Meaty Tomato - SOLD

This rather large juicy, meaty tomato is from one of Claudia's photos, but also from her Tomato Tarte Tatin recipe.  I love tomatoes as well and decided right then and there to paint this mass of flavor wishing the whole time, I could have tasted that yummy tarte.  I love to pick a fresh tomato from the vine and smell the stem.  It's so earthy!

Original photo by Claudia Ward from Open Window blog.

aPEARantly So - SOLD

Five (5) pears - all in a row, all shapes, and sizes. Short one, tall ones, geometric ones, BUT only one has a stem. A rich, simple and textured abstraction of pears.

Open Studio 2011

The most glorious weather we've ever had and on both Saturday and Sunday.  Monday was windy, which is always a bugger when you have to deal with it during outdoor events.  It all went without a hitch this year.

Here are just a few photos from the Open Studio this last weekend. 

This shot is of Kim (Melissa's sister), me, and Melissa (my awesome assistant).

My wonderful art patrons...

Two shots of the studio.  I have a huge 2-tiered steel wheel rack for larger paintings that is usually residing in the area where the little table/chair in the corner is.  I have to move that every year or no one would be able to navigate in there.

Last photo is a shot of the loggia...  (our fireplace is on the other side of display panels)

Everyone always asks me, what's a loggia?

loggia |ˈlōj(ē)ə; ˈlô-| noun

• a gallery or room with one or more open sides, esp. one that forms part of a house (with fireplace) and has one side open to the garden.

• an open-sided extension to a house.  ORIGIN mid 18th cent.: from Italian, ‘lodge.’

Thanks for visiting!

'Gallery Opening Queue' - SOLD

A line/queue formed for a Gallery Opening, persuades an attendee to consider shutting off her cell phone.  Good idea and very considerate.

Fisher Girls - SOLD

This is the only painting I have available at this time (so busy with Open Studio) that I think is appropriate for this EVERY MOTHER COUNTS fundraiser.

Although this painting is NOT FRAMED, I included a photo of what it might look like if it were.  Thanks to Jenny Pimmages for allowing me the pleasure to render these gorgeous girls in this dear sweet painting.  I myself, have two girls and understand how they are the loves of our life.  We're both pretty grateful to say the least.  During the process of a commission, Jenny sent a few photos.  I loved this one so much that I asked her if I could please have permission to paint it.  She obviously said yes. Thanks much Jenny!

Window Geraniums - SOLD

Most of the windows in Europe sport gorgeous Red Geraniums in window boxes on 'each' window.  I LOVE that, no matter the age of the building, the flowers bring the character of the architecture to life.  This is a very loose rendering and full of expressive juicy brushstrokes.  As a side note, kudos for me NOT touching the strokes once set down...  I love it when I do that!

I Think I Got One - SOLD

Saw this guy fishing 'on the rocks' while on a walk on the beach in Ventura.  Catching this shot with his posture while casting was a lucky break.  Kept the rocks rather abstracted as I wanted 'most of the focus' to go to him while still making it interesting enough to meander around the rest of the painting.  The cool blue water is a lovely place to rest your eyes whether in a painting or actually looking at the real thing.

The Two Shall Become One - SOLD

It was no accident that they are placed within each other seemingly becoming one.  The hen and rooster in front of an old farmhouse door is a familiar site in France's country side.  How nice to be able to go out to your very own coup and retrieve breakfast. 

Photo compliments of French Word a Day blog.

Hanging by a Thread

I remember sitting on our loggia sometime between the end of October, middle of November (CA weather, gotta love it) during the early afternoon with the fireplace roaring, drinking some really great coffee and by the time I looked up, it was almost evening.  I had gotten THAT lost in time.  No kidding!  I'll never forget it, one of those glorious life moments.

I love sketching, I always will.  Almost always with pen and ink, even while (sort of) watching TV in the evening.  It takes me to my calm place.  My still place.  I like that.

A 'very' simple, clean rendering of a tee on a hangar.  So when I finished playing, I kept thinking about this and thought I'd like to see about 'sketching' it in paint.  This is the end result.  Keeping it simple, but not stupid, lol...  Hope you like it as well.