Parisian Models

12 x 16 oil on canvas panel -SOLD

This is my feeble attempt with a palette knife.  I took this reference photo when we were in Paris a couple of summers ago and painted it but was never satisfied so I pulled out the palette knife and starting playing around with it.  A palette knife has never felt comfortable to me for painting so I was trying to get the feel of it.   The painting looks better but my knife work has a long way to go....just experimenting.  That's what I love about painting -  trial, many errors and then sometimes,  success!

Cardinal I

5 x 7 oil on canvas panel - SOLD

I'm calling this Cardinal I because it's really a study for maybe a larger painting later but there will be more studies, I'm sure.   I am pretty much covered in red paint right now.  I can't quite figure out how other artists manage to stay so neat and clean as they paint when I'm covered in paint from fingers, to arms to face!   What a mess I make!!!   I re-painted this when I dropped it in the street - decided to change the background a bit;  my original photo was much clearer than the one on top for some reason.

In Sync

8 x 10 oil on canvas panel - SOLD

These trombone players were a lot more "in sync" than my painting has been lately.  I am having a hard time diving back in - can't quite get in the groove!  I had a large number of wipe offs today and finally just decided to keep going with this one.  I'm not totally satisfied though.  The photograph was  in heavy shadow and I'm not real happy with my proportions but just wanted to post something.  

Wednesday Night Poker

12 x 16 oil on stretched canvas - SOLD

Boy, am I rusty!  I haven't touched a brush in over a month.  My daughter got married on Dec. 3 and I was busy with planning, etc.   The wedding was great and we are happy to have another member in our family.   I painted this today on top of another painting I had done almost 20 years ago.   It's tough getting back into the feel of the paint after such a long absence.   My goal was to loosen up (as always) and I was successful in some areas and not in others.  Hopefully I can get back into painting daily now!

Hen Party

11 x 14 oil on stretched canvas - SOLD

No time to paint lately.  Our daughter's wedding is 3 weeks away and I have been BUSY with that.  I did make time to go to my painting group on Tuesday and that's when I worked on this one.  Something about chickens, hens and roosters appeal to me.  I love all their color!   After the holidays I will be able to paint much more, I will probably miss all the hustle and bustle that I'm complaining about now.   We are having a great time though and looking forward to December 3rd!

Pink and Yellow Roses

9 x 12 oil on stretched canvas - SOLD

Another one of my earlier paintings - I just haven't been painting much lately.  Hopefully after the holidays I can get back in earnest.  This one didn't crop so well.  I had trouble propping it up on my front porch, it kept falling facedown!!!!  I plan on donating this painting to the St. Richard Catholic Church Hunger Banquet coming up in November.  I try to donate a painting to them each year as the proceeds go to organizations in our community, state and the world that feed the hungry.  

Pumpkin Time

16 x 20 oil on canvas panel

In honor of autumn!   It is beginning to look so beautiful outside.   This was painted last fall but I felt guilty about "copping out" on my blog lately so I wanted to post something.  I have been seriously busy planning Neely's wedding for the first weekend in December.  There is just so much that has to be done right at first and then the first and the end is very short in our case so I probably won't have too much painting time in between.  I bought these pumpkins at a produce stand and painted them from life - something I don't do very often (but should).   The space is somewhat limited in my studio/spare bedroom and no place to set up still lifes adequately.   I am constantly tripping over paintings, easels, etc.  As a matter of fact, I was working on a frame the other day and dropped it on the floor where it knocked against a stretched canvas painting I had just finished and ripped it to pieces.  It was the one of the three men at the tram stop.  I am disappointed but plan on figuring out a way to salvage it.

Afternoon Snooze

10 x 10 oil on canvas panel

This painting was done last fall in preparation of a show.  I can't seem to find time to paint much right now.   I painted this on top of another painting I wasn't pleased with.  I seem to do that a lot.  I like all the paint build-up and colors under the surface and it is actually easier than painting on a stark white canvas.

Bird Study

 12 x 12 oil on stretched canvas

Lately I haven't been able to paint much.  We have been busy planning a wedding with all the endless details that involves.    I was attracted to the color in this particular bird (can't remember what kind it is though) and wanted to paint with a loose touch without adding too many details.  That is difficult on birds since I'm tempted to paint in every feather I see.  

What's Up?

12 x 16 oil on stretched canvas

This painting is actually one that I did last fall for a show.  I have been busy and distracted this week with other things and haven't had much time to paint.  I spent one day re-painting "Neely's Shoes".  Someone wanted it and I couldn't bear to part with the first one so I re-painted it.   I do that sometimes when I want to keep one for myself.  I will probably tinker with this one also when we get back from Atlanta -- off to see the grands for Grandparents Day at our granddaughter's school.

