Her Broken Wing

This angel is part of a set my Mom had. She used to arrange them on a mirrored lazy susan, among some evergreens, with a candle in the center. Over the years, some were broken, some forgotten, some fell out of favor by their dated looks. All kinds of reasons to stay tucked away, on a shelf.

But this year I painted one- the one with the broken wing. At first I painted her with her wing as I imagined it would be - intact. But then…I thought….tell the truth!

She wants to be accepted as she is. All of us do. So here she is- her real self. Perfect in her imperfections. Transcending her limitations and her fears; she stands with grace in her light.

Happy Thanksgiving

 

The last of this little series of daisies is titled In This Together.6x6 on a cradled panel, all three are available on my Daily Paintworks Gallery. Did you know that in Norse mythology, the daisy is a sacred flower for the goddess of beauty, love and fertility? 

Daisies symbolize motherhood, new beginnings, innocence and hope. And don’t we all need some of that? 

I hope your Thanksgiving was wonderful- there’s always something to be grateful for.

One Looks to the West

One Looks to the West is the second of three small oil paintings of daisies. Cradled wood panel ready to hang or sit on a mantle/shelf to cheer your home. A sweet gift. 

 

One Looks to the East

 Here’s the first of three small daisy paintings. Painted from direct observation- 6x6 cradled wood panel, wired for hanging or sitting on a mantle/ shelf. Perfect for holiday giving. The title One Looks to the East refers to the hope that each new day brings.

 

June Rose

 My neighbor gave me a few of these splendid roses from her garden. With the cobalt blue glass, I knew I wanted to paint them. Here’s my set up on the deck. With our awning there is beautiful diffused light.

Here’s the finished painting. As you can see- I cropped a lot!!! 6x6 on a cradled panel.

They are just beautiful- now captured in a painting. Sold and off to a new home in Hilton Head, SC.

Driftwood Beach II

 Driftwood Beach is such a surreal place, so unlike the beaches full of play and umbrellas. Here you must walk carefully, as roots and branches are underfoot. The strange shape of the fallen trees take on human form when you look at them a certain way. A little 6x6 oil on a cradled panel now available in my Daily Paintworks gallery. Just click on the link!

Driftwood Beach I

 

This small painting of a section of Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, GA is a study of blues and tans. As calming as this color palette is, there is something surreal, and otherworldly about this whole place. Due to 200 years of erosion the soil became unable to support the trees, which then fell and decayed over time. Sun-bleached and preserved to walk among, photograph, paint, or just enjoy the uniqueness of this place.

The Sand Shovel

 I have a collection of kids beach toys which are great objects to paint; their structure appeals to me. I painted this a while back, but thought it might appeal to those of us waiting for summer! Available on my DailyPaintworks for $95, which includes free shipping in the US. 

It’s All in Here

 Back in the day- I carried a big bag. When I switched to something smaller- mainly for the sake of my shoulders- I wanted to capture this bag hanging over the back of the kitchen barstool. I love the rich oranges, creams, and browns of this palette! Update!!! Sold!!! A big thank you!!!

Westport Tree

 A sweet landscape that speaks of long summer days. Painted plein air on a 6x6 cradled panel. 

An Abstract New Years Eve

A new year will soon be here and it gives me pause to reflect. What can I let go of that no longer serves me? What can I reach for that once seemed impossible? Who will I keep close? What lessons and experiences are out there for all of us? Love more, accept myself and others and really live each day in gratitude are a few of my resolutions for 2019.
I will be promoting my memoir Into the Light and talking about that process here. As I navigate into unknown waters I feel a little like this abstract painting- emotional, fully present and with a sense of anticipation. Lots of freedom and flexibility to interpret meaning and value. 
I want to thank all of my friends and family, art patrons, followers and readers of my blog, FB art page, and Instagram for a wonderful year. I appreciate your looking and all of your comments. What a wonderful way to make this huge world intimate; I'm so grateful to be a part of it. Happy New Year to you all!

Inspired by the beach...again!

Another day, another gull. What has me excited is the possibility of exploring on a larger format the abstract shapes of the water, the shoreline and the sand as patterns are formed with each incoming wave. 

Loved working within the range of beach colors. Soothing, calming and always a source of inspiration.

Painting in Series- Gull 4

I'm having so much fun with these little seabirds and it reinforces what I've learned about painting in series- that each painting becomes a springboard for the next. In a sense, this is a relief, I don't have to rack my brain about what to paint when I allow it to evolve naturally. For example, painting a reflection one day may lead me to a deeper exploration of that reflection with the next painting.  Of course, it isn't always possible, or practical- but I'm experimenting and just letting it go where it wants!
I'm including a photo from the beach at Hilton Head, where we go each day with Cooper. He loves to chase the birds, so my photo references are never close enough to get any detail. I read from another painter to use cat food to get the gulls to come close. That wouldn't work as long as Cooper is with me, but it's an idea I'd like to try!

Two More from the Shore

I am really enjoying the chance to play with the abstract shapes in the water and in the reflections. Although I am working from photos, I am interested in losing detail in favor of obtaining a closer relationship with the vast space of the ocean and the birds along the shore. These are on linen, 6x6.

Gull 1

Working on a series, small in size, six to start. I set these parameters for myself as a discipline, for too often, I hate to admit, I can get off track with my art. I want to paint so many things, which is great, but I think it's good to rein it in every now and then. So here we are- these are all 6x6, oil on stretched linen. I am enjoying the abstract nature of the seashore, reflections, movement in the water, and of course, the classic form of the lowly seagull!

White Rose

I painted this rose from direct observation as a demo during our last Gallery Night here in Newport, RI at Spring Bull Gallery. I wanted to talk about and show how "white is not always white". I had toned my panel with acrylic Payne's Grey which is more dark blue than grey. You can see where bits of it come through. Many subtle shifts of color, from warm to cool, along with value shifts are needed to make this rose come alive. Keeping the shapes is always a priority and is part of my painting style! Would it be fun to paint this BIG? I think it would.

Virgin River

Hot, sunny and peaceful. Standing beside the Virgin River which ran behind our campsite at the Zion River Resort, I stole away for a couple of hours to paint. I'm painting small and putting them on my DailyPaintworks gallery. This little river scene is 6x6, oil on panel.

Mesquite Tree

I had to fiddle with this a bit as the mountains first had too much chroma, then the value wasn't right. I wish I could have painted this as a true plein air, but my eye wasn't buying it! I did a little research and found out that this is a mesquite tree; they are everywhere in this part of southern Arizona.

 

Zero In

I always seem to be drawn back to a closer focus, to cropping my compositions to make the space feel more intimate. I need to find out what kind of trees these are; they are abundant in this area and have the most fascinating branches and shapes. They are leafless this time of year; that only adds to their appeal to me!

It was an easier painting than the previous post- goes to show it really does help to become very familiar with your subject. Find something that can hold your interest while you learn more each painting session.

This one is 6x6 on linen.

Day 7 #AbundantArtShow

Day 6 was a Sunday- and we got the chance to reflect and rest. The following day I wanted to paint the rose again, this time under natural light- ever changing conditions when we paint outside are par for the course.

The task was to publish our post and ask for likes and shares- again outside of my comfort zone.

But that's part of any challenge right? Stepping away from doing what we always do.

This painting was scraped off completely then the abstract shapes appeared. I'm calling it Wild Rose- my inner artist!