"Home Alone" oil on masonite 6x6" SOLD

There was just something about this adorable face.

"Can You See Me Now?" oil on masonite 6x6"

Shhhhhhhhhhh!  don't tell but this cat does not belong to me.  My Ollie would be most offended if he knew someone else had a stars role today.
I actually did 2 paintings today.  The other one is part of a painting challenge group I have joined.  Each month is a new "challenge" picked by one of the members.  This month it was to set a timer for 30 minutes and when it rings PUT YOUR PAINT BRUSH DOWN!  Well let me tell you!  that was the fastest 30 minutes I ever spent.The group doesn't post until the 15th so you'll just have to wait to see

"Sarah and Chucks" oil on masonite NFS

I "met" this delightfully, funny, smart woman on Facebook.  Her name is Sarah and she has a passion for art and "Chucks".  Don't know what they are?  I didn't either.  Not a term I had heard used for Converse tennis shoes in the Northwest.  These are what I suspect are just a couple of her stash.  She had a birthday recently and I think it's only fitting that she have this painting.

"Going Green" oil on masonite 6x6" SOLD

This is my little grand dog Otis.  My son has a pool and Otis LOVES to accidentally lose his floating green ball on a regular basis.  He's an adorable little Blue Healer.  I think he may be 12 this year.  His age only shows when its convenient for him.  Out of no where he will burst into a flurry of puppy play then the next moment he's hobbling off to nap.

"I Am All That" oil o masonite 10x10"

This is my cat, Ollie.I would paint him every day.  Biased? yes.  But I think he's BEAUTIFUL

"The Wait" oil on masonite 12x12" SOLD

Finally!  I've been waiting for my new camera to post this painting.  It's only the first one but I think the quality is better and I'm very anxious to get some new paintings up and running.
I just want to pluck this guy off the page and hug him.  That's probably the result of being a dog free zone at this juncture.  Oh well, I have the neighbors pups.

"Candy Hicks, Shidoni" oil on masonite 6x6" SOLD

My husband has shown his sculpture at Shidoni in New Mexico since 1989.  Tommy Hicks is not only the owner but a wonderful friend.  During our visit this summer we met little Miss Candy.  She is a most loyal devotee.  She prances her little body next to Tommy's golf cart as if she were guarding a king.  In many ways she is.

"Wine Country" oil on masonite 6x6" SOLD

Ross and I recently took our first trip to Walla Walla, Washington to go on a "wine tour" with the wine group we meet with.  We have the least knowledge in the group so we some times would get distracted with other things.  For instance, almost all the wineries have Venetian plaster work somewhere in their interiors.  The first place I saw it I ended up in a full body rub of the wall.  It was so cold and smooth! and an amazing visual effect.  Then there was the view some of the property afforded!  all those plants forced into strict formation just put your eyes into overload.

"Liberty" oil on masonite 6x6"

This was one of those paintings that you just keep fussing with.  Not because it get too difficult but because you're having fun.  Little did I know my lettering skills were so shoddy.

"At the Tasty Freeze" oil on masonite 6x6"

I've been thinking about this image for a long time.  The day was so gray I wasn't sure I could make it interesting.  Actually pleases me a lot.

"The Pups of Abeja" oil on masonite 6x6" SOLD

I met these little darlings on a recent visit to the outstanding winery Abeja in Walla Walla, Washington.  They belong to John and his partner Molly.  They were everywhere we went but amazingly never under foot.

"Sarah's Beauty" oil on masonite 6x6"

Available from the artist or on Ebay

I've been working on a larger piece for 3 days.  I finally gave in to the realization that it was never going to be a successful painting.  Palette knife and turpentine to the rescue.  This little piece gave me the much needed satisfaction I was after.  Real life or in a painting, dogs always make us feel better about ourselves.

"At The Ready" oil on masonite 6x6" SOLD

This may be the final one of this series.  The three sitting there together in the studio make a wonderful trio.  Since I'm so partial to red they may end up framed and hanging in our house.  Ask me tomorrow.

"Bow Check" oil on masonite 6x6"

This series hasn't progressed at all like I imagined it in my head. The challenges have been in places I least expected. However, the over all effect makes me smile so I guess that's the right path.

