Harris Beach, Brookings, Oregon

I worked on a boat painting yesterday and I am still not happy with it. So, last night I  worked on a beach composition and blocked it in. This morning I finished it.

"Harris Beach, Brookings, OR" 6x12 Canvas on Board

Here is my study of Harris Beach north of Brookings, Oregon. The large island off to the left is Bird Island and sometimes called Goat Rock.  This is a short walk from my studio. Beautiful place.

What? Again?

I have painted the Little J a few times. What? Again? Well, it is from a photograph and the first time I painted it too dark with not enough contrast.  When painting from reference photos the the darks are darker than in real life and you cannot capture the color the eye can. That is why I prefer painting plein air rather than from a photograph.  So I keep pushing and pulling the values and color to capture the day.
I also  created a palette knife study of another boat at the same port. Again, I need more contrast. I didn't push the warm colors and used too much white.   I will paint it, again, in the the square format using brushes.

"Little J III" 8x10 Oil On Canvas Board

"Port Side" 8X8 Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas

Cat Tail Clocks

As many know, I love cats and I truly believe they have a sense of humor that only cat lovers can appreciate. I tried to captured this in my clocks and pins.  This is a clock I sell in coastal galleries.  Just like cats, no two are alike.
And yes, that is a mouse second hand.

Gifted to a Fellow Cat Lover

Altered

I am sure I have mentioned artist and friend, Audi Stanton. She is one of the most creative persons you can ever meet.  I want to share this altered book she showed me how to make.
I couldn't believe how fun it was to design each page. I included a label from a tea bag, a fortune from a fortune cookie, a penny, a copy of a french catholic prayer card, part so a measuring tape, buttons, a doily, grommets, yarn scraps, a plant marker and an old photograph.
It was a wonderful time.

Making Buttons

I was hoping to have a break in the weather to fire up my raku kiln to make pottery buttons. I have several new raku glazes I want to test  and a few sweaters that need some artistic button upgrades. Instead, I had to settle on these dark brown clay buttons to run in my electric kiln.
Here is a picture of the brown buttons drying in my dryer.   I used a homemade pottery stamp for the design and cocktail straws to make the holes.  I am trying to decide if I will use an underglaze on a few.  So many decisions and so little time.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to you all especially our deployed troops and their families.  We are thankful for you all.

"Three's a Crowd"

I pulled out my pallet knife and setup a still life. Put on a silly movie and enjoyed the afternoon painting. This was a fun piece. (What isn't a fun piece?) I could take it farther but I think I am done. I painted what I wanted to paint.

"Three's A Crowd" 8x10 Oil with palette knife on canvas board

"Moody Gray"

I cleaned up my paint palette and created this piece I call "Moody Gray".  It is truly gray. No contrast just gray.

"Moody Gray"  9x12 on Gallery Wrap Cotton Duck Canvas

I Must Knit This

I went shopping with my dear husband the other day.  We ran across this funny, cat head piece.  It is hilarious with its cat ears,eyes, orange nose, and whiskers. Funny stuff. I started thinking I should pull out my yarn and circular knitting needles to make my own. Mine, of course would have handmade ceramic eyes and nose.  The ears would be more detailed. Also, three whiskers on each side.

Happy Veterans' Day

Happy Veterans' Day to all our beloved veterans. My family and I think of you every day. My son, brothers, father, uncles and cousins have all served our country selflessly and honorably. We thank all of you for your service and the sacrifices you make.
May God bless you and your families always.

Fixing Stinkers

I have what I refer to as a stinker stack in my studio. It is a stack of paintings that I don't like.  I don't like them for numerous reasons. Mainly it is because I didn't know what to do  or I didn't properly plan it.
I got up early this morning and thought I should troubleshoot a few to see if I can make them better.
Here is one such painting.  Previously,  I posted a painting of  the Social Security Bar which I thought had too much information. I overly described everything. I needed to learn to simplify the gravel bed so I took the photo into the landscape class I am taking.  I was shown on this painting how to suggest the rocks. Great lesson but I painted a lollipop tree off the right that I didn't like so I put it into my stinker stack.

I looked at this piece this morning and lopped down the lollipop tree.  I think this took some stink out of this study.  I realize the water needs more value changes, color and reflection and I will note that on the back when I repaint it.  Yes - I put notes on the back of my studies to remind me what I need to do to paint the next one better.

A Crop Study

I have painted nothing but stinkers the last couple of weeks so I haven't posted much.  I needed to loosen up a bit. Yesterday's art class  with Randy Blasquez was just what I needed. We worked on cropping interesting shapes with light and darks. The still life setups were Christmas themes. It was so much fun.

"Lean Closer" Study on linen sheet.

Now, I cannot take credit for painting all of this. I had a difficult time with how much detail to paint  the ornament and I kept changing the values.  After struggling an hour, I asked for help.  Randy Blasquez showed me the way. I needed to put the background color darker and warmer to make it work.
Again, fun painting.

Autumn's River

"Autumns' River" 12X16 Oil on Gallery Wrap Canvas

Here is my palette painting I named "Autumn's River".  The paint is thicker. I had my palette in the back of my car on a warm day. The paint started to dry so instead of discarding it, I created this piece. I love the thick texture.

New Artwork At William Corley's Office

I have new artwork at William Corely's office in Citrus Heights, CA.  He is financial planner we have worked with for several years and he has supported my art for years.   Thank you,  Bill. 

