Posts

Holding Onto The Dogs

Image
Hay Rolls, oil, 5x7" $109 Sometimes, I don't realize how badly I have painted a piece until later. This is usually not only a piece that does not sell, but also one that starts to make me cringe whenever I look at it. I rarely destroy them, because I believe in trying to learn from my mistakes, and believe it or not, sometimes it takes me a while before I figure out what went wrong! Holding on to the dogs, at least for a while, keeps me humble, too. Eventually, the day comes when as a warm up, I decide to paint over the piece. Sometimes, I sand it down and do something totally different. Other times, I repaint and make the needed improvements to the original painting. Then, this time, I kept the theme, and even the location, but changed the view to something I like better. Here is the original painting: Both images are from an afternoon as the clouds were building in the heat. The first was as a storm was coming in and has more edge to it. The end result is a calme

My bad boyfriend

Thank you, Sara, for your permission to share this on my blog! Robert & Sara Genn Twice-Weekly Letter -- Insight and inspiration for your artistic career. My bad boyfriend Dear Artist, On last night's flight from New York, I read Amy Poehler's memoir, "Yes Please." An actress, writer, director and producer, Amy describes the distinction between that thing you do as an artist and your career as one. "Creativity is connected to passion -- that light inside that drives you." On the other hand your career, writes Amy, is simply a series of opportunities and jobs, and should be treated with some ambivalence. "Learn to let go of wanting it. Treat your career like a bad boyfriend." I'm pleased to report that I am the top earner of rejection letters amongst my peers. My early twenties were spent painting, writing impassioned cover letters and compiling slide packs for galleries of international repute. In theatre, this is called a "cold

SEDONA 12th ANNUAL OPEN STUDIOS ART TOUR

Image
This free event is the annual celebration of the arts in the greater Verde Valley and runs from 10 am to 5 pm daily, April 24-26.  The tour provides thousands of visitors a  unique opportunity to meet the artists and see the studios in the greater Verde Valley. There will be over 50 artists participating, working in a variety of mediums, such as:  ceramics, painting, fiber, photography, jewelry, watercolors, and sculpture. This is a self-guided tour allowing visitors the opportunity to meet with artists in their daily  work spaces, ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of the creative process. Please come out and see me, I am at studio #47. Maps and artist information is available on-line now at: http://sedonaartistscoalition.org/openstudios/osmap.html .  Printed maps and brochures will be available in a number of Sedona area businesses and hotels by mid-April.  If you  have further questions, you can contact Mike Upp at mjupp10@gmail.com or 503.789.4437.

Swans

Image
Swans , oil, 5x7", SOLD Thought I do the Daily Paintworks Challenge , today. I took the original morgue file photo and altered it considerably in Photoshop. I can view photos from a flash drive on my TV because it has an USB port. Then, I just work from the monitor and never have to print out my reference. This is my new way of working, if I need to work from a photo. I love it. My TV screen is a 43" and I can zoom in on a photo, too. Sometimes, I just love technology.

Backyard Trees

Image
Backyard Trees, oil, 5x7",  Available These trees are in a neighbor's yard that I see from my studio window. I enjoy how the evening light dances upon them. It's the best of both worlds, when I can paint an outdoor scene from life, in the comfort of my studio.

Granny Smith Apple

Image
Granny Smith , oil, 7x5", SOLD I try to eat an apple a day. Fuji apples are my favorite for eating. Crisp, juicy and sweet. I love the form and color of this granny, especially with the purple drape. I am going to slice her up and eat her on my salad...yum.

Heading Home

Image
Heading Home , oil, 4.25 x 6.25",  Available The view along the side of the road as I am going to my studio.

Number 2 Cow

Image
Number 2 Cow , oil, 6x6",  Available I created this painting from a photo I took in CA. I think she is one of those 'California happy cows'. She sure looks happy enough chewing on that grass that I gave her! Available on Etsy

Orange Maine Coon Cat

Image
Orange Maine Coon Cat , oil, 7x5", Sold I love this kitty! I got his photo off of Paint My Photo.

