Saturday, December 30, 2006

"Transformation" an abstract dragonfly


"Transformation" c2006



Another "sneak peak" of my 2007 new works... 24x18 dragonfly on gallery wrapped canvas. Lots of metallic colors, iridescent paints, copper, bronze, blue, pearl... plenty of texture and movement.


Dragonflies stand for good luck and transformation in many cultures... a fitting piece for the New Year!

Friday, December 29, 2006

"Playing With Fire" a bold abstract nude


"Playing With Fire" c2006



OK, so my kids haven't slept in FOREVER, so I am having trouble trying to stay up late enough to get my new work posted and write a bit in my blog.


Tonight is short and sweet.


I'm listing a couple of pieces from my new 2007 series a couple of days early. This piece is 24x18, and painted on a bright red background. The dancing figure is painted entirely in metallic glazes, with peridot, cream, champagne, copper and dark bronze lending depth to her body. Because of the iridescence, the painting changes depending on how you view her.


She, too is painted partially with a spoon, my newest favorite tool.

Thursday, December 28, 2006

"Tempest Tossed" a framed abstract nude #3 in series


"Tempest Tossed" c2006



As I look back on this year, I find that it has been an amazing journey. From the sale of our first home together, to the first steps of our youngest daughter, the first day of preschool for our oldest daughter, to the first week I actually out-earned my husband with art sales... what a ride!
I am exhausted, frazzled, and happy to the bone.


To paint, to create, to call myself "artist".... what a joy. And to do this alongside my beautiful little girls... absolute bliss.


I'm excited to see what 2007 brings, and am working hard in the studio on my newest series' of paintings.


The latest piece (look for more of my nudes in motion, more Tempest, and a series I've started called Ice Princess....) is called Tempest Tossed, 12x12 and is actually FRAMED.
This one is already up for auction in my ebay store. Email me with questions.

Wednesday, December 27, 2006

"Tempest Rising" #2 in Abstract Nude Series


"Tempest Rising" c 2006



I can't believe it's been a WEEK since I last posted... sorry for that. The holidays got me all turned around and running behind.


But, I managed some good studio time, and that resulted in the next two installations of my Tempest nudes series.


This particular piece is called "Tempest Rising", and is a 24"x24" painting on 1.5" deep gallery wrapped canvas. It is available in my ebay store.


Also in my store are a number of items with the Best Offer feature. I'm doing an end of year studio liquidation, so if there is a piece you're interested in, make me a reasonable offer. I have some charitable foundations who are asking for artwork donations, and several pieces will be donated and no longer for sale by the end of the year.


Email me with any questions!

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

"I Still Hear the Music" Abstract Carousel Horse


"I Still Hear the Music" c2006



My dad wrote me a poem in college called "Painted Horses". To date, it is my favorite poem of all time. He sent this to me while I was away at college and we weren't as close as we once were.


When I was a little girl, my daddy and I had a special bond, then through the course of a host of family issues, coupled with my adolescence, we grew apart.


I moved back to Austin during my junior year of college, and my daddy and I found a way to connect again. We went to movies every Sunday and out to either a late breakfast or early lunch. It was our thing, and we did that for several years until I moved out to Oregon for a job.


My dad and I are close to this day. We don't talk every day, but we send eachother emails, and I know he thinks of me as often as I do him. I still remember painted horses, and the carousel he sent me through words... I love you, Dad.

Monday, December 18, 2006

"Winter Lion" an up close study of a male lion


"Winter Lion" c 2006

This painting is not available


FINALLY.... I have ten minutes to myself so I can put something in my blog! It has been a crazy crazy week, with two sick kids, a husband working long hours, TONS of orders to get shipped out... I'm beat.


However, I am absolutely not complaining! I would rather be running around like this, scrambling to get the artwork that folks have purchased ready to ship than anxiously hovering near my computer hoping to get some buyers. This is GREAT.


It would be a little easier if my dear husband hadn't been sent out of town by his company this week. Makes things a little harder. But we're coping. I've got lots of projects set for the girls, and a sitter coming for a few hours in the afternoon towards the end of the week.


If all goes well, and the baby feels OK, the girls are going to grandma and grandpa's house for a few hours tomorrow so I can actually go paint in my studio... other than the gifts and last minute commission pieces people ordered as gifts, I haven't had a chance to just PAINT. And my fingers are itching. I have this disheveled angel in my head that really wants to make an appearance on canvas.... you might see her soon.


In the mean time, here is the lion I painted as a gift to my mother. I fell in love with him and really considered keeping him for myself, but it is Christmas after all... the season of giving and all that!

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

"Feel the Beat" an abstract heart painting


"Feel the Beat" c2006



I'm deep in the spirit of the holidays, and am feeling whimsical.


So.... more hearts. This one is 28x14 with gallery wrapped edges and available on auction now.

Monday, December 11, 2006

"Tempest" an abstract nude


"Tempest" c2006



This piece is full of color, life and movement. And again, the subject in this piece is painted entirely with a spoon. I'm really finding a rhythm with the spoon as a painting tool, and am enjoying the progression of my work as I use it more.


The woman coming out of the ocean in this painting creates a wonderful shape and color contrast...


Available at auction in my eBay store.

Saturday, December 9, 2006

"Pitter Patter" Black and White Heart Diptych


"Pitter Patter" c2006



There is a fine line between upscale art and "cute" paintings when the subject of choice is a heart. That has been my challenge the past few times I've worked with hearts as my focus. Several pieces have been started over, tossed out, painted over (kicked, stomped on) .... but this one is definitely a keeper, and one I'm proud to post for sale.


