Loaded Down

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I didn't have time to paint when I was in Mexico (San Miguel de Allende), but I took pictures whenever I could. Here's the first "scene" that caught my eye.

Not a Contest

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For some reason when I saved this for the web it turned a little ... green. So imagine that pumpkin just a little more orange. And it's a competitive pumpkin. Just like I was (am) when I was a kid. I think maybe the phrase I heard the most was, "It's not a contest, Carol Jean." Harumph.

Hold on Tight

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ON BREAKS: I just got home from a (fabulous!!!) trip to San Miguel de Allende with two buds. It made me think about taking breaks, pros and cons. Here're the highlights:

The biggest con of course, is that I'm not working. I'm getting rusty. My best progress happens when I work consistently, every day if possible, or at least 5 days a week (rare for me this summer, alas!).

The biggest pro is that it is possible to bring home new ideas. I get re-inspired in new places, especially if I see art while I'm there (which I did). Another pro is that simply stepping away from my studio gives me a bigger perspective. It helps me re-focus on bigger goals, and I come home with a clear idea of what I need to do first.

Even though I didn't paint on this trip, and I did mostly touristy things, I took pictures while I walked. I look forward to sorting through them and seeing what I've got. Meanwhile, here is a scene from France that I painted today, with (maybe you can't tell...) a slightly new tack.

And here are me and my peeps!

Waiting Outside Les Baux

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Well, I'm off on another trip. But it's the last one!! For now anyway. The last in a flurry of trips that started for me in the spring. This one is a celebration, with a couple friends, of major landmarks - one being me turning 40 this year. We are off to Mexico for 6 days! And so I apologize that I won't be able to ship until the 17th.

Speaking of trips, this painting is from references I took in France this summer, outside a little town called Les Baux.

Tourists

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My Italy workshop filled in record time - less than an hour! Thank you guys so much, really. I am not worthy. There is a wait list going for those of you who are interested.

I've been going back through some of my old photos and reconsidering them. I've been looking at some other people's paintings lately and getting some new ideas, for composing and for paint application. I had this one already edited, but I re-cropped it, and tried to play around with the colors as I painted, because they were quite boring in the photo. I'm very happy with how it turned out.

Our Shade Island

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FINAL WORKSHOP ANNOUNCEMENT:

May 14-23, 2019 - Florence Italy - REGISTER NOW (full with wait list)

Meanwhile, I've returned to experimenting with a palette knife. I was doing a large painting a couple of days ago and my favorite palette knife broke!! So I had to go to a actual art store for another one. Of course I ordered a bunch more on Dick Blick too. Who knew they broke?! At any rate, after finishing the large one I was on a roll so I tackled this one, which is a combination of brush and knife. I still have much to learn, I know, but the texture is so ... luscious!

Crowded Market

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I really enjoy simplifying these people scenes. It requires a lot of squinting, but also a fair amount of refining when it comes to the important features, like faces and hands...and legs and feet...well, just about anything having to do with something looking...human. It's harder than it looks - let me just say that. But I enjoy the challenge.

On this Journey Together

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I dug into last year's France photos for this one. I love the indistinct, glow-y light at the end of the "street," and how it contrasts the soft, indirect light on the couple.

Empty Bins

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They bought half the fruit! And thank goodness, because the light in the empty bins is just magical, right?!

Traveling Together

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(Last) WORKSHOP ANNOUNCEMENT: In one week I will be opening up registration for my very last workshop. It will held be in Florence, Italy, next May (2019), and will be all about taking and painting from photos in this ancient city. It will be a small class (12), and based on all the emails I've gotten I expect it to fill fast. Registration opens on Oct 6 at 9PM CST (7pm on the West Coast and 10pm on the East). Click here to read more about it.

Why my last? Well, I've been teaching workshops now for about 12 years. I have met some FABULOUS people and traveled to some truly marvelous places, and honestly had a wonderful time at it!! But I feel the need to focus my energies on my own work, and family. Who knows, maybe someday down the road I will decide to teach again, but for now, I will go out with a bang in Italy!!

The painting above is from Überlingen in Germany.

Only Obstacles

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Here's one last orange slice painting, for now.

Dark Matter

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We're back from kayaking Lake Powell, or rather a small part of it. If you don't know, Lake Powell is deceptively LARGE. It's full of canyons you can paddle down, and in some places, get out and hike in. If you're the adventurous type, I highly recommend it! Here's a pic of us "parked" - to give you an idea of scale, it would take half an hour to kayak to the cliffs on the other side. Yeah.

And above is a painting I did before I left for the this trip. I have one more, and then I'll start posting what I'm doing now. I'll also have my last workshop announcement, coming very soon!!

Can I Wedge In?

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My husband kindly provided the title for this one. Thanks hon!

Tomorrow he and I begin a road trip down to Lake Powell (on the Utah|Arizona border) for a 5-day kayaking/camping trip with my folks and some friends of theirs. Unfortunately this means once again that I won't be able to ship (until 9.24.18). I'm not bringing my painting gear on this one, but I will take pictures. It should be fun!

Cara Cara

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I got these oranges at the store and was surprised at the red color inside! They are Cara Cara oranges - is that the right color? I guess I've never really paid attention to the names before.

A Dangerous Corner

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Here's another attempt at these colorful apples. And some cups. And a knife. In a corner.

A Conversation About the Tiny Cup

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Still life has been calling me again lately, but it's been difficult. Maybe it's just these apples. They are tough! I like them because they are particularly colorful, but DANG they are colorful!! This is attempt number three. I'll try again tomorrow.

Reflecting on Chinatown

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This is a scene from my trip to San Francisco earlier this spring. I know it's a bit of an unusual composition, but when I saw it my brain screamed, "This is awesome - take pictures!" And I try to trust my instinct.

Boulder with a View

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Ok, I had to try one more landscape, for now. This is Garnet Lake, from my first year up in the Sierras. It was a little bit hazy when I was taking the photos, but I'm digging the exaggerated atmosphere. I broke some rules with the composition, but hey, isn't that what rules are for?

Lunch on the Lawn

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Here's another one from San Francisco. This gal was on a hill, in a park, in the spring, with droves of other young, hip people, seeing and being seen, with her snazzy yellow bag, and grabbing a bite while she was at it.

A Ladies Afternoon

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Here's a swerve back to the city (San Francisco). I used a 6x6 inch panel for this one and I have to admit, after using a lot of larger panels lately, this seems - impossibly small!!!