Keeping You In the Dark

 "Flicker"

8 x 8 inches, oil on canvas

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Last one from my recent foray into the darkness. 

Although I'm in denial, I think I heard somewhere that there are only 10 shopping days left until Christmas. Fear not! You can still order my 2014 calendar, get it on time, and save 50% with the code 50OFFPRODUCT. 

Now, if anybody needs me, I'll be hanging my show. 

☺

Star Light

 

 "Star Light"

8 x 8 inches, oil on canvas

Available, click to buy

The glowing candle shining through this glass jar was the spark that drew me into this composition, but as I worked my way through the painting, the golden light-shape on the little orange rapidly became the "star." I love the loose hazy quality of low-light atmospherics, and the challenge of reigning myself in as I capture them.

Not getting too detailed, looking closely but not so closely that I strangle the gloomy potential of a scene like this is a challenge and a joy.

Day and Night: A Two-For-One Blog Post

 

 "Day Light"

12 x 9 inches, oil on canvas

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"Night Light"

12 x 9 inches, oil on canvas

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SEO be damned! I couldn't resist posting these two paintings together. The brilliant snowy light pouring through my (freezing, garage-studio) windows was too amazing not to capitalize on, and the early darkness too absolute not to cheer up with some votive candles.

I've forgotten how thrilling candlelight can be to capture in paint. A warm undertone and thin paint on the cast lights are the keys to capturing the effect.

Look for more candlelit paintings of these humble, beautiful objects from me in the next few days!

These paintings, and practically everything else I've painted this year will be on view and available for purchase at The Gallery at the Watershed, beginning Tuesday December 17th. Please email Amy, my fabulous Gallerista, if you'd like to inquire!

Garlic, Snow, and Ice

  "Garlic Braid on a Tea Towel"

16 x 16 inches, oil on canvas

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Another painting of my glorious Thanksgiving garlic braid.

If you're like me, you've had it up to here with snow pictures on Facebook lately. At the expense of boring you with yet another diatribe on local weather conditions, I will say this: I have been snowed in for the past three days, and am now iced in. I live in a city that doesn't plow or salt the roads - also a city with some pretty serious topography - including my neighborhood, which is basically a hill on a hill.

What I'm trying to say is, I'm going crazy! Thank god for home studios.

And just in case you aren't fed up with snow pictures....

At least someone's happy about it!

Looking Back and Looking Forward

 "Christmas Clementines"

12 x 12 inches, oil on canvas

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I love the combination of oranges, cranberries, and gold. It's a combo I've been wanting to revisit since I first tried it two years ago. Time flies!

(...And speaking of...)

 Hanging day for my show at The Gallery at the Watershed is one week from tomorrow! Please do plan to join me for the opening reception on Friday December 20th, at 7 pm.

Snowed In

"Christmas Cuties"

10 x 10 x 1.5 inches, oil on cradled birch panel

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Santa's elves threw up all over my living room over Thanksgiving weekend, and mother nature followed up with a whopper of a Pacific Northwest snow storm in the wee hours of this morning. There must be ten inches out there as I type! Good thing I've got plenty of these little oranges (and toilet paper, don't worry) stockpiled: I don't think I'll be going anywhere for the next day or two!

I grew up in Ohio, where this kind of snow would be just another winter day, ho hum. In Eugene, Oregon it's Armageddon. They don't do snowplows or salt on the roads here, so when the white stuff happens, we just stay home. 

And I'm not complaining! So many gorgeous ornaments to paint. Thank you, little elves!

 

A Lady Never Reveals Her Age...

"Self Portrait at 34"

18 x 14 inches, oil on canvas

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Here I am. I was motivated to paint this by the sale of my last self-portrait, which was painted ten months ago, and much has changed since then. One thing that hasn't changed is the fact - and I freely admit it - that I painted both from photographs.

I don't paint anything from photos....except commissions from afar, out of necessity - and self-portraits, also out of a strange necessity. You see, every time I've painted myself from mirrors in the past, I've been intensely frustrated by the sole response: "It doesn't look like you!" Well, no kidding! I'm a highly asymmetrical person, and what I see when I look in the mirror is (thankfully) not what you see when you look at me. As true to the reflection as I get, as good as my drawing skills become - if I'm looking in a mirror, my self-portrait will not ring true for you. I kind of like the fact that my self-concept is based on a reflected image that only I see, and it isn't the one I paint, it's only for me.

The worst criticism I've gotten regarding this painting - and it's been seen in my studio by several close friends now - is that I look sad.

A Looser Look

 

 "Lindsey, Loosely"

14 x 11 inches, oil on canvas

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Here's my second painting of this model. Two very different approaches, I know. I didn't walk into the session consciously thinking, "Tonight I'm going to keep it loose!" It was just the mood I was in, I guess.

At the model break, I was offered some encouraging words by the palette fairy:

 

(Another reason why joining a painting group is a really good idea!)

 Here's our lovely model. You can see that I really didn't do her beauty justice!

From sketch to (sketchy) finish:

The holiday sale in my Etsy shop is still going on. Save 25% on your heart's desire - or a special gift for the art lover on your list - with the coupon code BLACKFRIDAY. 

My best friend Gabriella is also offering an exciting deal this month: 20% off and free shipping. I think of her paintings as yoga for the eyes - relaxing and yet invigorating. Let me know if you agree!