Persimmons for Diane

I hope that Thanksgiving was wonderful for everyone. I am very thankful for a special Thanksgiving, and birthday weekend, all at once! After all of this celebrating, I am also very thankful to return to painting. These persimmons were painted early this morning. Awhile ago, Diane White, another talented artist, and blogger friend, from Carol Marine's 2008 class, suggested that I paint some persimmons. Diane, I took your suggestion to heart. These are for you!

Three of a Kind

I finally had some time to get back to painting, during this past very rainy weekend. After not painting for awhile, I felt a little out of practice. This just means that I need to paint more. Looking forward to being able to have time to really focus in the new year!

Happy to be Painting

So glad to have some time to paint, finally. Here is a quick one of some pomegranate slices. I can see some things that I would like to change. I'll be posting a revised version soon. In the meantime, here we are!

Update, The Lovely Claudia

Here is a current photo of the Lovely Claudia. She is very camera shy, but as beautiful and sweet as ever. She has been growing, playing , and just doesn't stop with her cuteness!

Up and Ready

Yesterday, we did the final hanging, and touch ups of our exhibit, "Southwest Inspiration". Painting accent walls in the gallery, terra cotta, really helped make the artwork stand out. We are so happy to have the exhibit finally up and ready! Please come by and take a look, or better yet, come by for our reception on the 22nd, 6:30 to 8:30.

Getting Ready

Yesterday we spent the day at the gallery getting ready for our exhibit. Brian, my ever supportive husband, painted the accent walls a dark terra cotta color. We did some hanging of new work, after reorganizing the gallery. Today we will do the final hanging on the newly painted walls. Here is the preliminary arrangement of my work laid out on the patio, outside the gallery. By this afternoon these paintings will be up and ready!

The Last One

This is the last painting of this series. I ended up with twelve of these HWY 25, drive by paintings. They really look much better as a group. I will take a photo after framing, to show the final result. The framing, will be finished tomorrow, the hanging on Sunday! So happy to be done, almost!

HWY 25, Again

Still doing some last minute work for the Southwest exhibit. I would like to replace a few of the paintings, that didn't turn out as well as I had hoped. We are winding down, and looking forward to moving on to something new! Can hardly wait!

Southwest Inspired

Here is the announcement for our upcoming exhibit at the Lafayette Gallery, starting Oct. 12th. Please come by for the reception on Oct 22nd, 6:30 to 8:30. Hope to see you there!

The View from HWY 25

Still, one more view from HWY 25. Also, taken from the passenger window on the way from Santa Fe to Albuquerque. After a very busy few weeks, I'm still trying to squeeze out a few more paintings from the highway. This is all in preparation for the upcoming Southwest exhibit at the Lafayette Gallery, opening Oct. 12. Hope to see you at the opening reception, Oct 22, 6:30 to 8:30.

Just Arrived, the Lovely Claudia

The lovely Claudia, is 7 lbs, 1 year old, direct from animal rescue, and home with us! She is pure delight, very sweet, and endlessly entertaining! More of Claudia to come!

Driving By

One more from HWY 25, between Albuquerque, and Santa Fe. Still having fun, and still more to go!

Another Snapshot from the Road

One more painting, from a photo taken from the the car, somewhere between Santa Fe, and Albuquerque. Still having fun with these snapshots. Still more to come.

More From the Road

Once again, somewhere between Albuquerque, and Santa Fe. I love this this drive. It takes a little more than an hour to go from the the airport in Albuquerque, to Santa Fe. It is wonderful to see the wide open space, and the huge sky. It is peaceful, and calming, compared to the high energy, hustle and bustle of the San Francisco bay area. An immediate feeling of serenity takes over, somewhere along the highway. I think it has to do with going from the most populated state, California, to the least populated, New Mexico. It's all good, both the hustle and bustle, and the peacefulness. What makes it all the more wonderful is the contrast, the best of both worlds!

On the Road Again

Another drive by painting, taken from a photo somewhere between Albuquerque, and Santa Fe. I'm still working with these same photos, while trying to prepare for the next exhibit at the Lafayette Gallery. This exhibit will open on Oct. 12, and have a Southwest theme. There will be more to come, all with the southwest as the subject matter, stay tuned! To all, have a very happy weekend!

"Snap", at the Lafayette Gallery

Our newest exhibit at the Lafayette Gallery, opening this Tues., is titled "Snap". The idea behind the exhibit is to show how snapshots influence artwork. This can be interpreted many ways, for example, snapshots can be used as a reference for a painting, incorporated into a collage, or partially used for color, or texture ideas, and on , and on. Here is my framed work, ready for hanging, along with two snapshots used for inspiration. Please come by to see our new exhibit!

Back to Where I Left Off

I decided to go back to my last landscape and make some changes. Here is the revised version, which looks a lot like the first version. It's interesting, whenever a painting is finished, I can see things that I wish that I had done differently. The good thing about small paintings, is that it is so easy to just make another one, and that is exactly what I did. Ah, if only the rest of life were so easy!

Six Quarters

After having no time to paint during the past 2 weeks, finally I squeezed in one quick painting of a favorite subject. Here we are back to the comfort zone, with the oranges slices. It feels great to finally have some time to do what I love!

Somewhere, to or from, Lake Tahoe

One more, done last week, from a drive by photo, on the road trip to Lake Tahoe. Still having fun with the landscapes. There will be more to come. It seems, that I have an endless supply of these photos.

One More Drive By

Here is one more of the same area as yesterday's post, actually somewhere between Lake Tahoe and Quincy. This was painted from a photo taken from the passenger seat, while on the highway. Still having fun experimenting with landscapes. At the same time, thinking that I should review, Carlson's Guide to Landscape Painting.

Out of the Comfort Zone

This was done from a photo taken from the passenger side of the car, while driving somewhere between here, and Lake Tahoe. I enjoyed painting something "out of the comfort zone", and am excited to try some more of these drive by landscapes. Goodness knows, I have a whole stack of photos, taken from the car, just waiting!

Back From Lake Tahoe, and Back to the Familiar

After spending some time in Lake Tahoe, we are home. Getting back to painting, after being away, is challenging , and wonderful, all at once. For that reason, I decided to paint the familiar, citrus slices. So here we are, with some old friends, the orange slices. Meanwhile, I took a million pictures of beautiful places, and feel so inspired to attempt some landscapes. So stay tuned!

Four and a Quarter

Only when he no longer knows what he is doing, does the painter do good things, Edgar Degas. I love the quote from Degas, and hope that you do too.

Hercules, Our Special Kitty

Hercules
July 1996-June 12, 2010

We were so lucky that Hercules decided to live with us. After he suddenly appeared in our backyard, he never left. From then on, he was ours for keeps. Hercules brought love, joy, and laughter to our lives. He gave us peace, and comfort. His purity, and innocence, were constant reminders of the simple beauty of life. We were always impressed, and inspired, by his tremendous courage, and huge spirit. We miss Hercules more than words can say. He will live in our hearts forever.