Whatcha See?

 10 x 20 oil on stretched canvas

This is a site I see every day of my life since moving to the Reservoir.  Some people consider them nuisances however I think they are beautiful!  Many years ago I made papier mache sculptures of them because I have always loved their form.   They have a graceful look to them.  

Tram Stop

12 x 12 oil on stretched canvas

I have been fiddling with this since Tuesday trying to get it to satisfy me.  I have nothing to show for this week since I have been working on this.  My reference photo was not very good and I have struggled with it.  This pic was taken in den Hague, The Netherlands when we were there two summers ago.  I cropped out a few of the figures that were in there - just too many to deal with!

Happy Birthday To You, Happy Birthday To You.....

 5 x 7 oil on canvas panel

The Daily Paintworks Challenge this week was to post something for the site administrator's wife who is a fantastic artist - Carol Marine.  Her birthday is this week and he asked each artist to submit a piece of art of our choosing in honor of her birthday.  I selected a singer.   It's difficult to get facial expressions on such a little canvas for me.

Neely's Shoes

6 x 6 oil on canvas panel

These are my daughter Neely's baby shoes.  She took her first steps in these 34+ years ago.    I couldn't bear to throw them out and they are mostly hard and brittle now.  I thought they needed to be painted.  It seems like just yesterday but then again at other times it seems like eons ago--miss those days!

Seeing the Sites

 5 x 7 oil on canvas panel

Back to painting after more than a week off!  It's tough getting the feel back.   I picked something pretty tough for me because I combined three different reference photos to come up with this.   We have been out of town and I have had company and my camera broke!   Many excuses not to paint.  I am sad about my camera and am using an old one that I have really forgotten how to operate--guess I will be forced to pull the manual out and re-read.

Waiting on the Tram

 5 x 7 oil on canvas panel - SOLD

When we were in Holland two summers ago, we travelled by rail one day to Delft.  I took this reference photo of a Dutchman enjoying his smoke while waiting on the tram.  I liked the way the light hit his hair and face.  

Swan Lake?

6 x 6 oil on gessobord

I am not really sure what ballet this is, I'm guessing Swan Lake.  The reference photo was found in an old pile of reference pics I had and I thought I would attempt.  This is more abstract impressionism to me and a style I prefer so that the imagination can supply the details.  I was just attempting the gesture and mood.  

The Back Porch

11 x 14 oil on stretched canvas

As my husband and I were riding around the countryside taking photos (he was indulging me), I spied this old kitchen chair set up on the back porch and turned sideways to view people driving by.  I loved the blue trim on the house and the chair itself.   This looked a lot better about 2 hours ago but I was unable to leave well enough alone and fussed with it a bit too much.   I did learn some things while painting it and also learned not to have a border around your picture because when you photograph it and try to crop, the border gets chopped off unevenly.

DPW Challenge - Blackeyed Susans

 5 x 7 oil on canvas board - SOLD

This is my submission for this week's Daily Paintworks Challenge.  We were to set up outside, 1 to 5 feet from some flowers on the ground and paint them in one session.  This is called en plein air.     Only 3 colors plus white could be used:  Cadmium Yellow, Cadmium Red Light and Ultramarine Blue and we had to complete it within an hour using only 3 brushes!  I was glad for the hour to be over because it was miserable outside with the humidity this morning.  I have never painted outside before and that's why - can't take the elements!  It was a great challenge though, not enough time to fuss with it too much, which is a good thing.

Yearly Visitor

11 x 14 oil on canvas board

This is one of our regular visitors to the Reservoir.  I took the reference photo a couple of years ago; I haven't seen any lately so I'm not really sure when they show up.  We have sea gulls from time to time, pelicans, many, many Canadian geese, plenty of mallards and various and sundry others.  I love to go out walking and watch them.   When my granddaughter was here last week, we went every day to feed the mallards and the geese.  They like bread and she enjoys feeding them.  I want to paint one of the geese soon.  Years ago I sculpted them out of papier mache and have always thought the Canadian geese were pretty although very messy!!!!

Pink Wedges

5 x 7 oil on canvas panel

Spotted these in a local shoe store and wanted to give them a try.   I'm so glad wedges are back in again, they are so much more comfortable than pumps/heels.   I took several photos of shoes but the pink ones were calling me to paint them.    

Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini

 5 x 7 oil on canvas panel

It's been about two weeks since I last painted and it was hard to get back into it.  The Daily Paintworks Challenge this week was to paint a song and I chose this one from my past.   It kept playing in my head as I was painting.  I took the reference photo a few weeks ago on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the subject had a striped bikini on that I modified to yellow with a few polka dots.

