Crazy Chicks

This collage/mixed media painting was inspired by the love of good friends. The painting was especially inspired by the idea that there is always an outspoken crazy girl in the group. Whimsy in an artwork is one of the most enduring elements. I find that art that contains whimsy tends to be the work I will remember over many other aspects. Jeff Koons, and his balloon dog series is one of the simplest ideas yet the sculptures are loved throughout the world. This collage is the first in a series I will be creating. This work is sold. Thank you for viewing my blog.

PEAR SPLASH

There is something so enjoyable about the shape and color of pears. I have given pear assignments to my drawing classes many times and always love the unique results and concepts created by the students. In this painting I particularly enjoyed working with the mixed media/collage approach. I really wanted to give this painting a modernist,retro feel and I enjoyed giving the composition a touch of texture with the variety of materials applied. My teaching certainly has influenced  my work. I have been teaching color drawing and composition. Teaching has made me think more about how to create a successful compostion but always keeping in mind that the most important aspect of any work is the inspiration behind that work. This was simply an exercise in complements and design. Thanks for viewing my blog. this painting is for sale and is already framed. Please contact me if you are interested in purchasing this piece.

Oak

This mixed media painting is one of the first in a new series that I am beginning. These mixed media paintings often begin with scrapes of paper or pictures that represent different experiences or memories in everyday life. The paintings are built up with layers of paint and texture which represent the layers and planes of existence which we all experience in our everyday life. I am excited to embark on this new series and share more of my thoughts about this series and the ideas behind the concepts. This painting is sold but there will be many more in this series. Please continue to follow me. Thanks for viewing my blog!

Okay, I really had fun doing the rooster. It was a commission for a Christmas present. I am realizing how much I enjoy doing birds and animals. Never thought it was something I excelled it. The rhythmic flow of feathers or fur whichever the case may be and the play of light upon the subject are fascinating. I am working with colored pencils for the first time and the idea of mixed media drawings are really calling my name. I'm very excited The Edom Gallery will be exhibiting some of my work and having a book signing during April In Edom Arts Fair. I'm going to get busy on that! Stay tuned to view the colored pencil portrait I'm working on.

I'm painting a rooster!

It has never been something I thought I would paint but a rooster was commissioned for me to paint so here goes... I started out with a black canvas, covered the drawn in rooster with frisket and began to add the background with palette knife and a series of muted greens and yellow ochres.

 I am pleased with the background so far and excited to paint the rooster. The background will have to dry for a day before I work on the subject. Fortunately, it's acrylic paint so it will only take a day. Check back in a day or so to see the completed painting of "Rowdy  the Rooster". Thanks for viewing my blog.

Hello Cybernet World,
I am back to blogging. This is my first addition in  quite awhile. I hope you enjoy Spring Harvest, a 24x36 watercolor, on  strathmore 140lb. watercolor paper, stretched and framed at Dutch Art Gallery, Pursuit of the Southwest, Winter Show.  The opening is December 6, 2014 please come and visit and view all the great art!

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure
Page 18- 9x12 on watercolor board
On this page Booger assures Bernie that their house will not flood because it is so much higher than the street. We know that isn't going to end well....!
These pages of flooding, blowing wind, and night rain have presented quite a challenge. I am pretty happy with this page, just a few more tweaks and I think it will be fine. I will post some other night scenes this week. Trying to print this soon. Thanks for viewing my blog!

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure
Page 6-9x12 watercolor on cradle board
On this page Bernie and Booger notice the wind beginning to blow wildly. Bernie refers to his puffy hind quarters as trousers and Booger and Bernie both share a laugh about how funny he looks. Little do they know about the adventure they are about to embark upon!
I am having such fun with the pages, can't wait for it all to be done and ready to view!
Thanks for viewing my blog.

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure
Page 13-9x12 watercolor on cradle board
Hurricane Katrina was coming, a Category 4, the worst in decades. Bernie was so frightened of storms. ...this is one page of a two page spread, also showing the viscous winds blowing in on the shoreline. I was very happy with the way Bernie came out, I felt like I captured that look Bernie gets when he hears a storm. So true to character for Bernie! Thanks for viewing my blog.

