The Winemaker's Hut, oil on hardboard 6x6" $99

This little piece really challenged me but I just couldn't let it go. Glad I didn't

I Am What You Don't Know, oil on canvas 6x6" $99

Well! this little piece presented some unexpected challenges.  First, being on canvas the texture of the surface changes how it photographs.  The original is so much more varied in color and value.  Second, the background is a pale blue layered over red.  In the painting it has a purple cast that I just could not pick up in the photo.

A Book By It's Cover, oil on hardboard 6x6" $99

My original intent was to layer on more color here but my husband like it so much at this stage that I'm just going with it. There's also a hard edge, harshness that I don't usually portray. Painting is an ongoing wonder!

The Eyes Have It, oil on hardboard 6x6" $99

Anyone following my posts knows I have issues with photographing my work. I shot this pieces 3 times. This is as close as I got. The painting is actually much deeper and richer in layers.

The Other Sister, oil on hardboard 6x6" $99

The hat in this painting is vintage.  I really wanted the painting to convey that

Green Eyed Monster, oil on canvas 6x6" $99

This is the second go round on the previous post.  It's also on canvas as opposed to hardboard. It's a new canvas I was testing.  I'm happy with the painting but I WILL NOT be using THAT canvas again. It was torture.

Ghost, oil on hardboard 6x6" $99

Every painter has days when things don't quite materialize the way expected. Those are "wipe off" days.  That's how this painting began.  When it was originally complete it was nothing like I anticipated.  Grab a rag and wipe it off! Well, I did that. Then something took hold. I began to work back into the areas most interesting.  The eyes an mouth are pretty much all that got readdressed. I think the end result has a haunting beauty.

Didn't Make the Cut, oil on hardboard 6x6" $99

Love the stark, black mass that sets off her face (her hair!)

Dare Me, oil on hardboard 6x6" $99

This pieces took 3 sessions to photograph.  I guess the camera didn't care for my palette

"Nope. I'm Not Him", oil on hardboard 6x6" $99

This man is so pretty. It was difficult to inject enough masculine information. I think it works

Order Up! oil on hardboard 6x6" $99

Okay! so it's not a portrait.  Well, not exactly.  That said, it's funny how things unfold.  I am not nearly as "mindful" as some of my artist friends.  I don't do a lot of planning, thinking, calculating. You get the idea.  Anyway, being self taught I usually fly by the seat of my pants.  It didn't occur to me until this was finished that I had used opposites on the color wheel.  Kind of zingy I think.

You Heard Me! oil on hardboard 6x6" $99

This is part of a recent series of portraits.  No matter what else I paint, the face and figure are always the most challenging and in some ways the most rewarding.

Just a Dusting, oil on hardboard 6x6" $99

So turnips and mountains have given way to portraits.  At least for a short while

Two Faced, oil on hardboard 5x7" $99

I read somewhere that you should never have the horizon enter and exit on different levels.  Guess I'm not such a good listener

Drifter, oil on hardboard 6x6" $99

This little group of clouds up in the left corner just tickled me. They are little escapees.

Eyelet, oil on canvas, 6x6" $99

Small departure from produce for a bit.  My friend and very talented painter Lori Twiggs loves to paint on canvas.  As you know, I'm fond of hardboard.  Decide to take a little side trip.  I actually did 2 small portraits on 2 different canvas's.  This one I am very pleased with.  The other one? you will NEVER see it.  I also will NEVER buy THAT canvas again.

Beets 3, oil on hardboard 6x6" $99

the last of the golden beets. Not because the produce wore out but I got a sudden urge to do some portrait work.  Those are coming....

Plated Up, oil on hardboard 6x6" $99

Remember when the turnips shriveled? wellllll...the greens on the beets didn't last 2 days! had to give them a haircut.  Can't say I'm disappointed

Just Hangin Out, oil on hardboard 6x6" $99

Now I'm cheating on my turnips. Golden beets have taken first chair. I'd never even seen golden beets until I used them in a dish for Thanksgiving! the color is outrageous!

Common Once More, oil on hardboard 6x6" $99

This is the last of the turnips and the shape sharing buddies. Those little devils started to shrivel up! wasn't quite the same painting them in their dotage

Ladies in Waiting, oil on hardboard 6x6" $99

I love this yellow pitcher.  It's been in my kitchen cabinet for YEARS. Why then did it just occur to me to paint it? You can rest assured you will see this one again!

From the Shadow, oil on hardboard

There is something so defiant in this woman's face.  I think it translates well.

Tails You Win, oil on hardboard 6x6" $99

I thought I would give everyone a break from my turnips.  Beets may be the new order of the day...or week.

