Hawaiian Palm Reflections

"Hawaiian Palm Reflections"

Oil, 6" x 6" on canvas panel.

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I had so many emails about a painting I finished last month similar to this one that I thought I would give a similar one a try. I am happy with the outcome as I love the colors. If I could paint with orange in every one of my paintings I would!

Eiffel III

"Eiffel III"

Oil, 6" x 6" on canvas panel.

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I painted a painting similar to this one a few months back and had a request to paint another one similar to it for a Christmas gift. I changed the colors and the format a bit and I like this one just as much as the first one!

Thanks for so many wonderful comments about my story on my blog post from yesterday. Isn't it wonderful in life when miracles happen?

Lazy Saturday Afternoon

"Lazy Saturday Afternoon"

Oil, 6" x 6" on canvas panel.

$200 unframed.

You have got to love the name of this painting. It so clearly describes my day today. In fact it is a miracle that I actually finished a painting today ... it was just a wonderful day.

The highlight of my day was taking my son to visit his dear friend Jackson. He was injured in a football game on Halloween (as you may remember from my previous post). These past few weeks have been so scary ... brain surgery, weeks of intensive care, and his inability to speak and move his right side. And yet today ... only four weeks later ... I sat today in his hospital room as he laughed, talked and enjoyed a visit from six of his football teammates. For weeks we have all been watching and praying that he would gain movement to his right side. And sure enough, earlier this week we were visiting Jackson when he returned from rehab and moved both his right leg and arm for the first time. I cried (of course) and will always cherish that moment. Watching the pride in Jackson's face as he showed his mom and dad that he could finally move his right leg and arm is a moment I will always remember.

Today Jackson was talking, laughing and enjoying the afternoon visit. With rehab we now all believe that he might make a full recovery. Mentally, he remembers everything ... (including the football game). In fact, my son participated with Jackson in some of his rehab exercises and proudly announced that Jackson was beating him in many of the skill tests!

I think I was so happy and content after our visit with Jackson that any chance of being productive today was unlikely. So, we finished off the day watching football.

Today may have been a lazy Saturday afternoon but it was one that I will cherish forever.

Sailing Away

"Sailing Away"

Oil, 6" x 6" on canvas panel.

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I have been busy getting ready for the holidays and finishing commissions. This is my favorite time of the year and our oldest son comes home from college this evening. I am so thrilled! So here's to five long days of family, great food, football and painting!

Whistler II

"Whistler II"

Oil, 8" x 6" on canvas panel.

$350 framed.

I heard earlier today that Whistler already has 100 inches of snow this year ... and they are expecting 100 more inches later this week. I think this is a good sign for the Winter Olympics which start in February 2010. All of the skiing events will be held in Whistler.

I have visited this charming town about ten times, but have only been there in the "cold" wintertime. It is one of my favorite cities! Enjoy!

Going It Alone

"Going it Alone"

Oil, 10" x 8" on canvas panel.

$350 unframed.

I was out all day ... watching my oldest swim in his meet, watching my youngest play in his volleyball tournament (with my husband as his coach), having a blast in Long Beach with my middle son and his girlfriend ... and agonizing over the outcome of the Stanford vs. Cal. football game. I did get to spend about an hour taking photos of boats in the marina in Long Beach. And wow ... I really got some stunning shots! So look more boat paintings! And beach paintings!

Sailing Past the Marina II

"Sailing Past the Marina II"

Oil, 6" x 6" on canvas panel.

$150 unframed.

I have been driving back and forth to Long Beach for the past few days as my son's swim team is in So. Cal. competing in a meet. It is so great to see him ... although our time together consists of watching him compete from the stands and then waiting outside for a quick hug and hello after the meet. I think we are averaging about three minutes a day. But hey, I am not picky .... I am thankful for any time I am able to see my college son!

So between prelims and finals (and lots of time spent on the 710 freeway) I finished this painting today. Enjoy.

Waiting For a Boys Weekend

"Waiting For a Boys Weekend"

Oil, 6" x 6" on canvas panel.

$200 unframed.

So ... if you read yesterday's post you will know that I have been accused of painting "girl" boats (all in fun, of course!). Apparently my choice of colors mostly includes reds, pinks, oranges ... you know ... "girl" colors. So I promised that today I would try to paint with "boy colors".

