Small Acrylic Break

I painted this small pear with acrylic on a 4x6 inch stretched canvas. It was a  nice break from the larger watercolor and pastels that I have been working on. I like to look for hints of warms and cools in the shadows and play with them till I think it works. I used a bright orange/red as an underpainting. I like how it gives the image a glow. I will post the other paintings soon. I felt like I was neglecting my blog so I did this quick pear.

Also a qucik travel note. Went to New York to the Moma to see the Tim Burton Exhibit and thought it was great. It's a nice insight to how he works, from highschool on with examples of sketches, paintings, storyboards, films, notes, models, armature, props... all really fun and a nice inspiration for the boys. Can't wait to see what they come up with now!

Wildbird Recovery Donation

I  painted these birds as demos for some classes and decided to donate them as a part of "Art for Animals"  to the Wildbird Recovery Center.  I did a project last year for the Butler County Humane Society and this year I chose the Wildbird Recovery, Songbird Rehabilitation Center in Valencia, PA.

Last spring I found a little robin that was neglected by it's parents... not being fed... I watched the others being fed... so I called the recovery center and they said to bring it in. While I was there another woman brought in a crow that was hit by a car. I never really thought there was such a place for birds... funded by donations... and getting the birds rehabbed and back out.

They were happy to recieve the paintings and I hope will sell through their giftshop to get needed supplies.

Volant Mill

I did this small 7x10 inch watercolor today for a show at the Blue Heron Gallery in Volant, PA. I had a show there this summer and was invited back for a reunion show this February. I will have three pieces in the show. I did some local images, one of the summer kitchen behind the gallery, one of a PA road, and this one of the mill. Volant is a great little town with shops and a fly fishing creek for the guys.

Dog Portrait

another 7x10 inch watercolor dog portrait... this little guy looks like a handful. What fun!

Almost Done

I bought myself some new pastels (terry ludwigs) and started this painting for a show at the Butler Art Center. The theme is art and music. I originally started a watercolor based on the Kokoon Club (an old Cleveland art club) Bal Masque but I couldn't wait to try the pastels. Wow, it is so nice to use these pastels. (I also like windsor newtons.) I will finish this today and get it to drop off tomorrow if I can make it out the driveway... snow, snow, snow...

Update- Here is the finished image. I cropped it to 14x18 inches. It will be matted and put into a 20x24 inch frame. I titled it "Preparing for Class".

Another Update- It won second place in the pastels.

How about two more

Two more 2.5 x 3.5 watercolor, face cards.

I am doing some research on the Kokoon Club, an artist club from Cleveland, Ohio that had it's heyday in the 1920's and 1930's. They used to have fundraising "Bal Masques" that were costumed, decorated, skandalous?... and the hottest ticket in town.

Four more 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inch Face Cards

Well I decided to call them my "face cards." I have been having fun with them so far. I should be working of a piece for a show I am entering, but these are more fun at the moment. (2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches, watercolor)

Last of the year and a new beginning...

I was cleaning out my studio, looking at ebay, blogs and what others are doing. I found some watercolor paintings that I was not happy with so I cut them up into 2.5 x 3.5 inches to use for collages thinking I could use them for artist trading cards. I found a few smaller face studies that I did and liked so I started painting other faces on the blank side of the "cards". I liked them too. I think I will continue with these mini series... but what to do with them later... Do people still buy, trade these cards? I have seen them on etsy and ebay... What would be worthwhile to sell them at.... so many questions... I have a headache... I will just keep painting for now.... Here are the first two done on 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inch 140 lb watercolor paper.

DSFDF Portrait Challenge

I started my blog last year with the DSFDF portrait challenge and had so much fun with it. I jumped right in with this years challenge and hope the unknown artist that was given to me to paint (I am pretty sure I know) is happy with the results. Watercolor 7x10 inches

For those of you not familiar with the Different Strokes from Different Folks, it is worth checking out.

Fun to participate and fun to follow!

Update- Yes, I guessed right. It is Dean and you can click on his name to visit his site and see the painting he did of me. (note how we both used warm colors against cools-totally unplanned by us)

Backyard Pond

My last commission for this season. I learned alot with this painting. It is watercolor with pastel on top. I had a hard time with the reference photos and creating a focal point that didn't look like a black hole in the center on top of fairly flat colored greens. So I pushed the colors and shadows and am happy with the results. It ended up to be fun. 8x26inches