Cozy nook

So I have a thing for cozy nooks...I guess that is the 'cancerian' in me. But from when I was little I was always looking for tight little spaces that I could curl up in with a good book and a mug of cocoa. I was very drawn to this photo which was featured on http://wideopenspaces.squarespace.com/ blog. I can almost feel the darkness envelope me...........snooooooooze.

via wide open spaces

Neapolitan

One of my favourite pair of shoes simply for its colors. Love the combination of dusty pink, cream and chocolate brown...........yummmm just like an icecream swirl. I wanted the entire palette of the painting to stay in the same range so did the background in similar colors too. Its fun getting the matching color just right. Hope you all have a lovely weekend. 

Oil on Hardboard - 8 x 8 inches

Title: Neopolitan 

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Click on the image to view it in a sample of frames

Frames and mats shown here are for display purposes only. Painting is sold unmatted and unframed.

Sherlock Holmes - the movie

Having seen Sherlock Holmes I wanted to do a post on the fabulous drawings featured at the end of the movie during the credits. They are a fusion of movie shots, watercolor paintings and calligraphy. I am just so impressed by the work and then found out more about the company that did it Graphic Exchange. Their website features more of their other works too and each one a masterpiece. Enjoy the Sherlock Holmes pics below and if you haven't seen the movie - watch it!

Shine

I was nervous about painting this  black pair as black is such a weird color to paint - you either get it completely right or completely wrong. I did an earlier study of another black pair so I could figure out my way with this one and I think I got it right. I haven't actually used black anywhere, just alot of dark purples, and  blues. But its amazing how all these dabs of paint come together to form an image of my black patent leather Mary Janes. 

Oil on Hardboard - 8 x 8 inches

Title: Shine

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Click on the image to view it in a sample of frames

Frames and mats shown here are for display purposes only. Painting is sold unmatted and unframed

Caramel

Caramel custard is one of my favorite deserts especially the baked kind. Another new pair of shoes I picked up last week in my eternal search for comfortable shoes for work. I do spend quite a bit of time on my feet and have a low tolerance for discomfort (Manolo, Jimmy, Prada...take a hint). I am going to try out these shoes tomorrow. 

Oil on Hardboard - 8 x 8 inches

Title: Caramel

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Click on the image to view it in a sample of frames

Frames and mats shown here are for display purposes only. Painting is sold unmatted and unframed.

Baby It's Cold Outside

This is our daughter's winter coat and I had so much fun painting this. I kept it very loose and wanted the background color to show through. This one I will not be putting up for sale but will be making prints to load up in the shop. If you are interested in a print then leave me a comment here. 

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Outlaw

Cowboy boots must be bought vintage otherwise not at all! This was a pair D picked up at a vintage store. It was in mint condition and the leather was softened in just the right places. I think I captured the colors well including the little gold clips at the toe end of the boot. 

Oil on Hardboard - 8 x 8 inches

Title: Outlaw

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Click on the image to view it in a sample of frames

Frames and mats shown here are for display purposes only. Painting is sold unmatted and unframed.

Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn is one of my favorite actresses and for that reason I like Natalie Portman from the current generation as she looks so much like her. Picked up this lovely pair from Joe Fresh, one of my favorite clothing stores.

Oil on Hardboard - 8 x 8 inches

Title: Hepburn 

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Click on the image to view it in a sample of frames

Frames and mats shown here are for display purposes only.  Painting is sold unmatted and unframed

Lace Me Up

I was sitting at the easel contemplating what to paint when my older daughter suggested I paint my shoes since I have so many (!! not!!) so I took her advice and got out the grey pumps. Its a pair I haven't worn yet as I find the heel too high. I absolutely enjoyed painting the shoes....it was a good day....had all the creative juices flowing and got the shadows inside the left shoe right and all the highlights. This has led me to do a whole series called 'In my closet' and soon to follow are some more paintings of my shoes, the girls winter coats, D's  cowboy boots.....and much more.

Oil on Hardboard - 8 x 8 inches

Title: Lace Me Up

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Click on the image to view it in a sample of frames

Frames and mats shown here are for display purposes only. Painting is sold unmatted and unframed

April

This painting comes framed in a floating frame with the canvas sides wrapped in black felt. Most of my older work is framed in floating frames and they give the painting a wonderful cohesive look. Lately I have been painting on panels / hardboard as I like the stiffness of the board and the smooth surface. 

Enjoyed doing this painting in Dubai and for me it was more about the colors than the detail of the image. 

