Susan Cone Porges / Daily Blog

Chincoteague Spring

2010-05-09T09:57:00.004-04:00

9"x 12"
Watercolor on Rtistix Board

I've neglected my blog for WAY too long, but I have a great excuse... life has gotten in the way! I'm so busy painting, teaching, and travelling that something had to give. Although I won't be listing work here regularly, I WILL stop back every so often to list something new.. so feel free to visit again.

You can always find me now on Facebook, eBay and Imagekind. And please be sure to visit my web site to see what I'm up to!

www.susanconeporgesfinearts.com.

Thanks for stopping by!

You're Not Your Hair, A Survivor's Story

2009-10-21T09:47:00.003-04:00

I'm back after months on hiatus from blogging! Please check out my blog archives at the right of this page for lots of my art and instructional tips! And be sure to check out my web site at www.susanconeporgesfinearts.com to see what I've been up to. Thanks for stopping by!

11" x 14" , Oil

This is another in my series honoring Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Please see previous post for full story.

2009-10-21T09:26:00.005-04:00

I haven't posted anything on my blog since last spring.... life has been good and busy! VERY busy!! So, after 5 art shows, lots of painting commissions, a crazy-busy season of freelance work, hosting a milestone surprise party for my sister, a high school graduation party for my daughter, a wedding shower for my neice, and getting my daughter off to college... Ahhhhhhhhh.. I have some time to myself again!! Please check out my website to see details of what I've been up to.

Thanks for stopping by!

http://www.susanconeporgesfinearts.com/

"Rose", oil

11"x14"

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and my recent show of my series entitled,

"You're Not Your Hair, A Survivor's Story",

this is MY story.....

My story began 7 years ago on the eve of my 45th birthday. I had gone in for a routine mammogram the week before, and it showed what the radiologist called a “slight shadow”. Although I was told it was probably nothing, I called my doctor for her opinion. Thank god she told me to go in for further testing, and after a week-long wait, my doctor called to give me the results… I had breast cancer. I remember standing alone in my kitchen, feeling like the air was just sucked out of the room. Getting that diagnosis was something surreal. Over the next months, I went through a whole gamut of emotions… fear for my life; the overwhelming sadness at the thought that I may not be here for my children as they grow into adults, or be here to grow old with my husband; guilty that I had to upset my family with this news, after having gone through it years before with one of my sisters (how could this be happening to me, too?); upset at the way this illness turned my life upside down; shock as I heard the choices I had for treatment; anger that my work and daily routine had to be put on hold so I could focus on my health… and the ultimate salt to the wound, was when I heard after my lumpectomy that I would still need chemotherapy and radiation, and that yes…I would most definitely lose my hair.

The strawberry blonde, curly hair that I had as a child was always the subject of admirers and I was often treated to at-home beauty shop sessions by my two older sisters. As a teenager, I grew it long to my waist (and sat under the hairdryer for hours to make it straight!) and when the blonde started to lose its glow, you can bet I began highlighting it. In college I cut it short (curly was finally cool!), and as an adult, I let the curls grow long again. Although I hate to admit it, and never realized it before, as a woman, my self image was always all about my hair. So, although having cancer meant that I could lose my life, the thought of losing my hair, in the midst of all those other emotions, was something almost unbearable for me.

On the 10th day after my first Chemo treatment, as they said it would, my hair started falling out. It first fell out in a few strands, then bigger clumps, until a few days later when I was so uncomfortable with it; I got in the shower and literally washed it all away. I was so shocked and upset at the sight of the mound of hair in my hands; I stood there and just cried my eyes out. I reluctantly showed my husband the new me, and he said something that was so true and profound, it dried my tears and put everything in perspective for me. He said, “You’re not your hair… You’re a mother and a wife, you’re a sister and a daughter, you’re an aunt, you’re a friend, and you’re an artist. You are so much more than just your hair”. Those words resonated deeply, and I knew he was right. I embraced my baldness and in an odd way, never felt more beautiful. Today I am so thankful for having gone through the experience. It was empowering. I now know for certain that I am not my hair… I am alive, and I am so much more.

This series of paintings is a tribute to all the beautiful women of different ages, races and walks of life, who have also been empowered by the opportunity to see who they really are and what they are truly made of. Cancer does that to you. So does the treatment for it. After all, we‘re not our hair…. we are so much more.

Daisy Hill Greenhouse

2009-04-14T13:02:00.006-04:00

24" x 24", Oil

Thanks for stopping by!

I'm taking a hiatus from my blog for a few weeks as I complete a group of paintings for an upcoming gallery show. Please feel free to look thru my previous blog entries or visit my eBay store or website, via the links to the right.

My original oil paintings including
landscapes and still lifes
will be featured starting May 15th, 2009 at :

Chentini Gallery
22 North Main Street
Chagrin Falls, Ohio

See you back here soon!

Venice Canal WIP 5 (work in progess)

2009-03-31T17:40:00.003-04:00

Here in Step 5 of my watercolor pour painting, I've begun to work back into it with a brush.. the pouring may be over (although one never knows.. I may feel I need to do another pour or two before I am satisfied!). I like how the water in the foreground is coming together, although the rest of it needs a lot of work. My intention when I started this piece was to keep it very loose and abstract, and I've lost that idea somewhere along the way. I'm not crazy about what's happening here, so I am going to attempt to loosen it up again with some large areas of washes and try to play with color and perspective in the buildings and bridge. Stay tuned for the next episode!

"Venice Canal" WIP 4 (work in progress)

2009-03-31T10:29:00.002-04:00

Here I removed all the Friskett (using a rubber cement pick up) and this is what I was left with. A lot of the rich colors were sitting on the Friskett, and have now been rubbed away! :-( HOWever, have no fear( I am telling myself), I am now going to work back into the piece with a brush and try to have some fun with it, deepening the colors and putting in some details. I would like to abstract it a little with wide washes of color.... we'll see what happens as I get into it.... stay tuned.

