylic on cradled panel
sold

Every once in awhile I am fortunate enough to get on the water with my husband for a day trip. On this day we were over by Tiburon just north of Sausalito. Seals are amazing at figuring out where they can rest. Thank you for for looking!

Home Port

16x16

acrylic on cradled wood panel
Sold

I had been observing this boat when it was tied up across from us for several weeks. When I saw this couple heading to another slip, I had to take this picture. The water was like glass! I will be submitting this one to the Valley Art Gallery in Walnut Creek in a few weeks. I am probably going to frame it using John Annesley's floater frames. I ordered 2 not too long ago and was impressed by the quality.

Honey

8x8

Citrus

 6x6

acrylic on panel

They look like they are waiting for someone to get home don't they? This is my submission for "The Citrus Challenge" hosted by Gary Bruton.

If interested click here.

Snowscape...again

6x6

acrylic

I posted this a little while ago and asked a question on the moon. I also took it to my critique class with Tim and 4 other artists this past Monday. The consensus was to make the moon smaller. I made it even less noticeable now. I think. Anyway this is my latest version of it.

Happy Wednesday!

"30 in 30" Collage

If you count the actual pics, you will see that I produced 20 paintings in 30 days. I am okay with that as my goal was painting everyday. I did! Thank you for your support! I have some shows and commissions to attend to now but I will probably be painting everyday.