The bright hearts are painted with many layers of bright red, garnet and antique gold glazes over a stark black/white background.


The backgrounds arent' flat paint, however. They are painted with pearlescent paint, so they have a sheen depending on the angles you view them from. The pieces are accented with a bit of turquoise, and lots of coppery metallic glaze for accents, both in the rich warm copper color and a cooler patina hue. The entire piece will be glazed with a high gloss varnish for protection.


The result is a striking piece measuring 32" wide by 20" high on 1 1/2" gallery wrapped canvas.

Friday, December 8, 2006

"Dragonfly Swirl" a FRAMED abstract dragonfly


"Dragonfly Swirl" c2006



Lately, I've been painting with a spoon.. I can't stop! The effects I'm getting (I'm hopeless with a pallette knife), are great, very textural, etc.


It is providing me with an outlet other than the brush, which has really stimulated me to create more work. All I want to do is paint, which is hard to do considering I have two small children at home.... but it's all good.


This particular piece is 12x12, gallery wrapped edges, and as a bonus comes FRAMED in a black frame with deep 1 1/2" sides. Would make a great gift for you or someone special on your list.

Thursday, December 7, 2006

"Morning Run" large galloping horse on red and gold


"Morning Run" c2006



I hear the music inside a horse. Seriously, there is not much in this world sweeter to me than the sound of a horse nickering in the pasture, or their soft velvety nose. I saw this horse running across a field early one morning, and the painting was born.


I painted it from memory, the beautiful mare, tail high, running just for the sheer joy of it.


The painting is 24"x24", on deep (1 1/2 inch) gallery wrapped sides that are painted. Wired in the back for ease of hanging. It is available at auction now. Would make a great gift for a horse lover in your life, or... I'll let one of my collectors to the speaking for me.


"this one is fabulous, the movement is awesome....just awesome! The colors were meant for [me]....Each time you paint one it just seems there was a hole in my house waiting for it!" Kathy, TN

Wednesday, December 6, 2006

"Birth of Venus" a large scale abstract


"Birth of Venus" c2006



As I come into my own as an artist, finding my style, appreciating the ideas in my head, I feel comfortable exploring new techniques and tools to really bring out my cretaive thoughts...


This painting is a result of that. Not only is this piece not actually a square, it's full of texture and painting strokes created with unexpected elements.


I have actually been painting with a spoon for part of my new stuff! It is so much fun, and the freedom of not being able to control every stoke to the exact milimeter for placement is resulting in movement and life I didn't have before in some pieces!


I am really enjoying this piece, and know it will find just the right home. It's 42" wide by 28" tall at it's widest points, and is comprised of 5 panels... one 14x28 and four 11x14.


Please email me with any questions or comments. I love to hear from others!

Tuesday, December 5, 2006

New Abstract Heart Triptych


"Love me, Love me not" c2006



In my never ending quest to find interesting subjects to paint, I was exploring symbolism both in popular culture and religion. This series of hearts stems from my search. I'm working on a series of symbols and icons, a series that can hang alone or all work together, with icons from historical societies, ancient civilization, religious symbols and modern mysticism.


The hearts are on the whimsical side, painted in earthy, rustic tones, glazed lightly with an antique gold and pewter glazes, and the black of the highly textured hearts are highlighted with a light turquoise accent.


The three pieces can be hung alone, or mix and matched into different combinations. Each panel is 16x20, for a total size of 48" wide. Gallery wrapped edges painted black, and wired for easy hanging.

Monday, December 4, 2006

"Aries Ascending" a large scale abstract tryptich


"Aries Ascending" c2006



The sun signs are in my head lately, and I'm working on a new series of paintings dedicated to the astrological signs and their meanings.


The work is big, with lots of color, movement and texture. Layers of glazes, paint and metallic bits work together for an interesting effect.


This piece is up for auction now in my eBay store. It's 42 inches wide and 28 inches tall on gallery wrapped canvasses.

Sunday, December 3, 2006

"Indian Summer"


"Indian Summer" c2006



I've got a thing going for trees right now. Possibly because all except the evergreens are now bare, and the stark silhouette of a tree against a winter sky makes such a striking picture...


I love the contrast of a beautiful sky at dusk paired with a sharp line of a barren tree.


Such was the inspiration for this painting. It's 8x10 on canvas panel. Ready to frame, and up for auction now. Use the link above to visit my listing and bid.

Saturday, December 2, 2006

"Across the Savannah"




"Across the Savannah" c2006






Here's a new spin on my animal/safari paintings. It's a large scale abstract landscape with a small herd of giraffes running across.




Very modern, with touches of black and silver.




48" wide, on two 24x18 canvasses.

Friday, December 1, 2006

"Virgo Rising" a new large scale abstract


"Virgo Rising" c2006



After two days of being cooped up with my little girls and a stomach flu, I was desperate to escape to my studio yesterday. Thank goodness my mother in law was babysitting, because I was hit with the inspiration bug and painted all day!


One of the results from my painting frenzy was this large scale abstract on three canvasses, called "Virgo Rising". It's 66" (5 1/2 feet) long and 24" tall. I had a wonderful time working with color and texture, and letting the painting tell me what to do next....


It's up for auction now, so use the link above to visit the listing and see more pics.