Black and white palette knife exercise

Loveseat

Oil with a palette knife on cradled artist board

10" x 10" x 1.5"

Click on the image to enlarge
SOLD

Thanks to my friend Tim for letting me paint from this great photo of his parents. I think they look like they are stars on the set of an early television show, don't they? Perhaps Lucy and Ricky's other neighbors? 

I painted this in black and white because we were doing value studies in my weekly painting class and I thought this photo had a nice balance of all the values from light to dark. 

Tim had this to say about this picture of his parents:

"I love this photo. I found it in a box of photos my mom gave me a few years ago. No one had ever really seen it. My mom doesn't really remember where they were. It is now one of our favorites of my dad. I love their relaxed comfortable manner with each other, the setting, the clothes, the glasses. I remember that sweater so well. I also love that my dad looks like he has had a couple of drinks."

The Gorman Girls

The Gorman Girls

Oil with a palette knife on cradled artist board

11" x 17" x .75"

Click on the image to enlarge
SOLD

Thanks to everyone who has already sent me their inspiring family images to paint. This painting was done from a wonderful photo that a friend, Liz, sent me of her two girls. She wrote "I took this photo on a beautiful day in the fields behind Drumlin Farm. The girls were having the time of their lives exploring the path in the field. I will treasure this painting." How great is that?

While it was a great painting challenge for me with respect to foliage, perspective, and space, I had such fun painting it. As I look at it now, I think those pink trees in the background are competing with the girls who should be the focus so I might go back and tone that down a bit.

The deadline is March 1, so there is still time to send what you find. Polo and my joint show is in June, (reception Friday, June 4) so I'm trying to get as many done as I can before then. As a reminder, click here to see the "rules" for submitting your photographs.

Happy Monday!

Sunshine Award-I need some of that!

I just received this cool award from fellow bloggers Tammy Hext, Claire Kayser, and Mitzi Easley. Couldn't have come at a better time cuz I could really use a little sunshine about this time of year. This is when the winter blahs really kick in.

The Sunshine Award is awarded to bloggers whose positivity & creativity inspires others in the blog world. The rules for accepting these award:

Put the logo on your blog or within your post.

Pass the award onto 12 bloggers.

Link the nominees within your post.

Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.

So here is my list of Sunshine Blog Award nominees and a quick reason why.

1. Polo Barrera-he is spreading sunshine with his growing production of apple paintings

2. Kim Morin Weineck-always a cheerleader when it comes to art and artists

3. Autumn Leaves-so generous and honest with her comments and her encouragement

4. Mitzi Easley-a new surprise treat every time I visit her blog

5. Sheila Tajima-a talented, generous, and thoughtful soul

6. Tony Donovan-he's heading for sunshine and inspiration on his road trip to Sedona, Arizona

7. Nancy Rosetta-hoping this will bring her back from Facebook to blogging about her beautiful jewelry!

8. Frame of Mind-a wonderful shop full of sunshine all the time

9. Kerry Hawkins- photographer extraordinaire who truly uses sunshine to create her art

10. Kathy Weller-always sharing her wealth of knowledge and cute illos with the world

11. Tammy Hext-I think she was right when she said we are kindred spirits

12. Claire Kayser-a recently discovered, unique talent!

Now go check them out!

Palette knife portrait surprise

Girl with the Green Earring

Oil with a palette knife on cradled artist board

10" x 8" x 1.5"

Click on the image to enlarge
NFS

Happy Valentines Day everyone!

This portrait was done as a surprise thank you for Karin Jurick, the artist who organizes the Different Strokes from Different Folks blog challenges. You may remember that Karin's end of the year challenge was a portrait swap. Out of the 180 participants, there were 4 artists who weren't able to come through. So at the last minute, Karin painted those missing 4 portraits so that those artists wouldn't be left out. Jill Polsby was one of those artists. So she organized this project as a thank you by contacting as many artists as she could to paint their own portrait of Karin. Then she created a book of all of the paintings. Take a look at all of the wonderful portraits here.

I don't know why, but I never had an interest in painting portraits. It's probably the pressure of getting the likeness just right. But I've discovered that I really enjoy painting portraits with my palette knife. I feel as if I am carving out the structure of the face with my knife. I thank Karin for introducing me to subjects I would not choose to paint myself. It has really pushed me as an artist.

Afternoon in the city

Afternoon in the City

Oil with a palette knife on cradled artist board

8" x 8" x .75"

Click on the image to enlarge
SOLD

This is the second in my series of paintings from our last trip to NYC. We had just arrived at my friends place and the warm light shining on the buildings across the street caught the attention of my camera. I see a few things I might want to fix, but overall I am pleased with out it turned out. Would love to hear your comments. Kim-I know yours will be "bigger!".

A New Gallery!

Last Friday I went to meet with the nice folks at 13 Forest Gallery in Arlington to see about showing some of my work there. They selected three pieces of mine and one of Polo's. Yeah! How exciting is that?. The gallery has a great location along busy Mass Ave and they have a wonderful variety of artwork on exhibit there. We are thrilled to be a part of their collection. They have a new show opening next Friday from 7-9 so stop by and check it out!

I also want to give a big thank you to "my two Kims" for their encouragement.

Out the Back Window

Out the Back Window

Oil with a palette knife on cradled artist board

8" x 8" x .75"

Click on the image to enlarge
SOLD

While we were in New York City a few weekends ago, I took a bunch of photos as inspiration for new paintings. It's pretty easy for me to get inspired in New York. This painting was done from a photo I took looking out the back window of my friend's loft. I painted it in one sitting at my art class last night. (I guess that is technically considered alla prima?) I really prefer to keep working at a painting while it's still wet. Especially with the thickness of the paint that I use. I'm excited to do more of these.

Time to "Think Spring" again

I just found this scan of a series of mini paintings that I did awhile back for a small works show. Each one is only about 2" square. Made me think of spring and I hope it does the same for you no matter what that pesky groundhog sees today.

I am also thinking of my friend Haydi today and sending warm thoughts her way.