Ok, so I tried. The colors on my palette today were ultramarine blue, sap green, yellow, titanium white and cad red. Although there is no red in this painting, I did need to use a tad bit in the mixing (red and green makes brown ...). So, the end result is a painting with lots of brown, blue and yellow. Would you say these qualify as "boy" colors?

I will put this one out tonight and see if all of the boys in my house like it!

Ready To Go

"Ready To Go"

Oil, 6" x 6" on canvas panel.

$150 unframed.

I spent all morning shipping paintings and thus I did not spend all day in my studio like I had intended. At least I was able to finish this little painting.

A few days ago there was a humorous post on my blog that I always paint "girl boats". As much as I like to use color, it was brought to my attention that I use a lot of pinks, reds and oranges ... also known as "girl colors". So, when I started on this painting this afternoon, I decided to make a conscience effort to paint a "boy boat" painting.

So, I mixed all blues and greens and yellows. A while later I looked at my painting and I think I actually painted yet another "girl boat" painting. It is obvious that I like bright colors (and I live in a house with three sons and my husband so our house lacks "girl colors") so tomorrow I promise ... I will paint a "boy boat painting" with browns and dark colors. Well ... maybe just a tint of orange ... Stay tuned!

Going Solo

"Going Solo"

Oil, 6" x 6" on canvas panel.

$200 unframed.

I haven't posted on my blog in a few days as life has been crazy around here. This weekend was all about sports ... CIF playoff games, the Stanford vs. USC football game, volleyball tournament to name a few. The highlight was certainly our afternoon at the coliseum as we bravely wore our Stanford gear among 90,000 USC fans. For those of you that were hiding in a closet this weekend and didn't hear about the game ... it was amazing and Stanford won ... by a lot!

I did have a chance to take my youngest son to visit his dear friend Jackson who suffered a football accident on Halloween. He was moved out of ICU and his family thought that a visit from a close friend might be a good idea. It was a touching and emotional experience and I am so thankful that Jackson is making progress everyday. Michael is determined to try to "make things all better" and last night he was surfing the internet looking for more information and ways to help his friend. I am not sure a 15 year old can find solutions (more so than a neurosurgeon?) but I do think his two visits this weekend brought a smile to Jackson's face. Please keep Jackson in your prayers.

This week I need to finish a few commissions and paint more as I sold five paintings last week and I need to build up my inventory. After I finish the commissions I will start painting gifts for my family for Christmas! I think that is nine paintings ... yikes! I am off to my studio!

Boats For Rent

"Boats For Rent"

Oil, 6" x 6", Oil on canvas panel.

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It seems like it has been forever since I painted boats. So I thought it might make sense for me to get back to painting a few boat scenes! It feels so good for me to be back at the marina again!

Heard it Through the Grapevine

"Heard it Through the Grapevine"

Oil, 6" x 6" on canvas panel.

$250 framed.

I painted this little one at the end of the first day of the plein air weekend. I had about an hour and a half until the reception and I felt like I should find something to paint. So I got in my car and drove down by the vineyard and sat on the back bumper and painted this view of the grapevines. The next hour made me very aware of how comfortable I am when I paint in my studio.

First off, it was hot and sunny and within five minutes I was sunburned. Next, the wind came up and blew over my easel so I had to scrape off all of the dirt and start the painting over. Then the flies came. They were so irritating. (Another artist told me later to bring a fabric softener sheet and it will keep them away ... not sure if it works though.) I finally finished and got back in my car (with about 100 flies) and drove up the hill to the reception. (And by the way ... there were about 20 flies left in my car the following morning when I drove back to the winery. And at least five buzzing in my car on Monday and two in the car this morning. )

I don't mean to complain but I can tell you that I was laughing out loud when I finally finished my painting. All I did was think of a fellow painter Marc Hansen who paints plein air every day. He lives in Minnesota and goes out to paint in temperatures that freeze his fingers, his entire body and yes ... his paint.

All I needed was a quick reminder of how he paints outdoors all winter long and I knew that I really was lucky ... and warm!

Falkner Winery Art Gallery

"Falkner Winery Art Gallery"

Oil, 8" x 8"

$300 framed.

