UNDER THE SUN peony flower watercolor painting

Another painting from the Peony farm Linwood Gardens here in Upstate New York. 

Under The Sun
watercolor 5 x 7"

HILLSIDE FARM (SOLD) plein air landscape oil painting

Started last September, with a little color boost from me (that is actually an oak tree, not a maple) and finished in my studio this week. I really like this painting because the colors are so harmonious, and the teeny tiny cows came out okay.

Hillside Farm (SOLD)
oil on linen 8 x 8 "

PLEIN AIR LANDSCAPES oil paintings

 I spent last week painting outside, when it wasn't pouring rain. This has been a very damp June. I wanted to capture that hazy quality of the air on a humid day. In the first 2 paintings, I was lucky enough to catch a bit of sunshine peeking out from a cloud, or the clouds parting just as the sun was setting.
These 4 paintings were all started and finished at one sitting. I have several others that need a bit of touch up in the studio. I'm working on that ever elusive trait for plein air painting: loose brush strokes.

June 23

oil on linen  8 x 10"

                                          __________________________________

June 24

oil on linen  5 x 7"

_____________________________________________________

Kilarney Park (SOLD)

oil on linen  5 x 7

This was painted from a photo I took in Ireland in February.

SWEET DREAMS daisy flower still life watercolor painting

I had a delightful dream last night (which nobody wants to hear about, I know) but I keep thinking about it, which leads me to other fantastic, fantasy adventures, which has kept a smile on my face all day. It occurred to me that our daydreams are one of the few things that bring delight without costing a cent.

To take the day and drive the coastal highway, ski the Swiss Alps, or lounge by a tropical sea wearing a bikini on your perfect body.

Have lunch with a departed loved one, a faraway friend, or an admired hero.

See yourself dancing like a pro by the light of the moon.

A world and beyond of possibility can take place;

Awe, wonder and magic;

In the mind.

So where will you allow your mind to take you today? Make it the trip of a lifetime. It's all yours. Have fun.

Sweet Dreams
watercolor  10 x 12" 

A CAPELLA (SOLD) marble still life oil painting

Another painting for the show "The Condition of Music" at the Oxford Gallery in Rochester.

A Capella (SOLD)
oil on linen  6 x 6"

MOVEMENTS OF A LARGER SYMPHONY marble and music still life oil painting on copper

I finally finished this little darlin'. It was intended for an exhibition with a music theme, but that deadline is long gone. Painting on the copper is interesting; this was a cradled panel covered with a thin layer of copper. I left the edges unpainted, so it looks pretty neat. Gives it a bit of a 3D interest.

Movements Of A Larger Symphony
oil on copper  12 x 12"

FLIGHT OF FANCY origami crane still life watercolor painting

Yes, I actually did make this origami crane, but I did not paint all the extraneous creases from folding it in the wrong places.

Flight of Fancy
watercolor  8 x 10"

POISED ON A STARRY NIGHT marble still life watercolor painting

This little image is one of my favorites of my marble series. It is professionally framed with an off-white mat and white-washed wood frame. Shipping is included in the price. I am also sending out my newsletter any day now. A shoulder injury has prevented me from offering any workshops, but I am trying to get a couple of online demos up and running.

Poised On A Starry Night
watercolor   6 x 6"
framed  12 x 12"

RICH RED (SOLD)

Rich Red (SOLD)

oil on canvas  12 x 12"

BASEBALL (SOLD) still life oil painting

Comes with a cute little easel or I'll pop it in a little black frame.

Baseball
oil on linen  4 x 4"

A ROSE FOR MOM (SOLD) flower watercolor painting

I hope everyone has a lovely Mother's Day.

Princess Rose (SOLD)
watercolor  8 x 8"

SPRING MAIDENS lily flower oil painting

Spring Maidens
oil on linen  6 x 6"

CAMELLIA flower oil painting

This was one of the first paintings I completed after my workshop with Anthony Waichulis at Ani Academy, thus the title. I learned a lot from him, but mostly, I learned that what I was already doing was okay. I was thinking I had to use more paint and less brushing, less layering and more texture. It is such a relief to find an artist whose technique I love and can respond to. Thanks Anthony.

