"See Thru Blue" & "Hide the Bodies" - SOLD

"See Thru Blue" - Click Here to Bid

We been busy the last few days working on the studio and getting ready for Germany. I've been painting too but haven't had time to post. I apologize for the crude title on this second painting, but I just couldn't help myself. : ) We are leaving tomorrow morning. I'll be there 3 weeks, and hope to paint and post most days. I won't be able to ship paintings until I return on the 22nd! - I apologize for any inconvenience!



"Hide the Bodies" - Click Here to Bid

We're taking our 4-yr-old with us to Germany. Please wish us luck on this very ... very long international flight tomorrow. : \

"Hiding Out" - SOLD

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I am proud to announce that Raymar Art (makers of the fabulous panels I use) has asked me to judge their prestigious fine art competition for the month of August. They hold the contest every month, and at the end of the year all the finalists are judged again and could win quite a bit of cash!

"Protectors" - SOLD

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I got an email recently about washing brushes. I know I've said this before, but I loooove Murphy's Oil Soap! It is quick, it smells good, it leaves brushes nice and soft, AND you can put old, dry, caked up brushes in a jar of it for 24 hours, wash them like normal, and every little last bit of paint comes off. Oh, and it's cheap and you can get it just about anywhere.

"Mama Pear" - SOLD

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This is a relatively simple composition, but I really liked how the pear seems to be protecting the cherry. Makes me proud to be a mama. : )

"Out of the Bag" - SOLD

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Someone asked yesterday about travelling with painting gear. My understanding is that you have to check paints, and you can't travel with mineral/spirits or turp at all. What I did was go to the Utrecht website and print out their MSDS (material safety data sheet) info - then put on a cover sheet that says (in big letters) "these are artist colors - they are not flammable - please check attached MSDS info) and put this will all my paint. I've had my bag searched many times and they've never removed my paints, so I will continue to do this. Then I just buy or borrow mineral spirits when I get to where I'm going.

"We Look So Pretty" - SOLD

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My family is going to Germany for most of September. My husband found his birth parents there last year and we are going for another visit this year. I hope to be able to paint landscapes, en plein air, most days. Unfortunately I won't be able to ship paintings while there. We are leaving in a little over a week, on Aug. 31st, and I return Sep. 22nd. I will have my computer and will continue to post.

"Cherry Crowd" - SOLD

Yesterday I posted the names and links of the 4 paintings for the movie, Letters to Juliet, but one of the links was wrong. I corrected it there, but here it is again. See "Be Cool". Thank you all for your wonderful support and encouragement! In October I will have had this blog for 3 years! It has been a wild ride, and I never could have done it without you all behind me. Thank you!!

"Pink Plastic Bowl" - SOLD

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I swear this is how it looked. I checked and rechecked the values 100 times. The little dark spot in the shadow of the bowl is a shadow of a cherry in the bowl. I hate to explain it, but I just loved the pink shadow next to the fork by the cherry with the curved stem.

As for the movie deal, they asked for 4 hi-res images of paintings - 3 sold - 1 not (yet). They'll print them out on canvas for the set - they didn't need the real thing. The titles are "Be Cool," "Bowl of Ruby's," "3 Red Pears" (these first 3 are daily paintings) and "Humility" which was in my recent solo show. For those who own the originals, I hope you get a thrill out of seeing your paintings on the big screen! The movie comes out in May 2010.

"Forever" - SOLD

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My paintings are going to be in a movie! Well, 4 of them anyway. The movie is called Letters to Juliet and it stars Amanda Seyfried, Gael Garcia Bernal and Vanessa Redgrave. The director did Bride Wars, 13 Going on 30, and Charlotte's Web; the producer did Ocean's Thirteen, She Hate Me, and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. I don't know how they found me, but ... dude!!

"Cherry River" - SOLD

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Whenever I get back from a trip, even if I painted on that trip, getting back into the swing of the studio is always difficult. This is my first painting since getting back. It took me about 3 hours to paint - 2 of those hours included lots of pacing and rearranging of fruit and wiping paint. It always happens, and it always makes me feel bad ... you'd think I'd expect it by now and be easier on myself.

"Blue Shell Shadow" - SOLD

Click Here to Bid (will begin Monday, 8/17, 8pm pdt - I'll get back on schedule soon)

As promised, a few more photos from my Canada workshop, below. The first is from our one day of plein air painting - my demo. Thank you to Richard and Pat Anderson for letting the class paint on your farm! And for taking and sending me these photos.



This was the simple scene I painted. I meant to get a photo of the finished painting, but everything wound up so quickly I didn't get a chance.



And lastly, me as a princess on my birthday, crowned in pink (I hate photos of myself). Thanks for all the kind birthday wishes!!! Because you asked, it was the 13th, and I turned 13. ; ) Ok, actually it was the 3rd year of 29. They say I'll be glad to look so young when I'm 40 and up. I hope so. It's embarrassing to be carded when I'm out with my "kids".

"Egg Bubble" - SOLD

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See the tiny bubble to the right of the yolk? I painted this on a blue ground, and while I'm happy with the result, it was much easier in the others where I started with a more neutral ground.

I spent the entire day travelling, with one delayed flight, and am about ready to collapse. I've got a few more workshop pictures to post and will do that tomorrow. zzz...

