Lexi in Studio

Lexi at Play

Whenever I'm in my studio, both of my miniature long haired dachshunds are with me.  They  usually chase each other around or sleep in the bed I have for them there.  Lexi, the younger, frequently plays with toys while she is on her back.

In February, the Phillips Gallery in Las Cruces, is having a show called "For the Love of Dogs" during the city art month.  Several of us from the Guild have asked to submit paintings.  I have enjoyed painting these and will share several with you in the following posts.

Lexi in Studio

Oil on Canvas board

9" x 12"

$250

Delft Vase with Apples

Once again I found myself roaming the house looking for something to put into a painting.  You may have noticed I like blue and white china.  This particular vase, or pitcher, was purchased during my first visit to Delft in the 1980s.   Then Delft was less touristy, buses to be sure, but far less than when I returned to visit a few years ago.  The prices have skyrocketed too, but I always buy a few small pieces to add to the collection.

Delft Vase with Apples

12" x 12"

Oil on Canvas Board

$375

Lemons in Blue Bowl

The problem with hanging your own art in your home is you find faults with the paintings constantly.  I can't count the number of times I've repainted paintings from years ago.  Sometimes I can't save them and they end up in the trash.  This one was in a pile of "redos" I thought I might attempt.  Hope I continue to find ways to improve what I've painted before.  

Lemons in Blue Bowl

14" x 18"

Oil on Canvas

$450

Blue Vase with Yellow Flowers

I was roaming through the house a few weeks ago looking for something to paint.  I found a blue vase with yellow artificial flowers my daughter-in-law, Lelia, had given me years ago for my office.  I have always loved it.  

I never know where my composition will go, but I love the journey.  When I was in Las Cruces with the guild, Julie suggested I try using a stencil for the background.  What fun! I've used in another painting and love the energy it gives to the painting.

Blue Vase with Yellow Flowers

Oil on canvas board

16" x 20"

$620

Backyard View ofJuarez

I love the view from my kitchen window!  From it, I can see Texas, New Mexico and Mexico. The dominant vista is the mountains in Juarez.  When they catch the morning or sunset light, they glow.  There is a moment in the evening where everything turns a "watermelon" red; so brief yet magnificent.  I just can't believe how lucky I am.

"Backyard View of Juarez

16" x 12"

Oil on Canvas Board

$390

Celebration of Our Mountains

For the last 15 years, El Paso has celebrated the mountains that surround it and divide the city in half.  From August through December, hikes, lectures and other events are offered to the public to better acquaint everyone with the environs in which we live.  One of the events is a Juried Art show at Ardovino's Desert Crossing where regional artist are invited to submit their art to a jury for display at Ardovinos September 24 through December.  

As an artist, I am not drawn to landscapes.  But last year in the Artist build of Southern New Mexico, I began experimenting with the palette knife to create mountains.  I actually did 3 paintings of "Neon Desert".  The first one was in a mentoring class, the second in an art workshop and finally the one I entered was done in my studio.

"Neon Desert"

12" x 16"

Oil on Canvas Board

The second one selected was one that sat unfinished on an easel in my studio for months.  I decided to try my knife work on it as well.  We had been to Big Bend earlier in the year and I found the desert beautiful there.  This was from a photo looking into the gorge where the Rio Grande cuts through the mountains.

"Big Bend"

12" x 9"

Oil on Canvas Board

If you are around the area, the opening of the show if Thursday, September 24, 6PM to PM. The show runs through December.  Hope you can find a way to celebrate our mountains!

Seeds of the fruit

I can't believe how fast this summer is flying by!  Life has been interesting and very busy.  Painting happens most days, but it seems I'm not liking what I'm producing.

This painting is of my favorite fruit to paint, pomegranates. We have a tree out back which give me lots of references.  I always paint with a brush first and finish with a knife.  

