Colors and environment

Something a little new for me.  I had the pleasure of spending a good deal of time in Ireland and was inspired by the softness of the colors there.  Without our bright Texas sun, everything takes on new hues.  Because canvases there are in the metric system, I taped off a section of each canvas to bring it into line with our inch/foot system.  In addition, I switched my subject matter to flowers - something that I never thought I'd paint. I painted the first flower, pulled the tape off and was just gobsmacked (that's an Irish term - I am sure that you get the gist) by the effect of the white border on the painting.  I was so inspired that I painted flower after flower.  They flowed so easily out of me that it was like a dance with brush and color.  I am sharing them with you here.  I hope that you enjoy them.

Then, I returned home to Texas and just

Then I returned to Texas and just look what happened:

Explosions of color! You just gotta love playing with color and shape - it's so much fun.

Latest from the easel

This is "Pink".  She was a surprise to me and perhaps to you also.  A bit outside my normal work.

This is "Caring".  Caring is quite large - 24x36. I was very pleased with the facial expressions on this piece.

Bunkhouse show coming up!

    Hope you can join us at the 22nd annual Bunkhouse show and sale.  It is held two weekends, March 29/30 and April 5/6.  We have an artists reception Saturday, March 29 from 2-6PM.

C'mon out!

Horrors!

Horrors because I had not realized how much time I let slip by without posting some of my latest work.  I promise to be more timely in the future.  Here are two of my latest succulents and I am pleased to show my first portraits.  It has been long overdue to venture into new subjects and I am delighted and enthused with my new subject matter.

This is "Keeping Baby Safe". I think the title says it all.  I just thought it was very touching.

This is "Elizabeth".  She was supposed to be one of my traditional succulents, but after laying her in on that stunning red background, nothing would do but that she remain displayed in those vivid colors.

This is "Salome".  She is 14 x 11 and my initial venture into the world of painting portraits and figures. Her photograph, as well as those following, is not professionally done -haven't made it to the photographer yet - so, please forgive the quality of it.

This is "Relaxing During the Game".  He is 10x8 and was more of a challenge that would seem apparent.

This is "Turban".  He is a combination of my new ventures into the world of portraiture as well as an experiment in background styles.  He is 24 x 12 and is gallery wrapped.

Bunkhouse Show and Sale

The Bunkhouse is situated on Wehmohs Ranch on Old Spicewood Road.  It's a lovely country setting.  The drive there is loaded with wildflowers.  That colorful drive will set the scene for all the amazing artwork that is on show.  Additionally, we'll have wine tasting from a local vintner, tacos available and live music.

I hope to see you.

Latest from the studio

 This is Geometric Jungle.  I have been experimenting with backgrounds and thought this one would be fun.  I deliberately let the color of the background stay bright to camouflage the frog.

 I Spy.

A lovely little palette knife painting on board

 Rebecca

Another background experiment

There's Room for Everyone

A 48x20 commission.  Delivered yesterday.  I like the way the succulents fight for space, but make room for everyone

The latest from the studio

Sorry to be so remiss about posting some of my work.  I'll blame it on the holidays, the beginning of the year and that I needed to wash my hair.  (One reason is as good as another, don't you think?).

This is Gem in the Rough.  I just finished her late last week.  The background is from an abstract workshop that I took last year.  I have been mining my old canvases for new inspiration.

This is Jester.  The photo makes him look a little more bright than he deserves.  I have been experimenting with Art Deco work.  The result was the background on this painting.  I am quite pleased with the result.

This is Carnival.  A palette knife painting on a 6x6 board.  My amazing stepson Alex (as well as other folks) encouraged to do more palette knife work and this is one of the results.

This is Riotous Melodie.  She is another example of mining my older works.  I was quite unhappy with where this painting was going originally, but when I pulled it out and threw Melodie on it, the whole thing sang together. 

And, this is Just Clownin' Around, because I love frogs and just can't resist painting them.