Clamp It

                                   6x6  No longer available
Much as I like dark values and high contrast, I want to be able to paint in a lighter key as well. I decided to study Wayne Thiebaud's paintings for ideas and inspiration. I referred to my book of Thiebaud paintings as I painted this entry for the DPW Challenge. Tor be more "Thiebaud-like" I would paint the blue ground lighter to heighten the contrast with the shadows, and I may try another version with that goal, but I like this one as is.

Fillet of the Day

                                 6x6   No longer available
This was created for the DPW Challenge: Paint Raw Meat. I went with fish instead. Not my favorite subject matter, I will say- the meat or the fish. Yet it was a challenge and I'm glad I did it. I went with a lighter palette that usual in keeping with the delicate nature of the fish. I relied on the darks of the shadows and the onion to give the composition some structure.

Sun Stream

                                  No longer available

I was feeling the need to use some warm and bright colors. Do you suppose it has anything to do with the Seattle weather? Rain forecast all week.....

Back Me Up, Baby

                                   6x6 No longer available

This jazz series is way fun to paint! I dive into These with little rough sketches and see what develops. The guy at the keyboard wasn't even supposed to be singing, and look what happened! He opened his mouth and gave me the title.

Simpatico

                                     6x6 No longer available

Painting #2 of my Jazz series. The plan is to create maybe a dozen of these small paintings and then follow up with some larger canvases. I love the possibilities for abstractions, as the light plays off the people and the instruments. I think the lively paint reflects the energy of the music, and I hope I can maintain that on a larger scale.

Enjoy the Show

                                    6x6 SOLD
I'm thinking about doing a series of music based paintings, and this is a study for one of them. I also am working on a series of restaurant/cafe paintings, and completed a 24x30" one yesterday. Well, maybe it's not quite complete- I tend to tinker for a few days. It's close, anyway.

Workhorse Willy Reworked

                                       18x24
I painted the original Workhorse Willy from a photo I took in eastern Washington. I was intrigued by the reflection of the truck in the metal building alongside it." Where's the metal building ?"you ask? Well, I painted it out yesterday. The painting has been in a gallery for 6 months and hasn't sold, and I decided it was too dark and gloomy. It needed a punch of warmth. The original version is below. I would love to get your feedback as to whether you think the change is an improvement.



I have been in frame making mode lately with no time to paint. I have 7 new paintings to rotate into display venues and they all need frames. The "Sunny Side Up" painting is going to the Edward Montgomery Gallery in Carmel. He is looking for a "sophisticated subtle idealized ambiance" to appeal to his market niche, and I have had a hard time coming up with something that fits. I think I sort of "get it" now, and have some more ideas in mind.
Saw the Gauguin exhibit at the Seattle Art Museum yesterday. Talk about idealized ambiance! It is a great exhibit and I'll definitely go back to see it again.

Sunny Side Up

                                          36x48
This is the big canvas I mentioned I'd been working on. I love the perspective and the poses of the people in the restaurant. I tried to be very cognizant of values as I selected colors so that I'd maintain a strong composition. My husband is always saying that my paintings are too dark, and I deliberately worked toward more lights in this one. The darks are still pretty dark though; I like the contrast.

Around Town

                                       6x6 $40 Click to Buy 

I photographed this young woman in Telluride, Colorado last fall. She was wearing just sandals and had no helmet, so I assumed she was just riding around town.