This is my newest painting of a small boat launch in Juneau called Amalga Harbor. It was a beautiful sunny morning and we were going out to get some crab. I could not resist the contrasting warm light on the distant hill with the cool colors in the shady snow areas.
This past year was a bit of a surprise to me. As the year started out at the Gallery, I thought I had a good batch of minis (2.5×3.5 inches) and really did not plan to paint any more. As the months rolled on these little things began selling more than I anticipated and so I had to change course and do some more. I am finding that I rather enjoy painting them too. It still surprises me that I can learn so much by doing such a small work. But it is quite wonderful! And these beautiful floating frames that my wonderful husband makes for them are the bomb. I really enjoy seeing people’s reactions as they study them. I think some of them would like a magnifying glass to look a little closer…I may just put one there to see what happens.
These were made for family members as little ornaments. I copied the idea from Pintrest but made them my own. My family really loved them. I’m sure I will have requests to do them for the rest of my family. Two of them were for kids that recently purchased new homes and one was for a sister. Very cute and so fun to give a gift so personalized ( =
These are a couple of miniatures that I painted for my kids-to be used as Christmas ornaments. The truck was my Dad’s who passed away several years ago. I did that one for my son to remember him by.
The church was just a picture that I loved, and I did that one for my daughter. I don’t think you can see it in this photo, but I used a gold pen to add a few fancy accents in a couple spots when this was dry. It was a great touch. My kids loved them. I really love to be able to make personalized gifts, it’s the best!
This is from a photo I took of a spot near my best friend. It is pretty farm country in central Maine. Again, I just love this snowy atmosphere where all the lines get blurred. It is challenging and thrilling to paint. I think I like to try to make it feel like I am enveloped in the painting sensing the snow all around me. This is an 8×10
This type of atmosphere in a picture really interests me. It is challenging because of the lack contrasting lights and darks, but I really find it interesting. I love to be outside on a snowy day like this or a really foggy day. There is just something about it that appeals to me. It seems like I have a lot of photos of fog or really atmospheric scenes. And they always call my name to be painted.
In this one I felt it was very helpful, interest wise, to have that bit of thicker paint to describe the snow in the foreground. It was something I added in later.
This was another commission I had to do before Christmas. I used to have a Cocker Spaniel so I am very familiar with them. I had a very good photo reference for this which is always helpful. I thought I would show a couple pics of my process because I always enjoy seeing how others work through the process. Everyone has a different approach. This was a 10×8 and again the couple who owned this dog was so enthusiastic it was heartwarming (=
Currently working on this little commission. The photo is backlit so it comes with some unique challenges, but she is coming along nicely. (oil on board 12×8)
The mountains in Juneau, AK are amazing! I never tire of them. I am always amazed at how many different faces they have depending on the light and weather situation. I enjoy the challenge of painting scenes with subtle variations, and trying to portray a certain lighting effect. These mountains are part of the Chilkat Range.
This is from a photo I took at our place in Maine. I love all the trees in Maine! The changing light throughout the day just makes me have to keep my camera very close. I am always ready for a pic ( = I have been a bit afraid to try this scene for some time but have learned quite a bit from Phil Starke’s workshops and decided to go for it. I would like to do it again and do it looser, but was at least somewhat pleased with the outcome.