Hope to get more consistent posting to this blog.  The Southern New Mexico Artist Guild is meeting now, so maybe I'll get more productive under the tutoring of Julie Ford Oliver! (lucky me)

Seeds of the Fruit

10 x 8

Oil on canvas board

$250

Distant Mountains

No matter where I look in the distance there are mountains.  I once had a friend who lives in the northeast say, "yes, but they are so ugly. Nothing is growing on them".  How wrong she was. While we don't have trees covering our desert mountains, we have a lush variety of cacti, creosote, and mesquite.  In the spring they erupt with flowers on the various cacti native to the area.  Never mind all the animals living there.  Can you believe we have large deer invisible, but abundant?  We also have fox, coyote, mountain lions, raptors and owls.  Plus, we have the best weather in the country.  I love the desert.

Distant Mountains

Oil on canvas board

12" x 9"

$250

Fruit Bowl from the Isola di Ortigia

I can't believe it's been over a month since I posted to the blog.  April was crazy and exciting.  My husband, my Uncle Tony and I rented a car and traveled around the island of Sicily.  We had so much fun, despite the fright of driving a car in Italy!  I had briefly visited Sicily, but had never spent time getting to know the island.  The views of the Mediterranean from everywhere were breath taking, the Greek ruins rivaled Athens and the food was always delicious (I LOVE Cannoli fresh from the bakeries).  

We stayed at a wonderful hotel in Syracuse , Henry House, on the Island of Ortigia.  Every morning the breakfast was a vast array of items to select from.  And every morning a delightful bowl of fruit was on the table.  Lemons and oranges were in season, so they were always included with the bananas and pears. 

Fruit Bowl from the Isola di Ortigia

Oil on canvas board

9 x 12 inches

$250 

Purchase through the Daily Paintworks Gallery

Tres Peppers

Wow, life is getting busy!  This Friday, April 3, Las Cruces has its monthly art ramble.  Our gallery, in coordination with The Big Picture, is having paintings of roosters and chickens.  Since I love painting them, I have 14 to display.  That meant I have to varnish, frame, name and get ready to display all 14.  I have also tried to paint everyday.  Even though I did, I haven't liked anything I've painted in two weeks.  So frustrating!  On top of all this, on Wednesday my husband and I are going to Sicily for two weeks with my uncle Tony.  We just picked up our Global Entry Card on Sunday so hope it saves some time in lines.  Because this isn't a tour, but a drive around the island on our own, the logistics of hotels and  rental cars has been time-consuming.

This painting is one I have painted in the fall when I was in my black canvas phase.  While I loved painting it, I don't think this the style I am after.

Tres Peppers

9 x 12"

Oil on canvas

$225

purchase through Daily Paint Works

Tuscan Rooftops

So I paint everyday for at least an hour and as of today, I haven't completed one in two weeks.  I have 6 paintings in various stages, some waiting for the paint to dry a little, others where I don't know the best way to complete them.  I'm am so happy this is an advocation and not a vocation.  If I don't have anything finished and for sale, but it isn't a problem.  It's a luxury I enjoy; to explore the process of painting.

This painting is from a trip to Tuscany.  I love the rooftops with all the various colors.  I'm getting ready for a trip to Sicily in a few weeks and can't wait to see the contrast between Tuscany and Sicily.

Tuscan Rooftops

12 x 16 

Oil on Canvas Board

$400

Go to Daily Paint Works to Purchase

Rio at Big Bend

Big Bend is a beautiful wilderness.  It is part of the Chihuahuan desert, the desert I live in in El Paso. The colors of the desert change with the seasons and the light.  I never see the bland sand colors but bright vibrant colors the sun paints the mountains and landscape.  I'm trying another style, simple shapes and vibrant colors.  Still looking for a style I like best.

 Rio at Big Bend

Oil on Canvas board

11" x 14"

$300

Purchase through Daily Paint Works

Late Summer In Durango

This painting was from a photograph of Durango in winter, with snow and all.  I didn't like it as a winter scene and it took 18 months of "playing" with it to get it to something I was finally happy with.  I always have a pile of paintings I plan to get back to.  I also work on 3 - 4 paintings at a time.  What a luxury to have the time to learn and play.