Ani's Camellia
oil on linen 6 x 6"

ROYAL WELCOME tulip flower still life oil painting

Home from Virginia. Glad to be back to focus on painting and some other things. Sad to leave the lovely weather and people in Nelson County.

I started this painting in NY, and finished it in VA. 

Royal Welcome
oil on linen  8 x 10"

FULL OF GRACE (SOLD) still life floral oil painting

The workshop with Anthony Waichulis has given me a new appreciation for the power of detail. and focal points. Even though I signed this new painting, I am still mulling over some changes. I am pretty happy with it though. It is only 6x6", but took a long time to paint. 

Full Of Grace (SOLD)
oil on linen  6 x 6"

ORBITAL LANDSCAPE oil painting

Orbital Landscape

oil  6 x 6"

 

IN THE WILD. Painting while watching for bears

Painting from my journey to the Adirondacks last year. I started painting in an isolated spot, and was constantly jumping at every little noise. (I have a deep rooted fear of bears.) After an hour of nervous painting, I packed up and finally finished this painting in my bear-free studio. 

High Mountain Lake 

oil on linen  8 x 10"

BLUE VELVET (SOLD) iris flower watercolor painting

Another blue iris. I just can't resist these beauties. Lucky for me, they grow in all my "home territories" : California, New York, and Virginia.

Blue Velvet (SOLD)
watercolor  8 x 7"

SUMMER'S PRIDE (SOLD) iris flower watercolor painting

Summer's Pride (SOLD)

watercolor  11 x 8"

SERENDIPITY and a fat white Camellia watercolor painting

When I lived in California, camellias were everywhere, and I took them for granted. But, that is before I became an artist. Now, I am impressed by (and challenged to paint!) their regular forms, translucency, and soft colors. 

Serendipity

watercolor  7 x 6"

SPRING BECKONS watercolor painting of Tree Peony (SOLD)

Another delightful pink peony from last Spring.

Merry Bloom (SOLD)

watercolor  8 x 6"

MY LOVE IS LIKE A RED, RED DAISY watercolor flower painting (SOLD)

Gerbera Daisy (SOLD)

watercolor  6 x 6"

LILY BELLE (SOLD) flower watercolor painting

Lily Belle (SOLD)
watercolor  8 x 8"

COLOR MAGIC (SOLD) rose flower watercolor painting

Color Magic (SOLD)

watercolor 6 x 6"

CONTINUUM waterscape oil painting

Continuum

oil on canvas 24 x 8"

This painting is currently in an exhibition, so contact me for purchase.

The SECOND ARTIST gets great press

Front page, right above the Best Souvlaki in town!

HOW DRAWING SAVED MY LIFE portraits from my drawing group

Bonnie

pencil on white paper

I named this drawing "Princess Bonnie" because it reminds me of those sweetly flattering drawings that artists at Disneyland used to draw when I was a kid. 

`

Quincy

charcoal and conte on grey paper

Quincy has an adorable crooked smile that I tried to capture, though it looks somewhat like a smirk here. So pretty and smart; I could draw her for hours and hours. Speaking of which, most of my drawings are completed in 1-1.5 hours.

Most drawings that look like this: (by Sabin Howard)

take considerably longer to do. 

How did drawing save my life? My sanity in this culturally narrow and conservative place was being wacked right and left. I gave up all fine art and focused on design and illustration. For 10 years, I painted what I thought would sell. I survived physically, but emotionally and spiritually, I was a wreck. A series of things helped put me right, not the least of which is a Thursday night drawing group. Drawing from life is a difficult thing. Focusing on one thing and recreating it with a little pencil is a wonderful thing. Spending $5 for the privilege is a delightful thing. An evening in my drawing friends' company is priceless. Thank you to everyone who helped save my life.

