The Red Inn VII

The Red Inn VII

12" by 36" by 2"

Oil with a palette knife on cradled board

SOLD

Here is the next in my series of Red Inn commissions. Number 7!

I remembered to take some photos after each of the painting sessions to share my process. I like to paint the most difficult things first, so I started by painting the inn, focusing on the architecture, the siding, trim and the windows.

In the second painting session I painted in the greens, the road, and the white fence. This particular client loved the very first painting I did of the Red Inn (Red Inn I) so he did not want the Adirondack chairs and deck to be added as I have done with later versions.

In the last session, the sky and the trees went in (shown at top) to complete the painting in 3 paintings sessions of about 2-3 hours each.

Backyard BBQ

Backyard BBQ

18" by 24"

Oil on panel

SOLD

This painting was done from a family photo that is a favorite of my cousin Bobby. That's his dad (my uncle) cooking a giant Fred Flintstone steak on the charcoal grill with Bobby and his sister anxiously waiting for him to yell "Dinner's ready."

I took a few photos along the way as I was painting at The Artist's Studio and Gallery at Patriot Place this past weekend. In this first photo you can see how I started with my usual orange/red cad backwash, and then sketched on top with a brush (gasp!) using ultramarine blue acrylic paint.

And here is a second photo-the painting is almost complete. You can see my set up and the variety of sizes of palette knives I use. I had the photo printed out as well as displayed on the ipad.

As usual, photos like this make me wish for summer to get here quickly.

The Pillivant Sisters UPDATE

The Pillivants in DC

8" by 10"

Oil with a palette knife on board

SOLD

This was such a fun painting. Cathy commissioned me to paint this photo of her and her sisters from a photo of them on the steps of the Capitol building in DC. Don't these matching dresses just make you smile? The one redhead in the group is their cousin Debbie. She's got the matching dress but not the quite the matching shoes. But she fits in quite nicely with this group of cute girls. And I bet those dresses made them easier to keep track of in a crowd!

This brings back memories of the matching dresses that my mom used to dress me and my sisters in when we were little. Did you mother every dress you and your siblings in matching outfits?

UPDATE. Cathy's sister Mary had this to say about the painting:

"I think it is so awesome!!  I love it.  I posted it to my facebook page. But I love the story that goes with it - it's one of my favorites.  We were in our Country's colors and had Ted Kennedy sign "Our Flag" books - Red White and Blue!  I tell the story "It was in the early 1970's, and we were traveling through DC in our famous Red, White and Blue dresses and while in the Capitol. Mom spotted Ted and called out his name. How could he resist a family of 5 girls all dressed in our country's colors!! We had just picked up a booklet about "Our Flag" and we asked him for his autograph. He stopped and took the time to autograph all 5 of our books! Thanks for doing this Cathy - it is fun!"

How awesome to hear this wonderful back story to this adorable family photo!

Fred and Ethel-the final two!

Fred

6" by 6"

Oil with a palette knife of canvas board
SOLD

Ethel

6" by 6"

Oil with a palette knife of canvas board
SOLD

These were the last two pet portraits in the commission I completed for Gretchen. Fred is actually a female (lol) but Fred and Ethel make a cute pair, don't they? By now all the cats, dogs, and guinea paintings have been unwrapped and are in their new "forever" homes. (plus one lighthouse for the non pet owner in the family)

Here is a photo I took of all of them on delivery day. This was a dream commission.

Happy Blogiversary, time to start year 6!

Happy New Year to you

and

Happy Blogiversary to me!

Wow-I have been at this blog for 5 years now. I never thought I would be so addicted to it but I have to say the it has been one of the most gratifying things I have done. It has forced me to photograph and document every step of my art journey and it is so rewarding to look back and see how far I have come.  And when I hear feedback from you, all the better.

I am excited about what new things may appear here in year 6-2014!

For old times' sake, here is the link to my very first post...
http://anngorbett.blogspot.com/2009/01/check-one-off-list.html

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling

Irish Eyes

8" by 6"

Oil with a palette knife on canvas board
SOLD

My cousin commissioned this painting of my Aunt Cathleen (his Nana) as a gift this Christmas. He and his wife will be framing it along with the Irish Blessing:

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Cant' wait to see how it turns out and to hear about my cousin Colleen's reaction to this thoughtful gift and tribute to her mother.

Update:Brian sent me a photo of the final gift-see below. So special. Colleen was in tears!

Christmas Wishes

Santa Hug (from a 1913 postcard)

6" by 8"

Oil with a palette knife on canvas board
SOLD

Here's hoping you got everything you wished for this holiday season and don't forget to give everyone in your family a big, giant, Santa hug!

What's on your list this Christmas?

Just For You

6" by 6"

Oil with a palette knife on canvas

Did you hear the story about Westjet Christmas Miracle? The Canadian airline asked people what they wanted for Christmas while they were waiting for their plane to board, and then had all of the presents wrapped and waiting at the baggage claim when they landed. 