Late Summer in Durango

20 x 16"

oil on Canvas

$525  Purchase through Daily Paint Works

Wild Blue Yonder

Every Sunday, Daily Paint Works posts a challenge.  Last Sunday, they challenged us to paint a bird in flight.  Well, I'm a week late and not at all apologetic as I spent the week trying to repaint some old paintings (1 to go from my pile).  I only used four colors: white, Ultramarine Blue, orange and turquoise.

Wild Blue Yonder

8 x 6"

Oil on canvas board

$80 

Rocky Mountain Sunset

I first want to thank George Coll, a Colorado painter, for this reference.  I took a class with him several years ago and am now on his email list of references he shares.  He is a sweetheart!

I haven't painted landscapes for about a year now.  It used to be all I painted.  I've decided I have to get back into painting them, and also feel comfortable about it.  It's like of forgetting how to ride a bike.  Painting is such a difficult art to master!!!

Rocky Mountain Sunset

10 x 8 "

Oil on canvas board 

$200

Purchase by going to Daily Paint Works Link on right

Colorful Cezanne

Because I paint everyday, finding something to paint is always a challenge.  Last fall, I took a corner from a painting by Cezanne and tried to copy it.  I like the way it turned out.  So, I thought I would set up my own still-life using another portion of his work, using oranges, my own scarf and china.  When finished, it really lacked anything exciting.  When I took it to the Guild on Friday, Julie suggested I try something different by outlining it in navy lines and popping warm and cool colors.  It was a fun exercise which I may try again.

Colorful Cezanne

8 x 10 "

Oil on Canvas

$200  

Go to DPW for purchasing information

I Only Have Eyes for You

A week ago, I tried to finish a painting for DPW challenge; to paint a pair that stays together for life.  I found this reference on Morguefiles.com which allows you to use photos for reproduction.  I don't know if these two mate for life, but I like to think they do.  I missed the deadline anyway.  I used the limited palette  of Cad Yellow Lt, Cad orange, Alizarin Crimson, Ultramarine blue, black, white, and of course, turquoise.

I Only Have Eyes for You

12 x 9"

Oil on Canvas Board

$225

Go to DPW link to right to purchase

Golden Fruit

What a week of procrastination!

I have a studio of unfinished paintings, put aside for something more interesting.  So, I have decided not to start anything  new until I finish the pile of nearly done paintings.  I always work on several paintings at a time.  When I hit a problem, I stop, put the painting aside and let it "marinate".  I walk by it, make notes on what I like and don't like and then put it back on the easel.  I usually can finish it in one session.  But not lately.  This is going to change as I now tackle my pile. As a result, I'm posting an older painting.  This was one that never worked.  It was a much larger painting where I cut it down to what I liked,  three pears.  Hope I soon get out of this slump!

Golden Fruit

9 x 12"

Oil on Canvas Board

$225

Go to DPW to purchase

White Cranes

This is the second painting using a limited palette of:

Cad Yellow light

Cad orange

Alizarin Crimson Perm

Thalo Blue

Black

Turquoise

The white cranes were really the problem to solve.  Remembering white is a middle value in shadow helped.  I didn't get the vibrant colors to show in the photo. This is the centerpiece in my dining room.

White Cranes

8" x 6" 

Oil on Canvas Board

$40 Auction

Blue Prickly Pear

For the past two months, the Guild has used a limited palette.  This one is influenced by Ned Jacobs.  As a colorist, I had to add an accent color, turquoise.  The limited palette is as follows: 

Cad Yellow Light

Orange

Permanent Pink

Thalo Blue

Black

Titanium White 

Turquoise

It's been a challenge limiting the "convenience" colors.  It is amazing what one can mix when limited to 6 colors.

Blue Prickly Pear

9" x 12"

Oil on Canvas Board

$250

A Slice of Apple

My husband came into my studio and saw this painting.  "How do you paint like that", he asked.  I tried to explain fracturing to him, but he was lost.  If I was thinking, I would have had him watch "the expert" explain it on her video.  To understand fracturing, you can buy a wonderful video that explains it so well.  On Daily Paint Works, find the artist, Julie Ford Oliver.  On her page you will see the video she produced on fracturing.  Its the best $15 you will spend on an art technique.

