Fuchsia and Fiery Tulips, Hot Colors Floral

20"x16" oil on canvas mounted on archival board

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Fuchsia and fiery...bring on the hot wild colors of summer....we've waited long enough for Spring, and Mother Nature has sure been refusing to cooperate! Lots been going on since I last blogged. I've still been painting, but time has been tight. It all started with a mid-winter vacation ...a visit to see my mom in Florida (where she lives) in mid-February. One of my daughters joined me, and we took mom to the beach, and to the opening day of Spring Training...a baseball game with the Atlanta Braves! We filled the week with fun things to do...I even got in some nice little memorable sketches at the beach! I returned home on a Friday, (Feb. 28th to be exact). You won't believe what was on my answering machine the minute I came home from the air port?! Yes, you'll have to read tomorrow's post to find out!

Spring Sky Awakening - Coastal Landscape by Roxanne Steed

40"x30" oil on gallery wrapped deep canvas 

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Skies seem brighter, days are a bit longer, the snow is melting away...it's "mud-season". The tips of the tree tops get a bit of 'red' tinge to them...they are waking up, too. 

Spring is always filled with hope and more than a bit of excitement for me. The dried winter grasses out in the marsh still rustle their blond tops. Birds migrate through. All the earth is awakening!

Zinnia Pop!

12"x12" oil on gessobord

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Painted on New Years Day...but I'm only now getting time to write a bit about it! Flowers are certainly my "antidote to winter"!  This one pairs up nicely with the same sized "Dandy Daisies", and they are framed in matching frames.

Over the Water, Ireland (and I'll be over the water as this is posted!)

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The colors of land and sky in the west of Ireland are a landscape painters dream! Such vast expanse of beauty, the subtle variations of blues and greens vibrate against each other.  Painted on location in County Kerry. 

Another painting "from the vault" that I'm sharing (at, well, frankly, birthday suit prices) to celebrate both my birthday month and traveling back to Ireland! Just a few of my previous Irish series remaining. I've held on to some of these for several years now. 

I arrive in Shannon airport at 6am Sunday morning. Usually just a bit earlier than the airport cafeteria opens. I love the last bit of this flight when the sun is just coming up over the horizon, and I catch my first glimpses of Ireland stretching out below me! One on of my flights many years ago when my husband came with me, he gave me the biggest compliment, "Hey, that looks like one of your paintings!". 

Each time I back come home to the states, I've been known to bring home a beach stone or two.  Between the paintings and the stones, it's the closest way to 'keep it with me', until I return again.

"As Evening Falls In Winter Woods"

8"x10" oil on linen mounted on archival panel

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An outing on cross-country skis took me through winter woods last weekend. We had stayed out later than we had planned. It was only 3:00pm when we realized we needed to turn around and head back to the car so that we wouldn't be caught out after dark when the temps drop down to extreme cold.  By 4:00pm the sun dips down below the treeline and begins to fall like a hot rock into the darkness...which arrives around 4:30pm. This view was beautiful, I wish had time to linger for the sight. (location Barn Island Preserve, Stonington, CT).

I've been out enjoying the recent snowfall. Those of you who know me, or have followed my blog for awhile know that I grew up in Florida - and don't have that much 'snow experience' compared to my friends that have grown up in cold places. So....my CT friends are acclimating me to winter weather and I've been out cross-country skiing a few times - so far it's great fun! Well, I'm working on expanding my horizons. Perhaps I'll learn to like snow a lot if I can have some fun in it! Perhaps I'll even paint more winter landscapes!
 

 

 

 

Morning Path Through The Marsh, Late September - SOLD!

6"x8" oil on linen mounted on archival panel

$200 

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Mornings are quiet on the marsh...

Reflective times, 

watching the weather,  

and the birds as they stalk prey in shallow water, 

perhaps a walker with their dog passes by.

Summer Beckons

20"x24" oil on stretched canvas

"Summertime is always the best of what might be." 

-Charles Bowden

For more information about this painting, please visit my website here.
 
