Miles of Canvas

I started with a coffee cup.  Then I moved on to another coffee cup.  Then I actually put coffee in a coffee cup.  Then - a breakthrough - my sunglasses on the table with the coffee cup!

Okay - obviously, these are no Van Goghs, but I am on my mile-of-canvas mission!  I think I've only got about 5,278 feet to go.   I know some of these color combinations are a bit off the beaten path, but I read a loosening up tip - to close your eyes and put your fingers on 3 colors on the color wheel and go with it. So that is sort of what I did.  I figured it couldn't hurt!   And by the way - sorry folks - these are not for sale.  They are part of my private collection.

Fishing time

 Acrylic on canvas

16 x 20

This is another painting I did while taking lessons from Jane Slivka, a wonderful artist in Mt. Dora.  I am also now fortunate enough to call her a dear friend as well!  There were 5 of us in her Wednesday evening classes last spring -  Jess, Tanya, Gail, Jill, and moi.  It was a fun group and we had an absolute blast.  I specifically remember some hysterical laughing going while we were working on this painting.  We were all good sports and could laugh at ourselves.  Jane is an inspiration and provides a lot of motivation and encouragement.   

Remnants

Sailboat

Acrylic on scrap wood

I did this quick little painting on a scrap piece of plywood I found lying around.  We are always building, repairing, or replacing something at my house.  It seems a shame to just toss all of it, so I try to utilize the scrap lumber in some manner.  I, of course, first clean the wood, then I lay on several layers of gesso before toning.  This is not even a neatly cut or square piece of wood.  I think that frees me up to do my painting quicker and looser since I am not using an expensive canvas.  This was a fun exercise. 

Mailboxes

Rural Mailboxes

Acrylic on canvas

This is a painting I did while in a painting class in college.  Our assignment was to do a "mood" painting from one of our own personal images.   This is a row of raggedy old mailboxes (including mine) near my house.   I had taken the photo a year or so before I painted them, and chose these warm colors because that was the feeling I got when I took the picture on a sunny afternoon.  This painting was actually chosen for publication in the college's award winning Literary and Arts Magazine, "Imprints."  I was very flattered to be chosen.  The magazine included some really wonderful writings, photographs, digital art, as well as paintings.  If you are interested in looking through the magazine, a virtual copy of it can be accessed at http://www.cf.edu/current/imprints/  My painting appears in volume 18. 

Thanks to Jane

Island Ladies

Acrylic on canvas

16" x 20" (maybe)

Ok - sorry - I've got to start measuring my paintings, I know.   You can count on most of them being well over 10 x 10 though.  I just have not mastered the fine art of painting small like some of my mentors and co-artists.  This painting, however, does reflect the direct influence of my good friend, artist, and teacher, Jane Slivka, who has painted more of these ladies than she can now count!  They are a great learning experience and a lot of fun.  I think this may have been my first attempt at them in her class.  Jane - you rock!

Geraniums

Geraniums

 24 x 24 (at least)

Acrylic

Ok - I know that's not very professional, but I forgot to measure it.  It's pretty big though.  I did this painting several months ago.  I really liked it then, but I looked at it the other day and thought - ugh - just a bunch of red blobs.  So I added more depth to both the flowers and the leaves and I like it much better.  I love geraniums by the way and will probably be doing more of them.  I also hope to get a better camera soon so that my photos are a little clearer.  I'm really struggling with that right now. 

My studio space

I have no excuses now.  We started refurbishing the studio space after my youngest son moved out at the end of December.  It needed a lot of work after 2 boys living in it for 20 years.  I'm still arranging things and have shelves to put up, but I actually did some painting in it last night for the first time.  It is so exciting to have a specific place to paint.  My husband did an awesome job on the floors.