Just Doors

8 x 10 oil on canvas panel

Practicing.....I think I really just wanted to torture myself on these door mullions.    The reference photo was taken in Fairhope, AL a couple of weeks ago as doors and entrances are appealing to me  and I thought I would try to do a few.

White VW

6 x 6 oil on ampersand panel - SOLD

My first car was a 1969 navy blue volkswagen.  I have looked everywhere trying to find a photograph of one but so far,  no luck.   I spotted this one at a local repair shop.  It was the owner's who was restoring it.  I probably fiddled with it too much.  I started off loose but alas, I got carried away.  Oh well, this is a learning process anyway. 

State Fair Pool

5 x 7 oil on canvas board

Every fall we have a state fair in Jackson and there are usually  3 or 4 pool tables set up along the midway.  This guy was so serious about his game that he didn't notice me taking his photo.  I much prefer the candid shots over the ones where they notice you and either pose or contrive to look as if they aren't paying attention.  The foreshortening of the arm gave me fits but I'm ok with this one.   

The Old Mill Challenge

6 x 6 oil on canvas board

This is my submission for this week's Daily Paintworks Challenge.   We were given a photograph of a mill scene and we could crop, edit, etc. however we wanted.   Lots of cropping and editing on this one. I think that's why landscapes are so tough for me - too much information hitting me at one time and trying to figure out what to cut!  

Tough Times

9 x 12 oil on canvas board

Since I have been out of town for most of this week, I haven't had a chance to paint so I am posting another painting I did last year.  I saw this man when we exited the interstate and pulled into a convenience store.  He was sitting on the curb with his mat and duffle bag and had a blank look on his face.   The reference photo was taken a few years ago during the height of the recession and he appeared to be homeless - so sad.   The cropping on the photo isn't very good, there is actually more of his foot and duffle bag in the painting and the painting is not so fuzzy as this.   As you can see I still hadn't figured out how to remove the date stamp on my camera either.  I'm a slow learn!!!!

Stage Fright

9 x 12 oil on canvas board

Since I haven't painted in several days and won't have the opportunity for the rest of this week, I thought I would post an older painting I did from some dance recital pictures I took in Atlanta.  We had gone there for my granddaughter's recital and the expression on this dancer's face caught my attention.  She looks like "why am I here?"  "I want to go home".  

Shoe Tree

 8 x 10 oil on canvas board

This is my feeble attempt at this week's Daily Paintworks Challenge.  I couldn't get inspired and my photo had no contrast because I used artificial light and natural light.   This is me holding a stack of shoe boxes.   We were supposed to paint something "balanced" and I just didn't see anything that really motivated me that was stacked or balanced.  

Hand Study

 6 x 6 oil on canvas panel

I realize that there is not a big market for paintings of a hand however hands are a HUGE challenge for me so I thought I needed to work on one (I was overwhelmed by the thought of painting two).   I asked my patient husband (Blitz) to model for me one night when he was enjoying a glass of wine.   This was a difficult study for me because they are so hard to do - keeping the fingers from looking like little fat sausages.  Hands and fingers have so many joints and bones and it's tough to make them believable looking - but here is my attempt.

Imperial Revisited

6 x 6 oil on canvas panel - SOLD

This is another version of the first Daily Paintworks Challenge.  I sold the original painting in a recent art show and another person wanted it so I re-painted one for her.  I actually like this one better.  I approach each painting differently and I couldn't even remember the colors I used on the first one, so I feel like this is an entirely different painting although it's the same subject.

Home Again

6 x 6 oil on canvas panel

Hot, hot day again in Ridgeland, MS - 100!  This is a scene from the front entrance to our subdivision.   Right now it's lush and green but if this heat hangs on I'm afraid everything will start turning brown.  I have been studying other painters I admire and am attempting to pile on more paint, very difficult for me though!  I love palette knife work but so far it just seems awkward when  I try it.

Courtyard View

5 x 7 oil on canvas panel

This is my entry for this week's Daily Paintworks Challenge.  We were to paint a view from one of our windows and submit.  This was painted while I had painters here this week.  They had rearranged all of the furniture and plants and I just took the reference photo with their arrangement.  

Mother's Chair

6 x 6 oil on ampersand panel - SOLD

Another chair!  It has been miserably hot in Mississippi the last week, 100 today!  I haven't even wanted to paint,  it's  hard to come up with any energy when it is so hot and humid!

Madison County Countryside

5 x 7 oil on canvas panel

Still learning..... Note to self:  don't place objects dead center in a painting!!!   Oh well, it's better, to my way of thinking,  than the radishes lurking beneath the surface.