Delightful seaside cottages, summer gardens, here in New England (or any place you can imagine for that matter), cool breezes off the water - can you think of any place you'd rather be?

This one took me longer than usual to finish - it's a bit bigger than I usually paint.  That, plus I spent the whole weekend working in my own piece of paradise- our own garden is over-flowing with blooms right now! It's my favorite time of year!

 

Ashlawn Farm, Rain On The Goat Shed

8"x10" oil on linen mounted on archival panel

For more information about this painting, visit this link.

Goats may look pretty silly, but they must be "smarter than they look"!  When I set up to paint the red barn and out-building (aka goat shed), they were all inside their little hut. One brave soul was peeking out.  It was very overcast and they were calling for some strong showers that day.  The rain held off for a good bit of the morning, and the little goats came out into their long pen. Hmm, I liked that composition better- deciding to wipe out some space to include these short-legged tank-like eating machines.  Then it started raining! All the little goats ran back inside - not wanting to get their little "goat-coats" wet! Who would've guessed- they're secretly neat-niks!   And it wasn't evening raining hard- just barely a sprinkle! I wasn't going to pack up until I had those goats placed in the painting - no matter how briefly I had to do it!  So I worked back into other areas of the painting, the sprinkles stopped momentarily, and I quickly wiped off field greens and painted those goats in there quickly. They weren't going to stand around for long!

Lavender Fields - Uncommon Escape! - SOLD! & Working In A Series

12"x36"x2"deep cradled wood panel



"The fragrance of sandalwood, the scent of rose and jasmine, travel only as far as the wind. But the fragrance of goodness travels through all the worlds, like the garlands woven from a heap of flowers, fashion your life as a garland of beautiful deeds." ~ Buddha

As an artist, if you haven't tried working in a series, I highly recommend it. For the most part, this is how I usually work, (with a variation throw in here and there if I'm working on a commission, or perhaps exploring for the 'next series'. Several years ago, I was painting landscapes of Ireland following several plein air trips I had made over there. When I came hoe I had loads of photos, and journal notes about the places I had seen, painted, and spent time with. I painted more of these landscapes in the studio.

Monet spent many years in his own garden, I've found great inspiration in my own garden as well. Other series I've had explored are local parks and gardens, floral still lifes (both indoor and outside- painted from life).

As you complete each painting, you think of things you'd like to try in the 'next' one. Perhaps something similar but push the color a different way, or try a change of perspective, a view from higher up, or from a lower vantage point, or closer in, or farther away. Keeping a series going day after day is helpful,too. The closer these ideas are to each other the better, allowing you to really absorb and use the things you are taking in.

You may find a preference to paint under certain weather conditions, or bloom seasons, or availability to travel. When considering your 'next' series - be open to all possibilities, even if that turns out not to be one that you follow for now. I don't consider myself a 'winter painter' or have any great love of snow scenes, but each winter I do give it a try to see if that 'spark of interest' ignites within me. One of these years - it's bound to light!

Gimme Some Sugar!

6"x6" oil on gessoed masonite archival artboard

"A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous."
-Ingrid Bergman

Just helpin' you get ready for Valentine's Day. Another sweet one from 'the vault'. Back to 2008 prices and free shipping until Valentines, just to give you a helping hand in saying the very thing you want to tell your loved one! It's dry and ready to ship!

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Price: $100 USD

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Finding Your Artistic Voice - Daisy Sunshine

8"x8" oil on gessoed masonite archival panel

"It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent."

- Madeleine Albright

I'm back from a wonderful, though mighty short weekend in Norfolk, VA. I was given the opportunity to present "Finding Your Artistic Voice" and a demo on palette knife painting techniques at London Square Gallery in Norfolk. An enthusiastic group showed up for the demo and talk. Since it was a two hour presentation, I provided a hand-out with information to supplement both these topics as well as a "home-work" assignment! It's an exercise that I found about six years ago, recommended by Kevin Macpherson, which provided a huge breakthrough for me at that time. When I explained the process, I saw heads nodding, wow, yes, that would indeed make a difference! For those in attendance that do try it, I'd love to hear back from you!

