Blossom Connoisseurs, Commissions, and painting during winter

5"x7" oil on archival panel

For more information or to purchase, click here. 

As you continue to send out love, the energy returns to you in a regenerating spiral... As love accumulates, it keeps your system in balance and harmony. Love is the tool, and more love is the end product. 

- Sara Paddison, "Hidden Power of the Heart"

One of the things I love to do is complete commissions for others! There is nothing like collaborating on a project to help someone satisfy their vision - whether it is a commemoration of a special event, an anniversary, a birthday, a new home. 

These kitties are a small study for a larger painting that was commissioned as a birthday gift for her dear friend. I kept it under wraps for a long time...so as not to "blow the surprise".  It makes me so happy to be a part of this...especially to watch the giver and receiver, and the joy they experience.  The larger piece (in a square format), is now hanging in her home! 

 This winter I've been painting orchids in my studio while the snow continued to pile up outside. I did take a couple trips down to Florida to visit my mom, once for a beach trip, then to stay with her during cataract surgery. 

While my 2 orchid plants are blooming, I'm getting a lot of mileage out of them! And in the middle of these, I've begun the process for another commissioned piece that I'm VERY excited about! 

 

The Dog Did It!

4"x4" oil on gessoed masonite artboard

"The only mystery about the cat is why it ever decided to become a domestic animal."
-Compton MacKenzie


What is it with cats and Christmas trees? I think they delight in the notion that it's totally there for them, like their own giant toy. They climb the tree, bat off the glass ornaments, and pull bows off of packages to bat around the house like creatures possessed! And of course as aggravating as it can be, it's as funny as ever. Just try to scold a cat....she'll give you a look all wide-eyed and innocent.....trying to assure you that "The dog did it!" Of course........ there is no dog in the house.

To purchase this work, or see other available paintings, please visit my DailyPainters.com gallery store.

*****Here in CT: Also- some very exciting news: I just found out I have three paintings juried into the Lyme Art Association "Deck The Walls" show, opening tomorrow (Friday, Dec. 11th, 2010). Please join us at the opening reception from 5-7pm. I am honored to be able to take part in this show with some of New England's finest painters!
I sure hope to see you there this evening!!!!

And in southern CA: If you are in the San Diego area, you deserve to treat yourself to a drive up to the Keys Creek Lavender Farm in Valley Center. They have special weekend hours in their farm store, for the next two weekends. I have five of my small paintings of the farm available there. Friday and Saturday hours are 10am to 4pm. Once you've been there, you'll wonder why you waited so long to go visit!

I'm currently taking commissions for next year - 2011- if you have a special pet, event, memorable place, that you'd like to commemorate!

Welcome to my latest new subscribers! I do hope you enjoy the paintings, photos & stories! I always love hearing comments from my readers!!

Basking Buddy - sold

4"x4" oil on gessoed masonite artboard

"In order to maintain a well-balanced perspective, the person who has a dog to worship him should also have a cat to ignore him."
- Peterborough Examiner


My mother-in-law is 'owned' by a cat named "Buddy". He is one of those rare 'dog-like' cats that seems to worship his humans...he evens smiles! No I'm not kidding, seeing a grinning cat is a bit unsettling, but it is a humorous look! What he does do best if there's not a lap to make himself comfortable in, this (ahem) robust fellow is out on the back porch basking in the sunlight. I was thinking about that today with the bright sun coming into my studio, how the light bends around the cat body and catches in the ripples of hair. Buddy is a buff-colored peach ginger cat (like a very pale shade of orange sherbet). But the cool shadows of the porch make a warm shadow shape down his back, as the sunlight outside rims his upper body. Do cat's know instinctively how good they look sitting in the sun?

"Basking Buddy" is a tiny gem, 4"x4" (perfect gift size)! To see this & other available works, please visit my DailyPainters.com gallery store.

I'm currently taking commissions for next year - 2011- if you have a special pet, event, memorable place, that you'd like to commemorate!