"Cold Shoulders"

I did this painting last April as one of my two entries for the annual Birds in Art exhibition at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum (www.lywam.org)   My other entry was accepted.  In the meantime, this piece gathered dust in the corner of the studio as I wasn't entirely happy with it....but didn't know why.

A month or two ago I took a critical look at it and decided the composition wasn't as good as it could be - so I cropped five inches off the left side.  Eureka!    But then I couldn't find a frame that worked  - nothing looked right.  Finally, I mounted it on an Ampersand cradleboard - frameless - on 2" deep birch...looking much like 'gallery wrap'.    It works for this piece, giving it a very contemporary feel.

 

"Cold Shoulders"   24" x 12"  oil on board   

I saw these cherub statues - all playing different musical instruments - at a garden center in Tucson.  

New Work for Southeastern Wildlife Expo in Charleston

I've been putting in long hours painting for the Southeastern Wildlife Expo (SEWE) in the beautiful city of Charleston, South Carolina.  These are some of the small pieces I'll be taking with me.  The show is February 12-14.  You can find me upstairs in the ballroom at Charleston Place. 

As you can see, I like to work in pairs.  And...I must confess.  Sometimes I repeat a title. 

 

Last Light                                      End of Day

8" x 8" oils unframed on 2" deep 'gallery-wrap' board

 
 

Twilight                                  Sundown

 8" x 8" oils unframed on  2" deep "gallery-wrap" board

   

King of the Coop                                Queen of the Coop

8" x 8" unframed on 2" deep "gallery-wrap"  board

 

Over the Yardarm  4.5" x 7" oil on Ampersand board

 

Quiet Skies  4.5" x 7" oil on Ampersand board

                                                                           

Next show - Charleston

The next show on my schedule is the Southeastern Wildlife Expo in Charleston, South Carolina, February 12-14th.  I'll be showing my work at the 'Originals' venue in the ballroom at Charleston Place.

This is the postcard I'm sending to my SEWE clients....which shows detail of a painting that will be at the expo.

New Paintings for Pierson Gallery in Tulsa

These are a few of the new pieces heading for the Pierson Gallery in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  The first piece is an 8" x 8", the other three are 7" x 7", all oils on board. 

The best Christmas present!

My daughter-in-law and son, Shane, who earns his living as an illustrator,  surprised me with illustrated storyline portraits of my three grandchildren, inspired by one of the their favorite books, "A Series of Unfortunate Events".    The two eldest grandkids are on their way to rescue grandbaby #3.  What a wonderful gift!  Sure beats the ordinary grandkid portraits!

To see more of Shane's work go to www.blot.com

Wishing you the best of the season....

Painting a day

This week, my sister is taking a five-day workshop from artist  Carol Marine.  Carol is a master of composition, color and edges and is still very young.   Carol does a 6" x 6" painting a day, in addition to her gallery work.    I'm not sure how long she has been doing 'a painting a day' but her blog goes back to October, 2006.   Even then she was really good at what she does.  Check out her work!