14" x 18" on Arches 140 lb cold press paper

"Venice Canal" WIP 3 (work in progress)

2009-03-30T10:22:00.000-04:00

Here is Stage 2 of my watercolor pour painting. Ditto from yesterday... colors getting richer and deeeper, and more Friskett is covering the previous pours. (See windows on building on left) More tomorrow....

14" x 18" on Arches 140 cold press

"Venice Canal" WIP 2 (work in progress)

2009-03-29T10:16:00.000-04:00

14" x 18"

Here is Stage 2 of my Venice watercolor pour painting. here I masked out the areas I wanted to remain after the first pour, and did the 2nd pour, wetting my paper with water first, and pouring in the same order of colors as yesterday. Keep in mind, the Friskett can not stay on the paper for too many days or it will be idfficlut to remove, so when I start a pour project, I plan to finish it withina couple of days. I'm liking what's happening in the water in the foreground.... and hope I can keep that pretty close to what it is now by the time I am done. More tomorrow!

"Venice Canal" WIP 1 (work in progress) 14" x 18"

2009-03-28T10:04:00.004-04:00

Here is the first of a demo I did for my watercolor class. I lightly drew out my design, a canal scene from a photo I took in Venice.. a typical scene, but one I've been wanting to work with in some medium... so i decided this was as good an opportunity as any.

After stapling then taping my Arches 140lb paper to a board, and mapping out my design with pencil, I blocked out the areas I wanted to remain white with Friskett. Then I had fun pouring the paint. I first wet the paper with a wide brush, (I work over my sink) , and then begin the pouring process, starting with DaVinci Hansa Yellow, then Da Vinci Red Rose Deep, and finally Da Vinci Phthalo Blue. (i mix up a small batch of each in plastic cups with water, and in each consecutive pour throughout the process I blend ina little more paint so it's deeper in color). I let them run together, I tip the board in whatever direction necessary to move the paint where I want it to go. I keep a paper towel handy to keep things clean and wipe up drips on the edges of the board. Then I am careful to let the paper dry, first laying it flat, and eventually standing it upright, watching it until I know it's dry enough that it won't run together in places i don't want it to... Stayed tuned for the next stages in the next few days... Thanks for stopping by!

"Ode to Matisse"

2009-03-18T15:12:00.000-04:00

13" x 18" Watercolor on Arches paper

This was a demo peice I did for the Tuesday morning watercolor class I teach. It was based on a Matisse landscape, which staretd very simple and loose. I sort of went wild with it .. using Friskett to block our areas and just enjoying the process of using transparent washes of "Matisse" colors... hope you enjoy.

Below are the stages as this watercolor evolved.

Stage 1

To get started, I wet the paper, front and back, taped it to my board, and "stained it" .

Stage 2
Here I began to work into the painting with transparent washes, defining the landscape. After the paint dried, I worked into it with Friskett, masking out areas that i wanted to remain light.

Stage 3

At this stage, I had already worked abck into it with paint, and removed the Friskett (a fun process!) and was left with this. I worked back into it to bring in more darks and definition.. but I like how it looked at every stage. Unfortunately, as it is with art.. the early stages are now gone forever, buried under the final painting. Thank God for digital cameras and giclee prints!

"Chincoteague Morning"

2009-03-17T15:09:00.000-04:00

16" x 20" , Oil

And another from my studio clean -out that I thought I'd share..

"Tuscan Bales"

2009-03-16T14:46:00.000-04:00

9" x 12", Oil

This another painting from my recent studio clean-out that's now in a show at the Chentini Gallery, Chagrin Falls, OH. It was a painting that I liked that I liked and thought I'd keep for myself, to remind me of driving through Tuscany, but afte a year or so in my studio, unhung, I decided it was time to offer it for sale. Hope you enkoy.. or contact the gallery for purchase information.

"When in Rome"

2009-03-16T14:32:00.000-04:00

This scene is from a trip a couple of summers ago to Rome. The wonderful cafes and umbrellas, not to mention earth tones in the cityscapes are perfect painting subject matter...

20" x 20" , Oil

"After Mardi Gras"

2009-03-15T14:37:00.000-04:00

Just cleaning out my files and found this older painting ... and thought it apropos for this time of year....

For other New Orleans paintings or prints, please check out my eBay store by follwoing the link on the right of this page.

11" x 14" ,Oil

"Alexa" WIP 4 (Work in Progress)

2009-03-14T23:26:00.003-04:00

Stage 4
Still working on it (see previous posts!)

"Alexa" WIP 3 (Work in Progress)

2009-03-14T14:21:00.004-04:00

Here is the next installment of my portrait of my daughter. I still need to work into the background and decide how to handle the lower portion of her clothing, but you can see the progress I've made since the last blog. I worked into the face to bring in lighter tones, while leaving some of the original darker shadows to show through. I still need to go back in to those shadows just a bit, and still have an "issue" with the eye on the right... but it's starting to be a pretty good likeness of Alexa. The nice thing (and frustrating thing,too) about doing a live portrait of a face you know well, is that whatever is wrong with your painting is clearly evident to you and your family! We all realize that the distance between Alexa's eyes and the length of her nose is a little too long. She is posing for me again starting Monday, so I'll attempt to correct that in the next
portrait.. ya live and ya learn......

