Now Where Were We

Last week I began to experience technical difficulties with blogger. I tried to post many times, with no success. We'll hope for better results this time. These oranges were done for Tim Horn's class. This is the same exercise that is described in Carol Marine's, Daily Paintworks Challenges. The idea is to paint one object 8 times, allowing 10 min per image. For more info, please see the DPW website.

Just Call Me, One More Time

I've had this prehistoric telephone on my mind for days, just had no time to get back to it. I painted it a while ago, and meant to do a larger version. In the meantime, it's been floating in and out of my brain. I finally had some time today, and here we are! The telephone one more time!

Light and Dark Value Plans

This is the homework assignment for Tim Horn's plein air class. We were told to paint a cantaloupe slice showing the lights and darks, using a value plan prior to painting. This process is described in Kevin MacPherson's, "Landscape Painting Inside and Out", pages 58 through 61. Here is both the value plan, and the painting. In regard to what I painted on the first day of outdoor painting, let's just say, we're all learning.

The Algonquin's Celebrity Cat, Matilda

I just had to post a picture of Matilda, the Algonquin Hotel's celebrity cat. The Algonquin Hotel has had a resident Matilda, since way back in, 1930 . The current Matilda has been on duty for only about 4 months. Her predecessor, served for 16 years, and is now enjoying early retirement at the home of one of the Algonquin employees. I just love this tradition!

Baltimore, New York City, and the Famous Artist, Kelley MacDonald

We just arrived home from a week in Baltimore and New York City. While in Baltimore, I visited the American Visionary Art Museum. This museum is a one of a kind wonder! The top photo shows the out side of the museum , covered in a mosaic of mirrors. Parked in the front entry, is an old bus covered with an assemblage all sorts of old found objects. The total effect of the architecture, and the bus, alone, make a dramatic impression, well worth a visit. Inside the current exhibit is titled, "What Makes us Smile", also very entertaining. All of the work in the museum is done by outsider artists, from all over the world.

A few days before leaving for our trip, I emailed Kelley MacDonald, saying that we would be in NYC soon. It just so happened that she and, her husband , Tim, would be in leaving NYC, as were arriving. We had the good fortune to meet for a glass of wine at Penn. Station. Kelley, is a very talented artist and blogger, that I met in Carol Marine's class in 2008. She and Tim, are wonderful people, and made our trip to NYC all the more special. Please take a look at Kelley gorgeous work on her blog.

We loved NYC! Being California natives, we have not had too many chances to visit this exciting city. We can hardly wait to go back. We stayed at the historic Algonquin Hotel, ate at wonderful restaurants, saw the Edward Hopper exhibit at the Whitney Museum. Of course, no pictures allowed. Since it was pouring rain, I did not even get a photo of the outside of the museum. Oh well, we loved the Edward Hopper exhibit. So amazing to see work in real life, that you have only seen in photographs. With hundreds of galleries and museums, we only wish that we could have stayed longer. Ah, so much art, so little time!

Let me Give you a Ring

I've been working on finishing a larger painting, that is taking a lot longer than I expected. I decided to take a short break to paint this little phone portrait! It is so much fun to start and finish something, all at once! I love the feeling of accomplishment!

More from Tim Horn's Work Shop

These two paintings were done in Tim's workshop. The bottom painting shows an exercise that was done from a photo showing dark and light value patterns. The top painting was done from my own photo, again, emphasizing dark and light value patterns. The ideas covered in the class are explained in the Kevin MacPherson's book, " Fill Your Paintings with Light and Color". Covering these concepts in Tim's discussions, along with his great demos, and individual help, really made a huge difference!

Almost Done

Here is one of the "almost finished", paintings from Tim Horn's work shop. I worked with it a little more, today, and plan to touch up a few more areas, tomorrow, specifically, the sheep. So many things to learn, so little time.

Tim Horn

This past weekend, I was lucky to be part of a painting workshop, taught by Tim Horn. The two day workshop focused on creating light and dark value patterns in your paintings. This is Tim Horn's strength. As you can see from his demo photos, he is very talented. I learned a lot in this short two day class. Two paintings were almost completed. They need a little more work, and will be posted soon!

Something New and Different

Here's to something new, and different, in the year to come! Hope that your 2011, is filled with lots of exciting surprises! Early, best wishes for a very wonderful 2011! May all of your dreams come true!

Leaves and Stems

Just had to paint one more tangerine, with the leaves, and stems. These seem so festive, just perfect for the holiday spirit!

We're Very Close

It seems like these little tangerines, with stems, and leaves are everywhere. They are so pretty. I love the colors, and shapes, and just had to paint them. There are a million other things that I should be doing, but couldn't resist. Here's to everyone, including me, getting everything done! Happy holidays to all!

Orange and Green

A final effort with the persimmons from last week, and some leftover limes. I just love the orange and green colors together, one of my favorite color combinations! Hope that your holiday plans are merry and bright, just like the persimmons and limes!

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!