Getting back to work....

"Tools of the Trade" 13.5 x 11 mixed media

Sometimes, after an absence from painting, it takes a while to get back into the swing of things...This is true for me anyway....So yesterday, i just grabbed a piece of paper from one of my many piles (I'm still doing a studio clean-up) and did contour drawings of some of the things that were laying around... and started slapping paint on it....Certainly not a great painting...but a start back at it....and as Martha says...."It's a good thing"

House Portrait.....

"House Portrait" 6 x 9 watercolor

I do quite a few of these....I actually enjoy doing them. I started my down my artistic path doing house portraits in pen and ink, 24 years ago....Good grief....that makes me feel old! :) If you are interested in commissioning me to do a house portrait, pop me an email and I'll send you the particulars....

Gratitude....

Quote of the Day.....

"Silent gratitude isn't much good to anyone."

~Gladys Browyn Stern

Digging out the studio...clean up time!

The "before" photo.....Well, it's that time again...my feeble attempt at cleaning and organizing the studio....I certainly wish I had the "put it away after you are finished with it" gene....nope....didn't get that one.

Print available

"Phantom Tulips" print

A friend of mine convinced me to get this painting scanned and offer it as a fine art print.

A 14 x 11 inch size (open edition and signed) is $70. If you are interested, just contact me. (If you would like it larger or smaller I can do that too.)

I just got back from northern Michigan....We had a family vacation there. Our youngest (21) is here for a week (from LA) and our oldest (24) was here from Cleveland. After an initial adjustment to being back together...(all brothers fight, right?) we had a wonderful time. Lots of golf, and wandering around Traverse City.

Next week will be back to normal...whatever that is. One thing for sure...a big studio clean up is in order....yuck.

Seeing Stars

I bought a decorative plate from Target a few years ago, that was covered (mosaic-like) in thin mica-like iridescent chips. I laid it on the floor in front of the window to put a plant on it and "wowzers!" A light show! I was amused for way too long! :) Turned this boring corner of our eating area, into a kaleidoscope of colors and light.

Finders Keepers Release!

Finders Keepers #16...to be released either this afternoon, or tomorrow (in the Lake Orion or Oxford Michigan area). :) Happy hunting!

A New Favorite Artist....

This painting is by Susan Beauchemin....I love her technique with watercolor...

"My Son's Trailer"... 7 x 7 ....watercolor



I spent quite a bit of time yesterday just surfing art blogs....I found Susan Beauchemin during my online wanderings...What a gem...She uses masking fluid, which is common in watercolor, but she embraces the hard edges that it can leave....creating an almost wood cut feeling in her paintings....Love it!

Lake Michigan and Platte River

This photo was taken a couple of years ago...It's where the Platte River flows into Lake Michigan....My absolute favorite rock finding spot. The rocks are worn smooth from the sand and water...and are just beautiful to look at and touch. I cannot leave them be...I have quite a collection. I use them for my finders keepers project.....speaking of which...I think it's time for another artwork release soon! :)