18" x 24" pastel on board

"Alexa" WIP (Work in Progress)

2009-03-06T08:22:00.001-05:00

18" x 24" Pastel on pastel board

My 18 year old daughter posed for my Monday Portrait painting group, which was especially delightful for me.. it forced her to sit for 3 hours so I could work on a good , long painting of her! She'll sit for three sessions... so I have the chance to take my time and build it up slowly, and get into fairly good detail. Stage one is my charcoal rendering where I simply place the subject on the board, make decisions about composition,and try to accurately render the features. Stage two shows how I layed in color with pastels, working in the dark values, and then beginning to lay in some of the lighter tones, so I can gauge how light and how dark I'll eventually work into the peice. There was a stage in between these two, where after laying down some dark blue and purple tones, simply focusing on the shadows, I took a wet sponge and scrubbed into the painting, lightly smearing the pastels around, giving me a nice smoothe base of shadows that became more permaanant on the board. This allowed me to work back into the sandy-textured board with fresh pastels... ready to accept more pigment into the tooth. Stayed tuned for the next stages... I can't wait for Alexa to sit still again!

"Chincoteague Fugue"

2009-03-05T08:14:00.000-05:00

One more example of a precious little ACEO.. Art Card Edition & Original, that have become highly collectable.. not to mention, affordable in these tough economic times. People still crave art... and these ACEO's provide a way to bring a little something special into your home.

Size: 2.5" x 3.5 " on Arches watercolor paper.

"Paris Jewel"

2009-03-04T08:00:00.000-05:00

2.5" x 3.5" Watercolor on Arches paper

And another of my ACEO's... a precious little watercolor and pen & ink drawing .. an afforable mini collectable, you can find in my eBay store.

"Storm over Assateague"

2009-03-03T08:08:00.000-05:00

Here is another one of my ACEO's , a mini watercolor (2.5" x 3.5"), These little works of art have become quite popular over recent years for their affordabilty, precious size, and beauty. Click on the link at the right to check out my orrerings in my eBay store.

Assateague Spring

2009-03-02T08:01:00.002-05:00

With these tough economisc times, I've been selling more of these precious little collectable ACEO's.. miniature paintings (2.5" x 3.5") which have become very popular. They are mini watercolor versions of some of my larger oil paintings... and are as much fun for me to do as they seem to be for people to collect. Please click on the link on the right to my eBay store to see the ACEO's I have available.

"Bourbon Street Balcony"

2009-02-28T13:23:00.001-05:00

11" x 14", oil
And another from my New Orleans series. Also available in a giclee print.. feel free to email me for purchase info.

"Preservation Hall"

2009-02-27T13:18:00.002-05:00

16" x 20", oil
In honor of Mardi Gras...here's another from my French Quarter series. Feel free to email me if you'd like a giclee print of this painting.

"Bourbon Street Lampost"

2009-02-26T13:11:00.002-05:00

11" x 14" , Oil
Here's another of my French Quarter series, in honor of Mardi Gras '09. I have a couple prints available with a New Orleans theme in my ebay store, but feel free to email me if you are interested in having anything you see here made into a giclee print.

"French Quarter Doorman"

2009-02-25T12:58:00.002-05:00

11" x 14" , Oil
I'm digging out some photos of some of my New Orelans paintings I've done over the past few years... I thought it apropos withthe celebration of Mardi Gras. I do have a couple of French Quarter themed giclee prints for sale in my eBay store. Feel free to click on the link to the right to take a look!

"The Big Easy"

2009-02-24T13:27:00.003-05:00

16" x 20", Oil
Here's another from my New Orleans series......it's such a fantastic city, and needs (and welcomes!) all the tourists they can get. I hope my paintings inspire you to go and see for yourself what a great town it is. Please visit my ebay store by clicking on the link to the right, for a giclee print similar to this original painting.

"Fat Tuesday in the French Quarter"

2009-02-24T09:58:00.003-05:00

11" x 14" ,Oil
Today being Fat Tuesday, I thought it was apropos to show one of my New Orleans paintings. I like the rickety, beat up looking structure... common in the outskirts of the FQ.

Jazz Man at the Cafe DuMonde

2009-02-20T14:51:00.000-05:00

I've recently had prints made of some of my original oil paintings. With economic times as they are, I thought I'd make these available for people who want to buy art at more affordable prices. I'll be posting them here every day for the next week. If you're interested in purchusing one... free free to click on the link to the right for my ebay store, or contact me directly @ Soozq39@yahoo.com.

For those of you unfamiliar with the term, giclee (pronounced Zhee-Clay), they are images taken from high resolution scans of original artwork, and printed with archival quality inks on a variety of surfaces including museum-quailty papers, and textured linen canvas that can be stretched on a frame. My printer specializes in fine art giclee printing, and we work closely together for color accuracy and quality control for each and every piece. The details the giclee can reproduce is incredible, and each piece truly looks like an original. 6"x12" Giclee on paper

Chincoteague Impressions

2009-02-19T14:48:00.000-05:00

8" x 10" Giclee print on paper

Cabo Arch

2009-02-18T14:44:00.000-05:00

8" x 10" Giclee print on paper

Wheaton Terrier

2009-02-17T14:42:00.000-05:00

8" x 11" Giclee print on paper

Tux

2009-02-16T14:40:00.000-05:00

6.5" x 8" Giclee on paper

Dalmation

2009-02-15T14:35:00.002-05:00

7.15 " x 10" Giclee print on paper

Papillon

2009-02-14T14:25:00.002-05:00

8" x 8" Gilcee print on paper

Still Life with Teapot

2009-02-11T19:43:00.001-05:00

30" x 30" Oil on canvas

Here's something I've had on my easel in my studio for the past couple of weeks... I set up a still life inspired the these wonderful happy looking flowers my hubby brought me home recently(he "surprises me every week with them!) and decided to paint them from a slightly different persepctive. I set it up on a low platform on the floor, close to my easel, so I could look down on them. I'm working on a deep magenta colored canvas, and purposely leaving as much of it showing as I can, without distracting from the subject matter. I think it's making the yellows and greens "sing". Regarding the teapot.. I initially painted it in much more detail, but realized that the perspective was not quite right on it. So, I did what I had to do.. and redrew it in paint right ontop of the original teapot, and have begun to repaint the details. It was bothering me.. but now I think I've got it right! I always say.. you know when a painting is done, when there is nothing more on it that you can correct... there's more to correct on this... but it's at afun stage now to work on... like putting the frosting on the cake. Stayed tuned for finished piece soon......