Summer Breeze

Image
Summer Breeze , oil, 8x6"  Available When I saw this lovely lady's photo I just thought of a summer breeze. I love the way the light plays on her face and the sweet expression of her face. I often listen to music when taking my morning walk, riding my bike or painting. Here's the tune: See the curtains hangin' in the window In the evenin' on a Friday night Little light is shinin' through the window Lets me know everything's alright Summer breeze, makes me feel fine Blowing through the jasmine in my mind Summer breeze, makes me feel fine Blowing through the jasmine in my mind See the paper layin' on the sidewalk A little music from the house next door So I walked on up to the doorstep Through the screen and across the floor Summer breeze, makes me feel fine Blowing through the jasmine in my mind Summer breeze, makes me feel fine Blowing through the jasmine in my mind Sweet days of summer, the jasmine's in bloom July is d

Number 1 Cow

Image
Number 1 Cow , oil, 6x6", SOLD I have always been fascinated by cows. I used to love to pick tall grass and feed them through the fence as a child and even as an adult. This is my first closeup 'portrait' of a cow and I didn't notice until I was painting her that her tag read '1'. How apropos! She is also so beautiful, that she is number one in my book!

Red Tea Pot, Mug and Apple

Image
Red Tea Pot, Mug & Apple , oil, 6x8"  Available Thank you,  Jill Rae Martin-Golden for your comment on my cupcake #3 expressing interest in my three color palette for that painting. I replied that I can't really take credit for my palette as it was sort of based on Zorn's, comprised of Ivory Black, Cadmium Red Deep, and Yellow Ochre. Well, that got me to thinking. I have never really tried Anders Zorn's palette for a painting until today. It's pretty easy to focus on the values and play of cools vs warms. Forget about making intense colors, other than red. However, I found it to be a great exercise and I am glad to have done it and learned from it. Click on the link here to see an earlier version of the same subject that was painted with a full palette.

Lyssandra

Image
Lyssandra , oil, 14x11", available Today, was an 'All-Day Portrait Studio' at the Granite Reef Community Center sponsored by Portrait Artists of Arizona. Lyssandra was our beautiful young model and she is as sweet as she looks. It was hilarious how the men in the group went ga-ga over her and most were old enough to be her grandfather if not her great grandpa! Nothing inappropriate, as we all appreciate beauty, and had a great time getting together and painting.

Cupcake #3

Image
Cupcake #3 , oil, 7x5",  $109 I used a limited palette of only three colors plus black and white. They are: titanium white, ivory black, azo yellow, utrecht red and alizarin crimson. The black mixed with white reads blue, and when the alizarin is added, it reads purple. This cupcake almost painted itself, it went so fast!

Water Lily

Image
Water Lily , oil, 5x7", Sold This is from a photo I came across on Paint my Photo . It reminds me of going out in the rowboat to find and pick water lilies to bring home to my mom.

Cupcake #2

Image
Cupcake #2 , oil, 7x5",  Available I don't know if painting cupcakes is a good idea for me. I almost convinced my husband to buy me some actual cupcakes for reference. I am not to be trusted! All kidding aside, cupcakes are not as easy as I thought they would be to paint. I think they are a great painting exercise for me, because I just focus on the shapes without any emotional attachment as I would have with a portrait or an animal.

Milk Break

Image
Milk Break , oil, 5x7",  $109 I took the reference photos for this painting a few years ago when I lived in the farming community of Manchester, Michigan. It was spring and this little one was adorable!

Canine Pet Portrait of Faithful Companion

Image
Portrait of Suzy , oil, 10x8" SOLD   Please say a prayer for Suzy's owner as she is very ill.

This Little Piggy

Image
This Little Piggy , oil 7x5"  SOLD I loved painting this porker! I used a photo from Paint my Photo . Cool site, cool pig!

Cupcake #1

Image
Cupcake #1 , oil, 7x5",  Available This is my first painting of a cupcake. Many more to follow. It was fun, but not easy! I worked from a photograph because I dare not have any in the house, or they will be inside me.

Dawn Breaks Over Mt Shasta

Image
Dawn Breaks Over Mt Shasta , oil, 5x7",  $109 I took the reference photos for this painting while on a trip up to Oregon over Thanksgiving week. It was a cold morning and the fog had lifted to this majestic scene.

