My walls are bare.

 

Flour Power

Flour Power (middle) is up for one more week at the Beverley Street Studio Show Teachers and Students Show at the Shenandoah Valley Art Center. 

 
 

“Still being Still”
A solo show at HotCakes runs through Nov. 28th.
Artist Reception, November 8th, 3–5 pm
 

Starting Fresh

I am honored to have Starting Fresh (right) hanging in a group show at carpediem, An Extraordinary Art and Artisan Exhibit featuring more than 40 artists and artisans.  
November 1–December 24
Artist Reception, November 1st, 3–5 pm 
Nina Ozbey, Erica Lohan, Tim O'Kane, Mary Murray, Blaise Gaston and Ralph Dammann will demo/play the mandocello. Artists receptions will be held every Sunday for other artists.

My walls are bare.

Moving on to something new.

“Still being Still,” is what I named the show that is currently hanging at HotCakes. So named because I seem to be drawn almost exclusively to still life painting as a subject. Something about the mass, composition and color excites me.

The finished piece, Cut Up.

Cut Up, oil on canvas, 30 x 20 inches

Slogging Through

Light Weight, in progress

I have had this still life set up in the studio for longer than I care to admit. Fortunately, there isn’t anything that can spoil or rot, which are often subjects of my work. There is fire under my ass to finish this and move on. Get ’er done! Getting close.

Accepted!

Fresh Start, 2014, oil on canvas, 18 x 24 inches

Fresh Start, signed, sealed and shipped! I am excited to have a painting accepted in the Virginia Artists 2015 Juried Exhibition at The Charles H. Taylor Arts Center in Hampton.

August 22 – October 11, 2015

Weigh In, 2015, oil on canvas, 24 x 30 inches

 

 

 

There is nothing like having a full week to concentrate on painting—no work, no cooking, shopping, cleaning, no distractions. I love my time at Nimrod Hall art camp. The place is charming, bucolic, quirky and my fellow artists are talented, supportive and fun. Days are spent painting alone or in small groups; some prefer plein aire and some of us like working in studios. We gather for meals in a cerulean blue dining hall, for swimming in an ice cold spring-fed pond, for tubing on the Cowpasture River, for wine and conversation on porches. We are hopeful and happy, dirty and tired, inspired and by week’s end, reassured that we are indeed artists. 

All about the art

Cut You, in progress

I started setting up this still life weeks ago and it has gone through dozens of renditions. I am excited to have finally gotten past the drawing phase and into painting. Large brushes are so much fun.

A little color on a gray day

Simply Radishing, 2015, oil on panel, 6 x 6 inches

If you have ever visited my website, you might have read my artist statement and know that color sends me—it just makes my heart skip. So on a gray cloudy morning, there is nothing better than a little infusion.

Better with Butter

Better With Butter, 2015, oil on panel, 8 x 8 inches

I am enjoying painting artichokes these days—they are prehistoric looking. Who first thought to eat these things?

Wants and Needs

 

When budgeting, the question of wants and needs is often swirling about. I always want a better studio, more room, a taller ceiling. But because real needs eat into the budget, I am learning to be happy with the studio I have (second bedroom). After a day of sprucing up, what more do I want or need.

From long ago

Sausolito Coffee, oil on canvas, 32 x 40 inches, 1987

Flower Stand, oil on canvas, 20 x 30 inches, 1986

I recently participated in a facebook challenge, “Three for Five.” Artists are posting three pieces of art each day for five days. It was interesting to look back on some old work. Here are a couple that I did back when there were four very active country boys under foot.

Bulbous

Bulbous, oil on panel, 9 x 12 inches

I did not intentionally choose items that are essentially the same shape—bulbous. But I love how they hang together. My friend Randy noted the change in my palette. I had not really noticed til she mentioned it, hmmm.

Pace of Painting

Bulbous (in progress)

It is always a challenge to find time to paint. But as a freelance graphic designer, I am able to eek out some time, if I can stay motivated. I didn’t really make a resolution for the New Year, more of an intention to put painting on top of my list of priorities. I intend to begin every morning in my studio. It makes me happy.

Finding some light on a dreary day

Scattered, oil on panel, 8 x 8 inches

Started this painting when the sun was shining through the studio window—finishing off the grapefruit was such a nice boost to this dark morning. I think a little lemon study might be in order next.

Flour Power

Flour Power, oil on canvas, 18 x 24 inches

After a long break for the holidays, I was able to get back in the studio to finish this painting. If you recall, my dog Spot ate the eggs from the still life. Darn, if that bad boy didn’t hit them again, even though I had posted this little sign on my studio door.