One Lump or Two? oil on hardboard 6x6' $99

Interesting (in a bad way) what coffee does when it sits more than an hour or so in the mug.  Didn't stop me from painting it! It can be found for purchase at auction at the link below
http://www.dailypaintworks.com/buy/auction/290493

Common 4, oil on hardboard 6x6" $99

The shared shape was what drew me to this but that luscious reflection on the pitcher didn't hurt!

Common 3, oil on hardboard 6x6" $99

This is the third piece in the series with items that share curves/shapes and /or space.

"Common Two" oil on hardboard 6x6" $99

This is another painting in this exploration of things that share traits but are not at all the same. I love the repetition of the round shape and size but total disconnect after that.

So Much In Common, oil on hardboard 6x6" $99

Picked up these lovely little turnips at the grocery.  They were just begging to be painted. Once I started to play with them I really wanted to introduce objects that share their scale  and contour.  The reflection of the orange fabric onto the underside was a visual bonus.

Tilt Tea, oil on hardboard 6x6" $99

When  I finished this painting and stood back it was painfully clear that some things weren't sitting properly.  That said, I was pretty fond of it so decided to leave it as is and enjoy the error of my ways.

Harvest, oil on hardboard 6x6" $99

We have a large bowl of tomatoes on our counter 100% of the time.  Built in "model"

Prep Work, oil on hardboard 6x6" $99

With our wild and windy weather I have been concentrating on some still life.  Sometimes the more you paint the more your imagination runs a muck. I have so many ideas for more veggie related images that it will be spring before I finish.

Mighty, oil on hardboard 6x4.25" $99

I was going to call this pieces Mighty Mountain but Mighty seems like enough.

Fall "Bloom"oil on hardboard 6x6" $99

these fields of grass giving way to the colors of fall seem like the perfect support cast for the distant mountains.

Company's Coming, oil on hardboard 6x6" $99

When I met my husband he had a set of homely dishes.  There was a big fit pitch when I went to donate them.  We kept the mugs.  Now I'm kind of glad.

Take It To The Edge oil on hardboard 6.6" $99

It fascinates me how the human eye translates to the brain.  When I look at this computer image of the painting I expect the painting to be gigantic.  So much in formation in such a small space!

Parade Watch, oil on hardboard 8x8" $176

Transition, oil on hardboard 6x6" $99

This is kind of a before/after painting.The jar is pickled jalapenos that I did paired up with some that just got eaten on their own.  Love the way the stems curl around and cast the playful shadows.

Bring the Heat, oil on hardboard, 6x8" $132

Did you miss me? my Photoshop program took a walk on the wild side.  PC went to the infirmary for almost a week.  The timing was actually kind of good. We had a major windstorm.  Lasted about 2.5 days.  The power was on again, off again.  Cable was just OFF.
Computer is back, wind has stopped and I'm back in business!

Collector's Paradise, oil on hardboard, 6x6" $99

This is part of the driveway at a friend's place in Petaluma California.  It was such a wonderful day and the views went on and on!

Apples 3 Ways, oil on hardboard, 6x6" $99

Still after it.  This is much closer to what my minds eye sees.

Apples, No Thrift, oil on hardboard, 6x6" $99

This was the second attack on apples/still life.  A little looser than the first but still feels a bit tight to me

Gift Shop with Apples, oil on hardboard, 6x6" $99

After spending so much time on figures and plein air I decided to do a still life.  My good friends Greg and Gary have a gift shop at their nursery.  This vase was there for sale.  Irresistible! I had to borrow it to use as subject matter.  Wow.  When you haven't done something for a while the bike shakes.  It's going to take some doing to get these babies loosened up.  Stay tuned for apple mania.

Blue Scarf, oil on hardboard, 8x8" $176

To Fly, oil on hardboard, 12x12", $396

This is part of the ongoing women/bird series.  There was a bird in the upper left but it never felt right. Maybe she is so bird like on her own?

Di's Herd, oil on hardboard, 6x6" $99

My friend and writer Diane Mettler lives in Eatonville Washington.  She's WAY out in the country on a beautiful piece of land that neighbors her parents.  Her mom and dad raise cows.  These are mom and baby very soon after the little one was born.

Conditioned Air, oil on hardboard, 6x8" $132

A Life of Lessons, oil on hardboard, 8x8" $176

If you follow my blog you know that men don't show up here often.  This face! if anything ever screamed "paint me!" it was this.

Hang in There, oil on hardboard, 12x12", $396

This is part of a portrait series that I've been working on.  The more pieces I paint with the women and birds occupying the same space the more sense it makes to me.  There may be something unsettling about that.....

Bells and Whistles, oil on hardboard,6x6" $9

Bikes are like hemlines: they just keep revisiting the same old styles

Frank and Lupe's, oil on hardboard, 6x6" $99

If you are ever in Scottsdale be sure and eat at Frank and Lupe's.  The food was great!