You Can't See Me

"You Can't See Me"

30 x 40

Oil on Canvas

NFS

This is my brother.  He about 6 feet tall, bald, has a gray beard that reaches down to the middle of his chest.  He wears thick, red sunglasses to keep out sunlight because his eyes are light sensitive.  He is legally blind and walks with a white cane to make sure he doesn't trip over things he cannot see.  In spite of his unique, imposing presence he is largely ignored in public because of his disability.  I painted this as a tribute to him.

If you encounter a disabled person please be part of the solution and not part of the problem.  Make the world an easier place for them to navigate.   

Nancy's Pier

Nancy's Pier

48 x 60

Oil on Canvas

Commission

This was painted for a client who was moving and wanted a remembrance of her home on the lake.  The most fun was the canoe ride we took so I could get some good pictures of the pier for my source photos.  It was a beautiful day and a fabulous canoe ride!  Important elements were the blue chairs and the rock wall, which her son built.  So happy to say she was very pleased with the painting!

Sugar and Spice - Portrait of a Tiny Ballerina

Sugar and Spice

11 x 14

Raymar Panel

$200.00

This is how Sugar and Spice came to be...

I started with a 11 by 14 raymar panel and began to sketch my little subject.  With the beginnings of every painting I have so much hope...so much excitement...I am so looking forward to this project.  and then...AACK...and immediate roadblock!  I realized that the sketch was too small on the panel.  I wanted the tulle skirt to be so large that it went off both sides. 

Undaunted I wiped it off and began again.  I like this size much better.  (Note to self...sketch more and you will wipe less) 

I have blocked in the colors and I think everything is in the right place.  I am trying to make the skirt as dark pink as I can because I know I am going to lighten it later and I want it to look like lots of layers of tulle.  I love the socks she is wearing and know I want that to be a design element...I like the juxtaposition of the pretty feminine dress and the sport socks.  I like the word juxtaposition.  

I decided on a dark background...the light is coming from the right as you face the panel...so I bring in some lights there.  I have darkened her hair so I can create depth with a lighter color later on. The facial features seem to be falling into line...I want an impressionistic look...soft lines.  The chair has become a little off...aauuugghhh! 

Ah...and now I have lightened the hair...lightened the tulle in the skirt...refined the face and I have fallen in love with this little dancer...this is me smiling ;)

Roxie Girl - Portrait of a Puppy

Roxie Girl

6 x 6

Oil on Board

NFS

This small painting was done for the Daily Paintworks weekly challenge.   The challenge this week is to paint an animal close up and was issued by Taryn Day  She is a fabulous artist who's work can be seen on her blog...Awake and Painting.  

When visiting my son, daughter in law and grandson I had the chance to take some pictures of their beloved Roxie Girl.  I am happy to say they love the little "mug shot" of Roxie Girl!   

Petite Ballerina

Petite Ballerina

8 x 10

Oil on Board

$100.00

One of my favorite little ballerinas.  She had just performed a little dance and was walking off "stage."  I love the play of light through the tutu and her tousled hair.  When I paint my little ballerinas I smile.  I smile a lot.

Hilton Head Gang - Another Last Final Mug

Vince "The Organizer"

4 x 4 

Oil on Board

Vince “ The Organizer” is an adjunct member of the notorious Hilton Head Gang.  Vince is the one who made everything at the fabulous Karin Jurick workshop run smoothly.  He is calm, reassuring and more than helpful.  He has tried to disassociate himself from the group but once a Hilton Head Gang member...always a Hilton Head Gang member.  It is like the Hotel California...you can check in any time you want...but you can never leave...hahahahahahahahaha......

AND...here we all are...What a notorious looking group! 

Seriously, folks...this is the last one.  On to new adventures now!

Little Artist and Big Sketch Book

My Big Sketch Book

9 x 12

Oil on Board

$100.00

I love this little girl so engrossed in her sketching she was oblivious to the rest of the world around her...just like most of the artists I know!  I painted her for the Daily Paintworks "lying down" challenge.  

Easter Parade!

Easter Parade

24 x 12  - 2"deep canvas

$150

I love this line-up of kids ready to hunt for Easter Eggs!  Such a fun time and it brings back memories of many, many Easter Egg hunts I have been a part of.  

Hilton Head Gang The Finale! Week 20!

Here we are...Week 20...the final mug shot of the Hilton Head Gang originating at Karin Jurick’s fabulous workshop on Hilton Head Island.  It is hard to believe more than 20 weeks have passed and I must say my life has changed in very many ways.  This week we feature...yours truly...yes, it is finally my turn...Yayyy!

(Note to self...SMILE at all times!!!)

Maria "The Enforcer"

4 x 4

Oil on Board

Maria “The Enforcer” Hock is perhaps the most dangerous member of the Hilton Head gang.   She is an instigator...a rabble rouser...a provocateur.  She lures you into her circle of friends with promises of camaraderie, challenges, and critiques.  She has three cameras and endless battery power.  She is also deadly with her prose...if she can’t get a likeness...then it is very likely you will be the subject of a story...or BOTH!  Her husband is responsible for her nickname...

The Good News!

Flight

30 x 40

Oil on Canvas

NFS

The good news is my son will be home from his deployment this week!  I get to remove the blue star from my window once again!  To celebrate his homecoming I decided to share this painting of the aircraft he flies.  This is an abstract version of the Osprey breaking through storm clouds.  

I would like to thank my family, my good friends, and followers for your kind thoughts and prayers while he has been deployed.