Friday, May 30, 2008

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!

Thursday, May 29, 2008

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.



Wednesday, May 28, 2008

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!

Tuesday, May 27, 2008

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.



Monday, May 26, 2008

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!


Friday, May 23, 2008

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!

Thursday, May 22, 2008

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.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Southern Vermont Arts Center

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

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

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!

Monday, May 19, 2008

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.

Friday, May 16, 2008

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!

Thursday, May 15, 2008

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...

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

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!

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

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!

Monday, May 12, 2008

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!

Friday, May 9, 2008

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!

Thursday, May 8, 2008

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.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

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.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

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.

Monday, May 5, 2008

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!

Thursday, May 1, 2008

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
We will have original watercolors, giclee
prints, cards and more for sale.

We will also be on site painting both days!
Come on by!