Peachy Keen Workshop

This last week I had the opportunity to take a still life workshop with Pat Kelly, one of my favorite area artists. Pat first came to my notice about 10 years ago. We were living in Charlotte, NC at the time and really missing San Diego. While visiting San Diego (for Katy's first birthday) I walked into a gallery in La Jolla, saw a painting of Eucalyptus trees, and fell in love. The artist was Pat Kelly. I didn't get to meet her at the time, but did buy the painting (over the phone). "Summer on our Street" has had pride of place in our home ever since.

So---when the opportunity to take a week long workshop from Pat arose, I jumped at it. Still life is considered the "work horse" of learning to paint. It offers a somewhat controlled painting experience: you get to choose the subject matter and how it is arranged and lit. And, unlike a model, it won't move (unless it's flowers). And, unlike plein air, the light won't change dramatically in a short period of time. But is it painting from life, from the real thing. Very important.

Despite the long drive to and from San Diego each day, it was a great experience. I learned a lot, had fun, and painted like crazy. After spending the first day warming up with a couple of small studies, we settled in to work on a large canvas. Pat's set ups were luscious, elegant and colorful. It was difficult to choose just one! I did though, and finished a large (20 X 24) painting of peaches and Fiesta ware. I call it "Al Fresco".

Western Roots

For the past several weeks I've been painting from references sent to me by Abbey Vogel. Abbey is married to my nephew Adrian, who is a working rancher: a cowboy. They are great references and have been a lot of fun to paint from. They also bring back a lot of memories of growing up in Dodge City, Ks, the self-styled "Cowboy Capital of the World."
Western Art is a very popular genre here in the west. It just feels at home here where the equine population rivals that of humans, and hats a boots are the daily uniform of many. 

So it's not at all odd that our neighbor city of Temecula is sponsoring a Western and Wildlife Show next month.  This show has been the impetus, or excuse, for my spate of western paintings.

Here are the four I plan to enter:



I call this one "Cowhand Conversation" A cowboy's horse and dog may not be witty, but at least they always agree with him.

This one is "Over Easy".  It shows the power and grace of a horse and rider in perfect sync.

"Moving Day" is an important day in ranchers' lives

Is there  ANYTHING cuter than a little boy in a big cowboy hat?  Rings my bell!  Especially when the little boy is as cute as Paxton, Abbey and Adrian's first born.  "Pax in the Hat" is the title of this one.

Big Sky Country

Montana may claim to be the official Big Sky Country, but in reality, all of the west deserves this title. Even in western Kansas, where I was born and raised, the sky is the dominant feature of the landscape. And it is ever changing and often dramatic: a huge expanse of blue will give way to enormous thunder clouds or to a magnificent sunset.

When we were "in exile" from the West in Carolina, while I loved the towering trees, I often found myself wanting to push them aside so that I could see the far off horizon and more of the sky. I sorely missed that.

Now when I set out to paint a landscape, I often find the sky the most compelling feature of the composition. That was certainly true of this painting. I'm not sure what to call it. Any ideas??

After the Rain

There's not much like the fist sunny Sunday after a week of rain in Southern California to tempt one outside to paint. Unless it is combined with an invitation from the California Art Club to a paint out in a beautiful location. Then it's irresistible! The paint out, hosted by Pat Kelly, an artist I much admire, was held in a rural area near Ramona. It featured beautiful views of snow dotted mountains, seasonal ponds, trees not yet in leaf, and vast stretches of meadow just turning green.

It was a lovely day to paint in the company of other plein air enthusiasts and followed by an instructive group critique. I have "tweaked" my effort a bit in the studio, but essentially this is the painting. I call it "Almost Spring."

Bye bye minis, hello new projects

2009 has galloped into the past, and so have the holidays, including my holiday from "real" painting.   I very much enjoyed painting my minis, but when I placed a pristine white 16 x 20 canvas on my easel and it looked HUGE, I knew it was time to stop horsing around and get back in the saddle for some serious painting.

OK, enough of the equine metaphors; but before I  say good bye to them, here are a few horse minis to round out the cat, dog and horse images.

Christmas Greetings

During this Most Wonderful Time of the Year, I wish each and all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Creative New Year.

Our family has celebrated Christmas with cats for many years.  They add greatly to the festivities, and of course have inspired several Christmas cards.  Here is a painting of our beloved Maine Coon, Figgy, and a reprise of a little poem I wrote a few years ago.  Blessings.

Some visitors at Christmas time

come feathered and bedecked

But others--quite surprisingly

Are not what we expect

One was a tiny baby

so helpless and so small

but come to save the entire world

with hope and grace for all

So don't neglect to claim your gift

It will bring you peace and joy

All because one Christmas time

God was a baby boy

More minis

A Bow Wow to Dogs

Lest those among you who are dog-gone crazy about dogs protest, let me assure you that I am also quite fond of canines.  And, they are fun to paint.

The Black Beauty with the bow around her neck was Sadie, possibly the best dog who ever lived.

She enriched Sara and John and Katy and Nicki's lives immeasruably for many years.  She is missed.