Birthday Bird (P)

5" x 7", watercolor, colored pencils on watercolor paper.

Hyenas (P)

I painted this 3' x 3' canvas a few years ago, oil on canvas. It's a ball of hyenas. You're welcome.

Maizie! (P)

I actually entered this little painting (12"x12" oil on balsa board) into an online contest, taking inspiration from my wonderful friend's best buddy. It won nothing, but it got me into the studio for a hot second!

Paintober: Stars and Planets (I)

Watercolor on watercolor paper, 11" x 17".

Paintober: Midsommar (P)

I started painting this piece, and then I pulled out an old ruler that I didn't realize was COVERED in pastel and ruined it! Or at least I thought I did until I spoke with my brilliant friend Jennifer, who suggested I make a collage - cut out the pieces I could keep, paint some more, and make layers! SAVED!! AMAZING!!

Paintober: Shell (I)

Watercolor on watercolor paper, 11" x 17"

Venice Cathedral Sketch (I)

Amazing to think that at this time last year I was sipping cappuccino in Venice and drawing this church, which loomed over our hotel (itself a converted monastery). I feel so lucky to have treated myself to that experience! Check out my post from last year, with more art and photography. 

 

Mynah (I)

A lil mynah bird I painted in Hawaii. These guys are everywhere there!

Paintober: Watermelon (I)

Watercolors on watercolor paper, 8.5" x 11".

Paintober: Full Moon (P)

A very happy birthday to my biggest fan. I love you, mom!

Paintober: Redwood Tree (P)

Acrylic and pastel on two canvas boards, 1' x 4'.

RIP Pearl (P)

A few years ago I did a portrait for a friend of mine who had lost a truly phenomenal friend. This is the companion piece, commissioned for another amazing creature, and I was more than happy to help. It was an interesting challenge, trying to at least approximate the first piece's feel, and I think I did all right. 

Rest in peace, Pearl.

Journal Flowers (I)

Lately I've been trying to do more quick sketches, trying to be a little looser with my expectations, let things flow a little. Here's a sketch I made in about 45 minutes, pen and ink on graph paper with some watercolors thrown in. I'm into it!

Venice! (P, I)

I went to Venice back in August for a 10-day painting trip and LOOOVVVVVED it. I had to stop myself, like forcibly, from taking a picture of every single canal. We all had a final painting assigned, so here's mine, which incorporates various elements from the trip onto three canvas boards, each about 12" x 24":

We saw a bunch of art exhibits, including the Biennale exposition, and we made some sketches around the city. Here's one I made over a couple of mornings where I'd wake up, buy a cappuccino, and sit by the Giudecca Canal:

And of course I took a ton of photos. Please click here to see them!

 

Paintober: Pinhead from Hellraiser (P)

Didn't October just start? Why is it over, though?? Oh Best Month, you truly are the best month...and I shall miss you. Here's another Paintober creation, which I thought was appropriate for the spookiest day of the year. I'm constantly challenging myself to be looser with my lines, my colors, my attachment to what something "should be." This is a bit more abstract than I intended, but I'm sort of in love with it! 

HAPPY BEST MONTH EVERYONE!! 

Oil on wooden board, 18" x 18" 

Paintober: Poppies (P)

About 16" square, acrylic on wooden board.

Paintober: Hyena (P)

Watercolor on watercolor paper, colored pencil highlights, 11" x 15".

Paintober: Gastonbury Grove (P)

Acrylic on painting board, about 7" x 5".

Dog Painting (P)

A birthday present for one of my favorite people. This one I actually started about six years ago. I made a grid on the canvas, drew in the figure, and promptly got intimidated by the fact that I'd never really painted before. I dusted it off last year when I took the oil painting class. I was actually quite proud of it. (Oil on canvas, 3' x 2')

Paintober: Lemons (P)

Dabbling in watercolor...