WINDOW PICTURES figure watercolor painting

Window Pictures
watercolor  22 x 15"

LATE BREAKING NEWS portrait watercolor painting

Good old Bob posing for me. I love the light and colors in this. 

Evening News
watercolor  16 x 20"

RED KISS (SOLD) chocolate candy still life painting

Red Kiss (SOLD)

oil on linen  4 x 4"

Thank you to Peter, Arti, Catharina, and Sue for your kind comments recently. I so appreciate all of you readers/ and or viewers. 

RENDEZVOUS IN A QUIET PLACE marble still life oil painting

Rendezvous In A Quiet Place
oil on canvas  18 x 36"

____________________________________________________

I am excited to be participating in this exhibition that benefits the Dog Ears Bookstore and the Enlightenment Literary Arts Center. 

see more here:

http://dogearsbookstore.org/about-us/

BEHIND THE 8 BALL (SOLD) still life oil painting

A new painting of my Billiard Balls, this one is 4 x 4". It's a winner.

Billiard Balls #2 (SOLD)
oil on linen 4 x 4"

COMFORT FOOD FOR ARTISTS

Appreciation. Interest. A smile.
These go a long way to fulfilling my little artist heart. And, isn't it just human to want these responses for what we do? Purchasing a painting is the ULTIMATE praise, and I am grateful for this, but anyone who wanders into my studio and enjoys my work is appreciated. Others who... well I won't get into rude comments I've heard, but really, you know the saying "if you can't say anything nice don't say anything"? A good motto all around.
Let's pass it on; next time we see someone doing a good job, let them know you noticed. Being kind is powerful.

Comfort Me With Apples
watercolor  11 x 18"
This painting is currently in an exhibition. Email for purchase enquiry. Prints are available.

PERSUASION Iris floral still life watercolor painting

As in crystal and blue. And that is the only line I can remember from the song. 'Crystal Blue Persuasion' , Whatever it means, it seemed like a good title for this painting.
Home from a Winter vacation in Ireland. Yes, it was cold, but not as cold as here. It is pretty bad when you go to Ireland for the nice climate. Took lots of photos, so keep your eye out for some new paintings of Ireland. A friend and I are planning an exhibition here in Ellicottville.

Persuasion
watercolor  8x8"

MORNING PRAYERS and promises to keep

Another Tree Peony (Paeonia suffruticosa) from Linwood Gardens. Their shapes are so lovely and elegant, and this particular image reminded me of reaching up to the heavens.

My promises I am keeping are being grateful and being mindful (doing one thing at a time; no more eating while reading, painting while talking on the phone). Not coming so easy are exercising and being more sociable. It is too easy to hunker down at home. And wasting time, ditto.

Morning Prayer
watercolor  7 x 7"

THE DWELLING PLACE marble still life painting

A wee painting. How do I do it? teeny tiny brushes, steady hands, good light, and an understanding Chiropractor.

The Dwelling Place
oil on linen 4 x 4"

KISSED BY THE SUN (I wish I was...) watercolor flower peony painting

 

Another tree peony painting, as the temperature hover around 20 degrees. The arctic wind reminds us we live in an OLD house. Ice has built up on the inside of our windows. Thank goodness for wool sweaters and slippers. 

Kissed By The Sun
watercolor  7 x 7"

PROMISES TO KEEP (SOLD) watercolor peony flower painting

As I am stuck at home by the weather (self imposed; 20 below wind chill, I don't need anything out there!). I decided to paint some watercolors, and dug out some photos from my visit to the Linwood Gardens Tree Peony Farm in Pavilion, New York. It was magical place; a gorgeous old estate and lovely flower gardens that have been tended some years and left to grow amok some years.
I wandered around with my camera, but next year I am heading up with paints to put in sometime plein air. Anyone want to join me?
http://www.linwoodgardens.org/Home.html

Promises to Keep (SOLD)
watercolor  7 x 7"