Delve Into Chaos - SOLD

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I am in Cypress Mill, TX this week, teaching a 5-day workshop. It probably seems like I'm doing this a lot lately, and that's because I am. Through a scheduling glitch (my bad) I overbooked myself this month. Wine helps me through. : )

Thanks to all of you who weighed in on the "still" life painting I posted a couple days ago. It was very interesting hearing all the opinions. Today I am posting an attempt at folds that I think is my best ever. Ok, so I didn't notice until afterwards that the apples were right SMACK in the middle - I still think think the folds are killer.

Still Life with Bottle & Brush Stroke Challenge - SOLD

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This is the first one I've done where afterwards, when I look at it, it seems VERY still to me. I can't really explain why, but I would be curious to hear if anyone else has the same feeling. It's like all the players are frozen, mesmerized by what they see through the turquoise bottle.

On another note, I posted this week's Daily Paintworks challenge today! It's the One Color Per Stroke Challenge, and as of this minute we already have 9 entries. I think it's so cool to see everyone participating and having fun with this. Below is my example painting. I continue to learn a lot from this exercise!

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Pile of Gold - SOLD

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This is the last of the yellow tomatoes. You've probably noticed that I like to do a series of the things I find to paint. I have several reasons for that. One, I hate to waste anything. That is fundamental in my nature. Alas. Two, I get excited about whatever subject I'm on and when I'm painting the first one I'm usually getting ideas for a second, third, etc. Three, I feel I must paint each subject until I say ... what I want to say about it. Often that takes more than one painting.

Protecting the Queen - SOLD

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Today I was a guest on the blog radio show, "Artists Helping Artists." The segment, "Going Going Gone" was about selling art online - Etsy vs. Ebay specifically. You can listen to the recorded segment here.

Also, I am proud to announce I've been approached again to have my art in a movie! This one is called "When Angels Sing". Hopefully this time a little more than the bottom half of the painting will actually appear in a scene. Not that I'm complaining. : )

Aiming for Escape - SOLD

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I loved all the "pithy" comments ya'll, thanks! And thank you also, in general, for all the lovely comments and emails and support and community and general kindness. You guys are just the best (shuffling, staring at feet). It would be awful lonely without you. I mean it.

I'll be posting the new DPW challenge for this next week! I'll announce it here too, on Saturday.

Juicyness - SOLD

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I found these oranges at our Central Market. They had one cut up on display and I was taken by the extra wide pith. I wanted to say "hey, look at that great pith!" But ... I probably would have gotten some weird looks.

ps. I've added a workshop to my schedule: August 8-12 in Fish Creek, WI. To register visit the Peninsula School of Art website.

Bottle Shadows - SOLD

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People ask me sometimes if I ever use fake flowers. You might have noticed this particular flower in quite a few of my paintings. It is the only fake one I use. It looks pretty fake in person, but somehow it always comes out looking real in paint. Otherwise I use real flowers.

"Badishes" - SOLD

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The thing about radishes is - you have about 30 minutes before the leafy parts wilt into oblivion. I tried to paint them a second time but alas, they were too far gone. As it was I only managed to get a loose interpretation. But I like loose.

Drawn to Danger - SOLD

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I know I promised a post yesterday, but I was way too tired. Please forgive me. Today we are visiting family. But to recap my last workshop: below are my three demos (all sold).

And here are a few of my kids, squished a little into a smallish space (even had to shove one into a closet - see below!!)

And below, all my trouble makers from this last week, selective hearing and all. Apparently if I didn't repeat it 13 times they didn't hear it. I'll miss all your misbehaving!! : )

"Golden Orbs" - SOLD

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Today I finished up my second workshop here in Apex, NC, but am way too tired to post all the photos. So here is a painting of more tomatoes to hold you over until tomorrow.

"Free Lovin' Tomatoes" - SOLD

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Happy Valentine's Day! I am currently in Apex, NC, inbetween 2, 3-day workshops. Below are my demos from the first class and below that are some of my kids working. They were pretty well behaved as kids go, but please note the amazon woman in the group shot - one of the nicest people I've met, but pretty intimidating size-wise. The tough thing about helping her was not being able to get the same vantage point on her still life. I would have had to stand on a chair (should have thought of that, dang).

I am busy teaching a workshop and tending to my kids, but I wanted to let everyone know that Qiang Huang has posted this week's Valentine's Day Rose Challenge. Check it out!

New Demo Video for My DPW Challenge

To see it, go my 10 Minute Challenge on DailyPaintworks.com and click on the View the demo video link. Enjoy!

"The Crew" - SOLD

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I've been a bit blocked this week, but I'm very excited about this one. I find the most important thing about a block is to just keep painting, and work through it. It's very easy to get discouraged and want to quit, but eventually, if you keep painting, you'll come out the other side.

Round and Round - SOLD

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I'm going back to my roots with this one - from above, on a plate, with polka-dots to boot! But these tomatoes - oy - they gave me some heartache. Because they are fairly translucent, any value shifts become very subtle. I had a heck of a time getting it right - started this one over 2 or 3 times.

Plans for Dinner? - SOLD

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I thought I'd try the plastic bag again. Man what a challenge! Speaking of, we've had some amazing entries into the Daily Paintworks Challenge! It is so cool to see - check it out if you haven't. And then do your own! Next week my pal Qiang Huang is going to do the challenge - a special Valentine's Day treat!

the 10-minute challenge! - SOLD

I double dog dare you to do this challenge! I promise if you do it, you will come out a better artist for it. Go to the challenge page on Daily Paintworks to read all about the 10-minute challenge!

"Seeing Spots" - SOLD

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After struggling again with batik and having nothing to show for it, I finally looked for some alternatives to putting dots on fabric. The same company that sells dye for batik also sells high quality fabric paints. So I ordered something called Neopaque and it should be here in a few days. I'll let you know how it works out.

"Leaning Stack" - SOLD

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I am in LOVE with this one. Sorry, couldn't hold it in. That's it.

"Connected Cups" - SOLD

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I had the flu the last few days. They say having a kid in Kindergarden does that to you. Luckily I was ahead with my paintings, and for just this kind of thing, so I posted anyway. I finally felt well enough today to get back into the studio, and proceeded to paint the most horrible painting of my life (not this one). Ok, maybe not THE most horrible, but pretty awful. Years ago I would have beaten myself up over it, but I am proud to say I actually laughed, wiped it off, and quit. Tomorrow is another day.

"Blue is Base" - SOLD

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This scene reminds me of when I was a kid and we played hide and seek. There was always a base and it was often a frantic race to get to it once you'd been rousted from your hiding spot.