A Slice of Apple

8 x 6"

Oil on Canvas 

$40 Auction

Go to Daily Paint Works to bid

Fractured Pomegranate

Here is a study of a pomegranate I did in a workshop on fracturing.  Fracturing is a wonderful technique developed by Julie Ford Oliver where you paint a painting and then "destroy" it by "fracturing" it with lines you then repaint.  It is not at all easy, but sometimes I can actually produce something I like.  As you can see, it is not like the other two I posted  before in style.  I had a conversation with a dear friend and wonderful artist yesterday and we both are really struggling on what style we like and want to adopt as our own.  I guess if it was easy, it wouldn't be challenging.

Fractured Pomegranate

6 x 8 "

Oil on Paper

Study NFS

Abundant Harvest

Since I started showing a painting of a  pomegranates on my last post, I thought I would continue with them.  I'm sure you can see how I am struggling to find "my" style.  (just wait until you see the next post).  By comparing the two paintings, you wouldn't know they were painted by the same artist.

I love painting on a black canvas and this was the start of this one.  I don't think the colors were as vibrant as the last post, but I think the palette is harmonious.  I am amazed how cerebral painting is when you try to incorporate and all the principles into a painting.  Today, I actually forgot to think about warm and cool  (I'll post that one later, hopefully corrected).

Abundant Harvest

9 x 12"

Oil on Canvas

$275

Blue Bowl with Pomegranates

I love pomegranates and love painting them.  The painting of them changed dramatically when I changed from an instructor to a real teacher of art.  My previous instructor did not let us use Alizarin Crimson on our palette.   My reds really lacked in richness.  Once Julie Ford Oliver encouraged me to make my reds with Alizarin, my paintings changed dramatically.  This is a painting I did a few years ago.  Julie encouraged me to "repaint" it and I am enjoying the dramatic difference.

Blue Bowl with Pomegranates

11" x 14"

Oil on Canvas

$350

Go to My Daily Paint Works to Purchase

Black and White

I did it!  Well almost.  It is January 30th and even though I painted every day, I didn't complete two days as I didn't like what I painted.  The last week was the most difficult.  I wanted to go onto different subjects, try a new limited palette and not be under so much pressure.  All in all, it was a great exercise in that I have never tried to finish so many paintings in one day.  Not too sure I will join the next 30 Paintings in 30 Days challenge in September.  

This chicken is such a beauty.  It's a White Crested Black Polish.   What a beautiful breed!  Hope you continue to follow the blog after this challenge.

Black and White

8 " x 6"

Oil on Canvas

$40 Auction

Forging for Lunch

When I bought my 5 day old chicks, I thought all were female as I requested.  What a surprise when I found one of the black silkies was a rooster.  My grandson, Ayden, had named him Ferrari.  He was beautiful as his black feather were luminescent with a gorgeous green.  As El Paso only allows you to have hens, we had to find a home for him.

Forging for Lunch

8" x 6"

oil on canvas

$40 Auction

As I Was Saying..

What a day!  I left the house at 9 this morning to help with the garden club luncheon.  I really like going to these events to see friends and learn about what I've neglected to do in my garden this month.  I returned home at 2pm and panicked knowing I only had a few hours to paint.  As I was taking the painting into my photo room, I noticed how little contrast there was.  Thirty minutes later, I improved it but may go back and "retouch" it.

I have really enjoyed trying to finish a painting every day, but will appreciate painting away from a deadline.

As I Was Saying...
6" x 6"
oil on canvas
$40 Auction

Safe and Sound

Yesterday I had one of those days where nothing would come together.  I spent about 4 hours in the studio and stopped painting before anything was finished.  I scrapped one of the paintings to start over.

Today was better but not great.  What is it that puts up blocks to completing something you like?  Hope I get back on track soon.

This little painting struck me as sweet.  Here is a mom protecting her chicks knowing too soon they would "fly the coop", just like our kids do.  I guess I was missing my kids and their families.

