"The Gift", oil on masonite SOLD

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"Just One More Prize...",oil on masonite, 6x6"

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The Fair continues to pop up. Maybe its this crazy weather. "Longing for summer" or some such thing. We don't get snow often but when we do I feel like a caged animal. I wasn't going anywhere anyway but knowing I can't makes me crazy. The good thing? more studio time.

"The Watchers", oil on fabric over masonite, 3x4"

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Some days I think I could abandon all subjects outside of the figure. Here's always something challenging and captivating about the human image.

"Silent", oil on masonite, 6x6" SOLD

This was quite the accident. I was using this little doll to test a new lighting set-up and before I knew it I was painting her. She's been in my studio for years and I'd be hard pressed to tell anyone why. I think it turned out okay for both of us.

"Honeysuckle", oil on masonite, 3x4" SOLD

These flowers become more and more familiar to me with each painting. Honeysuckle is considered a noxious weed by some but the fragrance that drifts through our yard conceals any dastardly charactaristics.

"Carefree Pet", oil on masonite, 6x6"

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Every time we visit the fair I long for the days when all these prizes were highly valued by our open, little minds. A year to save all the dimes we could only to pitch them away in hopes of a mismatched set of glassware that our poor mothers were expected to swoon over.

I must confess, I still pitch a few each year.

"Blueberries", oil on fabric over masonite, 3x4"

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Blueberries are a mainstay at our house. We have a small area assigned for growing produce that includes 9 blueberry plants. They provide not only wonderful eats but a visual party all season.

"Loner", oil on fabric over masonite, 3x4"

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I believe shells are universally appealing. Somehow we just can't resist them.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone.

"Voohair Day", oil on masonite SOLD

This is the Voodoo Doll I picked for myself when I won the best costume contest at this years Halloween party. My entire guest area is now being re-decorated around it. It's fab-u-lous.

"Four For The Dock" oil on masonite, 6x6"

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If you've been following my blog you'll recognize the big fellow on the left. You're sure to see him again. That's my son. He fishes for money. Bass to be exact. He's also the best thing I ever did.

"Boney Fingers on Winters Bounty"

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4x5", oil on fabric over masonite


Our yard (is 5 acres a yard?) is looking like this everywhere. The birds are in a frenzy, gorging themselves on everything that has been exposed by wind, rain and temperature drop. Every season has it's own magic.

"Up For Adoption",6x6" oil on masonite SOLD

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We live within walking distance of the King County Fair. It's a throw back to old time, small, heavily 4H fairs of days gone by. Some types of magic never grow old. Corn dog anyone?

"Voodoo On The Wall"

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These little darlings are Voodoo dolls constructed by my good friend and artist, Chris Bivins. He made them as game prizes for the Halloween party we attended. The one with the largest plume now hangs proudly in my guest bath.

"Iron Pot"

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This little iron vessel sits on our back porch. For several years running we planted things in it that shriveled up and died. We finally gave in and planted something that doesn't care if it gets water or food. Perfect.

"From The Backside" SOLD

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I know it seems like I'm not painting but I am! My "day job" hours make getting in on time to post dicey at best.
I was frightened by this project but am actually fairly happy with the end result.

"Qued For The Big Top" SOLD

"Empty Vessels"

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Haystacks, water lilies, sugar and creamers; what's the difference? Everytime I look at these two I think their lines should be painted. I'm never quite convinced I've done them justice.

"Two For The Road"

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These two characters are a pretty important duo in my life.
Laughing and beer are aways a good combo.
The bronze pour is today. That may mean no painting but there will certainly be art (and food,wine, beer as well as lively conversation).

"Painted Plate"

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This has been a difficult few days. We have a bronze pour here at Owings/Brown Studios this weekend and I never know if I'm feeding 15 or 40. It makes it hard to squeeze out a little time in the painting studio.

"Ollie's Couch"

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We're down to 5 cats. This is Ollie, one of our two 18lb dudes. He owns the couch.

"All The Little Monkeys" SOLD

This is another take on the plate series. I think I like the segmented look. I know I like the plate. It was a gift from my niece and it keeps showing up in my paintings!
I won't have a painting tomorrow. Like all of you, I will go to vote and then to struggle threw my conversational Spanish class. Here's to the democratic process.

Our infamous Halloween party was a Blues theme. This gentleman played piano for a short portion. He was no match for the wicked licks of guitar that occupied most of the evening.

"I Use To Play The Blues"

We have some substantial parties here at Owings/Brown Studios. Coming from Southern stock, the experience of eating is very important to me. One day we ran short of real plates. Don't get me wrong! there's a place for paper, but only if you choose it. I swore to never have that happen again. We now have so many sets of dishes! and like everyone, a few "odds" that have lost their mates. You'll probably meet the creamer to this sugar dish another day but I'll turn the often glued handle to the back.

"Broken Creamer"

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This turned out to be a bigger challenge than expected. Why is it the things we expect to be fast and straight forward morph into "why am I doing this?"
It's raining here and Magoo, the 18lb stray we paid to have plastic surgery on (his eyes) is hiding in the dark. My fate is temporarily sealed.

"I Think It's Grape" SOLD

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These glass spheres, along with several others, hang in my living room window. An artist friend that taught at Pratt Fine Arts in Seattle made them there and gave them to me when he moved to Boston to be close to his family. He had AIDS and wasn't expected to live much longer. His real craft was painting. I have several of his pieces that I rescued from his home when he was packing ("just cut them up for shelving"). I told him I would be the custodian until he wanted them back. He's much missed.

"In My Window"

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This woman was at the Halloween party I attended. We had never met socially. She waits tables at the local eatery. At this particular moment she was discovering the wall of Voodoo dolls made by artist, Chris Bivins. I think it was long way from where she lives. It turned out to be a delightful night and meeting her was a bonus.

"At the Party" SOLD

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Did you know yesterday was Halloween? well, it was in Washington state. I spent from 7AM until 5:30PM painting faces on pumpkins for the patients in my dental office. Needless to say, there was no REAL painting done. Nope. So there will be no image posted today.
Hope you had a good fright night.