Mom Needs Shade

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This little girl was entertaining herself with a dance while her mom took a snack break in the shade of the pier. I picked the reference with the best pose, and then had to move her over a bit so she didn't line up in funny ways with the posts. It was challenging, but I'm happy with the result. : )

From Another Era

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Here's another one from my wander around Hamilton (MT), a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air. Every once in a while my husband suggests we get an old car, but I don't want to have one. I just want to paint them. But I am very grateful to those who get them and park them in places I can access. : )

Open Door

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In the past when I've driven north of Missoula, up towards Flathead Lake, I've passed some old cars beside the road that looked interesting. Well recently I went back to find them, and eventually discovered Wrecker Kellys. I don't know what motivates this kind of place to leave all these old cars sitting around, except maybe advertising(?) but I sure am grateful. These were the cars right up by the road - someday maybe I'll get brave enough to go in and ask if I can take pictures of the rest. It was a little too early on this day.

Dappled Red

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A few weeks ago my husband and I drove down to Hamilton, MT, a small town about an hour south of us. We wandered around enjoying the lovely weather and I snapped a few photos when I felt inspired. We got into a conversation with a lady who had lived there all her life and was quite proud of her "work truck." Unfortunately hers was not in great light, but this one was.

Green Sticks Together

 

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I did a couple of green themed paintings. Here's number one.

Red Resonance

 

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Technically there's pink in some of these, but it's still the red family. In fact it's the variations within the colors that excite me - including adjacent colors. Maybe that's why red has been so challenging for me - I don't have a lot of variety in my red things, in color or value. I think I'll try green next.

Red Rendition

 

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I did 5 of these red themed paintings, but only 3 worked out. I found it quite challenging to make an all red composition work. I mean, obviously I added some white things for contrast, but still it was hard. I recommend the challenge! And guess what - the challenge for Daily Paintworks this month just happens to be a Color Theme Challenge, just like this. : )

Scaredy Cups

 

Click Here to Bid - 6x8in. - oil on panel

I like to really move my light around and try it from every direction. But this angle is new for me! It has the feel of a scary story when you're camping. Or is that just me? At any rate, the shadows were super dark, so I took my little (not as bright) light and pointed it down a bit, from above, which gave the shadows some variety. Here's what it looked like in my shadow box:

Got the Blues

 

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I did a small series of blue paintings on a shelf, of which this is the first. It's amazing how just a few, simple objects and a light can create such drama.

Don't Get Distracted

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My dog loves to go outside and sniff. She'll wander around happily sniffing every part of the yard, even when it's super cold and we have to just stand there and wait. I say "potty" every few minutes just to remind her of the task at hand. Otherwise she just stays distracted.

Paddling in Cobalt

 

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I found a reference image with too many ducks, so I cropped in on this little batch. Even then I had to omit a couple to make it work. Then I started to paint, keeping it very abstract. I put the eyes in at the very end, stepped back, and suddenly they were ducks. So cool when that happens.

Twisty Perch

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A lot of the bird photos I find include pretty uninspiring perches. This bird (a Coal Tit) picked a lovely branch to sit on. Many thanks to the bird and the photographer!

Oh Yawn

 

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I'm told this is an African wild dog. As opposed to a hyena. Caught in mid-yawn. So bored. But so great to paint.

I'll Just Be Here

 

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Whenever we leave the house, our dog sits and watches the door, waiting for our return. We know this because we have a camera and no matter when we check, there she is. Poor dogs. What goes through their minds? Are they traumatized by this? Thank goodness our dog seems to forget immediately upon our return, completely joyful and ready for a long nap.

Cheeky

 

Click Here to Bid - 6x8in. - oil on panel

I've got some older work that's been sitting around, so I've decided to put some things on sale. Check out my "available" page to see if there's anything you might like to have. Thanks!

Sneaky

Click Here to Bid - 6x8in. - oil on panel

I will be teaching a still life workshop this fall (Oct 19-23, 2026) in Nashville, TN.

Registration will open in one week: Monday, Jan 12th at 8am, CST. When the time comes, go here.

Important: You won't be able to register before next Monday. FYI, my last two workshops filled in less than 10 minutes, so be there or be square. : )

It's a 5-day workshop, and the cost is $985.

And Breakfast

 

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This is another object I borrowed from my friend Patti - the ampersand. It had a lot of neat reflections in it, but also reflected a lot of funny light everywhere. I used my artistic license and left some of it out. My guess is you can't tell?

Feed Me

 

Click Here to Bid - 6x8in. - oil on panel

Thank you all so much! First, to Dan Johnson who graciously allowed me to use his own reference photo for this painting (and paints beautiful animals himself). And to all of you who look at my art, leave supportive comments, take my workshops, and buy from me! Another year is almost done, and I feel immense gratitude that I get to live this beautiful, creative life. Thank you. You feed me.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Blue Ribbon Bunny

 

Click Here to Bid - 6x8in. - oil on panel

Happy Holidays to you and yours from me and mine! : )

Now You See Me

 

Click Here to Bid - 6x7in. - oil on panel

In the next moment, she's gone.

Bye bye, birdie.