Laura in Komono WIP (work in progress)

2009-02-10T19:35:00.002-05:00

16" x 20" Pastel on board

Here is the second stage of my portrait of Laura. This week I started to work into her face.. developing the right side almost completely, but needing to go back in to the left side again. It was very much in shadow in the earlier post of this portrait (see below), and I brought the values up much lighter.. too light, in fact. I'll go back in and darken up around the eye on the left, and bring back some of the deeper shadows on that side of her face. I plan to develop the dark background just alittle bit more.. but i do like the "raw" feeling of the unfinished background on the white board. (click on photo for a larger view)

"Paul" WIP (work in progress)

2009-02-06T15:12:00.000-05:00

16" x 20", pastel on board

Another work in progress..

"Laura in Kimono", WIP(work in progress)

2009-02-04T14:20:00.000-05:00

16" x 20" , pastel on board

Two WIP's (works in progress) from this week of lovely Laura....a model I never get tired of painting. The picture below is the earlier stage, the top one, the later. Next week I'll finish the portrait and post...

"Muse"

2009-02-02T11:00:00.000-05:00

8" x 10" Pastel on R-tis-tx Brand board

I loved painting this portrait of my daughter.. my "muse". It's done in pastels.. I use Great American Art Works , as well as Sennelier... both of which produce creamy and luscious pastels. The board I worked on is a new product made by an artist in Texas... it's got a wonderful gritty surface that the pastels can really "bite" in to. This one is NFS... I can't part with it!

"Chincoteague Marsh"

2009-02-01T17:11:00.000-05:00

18" x18", Oil on canvas

I haven't painted a Chincoteague, Virginia, scene for a couple of months....it's always one of my favaorite subjects to revisit.. especially in the winter months, when I'm yearning for summer! To purchase, click on the link to the right to take you to my ebay store. Thx for looking!

Watercolor "Pour" Painting, WIP(work in progress)

2009-01-31T11:00:00.000-05:00

Here are a few of the stages in the process of creating a watercolor "pour" painting. In the top photo, you can see the areas that I masked out with a liquid mask called Friskett. After lightly drawing my design, I first painted the areas I wanted to remain white with the Friskett....that would be the snow on the mailboxes, and the snowflakes falling, which I created by splattering the mask -out with my thumbnail and the end of a stiff brush dipped in Friskett . Then I proceeded to wet my paper with a brush and water at my sink,(which is neccesary before every "pour" , so the paint can move on the paper) and then took watered down watercolors paints which I mixed into separate cups ( first a yellow, then a deep rose, then a deep blue), and one at a time, actually poured the paint onto the paper, and let it cover the paper, in random ways, sometimes tipping the paper one way or another to direct the puddle. After letting the paint run off the paper into the sink... I'd let it dry completely, and then again, mask out the next areas I want to remain as is, before the next pouring of paint. With each subsequent pouring, I darken the paint in the cups.. so with each pour, the paint not only covers over whatever area has been left exposed(areas without the Friskett protecting them), but gets darker from the deeper colors. After the final of 3 to 5 pourings and maskings,, I am ready to peel off the Friskett, using a rubber cement pick -up... and see the almost finsihed product. I can then go back into the painting and carefully add details with a brush, while trying to maintain the fresh look of the poured paint. Next time I do a pour painting I will take pictures of the actual process.... so if this is totally confusing.. stayed tuned!

"Montmartre, Paris"

2009-01-30T16:43:00.000-05:00

8" x 10", Watercolor on Arches

This is another watercolor "pour" painting, done using the same technique as my previous listing of the mailboxes. It's a fun way to work, yet a challenge in thinking in advance of the placement of lights building up to darks...

Snow Day

2009-01-22T17:07:00.000-05:00

9" x 11" watercolor on Arches paper
This was done with a technique I've been playing around with recently. It's watercolor that's poured on over a series of masking with Frisskett.. a liquid mask that blocks out areas I want to keep white, and then after subsequent watercolor "pours", I can mask other colors to protect them from the next "pour". IT's a fun technique that I am just experimenting with. .. and will soon show step by step photos here of this technique.

"Tux"

2008-12-07T19:44:00.000-05:00

5" x 7" pastel on Pastelbord.

OK.. equal time for a cat painting. They say black and white cats are the smartest.. although my solid grey Nikita would have to disagree.... Click on the link to my eBay store to purchase.

"Papillon"

2008-12-05T19:39:00.000-05:00

5" x 7" , pastel on Pastelbord.

This one is cloe to my heart.. it's my very own little dog, Riley... who we adore. He celebrated his 2nd birthday last week, and in his honor.. I'm donating a portion of the sale price to a wonderful no-kill shelter in my area called the Geauga Humane Society Rescue Village. To purchase, click on the link at the right to take you to my ebay store... and please feel free to contact me with any special requests! (clikc on the image for a closer look!)Thanks for looking.....

"Wheaton Terrier"

2008-12-04T19:30:00.001-05:00

5" x 7" , Pastel on pastelbord.

I love working on my little dog paintings. They are a great ay to warm up if I haven't painted for a day or two, or if no particular subject matter is applealing to me at the moment. I ALWAYS get totally absorbed in them... painting them is just pure relaxing fun. I've been working alot in pastels over the past month or two.. so have been playing with the pastels with my dog/cat portraits... So, see the next few listings for more. (You can click on the image for a larger view).

Click on the link at the right to my eBay store to purchase... or feel free to email me with a custom animal portrait request!

