Flowers in Her Hair....

Painted the empty space for flowers with a darkish neutral gray, using palette knife added flower petals.  I need to practice loading a palette knife - it's very confusing to me!

Leaving room for flowers...

Touched up a few places.  Oil paint sticks used to add hair...once set up, I'll attempt to add flowers with a palette knife - wish me luck!

Still working at it...

Continuing to work on this piece...long way to go, but I'm happy with what I've accomplished thus far.

Something New...

I'm waiting for some quilting supplies to arrive so I can finish working on a new piece.  In the meantime, I thought I'd paint.

Background done in acrylics

Oil paint over acrylic background (underpainting)

A Woman of Substance

This project was fun but also a challenge - there is plenty I could change I suppose, but I figure it's a painting NOT a photograph.  I'm happy with the result and I love the texture!

Oil Paint Sticks

I thought it would be fun to work with oil paint sticks today.  They are quite forgiving and fun to use.

I've got a long way to go,  but she's taking shape...

And so it begins...

Having fun creating an acrylic background for an oil painting the subject matter of which is still to be decided.  You and I will both have to wait and see what comes of it...the layers make it much richer even though by the end of the piece most of will most likely covered up.

Self-Portait

It's been 7 weeks since I had a hip replacement.  I'm happy to say the surgery went well and the hip is healing as it should.  Unfortunately, some nerve damage is really making life miserable.  I've had some treatment and am hoping to feel better soon.

Yesterday, I decided enough with feeling sorry for myself and get in the studio and create!  Not knowing what to work on, I put a hat on my head, took a selfie and started this mixed media piece.

Started with acrylic paints and heavy gesso

spray with water to create drips

Charcoal sketch

Underpainting with oils

This is as far as I got today - need to take a rest

Your Choice 2019

The opening of Naples Art Association "Your Choice 2019" is tonight.  I love these exhibits - anything goes!

My entry "Bird in Hand"

Who Do You See?

My husband and I were driving home from dinner last night and spied this fantastic cloud formation.  I simply had to stop the car in the middle of the road (luckily no one was behind me) and took a photo.  I can't decide if the formation looks more like Elvis or The Donald.  Who do you see?

Art for Social Justice

I'm thrilled to be part of this invitational exhibit on Social Justice - as you can see, I'm keeping good company!

Let's Agree to Disagree...

Mixed Media painting...working on a "not quite a profile" face is a challenge...getting those eyes right...it's a challenge for sure!

Bird in Hand

She's finished - love her!  Isn't the bird's acorn cap the sweetest ever :-)

Acrylic paints - several layers - dried thoroughly before addition of more paint.  One more layer should do it.  By then I should have a clearer idea of what the foreground will be.

Art Takes Shape #2

Family in town; art show to take down - lots going on.  Finally back in the studio to play with this new sculpture of mine.  I found a sweet little acorn cap on the ground while walking the other day - my little yellow bird loves it's new topper!  She may need some tweaking paint-wise - then the final antiquing wash tomorrow.

Art Takes Shape...

The beginnings of a new art doll...working intuitively is fun, but also a real challenge.

It's Happening!

Art Talk on May 8, 2019 @ 10AM-11AM - it's free!

Accentuate the Positive...

Having fun with mixed media: acrylics, oil paint sticks, oil paints, charcoal. 

Accentuating the Positive - she POSITIVELY has a big nose!

I Found My Voice...

I've been so busy getting ready for my solo exhibit at the Naples Art Association, I have not had much time to blog.  If you're in the area, please stop by and say hello on May 3.

Red Heads...

I loved red - one of my favorites colors!  Mixed media piece (acrylics, oil paint, oil sticks) 18x24.

 Two Redheads 

inspiration

Multiples...

Most often I draw/paint a single figure.  This time I wanted to try painting multiple figures.

Once again, I gessoed over an existing painting.  After a relatively quick line drawing and some added details, I chose to do the underpainting in unusual colors (acrylics)

Addition of some stenciling on background

Finished the piece with acrylics - hair done with oil sticks - I'm very happy with these two.  Maybe next time I'll go for three!!

Brrrr..it's cold INSIDE!

I'm having so much fun playing with cold wax medium (Gamblin) mixed into oil paints.  My substrate is Arches cold pressed oil paper.  (To keep myself from thinking too much, I started watching the Sopranos while working!)

taped oil paper to work table

mark making with R&F oil stick

layering with oil paint cold wax combo

more layers

removing tape is magical!

I pinned these works onto my design wall to dry

Decisions to be made - add any additional layers once these have dried - something to mull over

Decisions Made!

I gave a lot thought to what to do about the hair in this new work.   Actually, I love the shape of her head, the intensity of her eyes - all of it...

I decided to darken the background, adjust size of head on right side to accommodate ear, clean up ears...the pinkie finger need adjustments too.  Now that that's done - I made the decision - NO HAIR!  I love her just the way she is.

Pondering...

What to do - what to do - pondering her hair.  Mixed mediums over an existing painting.  I love the immediate gratification of the "old" layers of paint showing through - the texture is great! 

Something New from Something Old...

Even though I have tons of unpainted canvases lying about - lately I find myself painting over older works - texture for free!

Background painted with combination of white and turquoise acrylic paint to cover up existing artwork.

quick charcoal sketch and some acrylic paint

Having fun creating texture with oil paint sticks - using my fingers as "brushes".  It's messy, but someone has got to do it!

The Joke's on Me!

Have you ever taken a selfie with your phone and wondered who in the heck is that?!  My selfies are always terrible - I need longer arms.  The face gets distorted - well, you know how it goes.

I decided to go big and bold and paint my selfie - the joke IS on me!

20x20 mixed media

What I did: