"Working Girls" - SOLD

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The owner of the Gold King Mine, Don, called these 2 the working girls. He explained why, but it was car specific and I can't remember. Sorry. But I thought they were super cool, especially in this dramatic morning light.

I'm off tomorrow for 5 days at Lost Maples State Park with my buddies Penny & Laurel. I am going to prepost some for when I'm gone - so as you won't miss me too much (I won't have my computer at all) : ) - and will post about the trip when I get home. If you email me and I don't write back right away - that's why. Thanks for understanding!

"This is Not a Race"

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This painting was done in the afternoon when suddenly the clouds appeared and everything went flat. I set up to paint these 3 trucks because they looked good without the light. Right before I finished the sun came back out, but only in the front because of the shadow of the mountain, and I decided it would still work (and maybe better) if I put the pink shafts of light in. So I did. : )

"Face the Dawn" - SOLD

This is one of the paintings from my camping trip last week. I'll tell you more about it soon. First I want to add a couple of things to the painting from photos discussion (see yesterday's post and comments for more). Yes, I think it is best to paint from your own photos. And yes, a long time ago I stopped printing them out and instead paint from a monitor set up next to my easel. Because the light shines through everything is just more vibrant and alive (as close to as you can get w/ a photo). And, yes I agree, painting from life IS "funner!" And, as Karin Jurick said, "it doesn't matter if you're standing in a field or looking at a photo - whatever gets you to paint!"

"Cracked Windshield" - SOLD

Camping was wonderful! We just bought a camper and it made everything so ... comfortable. Which made for good sleeping and a lovely respite from the heat (this from a life-long tent camper filled with guilt). I did squeeze in a little painting too, which I will post about later. For now, here is a car I photographed in Colorado. I was especially intrigued by the huge cracks in the windshield. It kind of looks like an old wrecked shark in a sea of grass to me.

"Used'a Work" - SOLD

This old beauty is also from Silverton. Along with yesterday's trucks, it was right near our campground and begging to be painted. In fact I think all 3 of us painted it at one time or another. The problem with all this is - I've become obsessed with old vehicles. They're all I see when I drive around. Ok, this isn't a problem. I think they're super cool!

On a completely different topic, if you're looking for cool hats, for you or your dog, my aunt is making some super awesome ones! Her company is called Bad Dog Hats. Check it out!

"Dresselbach"

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I apolgize for the poor image (glare). I will repost soon. The sun finally came out today, but I am a bit behind with posting, so here is one more overcast painting first. A "bach" is a creek, and this one is on the property here. I had to wear rubber boots to get to this spot, as the ground was super soggy. So soggy in fact I was actually standing in several inches of water. And the water was so cold I was afraid I might lose my feet after standing here for an hour! But, alas, I am ok.

"One Block Down" - SOLD

I was really taken by this scene because of the little white house, but also the two trees, almost in line with each other, one of them orange. Now, it's spring here in Germany (I'm experiencing spring for the second time this year - how lucky am I?!) and so I wonder what kind of tree is orange in the spring?

The sun came out for a while but by the time I'd set up and painted the white house, it had gone away. I waited and waited but it only came back for short visits, which made things difficult. It's supposed to be back this weekend and I can't wait!

"Top of the World" - SOLD

I remember when I was first starting out with still lifes, I was mostly unhappy with everything I painted. But there was usually one little thing I was proud of. And that one little thing had to make me happy enough to keep going. And the more I painted, the more I liked. With landscapes, I am not all the way back the beginning, but I keep telling myself - "baby steps, be happy with them." Like, I love the trees in this one! And I like the house on the left. And I like the car, and the reflection of the flowers (can you see it?). But I know I can work on making it all gel. The weather is still not cooperating - overcast - but maybe that's an excuse.

"Afternoon Cactus"

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I painted this one towards the end of the first day when I was tired and hungry. It turned into a quick sketch, interrupted quite a bit by wandering boyscouts (who all wanted to be in the painting). I didn't have much hope for the painting (even thought of adding the boyscouts), but right when I was about to give up, one boy stopped and said, after a thoughtful pause, "I like it, I really like it." I looked again, fixed a couple of things, and decided it wasn't half bad.

"Cactus City"

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This is another one from Inks Lake, with the morning light on the cactus. I did this the second day and experimented with NOT putting down a ground first (or toning the canvas). I am used to putting down a ground with still lifes, and it has worked well in my opinion. But with landscapes it tends to make the whole thing darker, or has for me, and I really like how light and bright this turned out with the white showing through in spots.