"Jim", WIP (work in progress)

2008-11-26T09:24:00.000-05:00

12" x18" Pastel on sanded paper

Jim is a model I've paitned over and over again, but he has one of those faces that is so full of character.. I can always find something new in it that excites me. I have one more session with hiom tomorrow to finish this up, but I thought I'd list my progress so far.. I begin with a charcoal sketch, then start laying in the dark tones, working up to the lightest highlights, constantly tweaking and reassesing the original drawing underneath. The picture at the top is where I am with it now...... I'll post the finished piece later in the week. can't wait til tomorrow to finish it up!

"Still Life with Oranges"

2008-11-24T09:15:00.000-05:00

16' x 20", Oil on Canvas

I found this oil last week as I was cleaning out my studio.. it's one I did a couple years ago, and shelved while I was decding whether or not I was done with it. I do that often.. let a piece sit for a while as I digest it.. waiting days or weeks, or sometimes months, to see if anything screams out to me that needs to be fine tuned. I once heard that the way to know whether or not a painting is complete is whether there is nothing else in it that you can correct.

There are probably a couple oif things I could correct in this painting, but i sort of like the look of it... I like the way the oranges glow and jump off the canvas, against the dark earthy brown backdrop with hidden leaves. Click on the image for a closer look.

To purchase, click on the link to the right to take you to my ebay store.

"Tuscan Day"

2008-11-23T09:07:00.001-05:00

8" x 10" , Orirginal watercolor on Arches paper

I'm teaching a watercolor class at home each week, which is lots of fun for me, and I hope, for the group I am teaching! This was a demo piece using a background wash of Quinacridone Gold (made by Windsor Newton), and then another wash of Opera (hot pink, also by WN). The two washes, one over the other, create a wonderful warm glowing base for any landscape.. especially this Tuscan subject matter, which has so much warmth in it to begin with. Please click the link on the right to purchase in my eBay store.

"Robert" (Work in Progress)

2008-10-30T07:58:00.000-04:00

14" x 20" Pastel

Although this portrait is not quite done, I thought I'd list it and show the process of painting it. I started with a charcoal sketch of the model, and worked the same as I would with oils... laying in the darkest values first, and working up to the lightest. Working on this was pure fun.... I'll list the finished peice next week.....

"Edgartown Lighthouse"

2008-10-28T11:26:00.000-04:00

10" x 10" ,Oil on canvas.

Here is another painting of Martha's Vineyard I did this week.....I love how the sun hits the lighthouse, the quick loose strokes, and the warm earth tones I used in this one. I don't always love the finished product, but this one I think came out nice! Hope you like it ,too.

Available for purchase in my eBay store. Click on link to the right.

"Vineyard Roses"

2008-10-27T11:20:00.000-04:00

10" x10" , Oil on canvas

I've done this view of a home I saw in Edgartown, on the island of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, several years ago, and have been wanting to paint it for along long time. Well, I finally did a couple months ago, and still haven't got it out of my system. This is the third(and smallest) version of it... and I'm not sure yet if I'm done with the subject matter. it's different each time I paint it, and always pure fun to work on. Hope you enjoy.

Click on the link at the right to purchase in my eBay store.

"Gay Head Tide"

2008-10-26T11:12:00.000-04:00

10" x 10" , Oil on canvas

I've been on a Martha's Vineyard kick this week....the onset of the fall weather always reminds me of the coastal towns and islands on the east coast.. The tourists are back home preparing themselves for the winter, but the island scenery remains to weather the storms.

Click on the link at the right to purchase on eBay.

"When the Cows Come Home"

2008-10-14T08:59:00.000-04:00

18" x 18" , Oil on Canvas

Detail

Driving through Amish country in Lancaster, Pa. last summer, we happened upon a group of Holstein cows taking a siesta under a tree. I had to pull over and have an impromptu photoshoot with them.... they are so darn cute. I've painted them several times, but I haven't gotten them out of my system yet. More to come....
To purchase, click on the link on the right to my ebay store.

"Peach Fugue, Chincoteague"

2008-10-13T08:53:00.000-04:00

12" x 24", Oil on Canvas.

THe photo doesn't really do this justice... it's so soft and muted in person, and those bank of trees on the left are actually very grey-blue-purpl-ish! The bright sunlight I was photgraphing it in was relentless (not that I'm complaining about bright sunshine and summery temps in Oct!). Ilove painting Chincoteague landscapes.. they are always as theraputic and relaxing to paint as , I hope, they are to view. Click on the link at the right to visit my ebay store to purchase.

"Laura", WIP (Work in Progress, stage 2)

2008-10-12T08:46:00.000-04:00

16" x20" Oil on Canvas.

detail

Here is "stage 2" of my portrait of Laura. (see earlier post) As you can see, I've brought in lighter values over the original darks, and am picking up more details. Stay tuned for finished painting !

"Tres Gatos" WIP (Work in Progress)

2008-10-02T15:30:00.000-04:00

9" x 12" on gessoed hardboard.

I started this cute cat painting last year after seeing a wonderful exhibit at the Cleveland Museum of Art called Quatro Gatos (featuring Picasso and his pals from Barcelona). So, this is my version.. currently "Tres" gatos.. but there's still room left on top for another cool cat to be squeezed in. I just sletched in the top right one yesterday.... so it's still very much a work in progress. I'll post the finished product soon...
Click on the image for a larger view.

"Laura", WIP (Work in Progress)

2008-09-30T14:57:00.000-04:00

16" x 20", Oil on Canvas.

Work in Progress.

Laura is one of my favorite models... she has a quiet elegance about her.. always earthy, but regal at the same time. She sat for 3 hours for this first sitting. I first sketched her out in charcoal to get the basic shapes and postions, then started in with the darkerst values in broad strokes to lay in color, and began building up the painting. In oils, I work "fat to thin", meaning I begin using thin washes of paint mixed with turpentine, and then as I build the painting, and work up to the lighter colors, I stop using the turp and use Liquin or Linseed oil and work with the paaint in a heavier, thicker way.

