Poppies

This painting (24 x 18 acrylic) is my latest and is currently hanging at the LAC Gallery...on such a snowy day, it is a reminder of summer to come!

Glass Mosaic

Here's the small glass mosaic that I did as a prt of Kathy Thaden's recent mosaic workshop...I have quite a few old wood windows from a neighbor, so I have lots more mosaics planned using stained glass!

Yellow Day Lilies

Just finished this painting of some yellow daylilies from my yard..a great reminder of summer, now that the days are getting colder...this acrylic on canvas painting is 24" x 18".

Christmas work...

Over the last few weeks I have been inspired to use some of my techniques on pillow covers with a Christmas theme...using general painting and the mosaic technique, I finished about a dozen pillows...here they are!

Mosaic Workshop

Last Saturday I attended a mosaic workshop at the Lakewood Arts Council Gallery by Kathy Thaden, master mosaic artist! It was great fun..I did stained glass mosaic on glass and others did mosaics on various sorts on a 6x6 wood panel...our homework was to finish the cutting and gluing activities of our designs.....next Saturday we will learn grouting technique and then I'll post some photos of the finished work!

'By the Door' Banner

This small banner was done for my in-laws to place beside their new entry door...it reflects their love for the mountains of Colorado...the size is 9" x 15, acrylic on black canvas.

Figure Painting

As a result of the figure drawing class mentioned earlier, I have just completed a painting of my son (now 22) when he was about three...fishing with his Dad on our pond in SC, he was more interested in the bait than the fish...it was fun to do, especially the tall pine tree reflections in the murky water, and brought back many memories of great times there....this 20x16 acrylic on canvas painting will be entered in the upcoming "Child's Play" exhibit at the LAC Art Center & Gallery Sept 7 - 25..the opening reception is Sept 10, 6-7:30 pm...stop by and enjoy!

Fabric Art Demo

Wow - I attended the fabric art demo and breakfast given by Cindy Haase this past Saturday...lots of great ideas by a talented lady! It's always an eye-opener to see how others pursue their art..these demos that are at the LAC Gallery are the best!

Kilo the Great Dane

I'm excited to introduce Kilo, my latest pet portrait. A 16" x 20" acrylic, this portrait is a wedding present for some recently married friends...they are getting the painting today..sure hope they like it! I really enjoyed painting the shapes of his head and neck...now I understand why the Marmaduke cartoon is drawn to look so lumpy and bumpy! what great dogs!

Lakewood Co-Op

Yesterday was my first sitting for the Lakewood Co-Op at the Lakewood Arts Council Gallery on South Union...the co-op is a group of artists who use their volunteer time to keep the gallery open six days a week (10-5 Mon thru Sat)...in exchange we all are allowed to display our work there..stop by sometime and take a look! The Arts Council is always welcoming new members, so remember your art oriented (and art appreciating)neighbors and others you meet..invite them over!

Mountain Ash Tree

This most recent acrylic painting (18 x 24) is of my front yard ash tree, with the berries just forming...the idea was to paint another branch later in the season when the berries turned red and orange...I'll need to find some other ash tree, as there are no leaves or berries left on mine (hail!) I love the high light/shadow contrast and the greens, of course...

Apple Tree

I have been fascinated with foliage recently - this is a branch from my apple tree with a single apple that the squirrels have left...unfortunately as of this post, the real tree has no leaves or apples because of last week's hail storm. I'm glad I captured it when I did! This acrylic painting is 16x20.

Figure drawing workshop

Today I attended a great figure drawing workshop at the LAC taught by Teddy Schmedeke Lee...she was a great teacher and encourager and we all left feeling as though we could now begin to draw people more realistically! that's always been a tough task for me, but I will continue to practice what I've learned and soon there wil be some figures incorporated in my paintings!

Garden No Longer

Wow - what a storm Monday night...the hail effectively eliminated all my painting source material...patio pots are little nubs, no more grape vines, which were loaded with grapes...and yard plants are mowed to the ground...will have to travel to see blooming plants...

Color is popping out!

This is my latest painting...24" x 18" acrylic...of geraniums and African Daisies...African Daisies are some of my favorites..they have a colorful center and the front and back of each petal are different colors! This bunch is from a pot on my patio.

From the garden tour...

This water lily is one of my newest paintings...acrylic 24" x 18". Its inspiration was from a backyard pond on the Lakewood Arts Council Garden tour recently...enjoy!

Saturday Garden Tour and Show

This past Saturday was the Lakewood Arts Council sponsored garden tour...magnificent places to see and inspire! plus I learned a lot from several gardeners, and of course, I took photos of interesting plants for reference...great fun! Lunch was provided at the gallery, together with a chance to visit the Garden Show on the upstairs gallery...there was a great turnout and much exposure for the artists...if you have not yet visited, take a look soon!

Peonies in Bloom

The rain has produced a bountiful year for peonies...and this newest 24 x 18 acrlylic painting is from a neighbor's yard...I particularly liked the yellow sun coming thru the plant and the pink edges of an otherwise white flower...

Check out the Picasa link to all my work...

Just a note to let you know that I have just about completed uploading photos of all my work to date on the Picasa link at the end of this blog...they show my paintings, mosaic banner paintings, as well as the pet portraits...enjoy!

Rainy Inspiration

Back from Yellowstone now...lots of photos of grand scenery and impressive animals and tiny wildflowers...cool, rainy weather, but still most enjoyable...can't wait to line up several paintings at least...my garden continues to overflow with all the recent rain..a most unusual spring here.
Sunday went to the Art Student League Annual Show and Sale..over 250 artists' booths with some great work...also very inspirational...makes me want to really get to work..so much to learn, too! I set a goal to be in a booth with my work in 2010...
The Lakewood Art Council's Garden Show begins today!

Trip to Wyoming

I'm getting excited now, as tomorrow morning I'll be starting a road trip to the Tetons and Yellowstone National Parks with my sister from South Carolina...looking forward to many inspirational ideas...and lots of goof-off time...

Burro's Tails

Colorado looks like Ireland now...I've never seen it so green...there are lots of potential painting ideas in my yard alone! However, these Burro Tail plants seem to grow whether rain or not..and, I'm learning, they create new plants everywhere in my garden! I love them for their hardiness and their texture and green-gray color...lots of fun to paint. This 16 x 20 canvas is my latest!

HOT DOG!...or New Dog, that is...My wonderful animal-loving in-laws have been searching for just the right dog to add to their mountain home...and today they finally found him...as cute and mellow as anyone could ask...with four white paws, his name of Boots really fits! I am sure he will be a willing subject for a few dog portraits in the future!

Getting the hang of this...

OK - this is all much easier than I thought...many thanks to my husband Scott and son Davis for helping me with the "techie" side of things...
the black painted canvas banners are some of my favorites...while I have to sew the hangings themselves, it's rather like taking the time to stretch a number of canvases...not fun, but necessary...I can make a variety of sizes easily. I usually lay in the basics of the overall design element, and let the colors and linework of the background 'mosaics' develop as I paint..these mosaic panels are part of a horizontal series that I completed as a valence across my dining room window...

Getting Started...

A blank window on my computer is as intimidating as a new canvas...yikes! My latest acrylic painting is of the rhubarb in my backyard...I loved the curly leaves and bright red stalks (and the pie I make!) so much that I have completed two paintings of the subject...each 16x20.