New Yorkie

New Yorkie

6" by 6"

Oil with a palette knife on cradled board
SOLD

I saw this photo and thought that the fur and the colors would be great fun to paint with a palette knife. And it was. Curious onlookers asked if this was my dog. It's not but he is now a new member of my animal family of paintings. Would you like to adopt him?

UPDATE I found out that this little guy's name is Steven Tyler. What a hoot. Click here to see the owner's blog and scroll down to Sept 3 to see my painting. What a cutie he is and so famous. I think he might need some feather extension in his fur.

A return to Nantucket (in my mind)

Joan's view

4" x 8"

Oil with a palette knife on canvas
$50 unframed

Several weeks ago, I wrote about a painting getaway we took to Nantucket. I had to leave my paintings behind because they needed to dry, but I just received them back again. Thank you Haydi for their safe return!

I forgot to take a photo of this little scene I painted before I left, so now that it's back I was able to photograph it and post it here today.

It brings back such wonderful memories of a wonderful trip.

Are black cats bad luck?

The Witch's Familiar

6" by 6"

Oil with a palette knife on cradled board
SOLD

I thought it would be a challenge to paint an all black cat and boy, it was. The subtle variations in his fur made it so tricky-is it more blue black? or green black? or what? How do I define the shadows and still give his fur dimension and his face some shape? And black cats have black noses too-did you know that?

I don't believe black cats are bad luck. Sure hope you don't either!

Feed the kitty

Curious

6" x 6"

Oil with a palette knife on cradled board
$100 unframed

I do so love orange and white cats. Probably because I had one for 17 years, Skippy. Or should I say he owned me? Once, my neighbor's son said to his mother when he saw me "Is that who Skippy owns?" I just loved that.

My reference for this painting wasn't actually an orange and white cat, but I chose to make him so. Artistic license at work. I am a card carrying member!

Boston Building Blocks

City Blocks

12" by 12" by 1.5"

Oil with a palette knife on cradled board
SOLD

Another Boston city scene, very familiar to me. I love the buildings, all so different, yet all interacting with one another. Fun fun, fun with windows galore.

An Updated Look

I just had some new business cards made and thought I would update my blog banner to coordinate the look. I've been using the same banner since I started blogging in 2009 so I thought it might be time for a refresh. I really like this macro zoom photo of one of my flower paintings. I think it represents the thick texture and bright colors of my paintings. It is also the profile picture on my Facebook page.

And speaking of macro zoom photos. Last weekend at the The Art Studio and Gallery @Patriot Place, one of our featured artists, Rebecca Skinner took some amazing close-up photos of our painting palettes. I asked her if I could share them here on my blog, so here they are. These first 3 are all from my palette.

These last 2 are from Polo's palette.

Pretty cool, huh? Check out Rebecca Skinner's beautiful photography on her website and her Facebook page.

Releasing your inner lion

Inner Lion

6" by 6"

Oil with a palette knife on cradled artist board

Another new kitty face to add my collection. This cat looks so regal and lionlike to me. And like he wants to be fed some meat!

As I was painting, I stopped to take this photo of the painting partially completed. I thought it had a striking look about it.

Meow.
Or should I say ROAR?!

Busy Back Bay

View from 500 Boylston

12" x 12" x 1.5"

Oil with a palette knife on cradled board
Available

We used to be able to see this view from the 5th floor of our office building. But now a new company moved in and took over this space. So I'm glad I captured this view with my camera before that happened. This is Boylston Street looking back towards Copley Square. I just can't seem to get away from painting windows. In fact, I seem to seek them out. Yikes.

Hibiscus Gift Box

Many years ago I bought a watch and it came in a beautiful, colorful box. I have kept the box all these years thinking that some day I would repurpose it. This past weekend, I got inspired and painted a hibiscus flower on the top of it to go with the pattern that appears on the side.

Hibiscus Gift Box

4" by 4"

Oil with a palette knife on wood
$60

Here you can see what the side of the box looks like. It also came with white ribbons that you can tie it up with. Quite an elaborate box, for such a simple watch.

In the image below you can see what the inside looks like. It even has a cute little purple pillow to put your treasure on. I painted the top and bottom of the box with acrylic to match this inside color.

And of course I had to include a chunky delicious close up.

The Art Gallery at Patriot Place in the news

The Art Gallery at Patriot Place was in the news this week. Evie Malm wrote a wonderful article about the gallery for the Foxboro Reporter which was then picked up by the Attleboro Sun Chronicle. She also took some accompanying photos, one of which I'm reposting on my blog here because it shows this cute family in front of my art holding one of my cat paintings. I love it.

Click here to read the Foxboro Reporter article and here to see the Sun Chronicle's version.