Dappled Red

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

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.

Red Pickup

Click Here to Bid (6x6in. - OIL - starts at $100)

This is an oldie, from Eugene. I just painted it, but took the reference years ago. A big thank you to all those who keep old vehicles in good condition and park them in accessible locations!! I could just kiss you all.

If you're interested, I posted a reference for this truck (from a different angle) as a DPW challenge, back in 2012. Take a gander and ... paint it! If you dare (evil laugh...)

What Carol? You go from kissing to laughing evil-y, all in one short post? Yes.

Big Rig

Click Here to Bid (6x6in. - starts at $100)

I have been happy to find MANY old trucks all around Missoula, and Montana in general. Unfortunately I often see them when I don't have my camera, or I'm on my way somewhere and can't stop. So I will just have to systematically comb the streets. Or something. Here's number one.

Out to Pasture

sold. (24x30in. - $1700 - optional frame [+$300])

For a few years I've been experimenting on the side with larger paintings, and new techniques. My goal was to build up a body of work and then start getting back into galleries. But (long story short) galleries don't seem to be in the cards for me, right now, so my NEW/old plan is to sell them directly.

But for these larger paintings I am going to try a little experiment:

1. I will set fixed prices, and shipping will be free (within the US).
2. I will refund all $ for returns within 30 days - the only thing you pay for is to ship it back to me.
3. I'll ship them in a box that will make them easy to return, and email you a return label (optional).
4. I'll use these room pictures to show the approximate size of the painting & frame.
5. I'll also show closeup images of the painting and the frame (click to enlarge).

The truck I found out in a field in Taos, New Mexico. I was there painting with some friends a few years ago. If I had been alone I probably wouldn't have ventured into the field, but I find I am much braver when I have other artists around me. Fierce, we are.

Behind a Ford

Click Here to Bid (6x6in. - starts at $100)

A fabulous artist, and good friend, Cathleen Rehfeld, sometimes paints on black gessoed boards. I was so inspired by a recent painting of hers that I decided to try it myself! I will admit I've had as many failures with it so far as successes, but this one worked. At least I think so. : )

NEW BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT! I didn't put out a new book at the end of last year (like I usually do) because of my surgery and recovery. But I had plenty of paintings, so I decided to go ahead and do it a little late. I just picked up a big box of volume 9's from the printer!! -->

I only like to carry five volumes at a time, so I am phasing out volume 4, which I have put on sale until they are gone.

Get books here.

Sunset Hills Truck

Click Here to Bid (6x6in. - starts at $100)

I found this old guy at the bottom of the sunset hills in San Francisco earlier this year. I realize I might be wrong about the location. If so, I apologize.

Shady Blue

sold.

This is another one from a Eugene wander. Dapples can liven up any scene.

Isuzu Alley

sold. (8x8in.)

Lots to report, so I'll make this quick: alley, Seattle, near Capitial Hill.

Last week I taught my first workshop in 1 1/2 years, which went really well. On Wednesday I remembered why I love teaching - on Wednesday things start to sink in, my kids get really quiet and productive, and they do really great work!

Unfortunately I completely forgot to take pictures, except for these two: the studio set up but empty of people, and two of my kids doing special "art workshop yoga."

TWO of my kids gifted me paintings. One is an abstract by Kristen, and the other is a portrait (of me!) by Piyali. Isn't that awesome?! I guess it puts a lot of pressure on my next group of kids ;) (which is next week, BTW).

And the last image, which I DID remember to take, is our group photo. You guys were awesome!

Parked in the City

Click Here to Bid (6x6in.)

This is from a photo I took last spring in New York City. I just checked and I've already done 40 paintings from that trip alone. I definitely want to go back at some point. What a cool city!

City Grays

sold

I've been experimenting with different holds on my brush. Usually I hold mine like a pencil, and I think I get more controlled marks with it, but for this one (an NYC rainy day scene) I tried holding it near the end. The result is a bit messier, but also looser in a certain way. I will keep experimenting. Perhaps a combination of the two, depending on what kind of marks I want...

And speaking of brushes, I learned something that will save me (and hopefully some of you) money!! I know for certain this works on the brushes I mostly use (Silver Bristlon brights, and Rosemary Ivory short flats), which are synthetic (and wonderful) but can't say for sure about any other kind. When they get frayed at the end, brush them back and forth on the bottom of a pan full of boiling water. This pulls them back into shape like magic. I tried it the other night and was amazed. I'm so glad I put off throwing away my old brushes!

Planning for the Weekend

sold

Good news about my husband's ankle - he doesn't need surgery! They were pretty sure he would, so we are incredibly relieved. He'll have a cast on for about a month, so he bought a special thing to help him get around. It looks an awfully lot like a walker to me, but I am way too embarrassed to say my husband has one of those.