Celestre - sold

9"x12" oil on linen mounted on hard board (Raymar)

I had not painted the human face in such a long while. So I decided to get back into practice again. Skin tones, shapes, measuring distances - you do get rusty at anything when you don't get around to it - just like playing a musical instrument. You remember the 'gist' of it, but the finesse leaves and the hands are clumsy. (that is the artist's hands!). I'm going to make the effort to fit these in between landscapes now & then! It is very fun though - especially at the point when that other 'person' is looking back at you!

draw-in of Mikka

5"x7" oil on gessoboard

(or it will be once finished). I got carried away with a bit of portrait practice - playing with skin tones, & shapes, etc. I do have this little dog Mikka started, who is one of those cute little Shelties - they look like miniature collies. She is the funniest little thing. So dainty, cute & such a dear little prissy thing....that is until a school bus or dump truck (ie. large growly motors) rolls by and she goes ballistic. Funny, the small dogs make up for their size with mega-attitude. Hope to finish this gal tomorrow! I get to see her every day when I walk with my neighbors in the morning!

Pat the Bunny - sold

6"x6" oil on gessoed masonite

I've been thinking about pets that we all have. I am currently down to living with 1 cat. At various times our household has had cats, dogs, horses, birds, fish, but never a rabbit. This is mainly because a friend of ours that had an adorable little gray rabbit - had all their electrical cords eaten by this very rabbit. hmmm. That answered that for me! But I still find them soooo adorable! This week I've been really thinking about what I feed my cat - never imagining that this food could be contaminated by rat poison! My heart breaks for those that have had to deal with this personally. Animals of all sorts are indeed our beloved family members that bring us a lot of joy.

Homage to Guercino - sold

6"x6" mixed media on gallery wrapped canvas, 3/4" thick.

This was truly a fun little piece to 'play' with. My recent visit to London was inspiring in so many ways. Not only the city - which is a WONDERFUL place (I LOVED it)- but the fabulous museum/gallery exhibits I got to see there.
Guercino is this man's nickname, meaning 'squinter' or one who squints. Turns out, the man had the unfortunate condition of being "cross-eyed". The exhibit included a portrait of the artist (done by another) - and indeed, his crossed vision, looked very painful or at the very least troublesome. He overcame this by squinting - in order to more strongly see his subject. Can you imagine - having to overcome such a thing? I found his drawings to be all- inspiring (and that was before I knew of his medical condition!).

I had to finish up the piece by indicating his given name, (inked in with a quill pen, top right)
Giovanni Francesco Barbieri. It's such a lyrical delight to pronounce! Bits of gold ink are rubbed on the edges and corners to give a look of antiquity. A bit different from what I normally do, What fun!

This painting is sold to Karen Abadie of Covington, LA. Thank you Karen!!

Homage to Guercino - unfinished

6"x6" mixed media on canvas

During my trip to London just a few weeks ago, my daughters took me to the Courtauld Museum where there was an exhibit of drawings by Guercino. He was known as the Rembrandt of the South and lived during 1591-1666. This image ....adapted here is from his drawing "Child seen from behind, standing between its mother's knees". All of his drawings, whether in inks or chalks were quite fascinating. This one really connected with me - I found myself doodling this image in my sketch book, then wanting to do more with the image - hence this mixed media start - (no, I'm not quite done yet)- I'll repost the finished image! So far there is just an oil wash, and Conte hard pastels in sienna & umber tones.

As Far As The Eye Can See - sold

20"x20" oil on canvas

Hey, I think it's done. Took me a little bit to get back to it. In between finishing it in 'fits & starts', I began 3 other little paintings. Ideas start coming & I want to get them down before the thought is lost. If I have at least the start down, it will come to a finish, sooner or later.

As Far As The Eye Can See shows a beautiful view of some wetlands area near us, in Stonington, CT. On this particular day last summer there were cumulus clouds stacking up in the sky, marsh grasses waving in the soft breeze, light humidity, and the water winding it's way through grasses, cutting abstract shapes at will. This view helps me remember a moment - where I'd like to be right now.....in the warm sunshine of a summer day!
This painting is sold to Ted Wu of Madison, CT. Thank you!!

As Far As The Eye Can See (unfinished)

20"x20" oil on canvas

I began this one this afternoon. I decided to take a little break & mess with the mac - since I'm definitely behind the learning curve on this. I've been using a pc for so long - whew. So far so good, I've got a post! Now, I'll go back to painting a little bit before bed. Perhaps I'll have the results ready to post tomorrow! (yes, I usually underpaint my landscapes in a warm, earthy tone... )

to be continued!....

Light on the Landing - sold

8"x8" gallery wrap canvas (1 1/2" deep)

This painting IS all about the light, glancing across the landing at the top of the stairs, hitting the columns & flower pots & shrubs...leaving the rest in late afternoon shadow. The warm light is a place I'd like to be right now, there's a snow/sleet storm blasting us all day today.

This painting is sold to Paul Guiffre of Barre, VT. Thank you Paul!

Terracotta Sunshine - sold

4x4" on gessoed hardboard. Very fun to paint, although this photograph is very reflective (wet paint). Unfortunately, Blogger wasn't functioning when I went to post it Tuesday. I'm functioning between my old computer & my new Mac, trying to get used to it & converting all my old stuff over... it's had it's weird moments. And then I had this urge to finish moving the rest of my studio into my daughter's old room upstairs! That's where the best light is, and it's being held hostage by a college student who is away most of the year!

Luckily - vacations have a way of sneaking back into our current lives when we return home. Something brings a smile to our face when we are in the midst of a big glitch. I am thinking of warm Roman sunshine, green grass...did I mention warm sun on my face? I am looking forward to spring & summer- and the glow of warm sun on terracotta, flowers spilling over. ahhh.

This little painting with a big impact is sold to Barbara Mastaglio of Norfolk, VA. Thank you so much Barbara!!

Back Home Again!!

just got back in from London tonight, with a side trip to Rome !!! Oh tomorrow may be filled with laundry and catching up to the 'real world' - But there will be painting going on! - can't wait to squeeze some paint out of the tubes!