"Blue Egg" - SOLD

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I found these fabulous blue eggs at the farmers market before I left town. Cool shells, huh?

Today was the last day of my Canada workshop. I had yet another wonderful group of kids (see below) and one special addition, our mascot Sandy (the small, hairy, cute one)! It rained the last couple of days, which meant no more landscapes, but I really enjoyed the cool weather.

"Clown Egg" & workshop - SOLD

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Last night my entire class took me out to dinner for my birthday. They made me wear a fancy crown (photos later) and feel like a princess! Thank you all for such a special evening!!

Yesterday we painted outside all day. I will post a photo of my landscape demo soon, and one from a student that I am trading for. Today we will be back in the studio again - it is supposed to rain all day today and tomorrow. Here is a photo of 2 of my kids painting - later they braved a hailstorm to get a final painting!

"In the Bag" - SOLD

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We're having great fun at the workshop here in Benalto, Canada! We even have a mascot. I tried to get a picture of him today, but just got a blur. I'll get another tomorrow ... that'll keep you guessing. : ) Here are a few of my kids, hard at work.

"Be Cool" - SOLD

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Another great day in Canada, and another promising class! We visited a farm during lunch and picked some very colorful beets and onions and sunflowers. The farm was beautiful so we decided to go back one day and paint some landscapes. I'll post photos later!

"That's My Limit" - SOLD

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I got a new tiny computer to take with me when I travel, and I'm not sure if I'm editing the picture the same as usual (I'm not used to this screen yet). I hope it comes across accurately. I also hope I make my Texas friends (and all ya'll in hot places) awfully jealous when I say - I wore a sweater today here in Canada!!! : )

"Eggplant Gang" - SOLD

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We have a great farmer's market here in Bastrop, but I hadn't ever made it on the right day or the right time until this last Saturday. I walked in and was immediately drawn to these perfect little eggplants! I picked them up and was exclaiming "how cute!" when the woman behind the table started apologizing for their small size, blaming it on the drought. I said, "oh but they're perfect to paint." She gave me the most quizzical look. I think she thought I was going to paint the outside of them, like give them a smiley face or something. I get this a lot.

Tomorrow I leave for Canada for a week. I plan to post while there - I did some extra paintings this week just for this.

"Hot in the Shade" - SOLD

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One more word on painting safety and then I'll bow out of it. It appears to depend on the brand of water-mixable oils as to which are toxic and which aren't. The best thing to do is read the MSDS (material safety data sheet) info for the paints - you can usually find this on the manufacturer's website.

My friend Carolyn Finnell is visiting today. Carolyn is a previous student and fabulous artist and was dropping off several paintings to her new gallery in Houston. She drove all the way from Louisiana and I insisted she drive the rest of the way to visit me. : )

Tomorrow there will be a closing reception for my show at the Wally Workman Gallery, from 6 to 8pm.

"Here to be Served" - SOLD

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Regarding yesterday's post, #6, vegetable oil should not be used as medium!, AND #7, I've been told by several people that the pigments in water-mixable oils are just as dangerous and should be used carefully. Thanks for the corrections ya'll!

"Fresh Perspective" - SOLD

Wow, I got a lot of great info about paint safety! First of all, if you're really interested, you might check out the Painter's Keys - they have in-depth discussions about everything art.

Otherwise, things to keep in mind:
1. Even if you use Gamsol or other oderless solvents, you still need to use good ventilation
2. It's a good rule not to eat or drink in the studio
3. When pigment mixes with liquid (esp solvent) it is better able to get under the skin and into the blood stream, so if you get a lot of it on you, wipe it with something dry first, then wash your hands
4. For everything else, wash your hands religiously!
5. There are lots of glove options including "nitrile exam gloves" which don't suffocate hands so much, and gloves in a bottle, or just try getting a size too large
6. Another option for cleaning brushes, besides walnut oil (which can also be used as a medium) is plain vegetable oil
7. A safer alternative to oil paint is water-mixable oils - they don't have the same cadmiums and other harmful stuff, but then your colors won't be as bright...

Thanks everyone, for your input!

"Yearly Checkup" - SOLD

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Sometimes my paintings fall into place like they were meant to be. This is one. I love it.

I got a question today about ventilation for oil paints. Let me preface my answer by exclaiming emphatically that I am NO expert! Bridget Rose wonders if "opening the window with a fan [is] enough?" My understanding is that yes, this is enough, of course in addition to not eating your paint or letting any of it sit on your skin for very long. One option is to wear gloves. Unfortunately for me my hands feel like they are suffocating under gloves, so I just keep a container of wet wipes (the kind for babies are best, and the Costco/Kirkland brand is primo) on hand at all times to wipe away the offending pigment.

There are also more and less dangerous pigments, and if you can find alternatives that work for you, great! You can also use Walnut Oil in place of turp/mineral spirits (I personally couldn't get used to the difference). If anyone has something to add, please comment or email me - I'd love to hear it.

"White in White on White" - SOLD

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I enjoy these mostly tonal peices once in a while. They're challenging to say the least. There are 2 things one must always remember when paintings white: One is to always leave room in the value scale for the highlight (that's the ONLY pure white bit in the whole thing). Two, everything else is gray. To mix gray, I use blue, red, yellow and white (any). I prefer to mix my grays as opposed to using black and white or paynes gray or something like that, as I can get more variation my way, without even having to think about it.