I couldn't resist painting this as the sunlight reflecting on the side of the Art Gallery building was amazing. One of the other artists set up behind me and painted the same painting. He had so many nice things to say about my painting and was astounded with my willingness to use so much paint! Gotta love the palette knife!

Leaving the Winery

"Leaving the Winery"

Oil, 8" x 10" on canvas panel.

$350 unframed.

I spent the weekend at a wonderful plein air painting event at Falkner Winery that was hosted by Segil Fine Art Gallery and the Pasadena Art Gallery Association. It was wonderful, especially because I was also able to spend the weekend with my parents.
I met some wonderful artists and gallery owners and the scenery was very fun to paint. I don't get out to do these events very often but I am definitely going to add this to my goals for 2010! I really need to get out more often.

Really Big Reds

"Really Big Reds"

Oil, 8" x 16" on canvas panel

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Good news to share! I found out today that three of my paintings were juried in to the Segil Fine Art Gallery 2009 Holiday Small Works Show. Exhibition dates are December 5 through December 31, 2009, and there is an artists' wine and hors d’ouvres reception, Saturday, December 5, 5-7pm. I found out that some of my favorite artists friends are also in the show ... Julie Hill and Marian Fortunati. I am so honored to be in this show with them! For more info. go to http://www.segilfineart.com/.

I am heading to Temecula tomorrow for a wonderful painting weekend. I finished this painting this week as we are allowed to bring one completed painting for the show. I think it fits the theme! One of my favorite galleries, Segil Fine Art (in conjunction with the Pasadena Art Gallery Association) is hosting the Second Annual Fine Art Invitational at Falkner Winery. This year's event will be from 10am - 4pm on Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8; coinciding with the winery's Annual Fall Barrel Tasting Festival. Please join me for this spectacular two day event with over 30 plein air artists painting the beautiful Temecula wine country. For more information on Falkner Winery and directions go to www.falknerwinery.com.

Technology Struggles

"Two Cats on the Beach"

Oil, 6" x 6" on canvas panel.

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I am posting this painting I finished awhile ago because I lost the charger to my camera and the battery has died. I also just got a new laptop and have not transferred data so I am using two computers at the moment. I have decided to go with a mac and I love it ... I can't believe I have waited so long to "cross over to the other side". Plus I am taking advantage of the free mac classes and they are wonderful!!!
So, I will post a new painting tomorrow as soon as I buy a new charger for my camera!

Reflections All in a Row

"Reflections All in a Row"

Oil, 6" x 6" on canvas panel.

$200 unframed.

I spent all morning and afternoon painting in my studio. At about 2:00 I went outside to take a picture of my painting and was stunned ... it was 92 degrees. I had no idea! Our house is 94 years old and the old plaster walls serve as a great insulator from the heat. Somehow I had imagined it was a 70ish degree day and I was a bit sad that I had missed an entire lovely and warm day!
Weather aside, I like this painting. The reflections were really fun to paint. I also worked on a wine themed painting that I am going to try to finish tonight. I have lots to do and I am really motivated to finish all of these paintings!
I will be in Temecula this weekend for the plein air paint out at Faulkner Winery. Should be fun ... although I hope the weather cools down a bit!

Thinking Out Loud

"Sailing On By"

Oil, 6" x 6" on canvas panel.

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Today is one of those days where all I want to do is hug my kids.
This past weekend a terrible accident happened on the football field as our high school was playing in a game against a school in Palos Verdes. One of my son's closest friends was knocked unconscious on the field and stopped breathing. Fortunately there were two doctors in the stands that were able to keep him alive as an entire stunned group of players, fans, parents and coaches waited for an ambulance. Sadly, he suffered a blood clot in his brain. He quickly underwent a very elaborate but successful surgery. Although he is critical we are all praying for a full recovery.
I can see the pain in my boys faces as they wander around the house, searching for an explanation of "why" and "how could this happen". I tear up every time I think of his parents and siblings as I can't even imagine what they are going through.
Of course I can't stop thinking how much I hate the fact that a beautiful teenage boy can be fine one day and in a life threatening situation the next. As a mother of three boys who are very serious about their sports, I can't imagine what I would do if anything like this happened to one of my own.
So ... say a prayer. And please, hug your kids today.