To be Published!

"Peaches and Green Ribbon"
Colored Pencil on Sanded Paper
7 x 10"

Ann Kullberg has a series of books of exceptional colored pencil work.  I'm thrilled to say that my colored pencil drawing "Peaches and Green Ribbon" has been selected as one of the 90 works to be included in her CP Treasures III in print soon.  It has made my day!

Peach and Purple Ribbon in Mixed Media

"Peach and Purple Ribbon"
5 x 7" Colored Pencil and Washes
on Un-primed Cotton Canvas

I recently became aware of the work of Robert Kogge. He is teaching an online class in mixed media on Craftsy.com. Robert's technique involves colored pencil along with ink washes on unprimed canvas.

I was so excited to try out the technique (yes, I signed up for the class) that I fudged on the materials.  I didn't have the #8 cotton duck so I cut up a tote bag - same material. I didn't have the waterproof inks so I used some Neocolor II wax pastel crayons that I've had forever. There were a few other things that were on the list of materials that I didn't want to purchase until I tried the basic technique.

Always being a sucker for texture in paintings/drawings, I loved working with the cotton duck. In person the drawing almost looks like it is done in needlepoint. As soon as I finished this small experiment I ordered all the official products and now will sit by the mailbox waiting for my new toys to arrive - #8 cotton duck, Higgins waterproof inks (red, yellow, blue and black) and pumice. Stay tuned.

Big Old Apple

"Big Old Apple"
5 x 5" Oil on Panel
Click Here to Purchase Painting

Painting shown in a suggested virtual frame

I tricked myself into painting today. I told myself I would just block in the apple...then I told myself I would just paint the background...OK, then just the shadow....until the painting was done.  It felt SOOO good when I finally put the brush down. I have to remind myself that it's a building process and I can take small steps.

Pear and Shadow

"Pear and Shadow"
5 x 7" Oil on Panel
Click Here to Purchase Painting

Framing idea in a virtual frame

It's been a challenge to find painting time in the last few months. As I mentioned in an earlier post, my husband was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer in March.  He just finished what the doctor called the "standard treatment" and has fared very well by not suffering from the myriad of side effects.  A little hair loss and fatigue.

Folks have been urging me to carve out some time to paint, but as my fellow artists know time is one component. State of mind can affect the process. Some days I almost felt like I forgot how to paint. I think this is my third painting since Mark's diagnosis.  I didn't forget how - it just felt like I did - until I picked up the brush and pushed the paint around.  Thank goodness!

Two Up for Auction

"Earthy Pear" 6 x 6" oil on canvas panel
SOLD

"Trio of Pears" 8 x 8" oil on canvas panel
SOLD

Two paintings up for auction on eBay.  Bidding starts at 99 cents.

"Tree Line #30"
Shown in Virtual Frame 

"Tree Line #30" 6 x 8" Pastel on Paper
SOLD

This reminds me of a misty morning.  The paper is watercolor paper that has been sanded to accept pastels and give a very soft effect.  I used a sanding block to sand the surface before applying the pastels.

Catching Up

"Pitcher and Rose"
5 x 7" pastel on sanded paper
SOLD

Getting back to a little painting, some in oil and some in pastel.

We've had a life-changing month. On March 4th, my husband went to the doctor for some really troublesome symptoms.  Since then he's been diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer, been in the hospital for five days, and gone through round one of chemo. 

I've had days where I didn't think I could ever paint again, and days where I have longed to paint for my mental health.  Like everything else, in those two extremes are the reality - I will paint when I can.

"Couple of Cherries"
5 x 5" oil on Gessobord
SOLD

Truman Park

"Truman Park"
8 x 10" oil on panel
SOLD

"Truman Park" in virtual frame

I started this painting earlier in the week. As it sat where I could see it for most of the week I decided it had become too "precious", too fussy, too something.  So I attacked it again with the palette knife and "roughed" it up until it lost its preciousness.

It's painted in an impressionist manner with....well...impressions of the bushes, trees and sky.  The goal was to not be afraid of adding color and there are tons of color in this.  I especially like the turquoise in the shadows.

Peach on eBay

"Peach"
5 x 5" pastel on brown-colored sanded paper
SOLD

"Peach" shown in virtual mat and frame

The pastel makes the peach look particularly fuzzy!

Tree Line on Ebay

"Tree Line"
6 x 8" pastel on rust-colored sanded paper
SOLD

"Tree Line" with a virtual frame

"Harbor Lights" went quickly yesterday with the "buy now" option.  It's on its way to TX and a new home with one of my favorite artists.  Many thanks to her!

So "Tree Line" is going on the auction block today.  I've shown with a virtual frame how it might look as a 9 x 12" or 12 x 16" art piece all framed out with double mat, and frame.  You can frame it however you like or I can assist you in the framing.