One of the fun parts of a demo, is bringing 'the magic' to a blank canvas/empty board.

I'd love to expand this to a full workshop, so that those in attendance will have the opportunity to try their hand at it as well!


I am so grateful to Scott London, of London Square Gallery for hosting this event, and for all those who attended Saturday! Thanks boodles!! If you live in the Hampton Roads area, please stop in to see the eleven new paintings I delivered! They are all part of my 'Sunshine Series' of florals I've been working on the last few months in my anxious wait for Spring to arrive here in New England. They are the pieces that got me through 'bleak winter'. These florals over-flow the boundaries of the canvas with simple, yet beautiful things...which is metaphoric for what I want in my life..the feeling of "good things running over"..... simple but bountiful; full of life, love and light.

London Square Gallery is located at 4410 Colley Ave. in Norfolk, Va. Call for hours: 757-440-0269.

Contact me for more information here.

Afternoon Prelude, Floral

12"x12" oil on gessoed archival panel

“The afternoon knows what the morning never suspected.”

- Swedish Proverb


Thursday was windy and chilly, so I stayed in to get caught up with all my framing for the paintings I'm taking down to Norfolk, VA next week. Early Friday morning I went out for some flowers to paint. All the colors they have now that it's Easter week- hehe, they called some of them "Jelly-bean Bouquets", and the colors were just like that! I've set this arrangement up as sort of a tea-break before afternoon- sort of an afternoon 'fortification'. These paintings I've done in this series are a reminder to bring these things into our lives; flowers for the table, a cup of tea, a bit of honey to sweeten, a bit of fruit, and some colorful linens just for the cheer of it. Hope you can make room in your life for some of these things.

To purchase this painting:

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Price: $550 USD
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*****Just a reminder for my Hampton Roads friends; next week I'm headed to Norfolk! Saturday, April 30th I'll be demo-ing palette knife techniques and speaking about "Finding Your Artistic Voice" at London Square Gallery from noon to 2pm. I'd love for you to join us!

Chase The Sun

8"x8" oil on archival panel


"A good laugh is sunshine in the house."

-William Makepeace Thackeray


Monday afternoon I came back inside to paint another cheery bouquet. These yellow daisies and purple statice flowers have lasted so long! It's such fun to change the colored cloths around with each arrangement, looking for every subtle color influence, cast shadows, reflections, all interesting to the eye. I chose the name "Chasing The Sun" since I have a feeling we're going to be doing that this week here in coastal Connecticut. The good thing is, all these April showers are going to make for a fabulous May!

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Price: $380 USD
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Bountiful

12"x12" oil on archival panel

"Our ancestors viewed the earth as rich and bountiful, which it is."

-Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama


"Every moment of your life is infinitely creative and the universe endlessly bountiful."

- Mahatma Gandhi


"Take a rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop."

- Ovid, ancient Roman classical poet

"Bountiful" 12"x12" oil on archival panel, framed, $550.
When I went to look up some thoughts on the word 'bountiful', I found it fascinating to come across the quotes of these three.

You bring your 'gifts' to the world each and every day, no matter what your calling is, artist, scientist, attorney, homemaker, engineer, teacher, etc.

You are the 'bountiful' in the lives of others. Wishing you a day filled with beauty.

Three's A Crowd

6"x6" oil on archival panel

"Science has never drummed up quite as effective a tranquilizing agent as a sunny spring day."

- W. Earl Hall

I'm finally back home, and have some groceries, had a chance to paint, be overwhelmed by emails, and just in general, feel great to be back in the studio. There's rumors of another round of snow in our near future, so I'm lucky I picked up a nice bouquet of sunflowers & larkspur at the grocery store!

This grouping of apples came from some sketch book ideas - I had been staring at a painting I had done earlier this year of a pair of apples, "Dueling Grannies", and I really loved the color & dynamics between the pair. The color just gave this such dimension, I knew this would be a subject worthy of further exploration. I was in one of those times where "life interrupts" & has other plans, which happened to include some plane & train travel. So I sketched out more ideas for interesting groupings of apples...Funny thing, I kept the focus fairly simple, and the ideas kept coming. Now THAT was a fun way to explore (and for me, use limited time wisely). From these little sketchbook ideas, I still set up the apples, cloth, lighting, etc. (just to make sure my original plan still holds up). It was so nice today to have the thought process already in gear.