"On the Inside" - SOLD & "Green on Green"

I've been busy the last few days building/buying furniture/moving/cleaning out the old "studio"/etc. See an update on the studio. I am a bit ahead with my paintings, so even though I haven't actually painted in my new studio, I've got some to show you. For some reason I am hesitant to paint in there ... call me crazy ... here I am with this perfectly wonderful new space ... I think it's the pressure - like somehow my first painting has to be super stellar. But here's something funny - because of the paintings I have on hand, the next painting I do will be 999 (the one above is 992).

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I've decided, after careful consideration, what to do with #1000. I will post it and sell it, then donate the proceeds to a charity of the buyer's choosing. I'll let you know when it comes up. I think I'll paint tomorrow.

"That's Him!" - SOLD

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"That's Him, that's the tomato that sat on my sandwich!"

"Chillin'" - SOLD

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Recently I got an email from an online friend and fabulous painter, Richard Robinson, asking to use a few of my paintings in an instructional video he just made. I got to see the video and I gotta say, not only is he a stellar artist, his instruction is top notch. He puts things out in a clear, concise way, and he knows what he's talking about. It taught me a thing or two. I would recommend taking a workshop from him, but he lives in New Zealand, so check out his videos. You won't be sorry!

"Among the Folds 2" - SOLD

I've heard from a lot of you that 6x6 frames are hard to find, so I've teamed up with a framing supplier, King of Frame, to offer some really nice frames with my paintings. They will be optional - no obligation. I've got 9 styles on hand at the moment, will try out more later, and as soon as I find out what the most popular ones are, I'll have a stock of them. They'll each be $35, including any extra shipping, and will be shipped directly with the painting.

"Blue Plate Special" - SOLD

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After yesterday's post about reflections, I got a comment suggesting what I said wasn't quite true. So I did a little research today, (basically looking at objects on glass from many angles and measuring) and found that ... well it's complicated. The width of the reflection is always going to be the same as the object no matter what. But the height depends on what angle you're looking from, and what shape the object is. For example, if you're looking at a cup, the height of the reflection is going to equal the height of the cup from the bottom to the front rim (not to the back rim, if you can see it). The best way to get it right is to simply measure and compare. Sorry for the confusion!

Also, here is the panel holder photo I promised. The white arrow is pointing to the edge you would apply rubber cement to if you're having any problems with it sliding. This is NOT meant to glue this piece down, only to provide more friction with the bottom, fixed piece when you slide it, so let it dry thoroughly before putting it back in place.

"Park Stream" - SOLD

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Chuck Rawle emailed me today with another suggestion for packaging paintings safely for an airplane ride home. He says:

I usually either take with me or buy some wax paper at the grocery store. Then I put a sheet of wax paper between each painting---face to face works best. Then I tape or use a stretchy Velcro strap to hold the stack together. They take up even less room this way. If any of them get a small smudge on slightly wet areas, they are easy to fix when I get home, but this is usually not necessary.

"German Boats" - SOLD

Click Here to Bid (will begin Friday, 9/18/09, 8pm, pst)

Another painting in the dreary weather that I am very happy to have done. Actually, there are a few beneftis of painting in overcast conditions, in my opinion: 1. the light doesn't change much at all, so there's no chasing of it; 2. you don't have to worry about finding shade, for you or your painting; and 3. you don't have to worry about warm vs. cool - it's pretty much all cool.

Some of you have suggested I do some still lifes or interiors, and I would really love to, but the mineral spirits I have are too stinky to use inside. I looked for Gamsol at an art store in Freiberg, but they had never heard of it. Alas.

"The Way Home" - SOLD

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I did this a couple of days ago when the weather was just getting cloudy. I set up in the late afternoon when I saw this beautiful light. Unfortunately, I had just started when the sun went behind a cloud - for 30 freakin' minutes!!! When it came back out again everything was different, so I had to fudge a bit. I've been trying to get back at the same time of day to do another but the weather hasn't cooperated.

"Schluchsee Bridge" - SOLD

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Schluchsee is a small, tourist town, complete with lake and beautiful bridge. I painted this in the morning and the light changed very quickly (as it always does, of course). I have a bad habit of chasing the light ... changing my painting as the light changes. I do this because I can't remember how it looked before. Bad Carol! I do paint fast, but not fast enough, and certainly not fast enough to capture the train running over the bridge every so often.

"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.