Spring flower party

"Three of a kind"

The irises in the garden are in full bloom! It might seem that

everything is a little early this year, but if you think about

it, we are at the end of May! So maybe global warming has

something to do with it...but I think the lilacs, lily of the valley,

peonies, poppies and all the early bloomers are showing up

at the party right on time!

Southern Vermont trip

"Plethora of Peonies"

Unfortunately Frog Hollow's craft center and gallery in

Manchester is closing and I picked up my work yesterday.

It is always sad when galleries close and it forces me to

look elsewhere to display and sell my work. Luckily when

I went to the Southern Vermont Arts Center to check out

the Member's show I stopped by their Gift shop and they

are now carrying some of my Giclee prints! Sometimes things

just work out.

Bountiful floral shapes

"Bountiful" private collection

This painting was a study in getting as

many floral shapes on one piece of paper

as possible! Everything from irises, to lilies

cyclamen, tulips even some hibiscus. This past

weekend was Open Studio and we saw alot of

traffic. Many interested individuals and it

seemed we were a specific destination for

many folks. That's always a nice compliment.

Hope to do it again next year!

Birds of a feather...

"Triple threat"

I usually paint roosters as such solitary animals, but

I have a few paintings where they share the paper.

I don't even really know if they could possibly live together

or if they are super territorial creatures? If I'd have to guess

I would think they don't share well....just a hunch.

Citrons, but with pansies

"Citrons" 7.5" x 7.5" private collection

I love doing these little paintings. They are so much fun

and force me to focus in on a specific part of a still life set up.

I just bought a bunch of pansy six packs for the garden

and I wanted to take all those bright faces home with me

from the green house! They are irresistible!

By the fence

"By the fence" private collection

People always ask me if I keep chickens, since I paint

so many of them...but unfortunately (or fortunately) that

isn't the case. I can't imagine waking up (every day!) to the early

morning crowing of the rooster! The birds around the house

seem to get started whistling their songs at about 4:30 a.m. as it is.

It's off to set up for Open Studio, load the car with work

and rehang some walls. Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend!

Petals of purple

"Petals of Purple" 22" x 15"

Getting ready for Open Studio this

weekend...I've got the prints framed,

the originals boxed up, cards made and

hopefully everything organized a bit.

The newspapers are full of announcements

for all the artists across the state who are

participating. It should be a lovely weekend

and the weather is supposed to cooperate!

Hope you get out and about.

Southern Vermont Arts Center

'Fabric, Fruit and Flowers" 15" x 22"

The Southern Vermont Arts Center

in Manchester just released their new

catalog and this painting was chosen to

represent the Vermont Watercolor Society

show in November in the catalog. They

have some good shows lined up for the

coming months. Right now I have two paintings

in the Member's show, which runs for a few more

weeks. Stop by if you are in the area!

Rte. 22a Barn

"Rte. 22a Barn" 15" x 22"

Now here is something I don't usually paint that often.

I painted outside last week with my friend Sean Callahan

and we set up along the road and had a "field" day.

It was so much fun and we hope to paint on site on a regular

basis this summer and fall! So between weekly figure sessions,

outside painting and studio time, my subject matter

should be nice and varied this year!

Fight or flight

"Fight or flight"

This fellow is quite unsure of what to make of his

observer. He'd rather head for the hills...or maybe he's

slyly showing off his beautiful feather colors. Either way

he was fun to paint and I hopefully captured some of his

personality along the way.

Reminder** this coming weekend is open studio in Vergennes.

Check my earlier blogs for the postcard announcement or

email me for more information.

Tulip Team

"Tulip Team"

This is spring to me! Everywhere you
look there are bunches and groupings of
tulips growing. Every color under the rainbow.
Last night Warren Kimble's retrospective show
opened at the Shelburne Museum and it was
fantastic! He is such a gracious gentleman. I had
asked him to speak at the spring meeting of the
Vermont Watercolor Society in April and he agreed! His
storytelling and colorful art life are an inspiration!

Pink Peony POW!

Private Collection

I don't know what happened with my

Tuesday post, but it never got sent out

and piggy-backed on yesterday's post.

Hope that doesn't happen again, but

what can you do...computers and technology

seem to have a mind of their own sometime.

I've scheduled a peony painting workshop in

Burlington in June and it filled up in a week!

I had every intention of publishing it on my blog, but

gave my previous students first dibs and they

signed right up...there is a waiting list. Another workshop

is in the works to be held in Woodstock, so stay tuned...

Escaped cherries

Here is a "calm" still life, where the

cloth plays almost a bigger role than

the objects. I need to go out and find

some more interesting fabric patterns

to use in my set-ups. Renewed inspiration

is always good for a renewed creative jolt!

a King's crown

"Crowned Royal"

Giclee print available

This guy seems to be reading exactly

what's on your mind. Wouldn't want

to be stuck in the coop with him! He

looks like he could attack the ankles!

I'll have the original painting at Open

Studio, which is coming up fast!

Pansies for the garden

"Pansy with Pear"

I just bought a bunch of potted pansies for the garden

and it is time to think about planting outside. In Vermont

we might still have the chance for some frost, but we are

getting close to being in the clear. My workshop ended

up with everyone producing some good work and hopefully

with brains full of information and renewed energy for

watercolors!

Farmer's Market

This is a little early, but the Farmer's

Markets around Vermont are starting up

soon. Usually Mother's Day is the kick-off

for the season with tulips and daffodils for

sale. The fiddleheads and ramps are the

first produce you'll see. Red ripe tomatoes

are a ways away, but just roaming outside

and seeing local product is a nice treat.

Happy Mother's Day!

Roses are yellow...

"Yellow Roses"

Here is the other rose painting I did...there might be

others, but they are hidden deep in my paper file!

I was commissioned years ago to paint a bride's

wedding bouquet...white roses and creamy calla lilies.

Yikers! They loved it and I realized I enjoy painting

colorful flowers more! It's a contrast thing. But

hey, maybe it's time for a challenge, that way I have

to develop the space around the flower and leave the

paper white...there could be something here...stay tuned.

Bulb bloomer

"Architectural Amaryllis"

22" x 10"

Here is another bulb bloomer that

is slightly different for me to paint.

I have painted amaryllis in the past, but

not so very often. Like I said yesterday

I am showing some other flower images this

week. My workshop starts tomorrow... It's off

to the florist to pick up some assorted

stems for class so we will be inspired by color! With

this weekend being Mother's Day there should

be plenty of choices.

Roses are Red...

"Two Roses"

This is only the second attempt...maybe third to paint

roses. All those petals make for a difficult subject.

I am trying to challenge myself by painting other floral

inspirations. I will ofcourse continue with my all

time favorites of poppies, tulips, irises and peonies, but

let me know what you think of the roses. I'll post the other

rose piece sometime this week.

On a mission

"On a mission"

After a short break, but managing to get one post in

last week...it's on a mission for me again.

This week is the second of my workshops at the

Helen Day in Stowe and then it's prep work for

Open Studio! Spring has sprung and tulips are

blooming. Enjoy!

Open Studio 2008

This is this year's postcard announcing

Open Studio. Vermont's State-wide open studio

event is Memorial Day weekend.

May 24 & 25
I will once again be sharing my friend

Sean Callahan's beautiful studio in Vergennes.

We will have original watercolors, giclee

prints, cards and more for sale.

We will also be on site painting both days!

Come on by!