Lots of good things coming up; I'm planning a another 12"x12" floral with the flowers I bought today, I've got a wedding commission to start (sketches are already done), and can't wait to paint some more of my fun little apple sketches (exploring color in these have been a great delight!).

Loves me, Loves me Not....Loves me!

6"x6" oil on archival panel

"What the world really needs is more love and less paperwork."

-Pearl Bailey


Remember when answers came as simply as daisy petals? (Well that was a looooonnng time ago). "Loves me, Loves me not.....Loves me" is a little 6"x6" oil on archival panel, cup-full of daisies. The antique pressed green glass is a gift from my Aunt Jo. It has been wanting to get in on the scene with all the daisies I've been painting! Now, as far as petal-pulling for answers, I'd really like to know; Is Spring Coming, or Is It Not, Is Spring Coming?????


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

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Price: $125 USD plus $10 USD s/h
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Naptime Lamb With An Ocean View, Valentia Island, Ireland

6"x6" oil on gessoed masonite archival artboard

The third of my subscriber specials this month! Some select older pieces at early 2009 prices $ shipping is on me! Lambs and sheep dotted the pastures along the seaside of Valentia Island on my last visit. I knew I couldn't bring one of these cute babies home, but painting them is the next best thing! They were enjoying the sunshine on that day as well as I was.

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Price: $100 USD
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I have been painting a larger work the last few days & hope to be able to post it tomorrow! Stay tuned!!

Spring In Your Step

6"x6" oil on archival panel

"Spring is a heart full of hope and a shoe full of rain."

-author unknown


I got my first shoe-full of rain today, leaving the gym. It was monsoon-like weather, except colder, but to me it did feel like Spring is trying its hardest to show up for me. Lots of melt-off happening, fast-running water every where! Maybe just the thought of it has put a spring in my step? Sometimes it doesn't take much....a small cheery bouquet, a bit of hope, the promise of turning that corner at some point.

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Sunny Escape - Lemons & Blue Glass

6"x6" oil on gessoed masonite archival artboard

"The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created Spring."

-Bern Williams

It's good to be back in the studio again! As I was arranging this bowl of lemons, one seemed to be trying to make it's escape (off to the right), so he wouldn't get sliced up like the ones on the left! But the most wonderful thing about posing your models (these lemons) in a strong light, is looking for the wonderful color reflections and the colors in the cast shadows. It's the thing I've really been pursuing in these recent still life set ups! And yes, each painting always makes me look forward to 'the next one'!

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Price: $125 USD plus $10 USD s/h
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Full Swing Spring

12"x16" oil on linen mounted on museum quality board

"No matter how long the winter, how hard the frost or how deep the snow, nature triumphs. No season is awaited so eagerly or welcomed so warmly as spring."

-Sheila Pickles

I do hope you've missed me over the last few days! I've been in San Diego with my husband (he's here on business travel). When we were packing for this trip rain had been forecast for both days we planned on being here, so I didn't pack the paint gear this time. But I had the most wonderful opportunity to meet up with some dear friends that were a big part of my life when I lived here ten years ago! It was SOOO much fun to catch up - a lot goes on in ten years time...but funny thing, I think only our children have aged! My friends looked GREAT as ever! Those years seemed to fall away pretty quickly & it was like I had only been gone a short time. Thanks Anne & Wendy!!

Before we left CT on Tuesday, I had just finished painting, "Full Swing Spring", a 12"x16" oil on linen mounted on museum quality board. The days are getting a little longer there finally, and we've had a couple of surprisingly warm days (for late winter anyway). I'm looking forward to a 'full swing Spring' and was just thinking how a visit with dear friends is just like a sunny day in Spring! Keeps you smiling - that's for certain!

For more information about this painting, including pricing, framing, etc. contact me at this link.