Joy

Joy

12x16

Oil on Stretched Canvas

This is my latest painting called "Joy".  I've been away from the easel and computer lately because I'm involved in a different painting project.  Not my favorite though.  I've been prepping and painting the master bathroom.  It's not nearly as satisfying as painting oil paintings:)  

I find that when I can't paint at the easel, I'm still painting in my head.  I'm looking forward to getting back to doing what I love most, which is painting oil landscapes in my little sun room.  

Abundance

Abundance

Oil on Stretched Canvas

16x20

The month of November is the month on abundance.  It's the time of year when we celebrate Thanksgiving and think about all we have to be grateful for in our lives.  I love the simplicity of this holiday.  It's time to gather with family and friends and enjoy each other in the spirit of peace.

We miss those who are no longer with us, but choose to reminisce about the good times.  And it seems every year there is someone new who comes to the table, be it new friends of my children or just someone who is far from home and has nowhere to go.  

When we think about what we have to be grateful for, we're rich beyond measure.

Contemplation

Contemplation

Oil on Linen

10x8

This painting sold last week.  I'm happy that it's going to a new home, but I think I'll miss it.  As an oil painter, I always find it almost impossible to replicate a painting.  Even if I look at my own painting in front of me, it just never works out the same. 

It's almost as if every painting is "what happened that day".  Do you ever miss paintings that you've sold?

October Snippets

 Thought I'd share some of the goings on in my kitchen lately.  This is my daughter and her boyfriend.  He gave her a fantastic juicer for her birthday.  Here they are reading the instructions for the first test run.  They had just come back from the Farmer's Market with fresh produce.

 Here's Jess doing the prep work.  She loves to work in the kitchen.  Cooking is her passion.  Luckily her boyfriend likes doing dishes.  I think it's a match made in heaven.

 My latest smallish painting called "Beloved".  It's 12x16 done on cotton stretched canvas.

I entered "Chimes" at the Danada Nature Art and Photography show this year.  I'm happy the judge liked it.  I hope your October is a blessed one!

Autumn Oldie

Autumn Woods

Oil on Canvas

18x24

I was going through some of my old paintings and came across this one from years back.  This style is so foreign to me now.  It was done when I was just learning to paint with oils.  But I just had to pull it out because autumn is my very favorite time of year.  It's hard to believe that it's almost October.

Here is my favorite autumn quote:

The fields are harvested and bare,

And Winter whistles through the square.

October dresses in flame and gold

like a woman afraid of growing old.

                        - Anne Mary Lawler

Kindred Spirits

The Magic Hour
Oil on Linen
24x30
Sold

My painting "The Magic Hour" sold last weekend.  I have several paintings in a new gallery in Forest Park, Illinois, not far from Chicago.  The owner told me that foot traffic had not been good this summer.  Maybe because of the economy, heat, or other factors.

Suddenly this painting was bought by someone who just had to have it.  Which leaves me wondering ... what is it about certain paintings that compel people to buy them?

I have certainly purchased my share of paintings over the years.  Usually there is something about it that I relate to very strongly.  I just have to have it.  I guess what I'm wondering is what that certain something is about my own paintings.  Are your collectors really kindred spirits?

Distilling Down to the Essence

Beatitude

Oil on Linen

16x12
Sold

As I look back on all the paintings I have done over the years, I realize that I am painting with less detail.  Years ago I would get so wrapped up in the details.  And when a painting was finished, I was rarely happy with the result.  Now my goal is to capture the essence of what I am trying to say.  My paintings have become much more distilled.

No longer do I sit when painting.  I constantly stand in front of the easel.  This gives the painting focus and energy.  I also back up every so often to see just exactly where the painting is going.

These days, my paintings seem to come from somewhere in my subconscious.