I'm getting back to this portrait tomorrow, and can't wait to lay in the flesh tones and paint over this underpainting.. it's like putting frosting on the cake.... pure fun! I'll try to finish it up in one more sitting.. I'll post it again when it's complete.

Click on images for larger view.

"Still Life with Roses, small"

2008-09-28T16:42:00.000-04:00

5" x 7", Oil on Hardboard.

This is the third in the grouping. Read up above for description and details. :-)

"Stiil Life with Roses, medium"

2008-09-28T16:39:00.000-04:00

11" x 14", Oil on Canvas

This is the medium size still life that followed the first, larger one I did. Read up above for details and description.

"Still Life with Roses, large"

2008-09-28T16:30:00.000-04:00

16" x 20", Oil on Canvas.

One of my very favorite things to paint are still lifes. I find them a great excersize to remind me how much I love to draw, and studdy what's infront of me and try to convey it as best I can, while still allowing myself to be expressive in the use of paint, color and technique.

I enjoyed this so much(and LOVED the beautiful roses), that I had to work quickly to do it again and again, before the roses wilted! So, that I did, just to challenge myself, in two smaller sizes.... Hope you enjoy!

They are all available for purchase on ebay. Click the link of the right to take you to my eBay store.

"Schnauzer, Dog-a-Week Paintings"

2008-09-27T16:24:00.000-04:00

6" x 6", Oil on gessoed hardboard.

One of my weekly dog offering on eBay... I saw this little cutie with his owner sitting and watching the sunset over the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco last winter. It was such a sweet, quiet moment.. I had to stop and ask if I could take their picture. The dog said yes.

"Chincoteague Autumn"

2008-09-26T16:20:00.000-04:00

16" x 20", Oil on Canvas.

I experiemented agan with the red underpainting in this landscape...it adds a richness and glow to it, that makes it come alive.

Click on the link at the right to purchase this in my eBay store.

"Yellowstone Sunset"

2008-09-25T16:12:00.000-04:00

11" x 14" OIl on Canvas.

I love this scene of the national park at sunset. I did something a little different in underpainting before I started on this one. I painted the canvas bright red, and was careful to use it in the composition and painting process. In addition to painting in a way where I was able to leave some of the red underpainting showing, I etched into the wet paint with tool to bring out some of the red undertones. I had fun with it, and I think it adds a warm and rich perspective to this warm and rich scene!

Available for purchase on eBay. Please use the link on the right to take you to my eBay store.

"Preservation Hall"

2008-09-23T15:54:00.000-04:00

11" x 14" Oil on Canvas.

I love this view of the live music landmark in the French Quarter of New Orleans. It's always fun to paint because it captures the colors and rustic feel of the FQ.

"Misty Morning, Chincoteague"

2008-09-22T16:06:00.000-04:00

10" x 10" Oil on canvas.

I love painting these quiet, serene scenes of Chincoteague. They're medatative for me... not just painting them, but viewing the finished peice always gives me a moment of.. ahhhh.. calm.

If you are interested in purchasing, click the link to my eBay ssssstore on the right.

"Black & White and Green All Over"

2008-09-21T15:41:00.000-04:00

10" x10" Oil on canvas.

We were driving through Amish country in Lancaster, Pa. this past summer and I made my hubby pull over so I could take some pics of these cute cows taking a little siesta under a tree. It occured to me as I was working on this and having so much fun with the black and white patterns that I have never painted cows before. Needless to say, it won't be the last time! I've got another larger one in the works that I'll list later in the week....

If you're interested in purchasing, you can use the link at the right to find this in my store on eBay.

Sunday Morning on Bourbon Street

2008-08-11T17:21:00.001-04:00

12" x 24" , Oil on canvas

I haven't posted in a month! That's how busy I've been with summer travels and painting and life! After spending so much time on landscapes this summer, I felt like getting back to an old subject I haven't visited for along time... New Orleans. I had such a good time working on this.. I started on a red canvas, and worked loosely, letting the the red underpainting shine through. I love the contrast of it against the torquoise paint. It's available for purchase on Ebay. Use the link on the right to take you there. Thanks for looking!

"Vineyard Roses II"

2008-07-09T09:16:00.001-04:00

18" x 24" on canvas.

This is a replay of a painting I did last month ... but a much larger version. It was from a photo I took on Martha's VIneyard years agao.. and finally got around to painting. I had so much fun with it and I felt like I wasn't done yet.. so pulled out a larger canvas, and got busy. In this one, I used a pallette knife, along with brushes, and took a little more artistic license with the colors and details. If you'd like to see the first, smaller version, take a look back in my archives to June, and you'll find it. I think I"m done now with this view....the photo is back in its album and retired now!
To purchase, follow the link on the right to my eBay store.

"Chincoteague Rain"

2008-07-07T08:38:00.000-04:00

11" x14", Oil on canvas.

ended up having fun working on this, although it started out sort of frustrating. The colors were too high a "key", (too bright) and it wasn't feeling like the mood I wanted to convey. So, after a week or so on my shelf in my studio (which is where all paintings take a break and sit for a while before I decide whether or not they are done!), I decided what this painting needed was a warm umber brown glaze, which means I mix the oils with a clear medium that is transparent, and I can glaze over the entire piece and alter the overall tone. So... as soon as I put brush to canvas with the glaze, I felt better! It solved the brightness probleem, and gave it a luminous quality which reminds me much more of the marshes on Chincoteague. Hope you enjoy!

To purchase, check out my link to my eBay store on the right.

"Long Road Home"

2008-07-06T08:51:00.000-04:00

11" x 14" on Canvas

From a recent Plein Air painting trip I took to Chincoteague and Assateague Islands in Virginia.

Along the road to and from the island , are salt marshes that are as vast and wide as can be, and this one lonely boat always sits there. The sun was still rising as we were leaving, and I had to stop for this one more picture to bring back home with me....

To purchase, follow the link on the right to my eBay store.