Safe and Sound

8 " x 6 "

Oil on Canvas

$40 Auction

High Lights

This was a difficult painting for me.  At the Guild we were asked to use a limited palette, similar to Ned Jacobs.  As a colorist, I wasn't sure I could get the vibrant colors I like.  The palette was chrome yellow medium, Windsor Orange, Alizarin Crimson, Cobalt, Ultramarine Blue and black/white.  I had to add turquoise! 

I couldn't find the original reference for this painting, but I loved the colors in the headpiece. I can only guess it is a Polish.

High Lights

8 x 6 inches

Oil On Canvas

SOLD

On Guard

I love Fridays!  It's the day I drive to Las Cruces to meet with the Artists Guild of Southern New Mexico.  Today Lindy, Carol, Anne, Sue and I met with our cherished mentor, Julie Ford Oliver.  How lucky can we get!!!  She had suggested we work with Ned Jacob's limited palette.  It was a real challenge for me as I wasn't sure I could get the colors I am used to painting with.  (she said I could use turquoise) I do love the color harmony one can achieve. I will try to paint tomorrows chick using it.

On Guard

8 x 6 inches

Oil on Canvas

$40 Auction

Click on the photos under DPW to bid

No, It's Not a Wig

Very strange day in El Paso today.  We had several inches of snow with strong winds that made it miserable.  Great day to stay in and paint.

This hen is a White Crested Black Polish hen.  I've heard from some people who actually have these chickens.  What fun to paint them!

No, It's Not a Wig

8 x 6 inches

$40 Auction

click on the DPW photos to bid on this and other paintings

I Did Cut My Hair!

Just nine days left on the 30 day challenge and I have so many more chickens I want to paint!  I was given a homework assignment in the Guild last week and don't even have a reference for it yet.  I really have to paint it tomorrow as we meet again on Friday.

This is a non-bearded Golden Lace Polish hen and apparently you have to trim around its eyes for it to see.  I hope to paint a bearded one later this week where you will see why a trim is necessary.

I Did Cut My Hair

8 x 6 inches

Oil on canvas

$40 Auction

Click on any photo under DPW to bid

Shall We Eat It?

After a few appointments this morning, it was good to get back in the studio!  I just love cute chicks and I hope you can see how cute these two are.  I first washed the entire painting with local color in transparent paint.  The next day, I added opaque colors.  Not sure I expressed exactly what I wanted, but I'm so happy to just paint.

Shall We Eat It?

8 x 6 inches

$40 Auction

To Bid just click on the photo under the DPW

I'm a Real Redhead

My sweet sister Patty and her husband, Eddie, left early this morning for San Antonio.  We had a wonderful time.  Now back to painting.

In highschool, one of my best friends was a redhead, a real one, Betty Bausch Franzen.  She was so funny and so much fun to be with.  She was also a beautiful girl whom I admired  greatly.  I know she will think this is a great tribute to her redhead clique.  

So many people have asked me to paint some more "crazy hair" chicks.  They make me smile so much that I am happy to paint them.

I'm a Real Redhead

8 x 6 " oil on canvas

$40 Auction

Click on DPW photo to bid on this painting

The Brown Egg

So I missed a day of painting.  I had worked on one to post earlier, but it didn't work out quite right.  The one I'm posting is one I did as an experiment in October.  Julie Ford Oliver had the Guild swirl white and black gesso on a flat surface.  We mixed it up slightly with a brush end and then pressed a canvas board in to the wet gesso.  We were then supposed to paint what we "saw".  It took several days, but surprise, look what I finally saw.

Here is the finished painting using transparent paint.

The Brown Egg

8 x 6 '  oil on canvas board

$40 Auction

The black and white gesso board

Two Down, Three to Go

It is wonderful having my sister and her husband visiting for the 3 day weekend.  We spent the day at White Sands and Mesilla, NM.  The temperature was in the 60s with beautiful sunny skies.

This is a very high key painting.  I noticed it once I photographed  it.  I usually like to have more drama with a lower key painting.  With company, I just don't have the time to make it more to my style.  I went back to the palette knife and felt like I was coming back to my style.

