Smoothie

Smoothie

8 x 10

Oil on Raymar Panel

Don't come between this child and his smoothie!  He was enjoying his delicious treat and was in no mood to share!  

While I am in transition...that is in the apartment before our home is ready to be moved into...I have a plein air easel in a corner so I can still work on some small works.  This is the first one to be done in my makeshift studio.  This is just for days I can't get out.  A dear friend has generously offered to let me use her studio while I am in the apartment.  Most days I travel to her place and paint.  It is not only nice to have a place to paint...but nice to have company for a change.  I am usually alone and I find having someone to bounce ideas off of is a nice change.  

Reese - An angel

Reese

11 x 16

Oil in Raymar Panel

NFS

This is a small portrait sketch of a little angel.  Reese is the granddaughter of a dear friend.  She courageously battled a horrific illness...always with optimism...always with a smile.  She is now pain free, flying with the angels and watching out for all of us.  

Riley Patrick Hock

Riley

Oil on Raymar Panel

NFS

My second grandson, Riley Patrick Hock, was born in January.  He is, needless to say, perfect in every way.  When I received this picture of him I wanted it to be the first portrait I painted of him.  

We hope to visit soon and I will try my best to get his three year old brother and him together for a photo shoot!  Wish me luck!

Riley Patrick Hock has arrived

My Son

10 x 10

Oil on Raymar Panel

NFS

Illness has totally thrown me off the 30 in 30 wagon.  Not serious but enough to have me out of commission for a while.  I have been sketching a bit and trying function normally but moving slowly!  I headed to my easel and decide to do a quick sketch of my son and his son. Riley Patrick was born recently and needless to say I am overjoyed!  Painting one of the photos my son and his wife sent makes me feel closer to them.  It made me feel better. ;)

Waiting for Daddy - National Military Spouse Network's First Annual Small Works Show

Waiting for Daddy

16 x 20

Oil on Canvas

$600

This is one of the pieces I am showing at the National Military Spouse Network's First Annual Small Works Show.  The show will be October 19th at the Mary Gates Learning Center in Old Town Alexandria.  The show features works of art by Military Spouses.  I love that the mother in the picture seems to be looking for something and the child is looking at the viewer.  My story...in my head...is that she is waiting for her husband to arrive home to meet his child.  The little one is, of course, oblivious to the whole situation but is distracted by something in the distance.  It was a fun piece to do.  And fun to imagine a joyous reunion.  

My blog will be silent for a while. I am off to Switzerland with some fabulous art friends for 10 fabulous days.  My husband will have to fend for himself!  

So Bon Voyage to me!!!  

Jayden - portrait of my grandson

Jayden

8 x 10

Oil on Raymar Panel

NFS

This is my grandson Jayden.  He is sitting in his easy chair reading a book and has his helicopter blanket next to him...lovingly called "copka."  I wanted to paint this for a lot of reasons, not the least of which was to practice figures.  I love the perspective on the head and the angels of the legs.  

I realized that I have been painting and had not kept one painting of Jayden for myself!!! So this one is mine!  I am sure I will be painting more portraits of Jayden among other relatives... but I wanted to make sure I have one of my grandchild hung in my home.  

Brooklyn...portrait of a Great Grandchild

Brooklyn

9 x 12

Oil on Raymar Panel

This adorable little one is named Brooklyn and that hand gently touching her chin is my Aunt Denise.  Brooklyn is her Great-Granddaughter.  I just love the young fresh pink complexion next to the ruddy skin of an oldster's hand.  My mom (Aunt Denise's sister) asked me to paint this as a surprise for my aunt...She is not on Facebook or my blog so I feel comfortable that the surprise is secure.  I will be mailing it out in about a week.  Soooo...if you run into my Aunt Denise...don't spoil the surprise!

Alaura - Portrait of a Little Girl

Alaura

16 x 20

Oil on Raymar Panel

Commission

I was fortunate to be asked to paint a friend's three children.  They are adorable...well, Alaura is adorable...the two boys are cute in a manly way.  

I met up with them at a nearby park and took lots of pictures.  The boys were swinging and climbing on the monkey bars and adorable Allura was watching and getting her walk perfected...with a little help from her mom!  It was fun to catch them in action and try to depict their personalities on canvas.  

WFB 5

WFB5

20 x 24

Oil on Canvas

NFS

For my 30 paintings in 30 days series I included a portrait of William F. Bennett IV...well this is William F. Bennett V.  I have painted his sisters...Vivi and Lucy many times and thought it was time to feature him.  He is adorable and has the same beautiful blonde hair and big blue eyes as his sisters.  I just love him...

Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days - Stages of life...

This begins my 30 in 30 series.  These paintings depict the stages of life...as I see them...

They are all painted on 6 x 6 inch boards toned in a warm orange.

Number five - Quiet confidence

Number four - Uncertainty

Number Three - Getting mischievous...learning about life

Number two - New life...welcome to the world

Number one is a baby sucking its thumb in the womb

Kathy - Portrait with her grandchild

My Grandbaby

16 x 20

Oil on Raymar Panel

NFS

One of the most magical moments in life is when your child puts your grandchild in your arms.   This is my dear, dear friend Kathy looking lovingly at her grandchild.  These are the moments I love to paint...

Daddy's Helper - A trip to the beach

Daddy's Helper

8 x 16

Oil on Raymar Panel
SOLD

Could this painting pull at my heartstrings any more?  This is my son getting a helping hand from his son on the way to the beach.  The wheelbarrow served as a cart for towels, paraphernalia and my grandson when he got tired!  

We spent a week at the beach with the whole family, two sons, two daughter in laws and one grandson along with my husband and myself.  It was a fabulous time.  My grandson loves the water and was absolutely fearless running towards the waves.  So fun to find the wonder and magic of the ocean through his eyes.  Everything was fresh and new.  Memories I treasure.  

Easy Reader

Easy Reader

8 x 8

Oil on Raymar panel
SOLD

The challenge for this week's Daily Paintworks is to paint someone reading in their favorite place.  I love to do these challenges and always look for a way to relate it to me personally.  This is my grandson.  His favorite place to read is wherever there is a book!  He does have his favorites even at his young age.  


Not only did I love painting this subject, I love that he is wearing his green striped pj's.  What could be more fun than painting stripes!  I also love the softness and barely there baby hair.  He is much bigger now...but still loves to read.

Pat-A-Cake with a shadow

Pat A Cake

9 x 12

Oil on Raymar panel

$100.00

When I saw the Daily Paintworks challenge this week I knew I wanted to paint this scene of my grandson playing pat-a-cake in our front yard.  The perspective was a little different for me but I just kept "seeing" the shapes and it came together pretty quickly.  I also tried to incorporate a bit of David Shevlino's technique by not overworking my strokes.  Mine are a poor substitute for David's confident swooshes...but I am learning with every swoosh of my own!

A Great-Grandpa's Eternal Love

Sold

18 x 24

Oil on Canvas

This is a great-grandfather holding his great-grandson. It depicts the worn ruddy complexion of age contrasted with the bright soft skin of a newborn baby.  The clothing is suggestive of an angel's robe symbolizing a guardian who will be watching over his young relative.  

Peace On Earth

I started this portrait of my daughter in law and grandson quite a while ago.  I was compelled to finish it this week and in light of the season I could not think of a better title.

I wish everyone peace and happiness for this season and the new year!