Monday, April 28, 2014

The Last of Autumn

I like this piece because it has the feel of a blustery autumn day. This painting is available at Walt Horton Fine Art Gallery, Beaver Creek, Colorado.


The Last of Autumn
11" x 11" oil on panel

SOLD

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

The End of the Road

I've probably done a dozen (or more) paintings of roads in this part of the world; Colleton County low country in South Carolina. It is one of my favorite places but you do have to watch out for fire ants, water moccasins, copperheads and alligators!  Not forgetting sand gnats and mosquitoes the size of B-52's. But it is a gorgeous area with great color and moody atmosphere.


End of the Road
10" x 8" oil on panel
SOLD

Monday, April 21, 2014

Maggie

It must be because of my childhood in New Zealand that I am compelled to paint cows. You would think I would be painting sheep, but cows have such nice lines. When I start a painting, I quickly sketch the subject matter with the edge of a #6 flat oil brush then I make corrections as I paint.


Maggie
8" x 10" oil on gessoed panel

SOLD

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Kitty Commission

This is a little kitty commission that I did for Mountain Trails Gallery in Sedona, Arizona.  It's on a gessoed panel and is framed using a floater frame.


El Lobo
7" x 7" oil on panel

SOLD

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Rosie

I'm trying to make up for lost time with two blog posts today. I've been very lax about posting lately - but the last three months have been pretty hectic. My son, daughter in law and three grandkids made the big move from Arizona to New Zealand in January. They now live just two hours south of me in my old hometown of Warkworth. I helped them get settled then had back to back visitors for 8 weeks! That is what happens when you move to Paradise and the beach is just down the road.

This little oil is titled Rosie. 



Rosie
8" x 10" oil on board



Down the Grade

Down the Grade is a scene on highway 78 between Julian and San Felipe in San Diego County...another of my favorite places for mood and atmosphere, especially in the spring and fall.
I hang in the Santa Ysabel Gallery, between Julian and Ramona on highway 78, where you can see this painting.


Down the Grade
8" x 10" oil on gessoed panel

Friday, April 4, 2014

My Watercolor From the Collection of Orson Welles

I was fortunate to live in Sedona, Arizona for 35 years before returning to New Zealand.  While there, I became friends with Beatrice Welles, daughter of Orson Welles and his wife (Beatrice's mother) Paola.  Since Beatrice's mother passed away, the Welles' belongings have been in storage. Now Beatrice has the sad job of sorting through everything. You may have seen or heard Beatrice being interviewed in the past few days regarding her Dad's estate, including Citizen Kane memorabilia, that is going up for auction. There's a fascinating interview with Beatrice where she discusses life with her famous father and the upcoming auction, that you can read here: http://www.wellesnet.com/?p=9297   and here:  http://www.wellesnet.com/?p=9349

More information here:  http://nypost.com/2014/03/31/orson-welles-citizen-kane-gear-memorabilia-up-for-auction/

Beatrice contacted me a few months ago, after finding my little watercolor in her parent's collection and asked if one of my collector's might be interested in purchasing it. It is a watercolor on board, 5.5" x 7". The painting will include a personal note from Beatrice giving the provenance of the watercolor and that the painting was purchased by Orson Welles for his wife, Paola.


Pine Cone
from the collection of Orson and Paola Welles' estate
Watercolor on board, 1980, by Adele Earnshaw
$425 unframed

SOLD

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Autumn on the Wind

Red fox and yellow aspen leaves - one of my favorite combinations!  This is an 11" x 11" oil on gessoed hardboard.



Autumn on the Wind (retitled "Last of Autumn")
11" x 11" oil on gessoed board

My painting surface is often untempered masonite that I buy at the building supply store. I've found the most accurate way to cut it up is using a Stanley knife and a heavy metal ruler. When painting a piece that will be floated, it is important that the corners of the board are completely square, so I use a carpenter's square to double check this before cutting.  I mark the line to be cut and with my knee on one end of the yard-long metal ruler, and my hand on the other end, I make repeated light cuts until I'm halfway through the board. Then I flip the board over and repeat the process on the other side. It's easy and accurate.  If I'm floating the painting, I sand the edges and slightly round the corners.