Spring Faces

Spring Faces 6 x 8 oil on panel

These smiling faces make me smile each time I look at the pots of them around the yard and in the window boxes. They are tiny buy resilient to all the hardships of Spring weather.

These were painted using several photos on my I-pad and shifting between them. What fun technology can be when it helps us reach a create out work with less hassle

This painting was done with a transparent underpainting, much of which shows through in the final piece. The texture varies from thin and sheer to thick and opaque.

Wildflower tie Up

Wildflower Tie-Up  oil on panel 5 x 7 in.
The ice is off of the lakes finally, 2nd latest date in recorded history and I am seeing wildflowers at last.
This is a dream scene for me, I love Queen Anne's Lace, my favorite wildflower and a boat ready to be taken out on a quiet pond, sun shining and warm. Dream with me from your chair and plan a quiet afternoon in a boat on the water wherever you are .

Crumpet, 3 views. dog portrait,

Crumpet, three views, 8x10 oil on canvas panel

These were a birthday gift for my sister this past week. How much fun these were to paint. How could you not love that face? I love doing dog portraits especially since we do not at this time have a dog, I can vicariously enjoy them.

Hooked I and Hooked II

Hooked I and Hooked II 12x12 each on gallery wrap canvas
I need a change of subject matter, some of you out there I am sure feel you need to do something fresh and different, well.............this is my shot at going from fluffy to scaley . These pieces will be for sale at a Show called THE SQUARE FOOT SHOW to be held in Bismarck ND , Aug. 6-30,2013. Nothing fishy about the show, check it out.

Snow Bunny

Snow Bunny pastel 5x7in
Yes, another bunny and we still have snow and more expected here in Minnesota, hope this little guy stays warm. I have tried to keep the strokes in this painting soft and have done no blending other than layering pastels. This is done on Wallis paper which works well with my style of work.

Blushing Apples

Blushing Apples 7 x 5 in. pastel
Another in my apple craze, between apples and grapes it is hard to know which is my favorite. These are from a tree at Mt. Carmel Retreat Center where I spend much of my summer teaching. Wanted to hint at some stronger colors in this one. No blending with fingers only color layered on color to keep it as fresh as possible.

Little Jewels (miniatures)

Little Jewels (miniatures)  2.5x3.5 in. 

Years  ago I did many oil miniatures and loved it, they do make original art affordable and collectible to people who either do not have space or finances for larger pieces. This is my first time to attempt this with pastels. I was inspired to try this by reading Karen Margulis, kemstudios. blogspot.com and the fact that I was recovering from surgery and needed smaller pieces to work on. The top landscape is Sunset in Lake Country and the bottom piece is More Little Green Apples. I used Artist Trading Cards in illustration board that I gave a coat of clear pastel base by Art Spectrum and an assortment of pastels.