I recently finished a commission to paint an old snap shot of a cafe in England that was operated by the client's mother and father-in-law, who are both now deceased.   Above is the finished piece.

There was not a lot of clear information on the 2 photos that were available but I guess that is where the artistic license comes in.  It was a challenge but I enjoyed attempting to create a piece that would be evocative.  Pastel can generate an almost etherial feel some times and since this piece was all about an old memory, I gave it a go first in pastel.  

The client was pleased and so am I.  

I am pleased that this little fella was accepted into the North River Arts Focus on Figures show.  

 

A Party of Apples with a Couple of Wall Flowers

Fruit Salad #1

Fruit Salad #2

I haven't done many still life paintings but that is changing.  Still life is a great way to do small studies that don't move and can be done rain or shine!  I did a series of fruit during the pandemic in acrylic, two of which are shown here, and just recently did the top painting in oil.  I am appreciative of the photo reference provided by Unsplash photographer Garreth Paul.  I loved the dramatic lighting.
 

Duxbury Beach Waves in the Setting Sun #2

We were at the beach for one of the last comfortable evenings of the summer.  The sun setting in the west put warm light on waves rolling in from the east.  I took picture after picture of the beauty hoping that it would carry me through the winter.  

 Can't get enough of the Beach in September...

The October wind is blowing and we say good-bye to the last days of summer.  I visited our beach an evening two weeks ago and the waves were crashing in against with the most beautiful translucency as the sun beginning to set.   I clicked away hoping to revisit these images during the winter months for a breath of summer.

Thank you for viewing.

Painting, Painting, Painting!

I have spent many years painting part-time, mainly doing portrait commissions, while also working as a Financial Aid Counselor at a local community college.  While I LOVE portraits and portrait commissions, I yearned for more time at the easel to stretch myself creatively in other directions as well. 

I am thrilled to now be fruitfully painting full-time every day!   This was one of the sliver linings of the past several sheltered years.  I began working from home like many people, which allowed me to paint and study more through the many on-line events and offerings that became available.  Eventually I felt it was time to leave my "day" job to be able to finally pursue painting full-time!  What a gift and such a joy!

I have been immersing myself in the last days of summer by painting seascapes.  I am so happy to share my painting journey going forth!  Thank you for visiting!

Seascape No. 1

Pounce and Prance

I just spent the most delightful 2 days with my great niece, Regan, a sweet budding artist!  We had a sleep over together with another fellow artist- my daughter, Callie.

Regan is 8 years old and loves painting.   After she painted a picture for me for Christmas, we decided that we needed some time to paint together.  When she visits, she often digs through the collection of old Beanie Babies from my kid's childhood.  She picked out two favorites to take home this time so we decided they would be the subject for our first painting:  "Pounce and Prance".  I worked in pastel and Regan worked with acrylic paint.  Callie also worked with acrylics but didn't have time to finish hers.  We had a ball!

The joy Regan (and Callie) displays while painting brought me such joy as well.   Thank you, Regan!