Doodles of Poodles

In preparation for the commission poodle portrait I found I had poodles on the brain. Here I was painting another beach lady when her empty hands called out to be holding something. I was thinking about beach balls when poodles made their entrance. Now this is hardly a portrait poodle, more a poodle doodle, but it is the thought that counts.
All of these thoughts came as I was enjoying Golden, Colorado. Much to my total delight we had snow. For a born and raised southerner this was a gift. Back in Florida, 90 degrees and muggy. More dreams of moving west and north.

Thanks, Mom and Dad

Working away with Robert Plant and Alison Krauss singing in the background, me singing in the foreground. That is a terrifying reality, ask my family. It is so good to be back in the studio. Continuing in the same style as the "Beach Lady" with this new piece, "Thank you, Mom and Dad". It is small, 8"x10". The fine white lines are going to ruin the remaining vision I have. It is hard to be inside with the magnificent weather we are having. A weekend in the garden was what I really needed to feel rejuvenated. I received a commission yesterday for a large pet fantasy portrait of two poodles. It will be in the same style as this painting, "Harold's Fantasy." A Christmas gift! Uh oh! The countdown has officially begun for making gifts. 53 days until Hanukkah and 67 until Christmas. Thank you Alyson for the countdown.

Hello home

Home after a week in Houston helping family. It is good to be home, wherever home might be. If you read this blog very often you know I pine for the west and for cooler weather. I do. Houston had a few fall like days while I was there. It makes me hopeful that we can return to the out of doors and enjoy the garden again. Since the weather was nice on my visit I spent an evening outside drawing the branches of an oak tree in the backyard. That will come later this weekend when it is completed with the white line outline. Hmm a little rhythm to that phrase..."white line outline". I am posting a small 8"x10" painting. The "white line outline" is the finishing touch on this new beach lady. Seems it will work on trees, leaves, and people. Once again...love those gelly roll pens.

Citrus on black paper

In a recent comment I made on another artist's blog I mentioned how I start my new paintings. I take the paint remaining on my palette from my last piece and spread it over the new canvas. In doing this I have found myself starting on interesting colored backgrounds. When I didn't have a palette to clean I was using dark colors, even black. So leap forward to just using black paper to start with. This painting is of the citrus trees in our garden. The bluebirds represent a spirit that watches over me. I used acrylic paint on the 18"x22" black paper. Then outlined each element in white gelly roll ink (still love that stuff). It has a batik like appearance. You can click on the photo to see it in detail.A new method to explore.