Oil on Canvas - 26 x 26 inches

Mounted on a Floating Frame

Title: April

Mail me if you are interested in buying this piece

Apple 4

After my brief hiatus from painting it was great to get back into the studio and this was the first painting I turned out. I toned the hardboard with a lovely rust brown color which shows through the green apples and completed the whole painting using a large No.10 brush. Yesterday I painted a black & white photograph of D's Granpa Gaspar just as an exercise in values. And today started work on a landscape. Have registered at the Beaux Arts gallery for an oils workshop next month and quite looking forward to it.

Oil on Hardboard - 7 x 7 inches

Title: Apple 4

PLEASE EMAIL ME IF INTERESTED

Click on the image to view it in a sample of frames

Frames and mats shown here are for display purposes only.  Painting is sold unmatted and unframed

Return of the Ninjas.....no sorry Sinusitis!

The absolute worst thing about being sick with the sinusitis for 9 days is not being able to eat ice cream!!! kills me!!! and there IS lots of ice cream in the house!! oh when will I get well.......!! This has kept me away from the studio until today when I felt normal enough to go back in and quickly paint an 8x8 of a pair of green apples - enjoyed that so much.

Quote of the day

I like this quote. Going to pin it up on my studio wall. 

(found via Bryn Alexandra)

Bowled Over

These were the other vases I picked up from Value village and quite liked the muted colors of reds and greens. I do struggle with getting the mouths of the vases exactly right...spherical and all but I think I am improving in that area. The red vase had some beautiful reflections on the left side and I had fun painting them.

Oil on Hardboard - 7 x 7 inches

Title: Bowled Over

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Click on the image to view it in a sample of frames

Frames and mats shown here are for display purposes only.  Painting is sold unmatted and unframed

Tulips in Amsterdam

I do get a bit giddy when I see my art up in their new homes like below. This was a colorful painting of tulips and it now resides in Netherlands, in a tiny town called Sliedrecht a couple of hours away from Rotterdam and Amsterdam. 

Afternoon Tea

Don't you love Value Village - great place to pick up pretty things to paint ! Thats where I got this cute yellow teapot which came out beautifully in the painting below. I love how the subject really stands out once you darken the background. Picked  up a few other things like saucers, bowls and vases. They will be featured in my next painting. Stay tuned!

Oil on Hardboard - 7 x 7 inches

Title: Afternoon Tea

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Click on the image to view it in a sample of frames

Frames and mats shown here are for display purposes only. Painting is sold unmatted and unframed

Cheltenham Badlands

I spent the better part of Saturday reviewing pictures that D had taken in 2004, when we visited Canada for the second time. This one brought back so many memories - The Badlands themselves, the pack of hounds barking raucously while attempting to get the scent of their quarry, the fox and their masters atop their horses dressed the part.

I deliberately used a limited palete of reds, ochre and brown. And I used the color palete from a paint sample book from Home Depot. That just simplified the choice!      

Oil on Hardboard - 7 x 7 inches

Title: Cheltenhan Badlands

CLICK HERE TO BUY

Click on the image to view it in a sample of frames

Frames and mats shown here are for display purposes only. Painting is sold unmatted and unframed.

Green Apple Tea

My favorite Ikea mug and nothing like a cup of tea at this hour. Finally captured the reflection of the apple in the side of the mug. Came out well me thinks! Was planning on going to the country side for some photographs but it is snowing since yesterday and not a good day to get out, maybe tomorrow. Just finished gessoing my boards and trying out a bigger size of 8x8s for next month. A Happy March to everyone!

  

Oil on Hardboard - 7 x 7 inches

Title: Green Apple Team

PLEASE EMAIL ME IF INTERESTED

Click on the image to view it in a sample of frames

Frames and mats shown here are for display purposes only. Painting is sold unframed and unmatted

Sketchtaro

Discovered this artist Marc Taro Holmes and am completely awestruck by his work. He does alot of sketches of nudes and fictitious characters, paints in oils and does some amazing digital drawings. Looking at his work leaves me inspired and hungry to paint.

This is ones of his many sketches..........like the fluidity of the form, the girl's features and her hands. Hands are so hard to draw and paint but he got it!

One of his digital paintings. He uses a program called Artrage for his digital work and I love the combination of defined and loose work. I have downloaded Artrage for a 30 day trial. Will post on how it goes. If you would like to see more of Tarosan's work click on http://tarosan.wordpress.com/

Lily

I did this painting during the phase of exploring the female form. It was completed in Dubai and I was fascinated with capturing the transparent fabric against her skin. At the time D had built me a studio in our stairwell which had a 14 foot ceiling. D divided the space in half and I had a 7 foot studio with skylights illuminating my studio from both sides. I used a ladder to get up there and it was my piece of heaven. Got much work done in this space and recently found out that the house has been torn down to build a high rise. Boo hoo!

Oil on Canvas - 26 x 26 inches

Mounted on a Floating Frame

Title: Lily

PLEASE EMAIL ME IF INTERESTED