Into the Light

 

Click Here to Bid - 8x8in. - oil on panel

This is a scene from Florence, Italy that I have painted before with no success. The two main people remind me of my in-laws, which is why I gave it another chance. My favorite part is her striped shirt, and the way her hand goes back.

Bored on a Bench

 

Click Here to Buy for $200 - 6x8in. - oil on panel

Here is group of bored teenagers in Florence, Italy - probably waiting for the rest of their group. I'm just happy to see they aren't looking at their phones!

Florence Spotlight

 

Click Here to Buy for $300 - 6x12in. - oil on panel (click image to enlarge)

This was painted from my favorite reference photo from my last trip to Florence, Italy. I admit I stood there and waited for people to pass through the shaft of light until I got the perfect shot. But I was also waiting to paint it! Why? No idea. So here it is. I kind of completely love it.

Group Twelve

 

Click Here to Bid - 8x8in. - oil on panel - starts at $100

When you are in the center of Florence (Italy), there are often several tour groups touring around you, at all times. This makes for lovely clumps of people to photograph. My thanks to group twelve for posing so nicely.

Bonding Time

 

Click Here to Bid - 8x8in. - oil - "Bonding Time"

I got a great series of photos of these two (on a bench in a square in Florence). At first the kid was having a meltdown (probably hungry). The dad was trying so hard to make it ok, but the boy was leaning away and having none of it. Then finally the dad got through, they had a little chat, and a hug. But the final photo was the very best arrangement of limbs and light. And that bird! So I chose to paint it even though dad's on his phone and you missed all the bonding. Ah well.

Bring the Dog

 

Click Here to Bid - 8x8in. - Oil -  "Bring the Dog"

Here is another painting from my trip to Europe last month. This scene is one I photographed in Freiburg, Germany. They were pausing on the bank of a little "creek" running through town, with a lovely restaurant with outdoor seating on the other side. I think the little dog was just thinking about lunch.

I am now selling prints!

I'm starting with these five, popular paintings, and will add more soon. I did tons of research and found a gorgeous, heavy weight, matte paper, and bought a top of the line printer. The prints are fabulous! You can purchase them from the new prints page on my website. : )

Map Glow

 

Click Here to Bid - 8x8in. - oil - "Map Glow"

It took me a while to settle back into regular life after 20 days in Europe! I spent the first half in Germany visiting my mother-in-law with my husband. We took a couple of day trips (to Freiberg & Zurich) to collect photos for painting, which you will see eventually.

I spent the second half in Florence, Italy, teaching 12 wonderful human beings about painting people and cityscapes. The weather forecast was dismal, but the reality was better. We managed to get out a few times to collect photos, and sometimes the sun even came out. The food was amazing, and the wine was spectacular. Florence is lovely. But the absolute best part was the people I spent the time with! And the hosts (Debra & Ivano) who made it happen. Thank you!!!

This painting is from Florence. I took a LOT of photos, but I knew this one was special when I took it.

The Big Bench

 

Click Here to Bid (6x12in. - OIL - starts at $100 - click image to enlarge)

I love this horizontal format, but they look so small here! Make sure you click on the image to see it larger. This scene is from references I took in Florence, Italy a couple years ago. I'm looking forward to going back someday.

Yes Dear

 

Click Here to Bid (8x6in. - OIL - starts at $100)

Here's one from Florence that I've been saving to paint. I don't have a ton more references of people before I run out, so I have to admit I've been taking it slow. Because who knows when I'll be able to travel again, much less find people walking around without masks! But hopefully soon, right? Right?!

Visiting Colorful Places

Click Here to BUY (10x10in. - $500)

Here's another larger painting. Larger than my usual 6x6 anyway. It's from a town in France that I've painted before that I always forget the name of. But I guess it's not so important, other than it is a particularly colorful town. My favorite part is the colors infiltrating the shadow the people are walking through.

Being Seen

Click Here to Bid (8x8in. - starts at $100)

Some people seem to get dressed in the morning with the sole idea of being SEEN. I find this especially funny when the outfit looks uncomfortable. But over-all I am so GLAD about it! Because I get to 1. enjoy it, and 2. take pictures to paint later! So, if fashion is your thing, thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

This is a scene I photographed in Florence, and actually tried to demo for my students. "Tried" being the operative word. Luckily it was the only demo that didn't turn out. But of course I had to try it again in the comfort of my own studio, and this one I like.

And Then I Want to Go There

Click Here to Bid (8x8in. - starts at $100)

Not that it matters particularly, but these people are in Florence! Or they were, when I took the reference photos. So this is my first Italy painting. : ) Unfortunately the weather was mostly overcast and rainy while we were there, but we did have a couple of sunny outings, and this is when I most enjoyed taking photos. If you know me at all, you know I love light and shadow! And you can't beat this gal's feet, right?!

Shoe Complement

Click Here to Bid (8x8in. - starts at $150)

Here are some tourists from France. I took this in Roussillon, a town near some very colorful cliffs, where they collect the dirt and sell it. I have to suspect these folks had just walked through some particularly orange dirt, and they're reflecting on the mess it left on their shoes.

Sharing the Map

sold.

Here's another scene from France, this one quite simple. I'm trying to find a balance between loose & tight, and hard & soft. This one came together for me, and I think it's because I was using my new block-in technique (yes, I know this isn't new for other people) and because of that I knew everything was in the right place when I put in the tiny, tight details like the lady's back/shoulders, and their ears. Ears are really tiny, and even a fraction of an inch out of place makes them so wrong!