"Courtyard at Don Gaspar" oil on masonite 5x7"SOLD

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This is one of the small areas we sat in during our stay at Don Gaspar. Santa Fe isn't unusually hot but still, the cool atmosphere sitting under these trees was hypnotic.

"Sarah Sphere 2" oil on masonite 5x7"

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And yet another image of my beautiful neighbor. I think everything about her is so expressive. These paintings certainly don't portray her personality though. She's wild and funny, always brightly informed. I just hope she won't get bored with all of this.

"Angst" oil on masonite

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When I started these I never intended to do any without objects. However, this almost seemed like her hands and arms became objects. Sarah is such a good sport! I hope she'll continue to pose. We haven't talked since her first image was posted so I can only assume she's still speaking to me.

"Sarah Vessel 1" oil on masonite 6x10"

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I was up at 4:15Am today to be sure I could paint before I had to go to an appointment at 9:20. It's my day off and I HATE having to leave the property. I can't impress on anyone enough how hard it was to swing my legs off the side of the bed and lift my body off. If you haven't been following the news, Washington state is having some kind of freak weather. It's April 18th and it snowed. That means getting out of bed at that hour was cruel! My studio floor is concrete to boot! Boy, at this point I'm so glad I did. This series is materializing just like I hope. I can't thank my neighbor, Sarah enough for posing. Shhhhhhhhh, don't tell her but I've got some more ideas................

"March of the Ball Gowns" oil on masonite 5x7"SOLD

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All this fluff in one place is kind of eerie. Confession: I look for excuses to dress up. For the first 5 years after I was married we donned our wedding attire and went out. Once it was a pizza parlor. I could care less! Unfortunately my spouse tore his trousers so that was the end of that. If you follow my blog you know I wore my dress for Halloween in 2007.

"Sarah Sphere 1" oil on masonite 5x7"

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Yes! It is the model I wanted when this whole idea came about. She's such a good sport. Believe it or not she's part American Indian. In fact, she's a lawyer that specializes in Indian Law. She lives right next door to me (convienent). Amazing story teller and all around fascinating person. Trust me! you're going to be seeing more of her.

"Market Music" oil on masonite 5x7"

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I'm so impressed by the music artists that frequent our famous Pike Place Market. Imagine trying to paint for change in front of thousands of people.

"Breakfast At Don Gaspar" oil on masonite 5x7"

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My husband, Ross is a sculptor. He shows at a wonderful place 5 miles north of Santa Fe called Shidoni. If you ever get the chance you MUST visit. It's an artist's foundry and sculpture garden. The owner, Tommy Hicks is legend. Anyway, we go every other year to deliver new work. There's a bed and breakfast called Don Gaspar. It is beyond words. This painting is the little dining room where we enjoy the most wonderful breakfast and delightful conversations with the caretakers.

"Glass Ball II" oil on masonite 4x7"

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This is a bit self indulgent I'm sure. I really want to do this series. I'm not going to for warn you about what's to come. You might decide to not come back. Let's just say the mind is a frightening place.

"The Bridge" oil on masonite 5x7" NFS

This is actually here, in our wonderful state. My sister in-law comes each year to hike with a good friend. The friend has a birthday and...well, you know what she's getting!

"Party Perfect" oil on masonite 5x7"

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Funny, but when I look at this group of dresses all I can think of is Dancing With The Stars. When I was painting these images of the mannequins dancing around the mall after all the doors are locked. Kind of a Stephen King prom.

"Glass Ball 1" oil on masonite 4x7"

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I had this crazy idea for a series of paintings. All I would need was the co-operation of my cute, young, blonde neighbor. Only problem? when I got ready to go ask her I realized she was in the middle of a very busy Sunday. Consequence? not so cute, older brunette. Did I learn anything? Yep! I might want to lay off the weights.

"Window Shopping" oil on masonite 5x7" available from the artist

The title for this is probably a wee bit misleading. I'm pretty sure this was a Tavern. I guess it COULD be window shopping........

"Stand Tall" oil on masonite 5x7" available from the artist

Being a "product" of the 60s this yellow dress had lots of appeal to me. Funny, for some strange reason I'm now in contact with some of my high school friends. It makes me laugh to think of the girl then and the woman now. That girl would never had stood like these figures, even if she had the dress. This woman would have no problem!

"Dreamweaver" oil on masonite 5x7"

Seeing these window displays evokes one set of feelings but when you have to disect them to paint another set of feelings comes to the surface. I actually like the almost mechanical aspect of this set up. I also like their undies...

"Three For The Road" oil on masonite 6x6" SOLD

These women's suits are so sterile. Somehow hanging here, on a blank wall just exaserbated that feeling. Who wears these uniforms? why? It made for some great imagery but certainly won't be found in my closet. Does anyone else remember a time when "girls" weren't allowed to wear pants to school? frowned on in the work place? Oh, the good ole days!

"Luck of the Draw" oil on canvas 20x30"

I have a really wonderful friend that scrapped everything he knew as "normal" and bought an old neighborhood bar. He's striving to make it a destination Blues Bar. I wish it wasn't a 45 minute drive. I go as often as I can. The music has been great and he has IDEAS that would make your head spin. It's going to be a wonderful place. This won't be the last image you see of it. Pat's Bar & Grill, Kent, Washington

"Wishful Thinking" oil on masonite 6x6"

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This woman and this particular magazine seemed like such an odd fit. Proof, yet again, that we should never make assumptions based on appearance. Good Housekeeping? Readers Digest? It was delightful to watch her, seated next to her husband, each silent in their meanders through respectful periodicals.

"Promises" oil on masonite 4x6"

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Is there anything more optimistic than a wedding gown? Seattle has such wonderful window candy. It's like living in the desert; you don't even notice that it is a nice day because every day is a nice day. Who needs a coat? When you live outside of the city you notice it all. Pity the locals.

"Lily White" oil on masonite 6x6"

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Ross and I grow these beauties in our garden. It started with my son's wedding. We planted Casablancas for their color - white - and their fabulous smell. We've planted lots since then so I've totally lost control of which is which...except the original Casablanca. You can NOT mistake that fragrance. When I started this image I thought the background would be deep, midnight blue. Something happened along the way....

Oh! and my thanks to Karin Jurick for her advice on photographing. Even though it was minimal it got me to revisit some of the Photo Shop elements. This may not be perfect but it's far better than it's been. Thanks Karin!