Abundance (Nine of Cups)

 "Abundance (Nine of Cups)"

12 x 12 inches, oil on canvas

$400

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From my favorite Tarot website: "It is no wonder that many Tarot readers refer to this card as the Wish Card, as its appearance is often taken as a sign that, whatever your heart’s desire, it shall be granted in the coming days or weeks. Know that you have paved your own way on the path to success."

Here is my value study for this piece. 

It's all part of that way-paving, on the path to success, at least in this painting!

"Abundance (BW Study)"

9 x 9 inches, oil on Arches oil paper

$100 (unframed)

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Happy ❤️ Day!

 

"Red, White, and Goo"

10 x 10 inches, oil on canvas

$350

Click to buy

It's been a few years since I attempted to bite one of these cherry cordials in just the right way to make the goo ooze out like this, but I'm happy to report that it's like riding a bike.

It only took a couple of tries.

So...Happy Valentine's! I'll be spending it alone with my sugar high.

 

Special offer for blog readers! Buy "Red, White, and Goo," and I'll throw in my sketch, which is 5 x 5" on thick tan paper, mixed media (aka, ballpoint pen, sharpie, and white ink). I'll send you a 2018 Calendar too! Because it's a beautiful day, and I ❤️ all of you. 

XXO.

Ace of Wands

 "Ace of Wands"

12 x 12 inches, oil on canvas

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I paired this Tarot card with my baby Hoya because the wand has leaves growing from it.  The card symbolizes inspiration, and enthusiasm for new creative ventures. Sounds good to me!

Though this painting sold right off the easel, via Instagram, the black and white oil study is available:

$100 (unframed). Frame available on request.

Click to view on Etsy

Portrait-Palooza

                                      "Hannah"                                                  "Cupid's Bow" 

                           12 x 16" oil on canvas                                     11 x 14" oil on canvas

A couple of recent portraits. "Hannah" was a workshop demonstration from January, and "Cupid's Bow" was painted just last night. What a face! She looks like a model Rembrandt would have swooned over. 

Here's my progression:

Long Shadows

 "Long Shadows"

8 x 8 inches, oil on canvas

$250

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The 30 in 30 painting challenge I'm doing this month is already giving me a lot of food for thought - and not just because I'm painting apples and oranges! 

I wanted to revisit daily painting because it's how I got my start with this blog - ten years ago this month. The concept was incredibly freeing to me, that every painting didn't have to be a precious investment of time and materials, that tomorrow could be a new day. 

I'm hugely grateful to artists like Carol Marine and Duane Keiser, who inspired me early on - and continue to. Before I discovered daily painting, I had been out of art school for almost seven years, and was starting to believe that I might never actually get back into painting. Today, I plan to paint for the rest of my life. Maybe not EVERY day, but on the good ones!

Here's my setup and sketch:

A lot of people on Instagram have been curious about these black-and-white sketches. They are made with ballpoint pen (mine's from the Marriott, fancy), black sharpie, and white Pitt Pen, which is a permanent India ink marker made by Faber Castell. The sketchbook is Strathmore Toned Tan, 6x8 inches. You can check out some of my favorite materials here. 

And, as always, thank you for reading!

Avocado and Lemon - and My Very First Newsletter!

 "Avocado and Lemon" 

8 x 8 inches, oil on canvas

$250

Click to buy

This is my painting for day two of the 30 in 30 February challenge. It's yesterday's painting. I'm not going to be blogging every single day's painting, because I anticipate that some of them will be less impressive than others, but for now, here ya go! 

...And speaking of impressive! After procrastinating for almost ten years, I just published my very first email newsletter. Check it out here, and click subscribe to be entered into my Blog Anniversary Giveaway. Because, yes, my blog will be TEN YEARS OLD in just a couple of weeks! That feels awesome.

Just subscribe to my email newsletter to be entered to win! It's a teeny tiny pool right now - so share with a friend! Your chances are excellent.

Golden Ring (Ace of Pentacles) and #30in30!

 "Golden Ring (Ace of Pentacles)"

7 x 11 inches, oil on Arches oil paper

$250

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Here's how this one came together. I can't believe how long these little oranges have lasted in my studio. It must be cold in there or something.....! Spring is on the way, though - I saw Camellias on my favorite camellia-stealing bush yesterday, so, good things ahead! 

And speaking of things ahead - I've decided to try my hand at a 30 in 30 day painting challenge. Gulp! Anyone else doing this one?