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure
Page 26-9x12 watercolor on cradle board
Bernie and Booger wait for their family to arrive at the animal shelter and take them home.
I had posted this page earlier in black and white so here it is with watercolor added. I am having so much fun with watercolor, I had not painted in watercolor in quite some time. Thanks for viewing my blog!

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure
Page 9-9x12 watercolor on cradle board
Here is the color version of yesterday's post. I still have a little tweeking to do but thought I would go ahead and post. The sunset paintings always take longer to nail the colors and still not happy with the sky. I will repost when I think I have achieved the effects I am after. Thanks for viewing my blog!

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure
Page 9- 9x12 pen and ink on cradle board
In this drawing Bernie and Booger's friend Grady and his faithful bulldog Lucky head home through the deserted streets.
I am presently applying watercolor to this page. It is a bit of a challenge because it is an evening scene. All the colors become muted and reflect the evening sky which is very tricky when I am just doing the color scheme from memory with no true reference on this drawing. I will post the color version tomorrow! Thanks for viewing my blog!

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure
Page 10-9x12 watercolor on cradle board
On this page Bernie and Booger wait for their family to come home. The house is dark and the neighborhood is unusually quiet. They wait at  the window unaware of the torrential storm on the horizon. Booger assures Bernie that all will be fine! Thanks for viewing my blog!

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure
Page 8-9x12 watercolor on cradle board
Bernie and Booger's friends Grady and his bulldog Lucky stand at the bus stop. His neighbors are boarding a bus after the mayor decreed to evacuate the city. Grady refuses to leave his faithful friend "Lucky" the bulldog behind. This was one of the faults of the New Orleans evacuation, there was no consideration of the pets and animals of New Orleans. Authorities learned from these mistakes in future city evacuations the animals were allowed on the buses etc. Bernie and Booger will be glad to see Grady and Lucky soon! Thanks for viewing my blog!

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure
Page 11- 9x12 watercolor on cradle board
The boys curl ed up together that night never leaving each other's side. . . . On this page Bernie and Booger waited all night for their family to come home, finally falling asleep beside each other. Unknown to them are the impending flood waters that they will soon encounter changing their lives for ever. This page will be painted in purple and blues my favorite colors to use, can't wait to paint this one! Thanks for viewing my blog!

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Advenuture

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure
Page 2- 9x12 watercolor on panel board
This page depicts the colorful New Orleans streets lined with buses as the evacuation of people begins before Hurricane Katrina. With my background in architectural illustration I loved working on this page, brings back many memories of hours at the drafting table. However, I was very comfortable working on this page, the animal pics are much more of a challenge since I have not done much wildlife or animal art. I hope to be doing a lot more. I am presently putting the color on this page and intend to post it tomorrow with color. Thanks for viewing my blog!

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure
Page 17-9x12 watercolor on cradle board
On this page Bernie and  Booger after swimming out of their flood ravaged house, pull themselves upon a nearby rooftop. They are shivering and dripping wet in the cold dark flooding waters but happy to have made it to higher ground. They wait to be rescued..... Stay tuned. Spending all day watercoloring pages tomorrow so excited to have the week to spend on color! Thanks for viewing my blog!

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure-The Katrina Dogs
Page 16- 9x12 watercolor on panel
I can't wait to paint this page. The reference for the water is so lovely I hope I can do it justice! This page depicts the boys paddling out of the front door and the water bursts through, searching for something to cling to or get them out of the flood waters. Today I finished adding color to the first page, I am pleased with the way it came out but I better go faster. I want to publish the book by the end of September. Working Hard to get this done! Thanks for viewing my blog!

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure
Page 5 9x12 - Pen and Ink on panel
On this page the boys are going for a walk unaware of the impending storm. It's a sunny day but then the wind begins to pick up and blow wildly. Wait and see what happens on the next page, it's kinda funny. This is the first page I am applying color to and I am very excited to finally be to that stage. This first page of applying color has taken quite a while. I think I can pick up my pace once I get in a groove with how I want it all to appear. Thanks for viewing my blog!

Bernie and Booger's Hurricane Adventure