Mysterious disappearance

I was debating whether or not to post this, but perhaps the right person may see it.

The two Renoir commissioned paintings from my previous post never made it to their new home. The paintings were mailed over the holidays and when the box arrived at its destination, it had been opened and was empty.

Is that bizarre or what? Luckily the box was insured, but still very, very bizarre. And I have a very disappointed customer.

So if you happen to see anyone trying to sell some Renoir knock offs out there, can you let me know?

Romance is in the air

After Renoir's Dance at the Bougival

12" by 6"

Oil with a palette knife on canvas
MIA

After Renoir's Grand Canal, Venice

9" by 12"

Oil with a palette knife on canvas
MIA

I had so much fun painting my mini masters ornament series that I was thrilled when someone saw my work at Custom Art Framing and Gallery 9 and asked if I would paint two small Renoirs on commission. She saw these two paintings at the MFA in Boston and it sparked an idea to give them as a thank you gift in return for a trip to Italy that her friend planned for them next week. Nice!

Today also marks Polo and my 10th wedding anniversary so romance is definitely in the air!

Christmas Commission

Maproom Cafe at the BPL

8" by 8" by 1.5"

Oil with a palette knife on cradled panel
SOLD

A friend saw a larger version of this painting of mine at an art exhibit and asked if I would paint a smaller one to give as a Christmas gift to her friend. This was a really interesting exercise in that I was able to paint this really quickly due to the fact that I had already painted it larger. The knife strokes came quicker and felt more confident because I already knew where I was going. Click here to see te larger version I did a few months back.

Merry Christmas one and all

Wreathe

Approx 5" x 5"

SOLD

I wish for everyone a happy and joyful holiday.

Hot cocoa

Hot Cocoa

6" by 6"
oil with a palette knife on canvas

$150 framed
Available at Custom Art Framing & Gallery 9

On a cold day like this, doesn't a cup of hot cocoa with marshmallows sound nice?

Just for you

Just for you

6" x 6"

oil with a palette knife on canvas

$125 framed

Available at Custom Art Framing & Gallery 9

In my last post I mentioned that I really didn't care for the crowded malls and gift giving pressure of the holidays. But as much as a dislike the shopping, I love the wrapping. It's my favorite part. I am somewhat of a hoarder when it comes to ribbons, bags, and do dads that can be added to packages to make them more festive. I love using what I already have and recycling (or regifting?) things on packages. Ask my friends Carol and Danielle who I made take a gift wrapping seminar with me a few years back. Yes-that's right, a seminar! What a blast.

Decorating for the holidays

These Three Stars

3" by 4"

Oil with a palette knife on canvas
NFS

A tiny challenge in neutral colors.

This weekend we finally are able to decorate the house for Christmas. Tree...check, stockings...check, wreathe...check. I am actually in the spirit already which is unusual. I just really hate the crowds and the malls. I just wish there wasn't that buying and gift giving pressure every year. The holidays would be just fine without it in my opinion.

Christmas Cookies

Just for fun-Christmas cookies!! No calories, no fat. Have one.

A family of palette knife portraits

Brian, Patrick, Erin, and Cathleen

Each 3" by 3"

Oil with a palette knife on canvas
SOLD

My cousin Shelley asked me to paint portraits of her kids as a gift to her husband for their 30th wedding anniversary. I found this frame that had a mat with four cut opening each measuring 3" square so I used that as my inspiration to tie them all together.

Here are close ups of each portrait:

Erin

Cathleen

Patrick

Brian

Larger Work: A Boston Perspective

A Boston Perspective

36" x 24" x 2"

Oil with a palette knife on cradled artist board
SOLD

Polo and I are getting ready for our show that opens this Friday at Gallery 9 in Norwood. I wanted to include at least one large piece so I chose this Boston view to try. These larger pieces are quite the undertaking and this view in particular was a perspective challenge to say the least. As I look at it now, I can see several things that still aren't quite right, but I'm hoping that it's still believable and unmistakably Boston. That was my goal. Can you identify the street corner that this painting captures?

This painting took several days to complete. I took this photo below after day 1 to show you the painting in process which I think is interesting to see.

I am always amazed at how much time the "finishing" work takes when preparing for a show. The varnishing, framing, wiring, signing, pricing, etc... Lots to think about and finalize, but come Friday-we'll be ready!

Wild Things: I'm on a roll!

Purr...meow...roar!

