Mark & Marie

16"x20"

Oil on canvas

This was done from a photo of Mark & Marie's wedding day at the beach in San Diego. Loved the pose and the reflections. Congratulations to the beautiful couple!

Cindy on the Sea

Oil on linen panel

9"x12"

I knew when I saw this photo of friend Cindy on Facebook awhile back that it would eventually make it to the top of my painting ideas list. She is a beautiful girl with a beautiful heart. I also had fun with the title alliteration -- could have even gone with Cindy Sipping Champagne on the Sea.

Birds of a Feather

9"x12"

Oil on linen panel

This was fun, pulling out some of my "old stuff," and throwing in a beautiful birds' nest that Joe rescued for me.  The old ammunition box is one that belonged to Joe's brother, Steve Prchal.  Edges of it have appeared in a number of my paintings.

Old Stuff

Old Stuff

12"x16"

Oil on Linen Panel

​I am a collector of vintage or "old stuff."  The pieces in this painting remind me of my childhood, when my Mom used to bake bread from scratch every Sunday.  Half of the kids in the neighborhood would be at our house for a hot chunk of bread or cinnamon rolls as soon as the aroma escaped our windows.  This was fun; I may do a series.

Braedan Study

8x10

Oil on canvas

I have been struggling with a larger painting of Braedan Marley (my great-granddaughter), which has turned out well overall -- except it doesn't look like her!  So I decided to do a smaller study of just her sweet little face!  This was not without its trials either, but at least I feel it resembles her, and I do like how it turned out.  So now, back to work on the bigger piece with the hopes of posting that soon as well. 

Dylan Catching Air

Oil on gallery-wrapped canvas

20"x16"

​Grandson Dylan doing what he loves best at Venice Beach, CA!  I left the palm trees out, but I'm still undecided as to whether or not that was a good decision.  You may recognize Dylan from a prior "Dylan Eating Ice Cream," post aka as "Yummy."

Steve's Pots

6"x8"

Oil on linen panel

These are miniature Native American pots (plus glass spider), given to me in memory of Steve Prchal, Joe's amazing brother whose contributions to arthropod studies and nature in general were phenomenal and well-recognized.

Yummy

10"x8"

Oil on gallery-wrapped canvas

I painted this awhile back for a Daily Painters' challenge.  I bribed grandson, Dylan, to pose for me with his favorite mint ice cream.  I thought I'd posted it here, but realized it was still in "drafts" -- so here you go!

My Guy, Joe

16"x20"

Oil on canvas

This is my guy, Joe.  Good man, warm heart.  I'm blessed.

Knock-knock, it's Harper!

18"x14"

Oil on canvas

This little cutie is granddaughter, Harper.  Mom, Alena, sent me the photo with the question:  "Painting?"  My answer is before you.

Julie

12"x12"

Oil on gallery-wrapped canvas

My niece, Julie, who was tragically taken from us last September. This is the result of my effort to capture her lovely essence from a grainy photo.

Santa Fe Joe

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12"x9"

Oil on panel

 

This is my guy, Joe, painted from a photo taken during our recent trip to Santa Fe, NM.  It's an amazing and inspiring place to visit, brimming with southwestern art and flavor.  Joe, in his cowboy boots and hat, fit right into the scene.

Vintage Watering Can

9"x12"

Oil on linen canvas

I discovered this lovely watering can in a vintage store in Whidbey Island and fell in love with it.  I used it in my second set-up while in a workshop with Jeff Legg, and it has since found a place in my home, waiting to be the subject of another painting one of these days soon.

Whidbey Island Teapot

9"x12"

Oil on linen 

I borrowed this teapot from the lovely bed and breakfast where I stayed in Whidbey, WA, so I could use it in a set-up for a painting I did there in Jeff Legg's workshop last September. He's a great teacher and the class was wonderful. It's taken me this long to post because I wanted to "tweak" a few things -- and it didn't make it to the top of my priority list until recently. I can still see things that need a bit more tweaking (I'm a tweaking fool!) -- but it's going such as it is or it may be another few months before I get around to it!

Tin Roof & More

Oil on linen

12"x9"

​Couldn't do just one of these.  After all, I've collected all these wine bottles and needed to put them to good use.  This has been a fun exercise.

Sensual Little Black Dress

Oil on linen

9"x12"

Haven't posted in months, though I have done some painting. No problem finding wine bottles in our home to paint, and I've been wanting to tackle them as a subject for awhile. I am intrigued by the various labels and have found myself buying wine for that purpose at times (well okay, there was no waste involved)! Pardon the name of the one on the right; it was a gift from a good friend of mine (private joke).

Ella in Flight

16" x 16"

Oil on canvas

Ella is my niece's granddaughter, a beautiful, talented dancer who just turned 10. I have enjoyed painting her. Getting a good photo was difficult, maybe because of the black background. I used a black acrylic for the background, then painted her in oils.

Baby Whisperer

20" x 24"

Oil on canvas

This is a painting of my guy, Joe, comforting his grandson, Dylan.  I came across the photo and knew I had to paint it.  He is such an amazing grandfather, as this so aptly depicts, and this is one of my favorite paintings so far.

Bonding in Carmel

16"x20"

Oil on canvas

I caught this photo while visiting one of my favorite places -- Carmel, California. I spied this dad and his little guy sharing a special moment and knew immediately I would want to paint them. 

Gino

 

Oil on canvas

16" x 16"

I haven't posted in awhile.  I've been doing a little painting (not much) -- nothing finished to my liking.   So, I thought I'd share a few paintings that I did awhile ago.  This one is of Gino Hollander, a renowned artist now in his 90s-plus.  I was fortunate enough to meet him and his lovely wife, Barbara, through a mutual friend.  He took me aside and did a quick painting/sketch of me, which I've posted below.  Below that is the original photograph that I used for reference.  And here is his website:  http://www.hollanderart.com/  He's a fascinating man whose had a fascinating career!