White Maine Coon Cat

Image
White Maine Coon Cat, oil,  7x5"  Available I decided to participate in Leslie Saeta's " Thirty Paintings in Thirty Days Challenge ". I had fun painting this cat! I hope each and every piece I create will teach me something new.

Portrait of Margie

Image
Portrait of Margie , Oil, 24x30  SOLD I just recently finished this portrait and wanted to share with you my process. Margie is a wonderful person; sophisticated, charming, warm and vivacious! During the photo session, we took photos throughout the house and deck. Margie is photogenic and all the photos looked portrait worthy. Then we decided on a change of outfit and Margie invited me into the bedroom. I loved the warm lighting from her nightstand and the cooler lighting coming in from a window in which hanged a stained glass piece. Margie was all excited to put on her attire that she was taking on her cruise through the Panama Canal. We both giggled like a couple of girls playing 'dress up'. We both knew we had a winner! Well, while Margie and her husband left for the cruise, and I got started on the portrait. I began sketching with a brush and paint thinned with mineral spirits. I am most concerned with placement of the elements and not a lot of detail. N

Feline Repose II

Image
Feline Repose II , giclee, 7x5",  Available I scanned my original drawing before it was sold. I then colorized it in Photoshop to create a digital art piece. I am including a double mat suitable for an 8x10" frame.

Anticipation

Image
Anticipation , oil, 16x12" SOLD "Everyday is good, some days are better!" Yesterday, I met with my model, Mary Beth Hamilton, and she purchased her portrait for a gift. She's a beautiful woman and is now a full time model. I met with her at the Scottsdale Artists' School where I had to pick up my pastel paintings from the  Arizona Pastel Artists Association Fall Show. My hubby took our picture in front of the school. If that wasn't good enough, I was also there at the Scottsdale Artists' School for a demonstration by renown New York artist, Max Ginsburg. What a wonderful artist, teacher and a gentleman!

I Got My Head In The Clouds!

Image
Self Portrait , oil, 12x16" Ok, so I know having one's head in the clouds is saying that one is a little 'out of touch' with reality, but that is where I choose to be! I think you almost have to be if you want to be an artist. It's not an insult...just a creative compliment! I enjoyed painting this portrait because it reflects who I have become. I just had my 62nd birthday and I intend to show my brightest colors before giving way to the dark. I've had some storms in my life, too, and they ebb and flow. I chose to have a big smile because I had my husband take my photos and he is just the light of my light! He always put a smile on my face even when I am mad as hell. Like my friend Hope always tells me, "I got it good". I am grateful, thankful and proud to be an artist. I am proud to be me.

California Gold

Image
California Gold , Oil, 8x10", SOLD This painting reflects just about everything I love in the countryside; water, trees, tall grasses, hills, mountains, and a sunny day.

Morning Storm Clouds

Image
Morning Storm Clouds,  Oil, 9x12",  a vailable This is a plein air that I did yesterday morning. The sky was pretty stormy and I wasn't sure if I would catch any heavy rain or wind. Luckily, I did not encounter much, to speak of. As you can see in the photo below of my set up, it was clearing up nicely by the time I was wrapping up my gear. I like using my Guerrilla Painter® 9x12 Pochade Box out in the field even though it's a bit heavy. Actually, that bit of weight keeps it pretty stable when the wind kicks up a bit. I use my Best Brella religiously to keep the sun off of me and my artwork. It gets hot out in the sun and if you ever painted with the bright sun on your surface, you know your painting will look too dark inside. Best decision I made was to get my jeep. She gets me places even our truck can't get to.

Desert Rain At Sunset

Image
Desert Rain At Sunset, 8x10" , oil, $249 Oh my, I have been having a good ol' time. I have been so busy with hiking, biking, off roading and yes, painting! I have lost a ton of weight, had to replace my wardrobe 3 or 4 times and now I am ready to start anew! So, I apologize for neglecting my blog, but I promise to start posting my work from the last few months and new stuff as it comes along. Here is my hubby with my off road jeep to hit the trails with for plein air and fun with my guy: This is a trail in Sedona that the jeep tours take. It's only accessible with something that can climb rocks. Rich is teaching me to do just that. Whoa, is that a rush! Here's me from the same day:

Upcoming Portrait Workshop

Image