This trio was just juried into a show called "Wild Things" at the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod. The show will be at the Cotuit Center for the Arts in Cotuit MA from January 6-February 10. I thought this was and interesting twist:

Keeping younger patrons in mind, art work will be displayed at a lower height throughout the exhibit - right at children’s eye level. A series of child-friendly events are scheduled over the course of the month. School groups will be welcomed to the exhibit for free for the duration of the show, and will be given docent-led tours and art instruction customized to the age level of the children.

Fun stuff.

The next batch to get framed up

Mini Manet

2.5" x 3.5

$65 plus shipping
Now available at my Etsy shop

Mini Sargent

2.5" x 3.5

$65 plus shipping

Now available at my Etsy shop

Mini Manet

2.5" x 3.5"

SOLD

I've ordered some more mini frames and as soon as they arrive, these three will get framed up and go on sale!

The Stepsisters are in the finals

Back Bay Stepsisters

8" x 8"

Oil
SOLD

I was notified this week that this painting of mine was selected as a finalist in the Richeson 75 International Small Works Show. How exciting. There will be a reception in Wisconsin on February 6, but all of the finalists will also be posted in an online exhibit running from February 6-March 30, 2012. Can't wait to see the winners!

2011 Mini Masters ornament collection

Boit Daughter 1
2.5" by 2.5"
Framed with black hanging ribbon
SOLD

Boit Daughter 2
2.5" by 2.5"
Framed with black hanging ribbon
SOLD


Boit Daughter 3
2.5" by 2.5"
Framed with black hanging ribbon
SOLD


Boit Daughter 4
2.5" by 2.5"
Framed with black hanging ribbon
$65 plus shipping
SOLD

Carnation Lily 2
3.25" by 2.25" 
Framed with black hanging ribbon
SOLD

Carnation Lily 1
3.25" by 2.25" 
Framed with black hanging ribbon
SOLD

Mrs Fiske Warren and her Daughter Rachel

2.5" by 2.5" 
Framed with black hanging ribbon
SOLD

Lady Agnew
3.25" by 2.25" 
Framed with black hanging ribbon
SOLD

PREVIEW 2011 Mini Masters ornament collection

The Boit daughters collection

The remaining collection inspired by Sargent paintings.

These little lovelies will go on sale this week but I wanted to post a preview so you can see them framed and start picking your favorites. I will be posting individual close ups with a Buy Now button for each one so you will see them in more detail once they are up for sale. Each has a black ribbon for hanging on your tree and they'll be the same price as last year, $65/each.

Look out because the holidays are sneaking up on us.

A prize winning pooch

New Yorkie

6" by 6"

Oil with a palette knife on cradled board

SOLD

What a good doggie.

I just received a call telling me that my New Yorkie painting won 3rd place at the Woodshed Gallery's Small Works Show. I am pretty excited about that. Here is the link to see all of the entries and winners: Woodshed Gallery. The show will be up for the month of November. See the side column of my blog under Now Showing for the address of the gallery should you be in the area and want to check it out. The holiday season is just around the corner!

FUN FACT: Did I tell you that I found out this little guy's name is Steven Tyler? How fun is that? But I think he needs a little feather extension in his fur, don't you agree?

Sargent Mini Series continued

I had to round out the Boit Daughters by painting the other two sisters. And the top mini is of course, inspired by Lady Agnew of Lochnaw. So fun to paint these minis, that I can't seem to stop. I need to let them dry a little more before the framing can be completed but I am excited to show them to you when they are all done.

Do you have a favorite Sargent that you think I should try? Or any favorite masterpiece that you think would make a good mini painting?

Send me your suggestions!

More mini Sargent studies

SOLD

SOLD

I just can't get enough of these little paintings. I find I learn so much by studying master's works. These two pieces, measure about 3.5" by 2.5" and are inspired by the painting Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose by John Singer Sargent. I remember seeing this painting in person at a show at the MFA in Boston and it was just so magical in it's size and it's luminosity. The lanterns looked like they were actually lit from behind the canvas.

I've ordered some cute frames from Nancy at MiniArt Supply and have started framing these up. I'm excited to show you the final pieces. Stay tuned!

Mini Sargent studies

I've been painting some mini studies of John Singer Sargent paintings from the MFA in Boston. Below are the ones I've done so far. Can you name the paintings these were based on?
These are each about 2 1/2 inches square and could be a preview to my 2011 Mini Masters Ornament Collection. Someone suggested I leave them all together like this instead of trimming them down. What do you think?

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Perched
5" by 5"
Oil with a palette knife on canvas
SOLD

I'm pretty sure this is a European Robin, but all you bird experts out there can tell me if that is correct. This little guy was a quick painting at the end of a long day but was a great exercise in capturing the texture of feathers and branches with a palette knife.