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.

Hot Death

 

Click Here to Bid - 6x6in - oil - "Hot Death"

I bought this tiny skull online recently after seeing a few of my favorite artists drawing and painting them on Instagram. It thought it might be a fun thing to add to still lifes. It was harder than I thought it would be - this is my second attempt.

This painting is my final share before heading off to Europe! I hope everyone is enjoying the spring weather wherever you are. : )

Stagger the Heat

 

Click Here to Bid - 6x6in. - oil - "Stagger the Heat"

Today I am releasing a new series of ArtBytes (online tutorials) that I have been working on for years. It started as something I was doing just for myself, but I got so much out of it I decided to share it with you! It's called Just Try Sh*t, and as of today there is a free intro and 4 "chapters" in the series (drawing, value, color & paint, and composition - $15/ea), with more to come later.

Each "chapter" in the Just Try Sh*t series contains 12-15 exercises that are intended to get you out of the box you're stuck in. Because - if you always do what you always do, you're always going to get what you always get. So come and try some SH*T with me!

If you are not happy for any reason you will get a full refund. If you are happy you will have access to your ArtBytes forever. : )

Also, I just launched the Just Try Sh*t Facebook Group so that anyone doing these exercises can share their work with other JustTrySh*tters!

And a Fork

 

Click Here to Bid - 6x6in. - oil - "And a Fork"

A reminder: I am heading off to Europe on Monday, and will be gone for 20 days. Unfortunately this means I won't be able to ship any books or paintings until I return (May 20th), including this one, since the auction won't end until after I'm gone. I apologize in advance for the inconvenience!

You Reflect on Me

 

Click Here to Bid - 6x6in. - oil - "You Reflect on Me"

Here's another one on the new smooth canvas panel I'm trying. The other day I realized one of my brushes was past its prime, and in looking at my inventory I realized I still had a (synthetic) mongoose brush from when I painted on canvas years ago. When I discovered it originally I called it my "magic" brush because I loved it so much, but switched to others for working on gessobord. Well, wouldn't ya know - it works great on these canvas panels! The only downside is that they're more expensive. So I'll have to figure that in to my decision about the new panels. Still experimenting...

In other news, I am heading off to Europe on Monday, and will be gone for 20 days. Unfortunately this means I won't be able to ship any books or paintings until I return (May 20th), including this one, since the auction won't end until after I'm gone. I apologize in advance for the inconvenience!

For the second half of my trip I'll be teaching a workshop in Florence, Italy! I'll try to remember to take pictures and post them on Instagram, so follow me there if you aren't already.

A Blue Gathering

 

Click Here to Bid - 6x6in. - oil - "A Blue Gathering"

Is it a peaceful gathering, or are they about to gang up on the blue bowl? Only time will tell.

Put the Kids to Bed

 

Click Here to Bid - 6x6in. - oil - "Put the Kids to Bed"

Every time I see slices of fruit on a plate, all in a row like this, I think of kids in bed. Not that any kids I know ever sleep this orderly. But just the innocent, sweetness of it. Because kids are always cuter when they're sleeping, am I right? Like little angels. And then they wake up and wreak havoc on everything!

Wedge Issue

 

Click Here to Bid - 6x6in. - oil - "Wedge Issue"

I've been playing around with an alternate panel to the Ampersand Gessobords I've been using for years. Someone recommended some super-smooth primed canvas, and I've been gluing that to wood using PVA adhesive. This was my first painting on one. I used canvas panels many years ago, so it was familiar, but very different from what I'm used to now! It's a ton cheaper than my regular panel, so I'll have to use them a bit before I come to any conclusions. Meanwhile you should know that it is completely archival. : )

Having the Apples for Dinner

 

Click Here to Bid - 6x8in. - oil - "Having the Apples for Dinner"

It's funny how this title could mean two things. One in which the apples will eat dinner with us. The other is just sad. For the apples.

Gathering Goodness

 

Click Here to Bid - 6x6in. - oil - "Gathering Goodness"

And this one wraps up the little tomatoes, for now.

A Peek at Tomatoes

 

Click Here to Bid - 6x6in. - oil - "A Peek at Tomatoes"

Check out my 166 other tomato paintings, to date. I've been painting them for over 17 years.

Constructing Apples

 

Click Here to Bid - 6x6in. - oil - "Constructing Apples"

This is an example painting for an ArtByte (online tutorial) I've been working on. I recorded it and will be sharing that too at some point. : )

Cutting Up

 

Click Here to Bid - 6x6in. - oil - "Cutting Up"

Same scissors - different angle.

Drifting Away

Click Here to Bid - 6x6in. - oil - "Drifting Away"

I ordered these scissors from the internet because I couldn't find anything like them locally. When they arrived my husband said - do we need more scissors in this house? I said - we don't have any as pretty as these. And he had to admit it was true.

Tomato Martini

 

Click Here to Bid - 6x6in. - oil - "Tomato Martini"

Continuing on with my tomatoes in glass series, here they are as a martini.

Shot Full of Tomatoes

 

Click Here to Bid - 6x6in. - oil - "Shot Full of Tomatoes"

It's often the simplest compositions that are the most difficult to paint!

An Appointment with Apples

 

Click Here to Bid - 6x6in. - oil - "An Appointment with Apples"

This is my favorite of this apple series. My favorite tends to be the last one. After that I move on.

Apple Abundance

 

Click Here to Bid - 6x6in. - oil - "Apple Abundance"

We just got home from a trip to Texas to visit family and friends. It was over 90 degrees on the last day, whereas it snowed yesterday here in Missoula. But these apples just keep doing their thing.

On the Fringe

 

Click Here to Bid - 6x6in. - oil - "On the Fringe"

When the whole world is white cups, these little apples can't help but stand out.

Hard to Choose

 

Click Here to Bid - 6x6in. - oil - "Hard to Choose"

In hindsight I see some things a little askew with this one. But hopefully they're askew in a cute way? (grin)