Study in Umber

6 x 6 oil on canvas panel

This was painted for this week's Daily Paintworks Challenge - VERY challenging!  The only color allowed was burnt umber - no white!   The oil painters had to use turpentine and wipe off color down to the canvas for white with whatever you could figure out - mostly q-tips!   A friend who went on a mission trip to Africa took this photo while there and I loved the look on the young girl's face and had saved the photo to paint later, thought it would fit for this challenge but the features weren't very clear, so I had to use my imagination.  

Miss Ollie

8 x 10 oil on gessoboard panel

This is Ollie our neighbor's dog who is about 11 years old.  She has gotten a little more lively lately because of some new boxer brothers, Crown and Tito.  They are real frisky and are keeping Miss Ollie on her toes!  

Below is my granddaughter Caroline's self-portrait she did for her mom for Mother's Day.  I think she did a fabulous job.  She just turned 5 and will be going to kindergarten this fall.  We were in Atlanta over the weekend for her dance recital - loving the arts!   Pres, our grandson, gave all of the dancers a big applause after each dance.  He turns 3 in June and loves music.   Being a proud grandmom, I had to post their pics.

Pres and Caroline

Dance With Me

8 x 10 oil on canvas panel

This was a painting I did last fall.  We have been getting ready for a trip to Atlanta to see our family there and I haven't had much time to paint the last day or two.   This is painted on a hardboard similar to Ampersand but with a smooth texture.  It feels totally different from painting on canvas, at least to me it does.  I plan to pick up more of these panels in Atlanta this weekend.

DPW Challenge #15 - Kit Kat

5 x 7 oil on canvas board - SOLD

This is #15 on the Daily Paintworks Challenges.  I have attempted all of them, some look better than others, but it has been a real good experience in painting different subjects.    Dreama Tolle Perry chose this challenge and she is an expert in painting cats.  Hers are beautiful!

Delft Home on Canal

8 x 10 oil on canvas board

During our visit to the Netherlands in 2009, I took the reference photo for this in Delft, a quaint and picturesque town.   I loved the old architecture and the way people could make beautiful gardens out of such small patches of space.  

Singing Barber

11 x 14 oil on stretched canvas

I've been so bummed out about my radish rendition that I haven't been too inspired to paint much this week - well that and some inner ear issues.  This is a guy I photographed outside a barber shop a couple of years back and actually I painted it some time ago.  I guess it was a slow day for him and he was just outside strumming his guitar.  When I asked if I could take his picture, he broke out in song for me. 

Daily Paintworks Vegetable Challenge

5" x 7" oil on canvas panel

This week's challenge was tough for me.  I don't do many fruit/vegetable still lifes.  It's not something I am particularly fond of doing, sort of like flowers!  I struggled with this and to make matters worse the leaves were really pretty wilted before I even got them home.    I'm pretty stubborn and wouldn't abandon the effort though - probably should have, or picked another vegetable.  Oh, by the way, these are radishes.

A Change in Direction

 6" x 6" oil on canvas panel

Today was almost a total wipe-out but I was determined to come up with something for all my previous failed efforts.  I'm ok with this one but maybe because the other two were so bad.  This started off as a beach scene that morphed into a pair of sandals which I then transformed into this outside play scene.  Lots of wasted paint and paper towels in this morning's session.

Have A Seat

 5" x 7" oil on canvas panel - SOLD

Chairs and more chairs..... I admit I am on a chair jag right now and can't promise there won't be more on the way.  I love painting them for some reason.   This is one of my dining room chairs that I got years ago from my hometown of Greenville, MS.  We travelled there on Friday for the day to see the Mighty Mississippi and all it is doing in the area.  It is HUGE with lots of flooding inside the levees right now.   I think they are planning on it cresting around May 17 or 18.   It has a lot more rising to go from where we saw it Friday.  They closed the levees Saturday to the public.    So sad to see all the widespread flooding and so many lives affected by it.  

A Mother's Day

5" x 7" oil on canvas panel - SOLD

This reference photo came to mind when I was thinking of the upcoming Mother's Day weekend.  What better way to spend time with your kids than on an excursion to the park!   I think I spent a significant number of mine on soccer fields though.  

may be me -

6" x 6" oil on canvas panel

The Daily Paintworks Challenge for this week was a self portrait - sort of tough to do!   I used a photo after giving up with the mirror, looking over my reading glasses, etc.  I agree with John Singer Sargent when he said "a portrait is a painting with something wrong with the mouth".  I have always found that to be true and it certainly is the case here.

Chair #2

 6" x 6" oil on canvas panel

Chairs have always been appealing to me.  My attic is full of them and my husband keeps threatening to pitch them.   Back in my antiquing days, I would pick one up and think I would get around to working on it someday but somehow I never did and they are just gathering dust.  I can't bear the thought of getting rid of them.   I started off thinking I would paint this with really thick paint but in the end I caught myself thinning with linseed oil - a bad habit of mine!