"Blue Sunrise, Assateaaague"

2008-07-05T09:06:00.000-04:00

8" x10" on linen canvas.

This is the 2nd painting I did during my early morning Pleain Air session on Assateague Island. See yesterday's post for details.

To purchase, follow link on right to my ebay store.

"Blue Cloud", Assateague

2008-07-04T08:56:00.000-04:00

8" x 10" on linen canvas.

One of the most wonderful treats during my visit last week to Chincoteague Island, Va. was to set the alarm clock for 5 am (ok, that part wasn't so wonderful!), and drive out to the salt marshes and quickly find just the right spot to pull over and set up shop and paint. This has to be done with great decisiveness and speed... finding the most perfect view, dragging the portable easel out and setting up pronto(which, let me tell you, if NO easy task!), and getting the paints, turpentine, brushes all in position and ready to work. Even THEY are not fully awake this early in the morning... but once we all got going... we had GREAT fun! Working plein air (outdoors, on location) presents challenges and forces me to work fairly quickly to begin with.. but working against the quckly approcahing sunrise, and constantly changing sky and landscape, made it even more fun. By 7 am, I had completed three nice little paintings. This is one of them... and is available for purchase in my store on ebay.

To purchase, follow the link to my eBay store on the right.

"The Gondolier's Wife", Pastel

2008-07-03T08:27:00.000-04:00

I'm proud to have won the

"JULY ART DIVA QUEEN",

(for the 7th time!)

by a group of my peers on eBay

for my pastel painting,

"The Gondolier's Wife"

12" x 16", Pastel on paper.

We were in Italy last year, and saw this woman bathing in the harbor on the Isle of Capri. While she wasn't really the wife of a gondola driver (or maybe she was?!!), she wore that hat which reminded us of the Gondoliers we saw wearing them in Venice. Maybe Capri is where the Venetian wives go while thier hubbies are hard at work!

"Purple Sky over Chincoteague"

2008-06-03T09:02:00.000-04:00

16" x 20" Oil on canvas.

I'm leaving in a few weeks for Chincoteague Island, off the coast of Virginia. (google it!) for a little plein air painting excursion and can't wait. I't s one of my very favorite places to paint... so serene and beautiful with ever-changing lighting that make the marshes glow.. There's no place like it.

"Black Stripes"

2008-06-02T08:34:00.000-04:00

16" x20" Oil on Canvas.

And another from a solo show now at the Gathering Place, Beachwood Ohio.

"Lemons and Stripes"

2008-06-01T08:24:00.000-04:00

16" x20" Oil on canvas.

I've been so busy with freelance artwork and calligraphy this month, that I haven't had too much time to paint. I do have three different art exhibits now, however, so thought I'd list some of those pieces for your viewing pleasure! See exhibit locations to the right, if you're local and would like to go take in a nice art show or two! Hope you enjoy.........

"Vineyard Roses"

2008-05-31T08:19:00.000-04:00

11"x14" Oil on canvas

I've been wanting to paint this scene from Martha's Vineyard for YEARS... It's from a photo I took 15 years ago and one I keep putting aside for "some day". This week, I had a long awaited break in my freelance work, so decided it was "the day" to have fun with this picture. I enjoyed it so much, I started working on it again, on a larger canvas. Stay tuned for that post soon...

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, follow the link on the right to my ebay store.

"Chincoteague Spring"

2008-05-14T09:00:00.000-04:00

11" x 14", Oil

Another in my Chincoteague series....always SO relaxing to work on.....

"Fisherman's Sunset II "

2008-05-13T08:57:00.000-04:00

11" x 14"

I had so much fun with the first painting of this subject, I had to do it again...

"Fisherman's Sunset"

2008-05-12T08:53:00.000-04:00

11" x14", Oil

I really like the misty atmosphere in this sunset/seascape. It was fun for me to paint the silhouette of the fishing boat... I gave just enough info to capture the guys in the boat...

"Portuguese Water Dog"

2008-05-10T08:48:00.000-04:00

5" x7" , Oil on hardboard

I love these wonderful shaggy dogs... I try to offer at least one dog each week in my ebay store, and try to come up with breeds that are a little less common, and stand out from the crowd! I think this one is definately a stand out breed.... I'm glad to accept commissions on dog portraits, so feel free to contact me through my website or eBay store.

"Pink Serenity, Maine"

2008-05-09T08:37:00.000-04:00

11" x 14", Oil

Ok, so I got off track today from my Chincoteague obsession to paint this Maine scene.. looks like it could be Chinco, though!

"Purple Sky at Chincoteague"

2008-05-08T08:18:00.000-04:00

11" x14", Oil

Here is another in my Chincoteague series, which I entered in a monthly contest held by one of the eBay artist's groups called "Art Divas", in which winners are selected by a group of our eBay peers. I'm honored to have had this painting win for the month of May... (which is my 4th win!)

"Chincoteague Evening"

2008-05-07T08:11:00.000-04:00

11" x14", Oil

With ther onset of the warmer weather, and thoughts of summer, I've been on a Chincoteague kick ( not to mention, I have a painting trip planned for Chinco in June.. Yea!!) Spring is always a busy time in my studio (I do a lot of wedding-related calligraphy and illustration), and when I find an hour or two in my busy day to paint, I want (need!) the subject matter to be a pleasant escape .... creating these landscapes is like meditation for me. I think the final result conveys that feeling. Please check out my eBay store for weekly Chincoteague offerings....

"Mid Summer's Day, Chincoteague"

2008-05-06T08:05:00.000-04:00

11" x14" , Oil

One of my favorite subjects to paint is the marshes of Chincoteague , Va. They are endlessly interesting to me, and in my busy studio, always a welcome break to work on. They are as peaceful and theraputic to create as they are to view..... Hope you enjoy.