Two Down, Three to Go

8 x 6 inches

SOLD

Click on photos under DPW to bid

Birds of a Feather

This is the last post on Silkies.  I want to back to using the palette knife more. My sister and her husband are visiting this weekend so I tried to paint 3 today.  I'm not sure I will post them all without more work and they look too rushed.

Birds of a Feather

8 x 6 inches

$40 Auction

Click on DPW photo to right to bid

Proud Mama

Day 15 - Half way through the 30 day challenge.  This weekend my sister, Patty, and her husband will be visiting from San Antonio.  I have painted two paintings today and will have to paint two tomorrow in order to not miss a day.  A little stress, but so much fun as I hear from so many people who say these paintings make them smile.

Another thing I like about silkies is the variety of colors and shades they come in.

Proud Mama

8 x 6 "

Oil on Canvas

$40 auction

To Bid on this click on the photos under DPW on the right

A Walk in the Garden

Anna (RIP), Fluffy and Rosa would love to walk in the garden.  Unfortunately living in the desert on the side of a mountain makes this impossible.  On the other side of our rock wall, occasionally inside the garden, live all the scary predators that would love to harm the girls.  I caught a fox trying to get into the coop last month.  We see many coyote, snakes, huge birds of prey and even mountain lions.  So I make sure they get daily servings of kitchen scraps and green leafy vegetables.

A Walk in the Garden

8 x 6 inches

Oil on Canvas

$40 Auction

To Bid on this click on the photos under DPW on the right

Fluffy and Rosa

I mentioned how crazy I am about my Silkies, Fluffy and Rosa.  It is difficult to paint their "feathers" which don't look like feathers.  They look like puff balls with no eyes,  the bill the only feature on their face.  I use a combination of palette knife and brush in painting this.

Fluffy and Rosa

8 x 6 inches

$40 Auction

To bid just click on a photo under DPW.  It will take you to all my auctions.

Yes, I am a chicken!

If you haven't guessed by now, I love my silkies.  I had three, but lost sweet Anna last year.  I have Fluffy (White) and Rosa (black) left.  As I mentioned before, my grandchildren name them - these named by Ashton and Brooke.

Silkies are the "lap kitten" of the chicken world.  They have hair-like plumage and are incredibly  sweet.  They lay very small eggs (half the size of a medium one) and spend much of their time in the nest trying to hatch it.  They are the easiest pet ever!

I have decided to do a week of nothing but silkies.

Yes, I am a Chicken!

Oil on Canvas

6 x 8 inches

$40 at auction

To Bid Just Click on the photos on the right and it will take you to the auction.

Where's My Comb?

I think it would be fun to do a series of chicks with the variety of feather heads I see!  This is a young male White Crested Black Polish.  

Where's My Comb?

8 x 6 inches

Oil on canvas

SOLD

Bad Hair Day

Apparently people bath chickens!  Maybe they are for a show, lets hope.  This one is a Polish hen.  Despite the fact that I have a pure white chicken, she is never dirty.  She is often seen taking her dirt bath in DIRT.  I had so much fun painting this one.  She made me smile all day.

Bad Hair Day 

6 x 8 "

oil on Canvas
SOLD

Chick Labor

Unlike their human counterparts, hens lay the egg and then the chicks need to find their way  into the world alone.  It must be exhausting!  At first I painted the eggs white, but there wasn't enough contrast.  I made them green in honor of my Easter Egger Bantam (Ameraucanas), Bunny.  She lays the most beautiful pale green eggs.

I only used a palette knife on the background.  My painting friend and member of the Artist Guild of Southern New Mexico, Margaret Heath, gave me a brush that is fabulous for feathers.  The ends are uneven so give the fine lines for feathers.  Thanks Margaret!

Chick Labor

8 x 6 inches

Oil on Canvas

$40 Auction

Three's Company

Because my chickens live in a coop with a dirt floor, I have to feed them greens every day.  Usually it is a spinach-kale mixture.  (even when I'm out of town, my chicks get their greens).  I went down to the coop today and found them huddled in a corner, just like the chicks in this painting.  I heard the sound of the gardner using a leaf blower and knew why the were so "chicken".

Three's Company

8 x 6 inches

Oil on Canvas

$40 Auction