"The Tune Up" oil on masonite 6x6"

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http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380259189465&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT A lot has happened since I last painted on a consistant basis. My husband took a full time teaching position at a college as well as taking charge of the gallery at the same college. Might not mean much to you but it meant I had to find a way to absorb the chores he used to do. No one is more dedicated to what they do than he is so it only seemed appropriate that I do whatever I could to allow him to shine. I've missed the studio and all the wonderful contacts that painting has afforded me. However, I have a whole new appreciation for our garden. When you have 5 acres and almost 3 of it is landscaped there is a never ending list of things needing to be done. I no longer dread them. Hauling pails of water to needy plants that are beyond the reach of hoses has become almost rhythmic. However, things are somewhat under control and I see myself, brush in hand, indulging my own fantasy. I may even paint the garden! An author of garden books brought a tour through on Wednesday. She guides tours all over the world. She took me aside to tell me that, in her opinion, we have one of the top 10 gardens anywhere that they visit. WHO KNEW???

"Setting the Bar" oil on masonite

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"Garden Queen" oil on masonite 4x4"

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"Get Real!" oil on canvas 8x10"

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"The Other Bluehair" oil on masonite

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"Ticker" oil on masonite 5x7"

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This marvelous little Blue Healer belongs to my neighbor. He was a rescue dog. He's amazingly smart. He also likes to talk (bark). I've actually gotten to where I worry if he doesn't greet me with some persistant woofing. I really yearn for him to warm up to me more.

"Ollie and Me" oil on masonite 5x5"

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"Bubble Up" oil on masonite

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Don't we all remember this?

"Prep Work" oil on masonite

The Neighbors Barn oil on masonite

This poor barn keeps losing pieces like a set of legos. I guess someday it will tumble over all together. Until then I will selfish soak in the delightful visions that it presents.

"Lone Pony" oil on masonite 4x4"

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I live in a dairy/logging community. We are probably the only property on our street that does not own animals over 18lbs. There are horses and cows EVERYWHERE. I must admit they make nice images. However, do not expect me to own one...ever.

"Sunday's Child" oil on masonite 5x5"

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I laugh every time I look at this painting. The way I saw the little girl was delicate and quiet. Missed the mark on that one. However, as a great lover of all things color I'm pretty happy.

"The Guardian" 4.5x5.5" oil on masonite

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It's so odd. I'm not a boxing fan but if you were paying attention there was a young man from the Phillipines that just won his 7 weight division. Unheard of. Some say he's the best fighter of all time. Somehow this painting reminded me of him. I didn't see the fight but I read about it and saw some highlights. The will of an individual is an amazing thing.

"The Party's Over" oil on masonite 6x6"

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We met this little tike at a wedding reception. She and her sister are two of the most beautiful children I've ever seen. That's your warning. There will be more paintings of them.

"Fashion Forward" oil on masonite 5x7"

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I met this woman at a wedding. I can't tell you how intrigued I was with her profile. So many interesting features but when they all came together she was a very attractive woman. No cookie cutter here.

"About The Worry" oil on masonite 6x6"

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Children are so magical. Don't you wonder what, if anything is going through that little mind? I think it about my cats all the time. I refuse to believe that they don't think. The other day my Ollie wandered into the bathroom with me. The only doors in our house are to the outside and to the bathrooms. When I turned on the water to the shower he immediately tried to stretch his 18lbs up to the doorknob to get out. Explaint THAT to me.

"Why Is It Doing That?" oil on masonite 6x6"

"What?!?" oil on masonite 4.5x5x5

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"7th hole, par 3" oil on masonite

This photo makes the painting look like a watercolor. Odd. I may have to re-shoot just because I think it is a much stronger piece in person (aren't they all?)
Our weather has changed dramatically here. I haven't been on the course in about 2 weeks. Maybe a good thing since the salmon run was in full swing (no pun) on my last visit. They are pretty far up stream by the time they reach the course so there will be lots of deaths. The smell is not so inviting. The creek on our property is so low this year that we don't really expect to see many if any at all.

"Struttin' Stuff" oil on masonite 5.5x5.5"

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Sometimes it becomes difficult to know what draws us to a subject. There just seemed like something very strong and very confident in this woman.

"4th hole, par 5" oil on masonite 6x6"

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I'm not sure I did this justice. What you can't see is the long, bright green valley leading up to where the painting starts. I may have to do a second version just to satisfy myself. What am I saying? they're all to satisfy me.

"A Moments Contemplation #2" oil on masonite 6x6"

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I saw this woman while dining out one evening. She was with her adult son and it was obvious the conversation was not going well. Having my own adult son I really felt for her. My son has never made me feel like she looked. He'll be 40 tomorrow and for me it is the anniversary of a most marvelous day.