"Golden Dawn"

2008-03-28T19:40:00.000-04:00

16" x20" , Pastel on Board

Here's another pastel on Ampersand Hardbord. I really like working on this heavy , textured board. It can stand up to pretty much any kind of beating! I did the underpainting in hard pastels, wet it down with a sponge to sort of "shmear" the colors all over the board.. and then after it dried, went back in with soft pastels. I tried to vary the strokes, using different directions, different edges of the pastel, and my finger to smear. It's one of the first landscapes I've done in pastelsl and was a lot of fun.....Hope you enjoy!

"My Ballerina"

2008-03-27T18:34:00.000-04:00

16" x 20", Pastel on board

My experimentation with pastels continues, and I really LOVE working with them. The only problem is, I am limited by the colors that I have. It's not like painting with oils, where you can blend whatever colors you have in mind. With pastels, it's all about the variety of colors you have to work with... I have a lot.. but I can see how an artist can never get enough!

This painting is of my very own ballerina, from about 10 yrs. ago..... she's now a teenager and WAY past the "tutu" stage!

"Wheaton Terrier"

2008-03-25T20:15:00.000-04:00

5"x7" Pastel on board

I've been playing with pastels lately.. and finding just I LOVE working with them. I've done this view of this Wheaten before in oils, but I had such a good time with the pastels, and I think was able to capture the feel of his fur nicely.

Check out my ebay store to purchase. (link is to the right)

"Springtime in Paris"

2008-03-24T20:08:00.000-04:00

4"x6" watercolor on Arches paper.

THis is from a series of little mini paintings I've done (and sold lots of on eBay!), from my trip last summer to Europe. Just a delicate little watercolor /pen & ink drawing, that's a fun warm up for me on scraps of paper from bigger projects in my studio...

There's usually an offering or two of these in my ebay store. You can use the link on the right to get there.

"Chincoteague Fugue"

2008-03-23T20:02:00.000-04:00

11"x14" Oil on canvas

I'm planning a pantining trip in early summer to Chincoteague Island, off the coast of Virginia....it's one of my favorite places to paint and I can't wait to get there and be inspired!

Check out my eBay store to purchase.

"Breakfast"

2008-03-01T18:08:00.000-05:00

16"x20",
Pastel on board

This is another work in progress from the Carducci Pastel workshop I attended last week.... It is definately unfinished.. notice the black plate.. the shape is wrong in the foreground, but it did not go unnoticed.. I just didn't get a chance to fine tune it and correct the shape of the plate... it's sometimes tough to get that elipse right! I'll finish this one of these days and post it again....

Onion Group

2008-02-29T17:51:00.000-05:00

19"x12",
Pastel on Canson paper

I took a wonderful pastel workshop last week with Master pastelist, Judith Carducci.

This was my first day's work... I haven't worked in pastels since I was about 10 years old.... I forgot how much FUN it is!!

________________

Portuguese Water Dog

2008-02-28T17:37:00.001-05:00

5"x7", Oil

This is another painting from my weekly dog paintings... a wondeful family pet with an unusual name. They actually worked on ships with fishermen way back when... and would dive into the water to retrieve fish. The breed almost became extinct until a wealthy businessman decided to start a breeding program in the late 1800's. The first ones were brought to the U.S. in 1958...

I loved painted this one becasue of the wavy, messy nature of the fur.. I was able to paint it so loosely.. and the looser I made it , the more accurately it resembled the breed.

Go to my eBay store to purchase.

"Tamika" , Work in Progress

2008-02-05T16:18:00.001-05:00

16" x 20" Oil on canvas.

Here is a work in progress I started yesterday. The model is beautiful and an inspiration to paint. I loosely sketched her in charcoal, and when I felt I had her likeness, got started in paint. I laid in the underpainting in dark ,cool tones, developed the shadows, and then began to balance the darks with the lights, which began to give it life. Now I need to work back into the entire thing to develop more interesting color tones... I'll get back to painting her again in a couple weeks and will post the finished painting.

"Bulldog"

2008-01-30T16:58:00.001-05:00

5" x 7" Oil on gessoed hardboard.

Here is the finished product from yesterday's post.

You can see that I worked more heavily with the paint to "mold" his features properly, and had a fun time playing with the distinct shadows in the folds of his cute face.

Visit my eBay store to purchase.

"Bulldog", Work in Progress

2008-01-29T19:57:00.001-05:00

5"x7" Oil on gessoed hardboard.

Here is another work in progress. I usually sketch out the p[ortrait very lightly with vine charcoal and then start to roughly block in the basic shadows and massses of color. becaisse it is done in oils, I sometimes have to give it a little time so it's not quite so wet, and come back to it and finish off the finishing touches and and brightest highlights. I love that part. It's like putting frosting on a cake... it all comes alive.

"Tribute to Barbaro"

2008-01-27T20:43:00.001-05:00

5" x7" on gessoed hardboard.

In honor of the 2 year anniversary of the loss of this amazing champion, Barbaro, I decided to offer this portrait again for sale on eBay. I've painted it a couple of times, and don't like to paint the same thing again and again.. but I just love this view of him, and thought another horse lover might like it,too.....

Visit my eBay store to purchase.

"Papillon"(finished)

2008-01-25T17:14:00.000-05:00

5" x 7" Oil on gessoed hardboard.

Here is the finished painting from yesterday.. I'm really happy with how it came out. I added some bright highlights and thick paint in the foreground that makes the fur really come forward, and added whiskers, and details to his face. This is MY very own baby.. Riley, and if I do say so myself, it looks just like him! Hope you enjoy.

Visit my eBay store to purchase.

Work in Progress, Papillon

2008-01-24T17:09:00.000-05:00

5" x7" Oil on gessoed hardboard.

This is the underpainting, loosely painted in to block in the proper colors and values, and tomorrow I'll go back into it (which also gives it a chance to dry a little, and enable me to work back into it, without it becoming muddy) to give him more definition and subtle details.