It's awesome. Watch it by clicking here.

Warm and Toasty

Hot Cocoa

8" by 8"

Oil with a palette knife on canvas

SOLD

On a cold and wintery day like today, there is nothing like a cup of hot cocoa (with marshmallows of course) to keep you warm.

Nubble Light in Winter

Nubble Light in Winter

12" x 12" x 1.5"

Oil with a palette knife on Blick Studio Artist Board
SOLD

Our painting group, The Neponset Valley Artists is currently exhibiting a winter/holiday themed show at the Walpole Public Library. I painted this last week and got it in to the show just in the "Nick" of time. My husband and I took a ride up to see this lighthouse in York, Maine last December during our anniversary weekend. I thought it looked so beautiful with just a touch of snow to accent the scene. If this looks familiar on this blog, you may have seen the previous summer version of this painting that I posted a few weeks ago.

Tis the season

Tis the Season
6" x 6"

oil with a palette knife

SOLD

Start your shopping engines! Well-Thanksgiving is over and now the real holiday shopping craziness begins. I am not one of those that will be in line at 5am to get the best bargains. I usually wait until the last few weeks to get going. But for those of you in the mood-go for it. I'll just stay right here, eat some more leftovers, and wait until everything is picked over.

Don't forget to SHOP SMALL this season and support your local businesses like Custom Art Framing and Gallery 9 in Norwood, where this painting will be for sale at their holiday small works show starting December 6.

Happy Thanksgiving

Calico

6" by 6"

Oil with a palette knife on canvas board
SOLD

Wishing a very Happy Thanksgiving to you and all your funny, furry, turkey loving friends. Doesn't she look like she is waiting for you to give her some? The kitchen smells so good!

Indy the cat

Indy

6" x 6"

Oil with a palette knife on canvas board
SOLD

Next in the line up, Indy. I assume she is a girl because all calicos are female. Isn't she pretty? The next one on my plate is also a calico. We are getting nearer to Christmas when all of these pet portraits will be delivered to their new owners. Getting excited!

EBo building commission

East Boston Building

20" x 16" by 2"

Oil with a palette knife on Ampersand Gessobord
SOLD

Scott sent me a photo of the very cool building he lives in located in East Boston (nicknamed EBo) and asked if I thought it would make a good painting. Of course I said yes!! Isnt' it so interesting-the windows, the detailing, the red brick, and the perspective-all fun challenges to paint with the knife.

The Red Inn number 6

The Red Inn VI

12" x 36" x 2"

Oil with a palette knife on Ampersand Gessobord
SOLD

It has been a flurry of commissions lately-people getting ready for the holidays I guess. Here is the sixth in my series of Red Inn paintings. People just can't get enough of this place. This past weekend it was delivered to another lucky couple who was married there a few years ago.

Nubble Light in York Maine

Nubble Light, York, Maine

8" by 6"

Oil with a palette knife on canvas board
SOLD

I painted this during my palette knife painting class last that took place a few weekends ago. We have a fun time painting autumn leaves, pumpkins, and a variety of other subjects of their choice. Here they all are busy at work.

Tammy is 50-palette knife portrait

Tammy is 50

6" by 8"

Oil with a palette knife on canvas board
SOLD

My sister's friend Tammy turned 50 this year so she asked if I would paint this picture for her as a fun present for her birthday. You would never guess she was 50 right?

I am off to Cabo Mexico today to be with my sisters and my aunts. This painting reminds me that I will get to bask in some warm sunshine tomorrow. I better remember to pack some fun shades!

Tiny demos

During my palette knife workshops, we start painting small 4" studies on loose canvas to practice knife techniques. Here is a sampling of the ones I have done in the workshop. 

I like working on the loose canvas because you can go "outside the lines" and be a bit freer to loosen up and not worry about painting a masterpiece right off the bat. The images above have been cropped, but the image below shows you how they are all painted on one sheet of loose canvas. I use Fredrix Canvas Pads for these small studies. Later, I will cut these out and turn them into greeting cards.

Skittles the lab

Skittles

8" by 8"

Oil with a palette knife on Ampersand Gessobord
SOLD

Skittles the dog has a great face. Amy sent me several photos of him and I combined a few of them together for this painting.

Welcome to Truro

Entering Truro

8" by 8"

Oil with a palette knife on Ampersand Gessobord
SOLD

If you live in Massachusetts, this sign will look very familiar to you. As you enter each new town, a similar sign will appear to welcome you. This particular sign from Truro, Massachusetts on Cape Cod had been weathered and rusted-no doubt from the years of being hit with salty air and sandy dune breezes. Amy wanted to commission a painting of this sign from a photo she took before they replaced it with a brandy new one. This was an interesting challenge to get the feel of the rust and cracks in the sign using the palette knife. I added the hit of scenery at the bottom to give it a little more color and interest.