"Par 3, 3rd" oil on masonite 6x6"

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In 2008 I took up golf. Actually, I was the last hold out in my family. When my son gave in to it in 2007 and loved it so much I decided to give it a go. This image is from our local course. We live in the foothills of Mt. Rainier and even though it is a public course and sometimes a little rough (no pun) around the edges it provides with spectacular views. My husband and I go at the crack of dawn so as to not hold up the real golfers. Don't get me wrong. My husband, Ross is a real golfer. However, one hack, even in a twosome, can slow you down tremendously. I'd love to set up my paints right on the course but the danger is too high. We've met some delighful folks. We have an inordinate number of senior citizens in our little town. Here is a group of 4, sometimes 5, that meet every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. They are almost always the first group behind us. Jim is tall, lanky and very friendly. Chucky is considerably shorter, not quite so talkative but equally encouraging. I haven't met the others yet. I plan to take the homemade sticky buns one morning. I need all the help I can get.

"In My Opinion" oil on masonite 6x6"

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This portrait is of one of my best friends. Chris is one of the most creative, funny, dark people I've ever known. The good news is he lives one mile down my street so I'm lucky enough to enjoy his company often. If you'd like to see his work take a gander at Forgottenobjects.com
You won't be disappointed.

"The Popcorn Bag" oil on masonite 6x6"

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Everything about this little girl was adorable. The hat, sunglasses and those chubby little cheeks. How is it that a knit cap in the heat of summer can seem so right?

"Attitude" 6x6" on masonite

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It's been a long, unusually hot summer here in our little town. This woman was eyeballing the local eatery that served up ice cream during the local street fair. Everyone has complained about the economy and yet this place decided to close at their normal time - 2! I can't tell you how much business they missed.

"Is ThatYou Tim?" oil on masonite, 6x6" sold

okay! so I've been gone. It has been a very busy summer here. Our niece Emma got married on our property and our time was captive trying to get the 5 acres ready for 200 guests. It was a marvelous event but now I am "back to business".
This images is of a wonderful man we met at his art store in Astoria, Oregon. I have already painted his partner so it was only fitting that he show up.
A lot has happened this summer. I attended my, gasp!, 40th high school reunion. Not spectacular in of itself except I went to my 20th and hated it. Why go back one might ask. Well I'm sure glad I did. Not only did I have a marvelous time, I have reconnected with some of the most amazing people. I look forward to their emails each and every day. What did we do before the internet?

"Tickled" oil on masonite 6x6"

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Was she really this cute? YES! and her willingness to look right at you without any unease was so refreshing. Who gets hair like that? Totally unfair.

"That Parker Woman" oil on masonite 6x6"

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We have these friends, the Parkers. They are a large group. Fun and frolic all of them. We are lucky enough to be included in some of their celebrations. This beautiful youngster is the daughter of one of the many brothers. Her face and features just beg to be painted. I seriously hope this is not the last study I do of her.

"It's All About the Hat" oil on masonite 6x6"

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That little glow of lip hair "had me at hello". Sometimes what we don't see is as important as what we do. Did I get that backwards? Oh well. It was fun having so little to work with but seein potential. I was very please with the end.

"Best In Show" oil on masonite 6x6"

This beautiful little guy is Otis. He's one sharp cookie! He's also my son's best friend after the wonderful woman he married. I have forgotten how old he is. His face never changes so you just don't think of him as getting older. He's also smart as a whip......wait! has anyone ever stopped to wonder how smart a whip is? Strange things we humans say.

"Another Girl With a Pearl" oil on masonite 6x6"

Funny what a split second will do. This young woman is actually quite attractive. This look may not play well for her but it was great fun to paint.

Long days journey

Well! Last week I took "vacation". Translated that means I did not go to my day job. Instead I stayed at the old homestead and cut, clued, clamped and wired 58 frames. Two were 30x42, 0ne was 24x36 and the remainder were 7x7". Since I had never done this before it was quite the adventure. Ross and I purchased a frame cutting system last year and this was the maiden voyage. Let's say I will NOT be giving the local frame shop any competition. However, they are not bad! My brother Greg is a finish carpenter and came over one day to observe and give advice. It would have been so easy to just let him do it but then again I would have missed an opportunity to expand my skills. He was very helpful. My technique with the saw needed some serious work. Even with good equipment you have to pay attention to all your movements. I guess it's not that much different than a good sable haired paint brush.

Anyhoo...this was all in preparation for mounting a show at the local City Hall. We live in a very small town and have been making a concerted effort to become more involved with the visual arts. Though it is not a traditional venue when they asked I didn't hesitate. These images give you an idea of what we ended up with. Thank goodness for laser levels and a few other tricks I used. They may not be 100% level through out but I think it's pretty good.