Yosemite At Last

Here is the latest painting sold. It is one of my favorites because it was my first time to Yosemite. I am a California girl born and raised and yet had never visited Yosemite until last year.  It it inspired me to spend more time being a tourist in my own state.
Thank you for purchasing my art.

Painted onsite in Yosemite Valley SOLD

Little J II - SOLD

"Little J II "  SOLD

I couldn't resist painting these boats one more time. Here is "Little J II" painted on 8x10 canvas on board. I wanted to loosen my strokes a bit and brighten the painting.

Time Flies When You Are Having Fun

I was working away and noticed it is already Wednesday.  Time flies when you are having fun.  Since my last post,  I had two full travel days that I spent on the road. Along the way, I  took a lot of pictures of boats in the ports.  I worked on a commission that is going well.  Let's see... I was fortunate enough to spend a wonderful day painting with friends and fellow artists.    I, also,  dropped off new framed work at the Winchuck Gardens and Nursery, new work at the the Manley Art Center and picked up artwork that was in Crescent City Art Gallery.  It was seen on Cattailgallery.com and sold. (Thank you for the sale. It will be delivered tomorrow).
Here is one of the boat pictures.  It looks like they are sharing  a secret between each other. Doesn't it?

Brookings/Harbor Port

Palette Paint In Progress

I had to show this palette painting is in progress. It is very thick in some parts. I love making these.

Take A Sharp Right At The American River

Here is yesterday's painting of the American River off the Sunrise Bridge in Fair Oaks, CA.   I worked on it a bit this morning.

"Take A Sharp Right At The American River" 8x10 Oil with Palette Knife on Canvas Borad

Painting The River, Figure Drawing and Web Site Update

I spent the morning painting the American River with another plein air artist. It was a gorgeous day.  No pictures since the work is still in progress. Then off to figure drawing class. I was so tired the last half hour I couldn't figure out which direction to put my contour lines when foreshortening.
Then I came home and updated my website. You can check out my new plein air paintings at www.cattailgallery.com/pleinair.html. 
I think I am due for a cat nap. 

Sheeba drifting off to sleep.

A Light, A Bright and A Dull

Here is my study from yesterday.  It is a light, a bright and a dull. The light was the white vase. The bright was the nectarine. The dull was the black vase. It was a great study. I avoid black because I don't know how to paint it. I have to be more brave.

3 Day Workshop In Winters

I just finished taking a 3 day plein air workshop with Terry Miura  in Winters, CA and I am exhausted but happy.   This first day and last day Terry demonstrated his technique with instructions. The next two days I spent under a large tree enjoying the instruction and the plein air experience. 
Each day  I put on my layers of painting clothes, tied my hair back, setup my easel with paints and supplies, drew several thumbnail sketches to identify my lights and darks and painted.  One painting in the morning and one in the afternoon.  Again, loved it.

Day 2 Afternoon Putah Creek Cafe, Winters, CA

Day 3 Afternoon Putah Creek Cafe Winters, CA

Day 2 Morning Buckhorn Restaurant, Winters, CA

Day 3 Morning Buckhorn Restaurant, Winters, CA

New Gallery Alert!

New Gallery Alert.   My cat artwork in oils is now showing at Patris Studio and Gallery located at 3460 2nd Street in Sacramento, California.  Also, this weekend will be Second Saturday. Come on by and enjoy the wonderful art, people, music and more. The gallery will be open until 10 PM and there is plenty of parking available.
For more information about Patris Studio and Gallery, go to  http://patrisstudiogallery.blogspot.com/.

Smaller Study Of La Vie

I started this piece yesterday.  As you can see,  it is the still life from last week's class.  My goal?  To  learn to create a successful under painting. The values must be correct. Light and dark and local color.  
It takes practice to learn any new method so I will work with  on inexpensive Michael's canvas until I am satisfied. 

"La Vie II"  8x10 Oil on gallery wrap canvas

Moving Past The Chetco River Bank

I am moving past the Chetco River bank painting else I will spend eternity over analyzing it.  As I wrote yesterday, I decided to scrape the rocks and focus on the  light and darks. I tried it again today and guess what? They look almost identical to what I painted the day before.  Funny and frustrating. I did see where I needed to add some color into the water from the trees and bank.  This will be for sale at the Winchuck Gardens and Nursery in Harbor, Oregon next week once it has dried and is varnished.

"The Chetco River Bank" 9x12 Oil on Canvas Board

Lost Painting The Checto River Bank

I struggled several days painting this study of the Chetco River bank located in Brookings/Harbor, Oregon. I  painted  rocks in and scraped them out. I just couldn't decide what to do. I took this picture before I wiped it all out, again.
I know it is about painting light and dark but I am so stubborn. I want to figure out how much do I have to describe before it reads river rocks. I am lost  painting the "Chetco River Bank".

"Chetco River Bank"  9x12 Oil on Canvas Board

And Another Abstract Pallette Painting

Here is another abstract palette painting. I am painting more and more so I have more and more paint left over for palette paintings. Again, a palette painting is an abstract art piece created with paint scraped off the my palette. Rather than waste the paint and discard an old painting,  I re-create an interesting piece of art. It is recycling.

"Roadwork" 8x8 Oil palette painting on gallery wrap canvas

"Adoptable" Cat Painting On Linen - SOLD

This is a cute kitty... but then what cat isn't.    With a face like that, who wouldn't want to be bossed around by him.  Chester is his name and he is up for adoption at the Sonora Cat Shelter. 

"Adoptable" 6x6 Oil On Linen Gallery Wrap SOLD

"Putting On My Tux" Cat Painting - SOLD

Here is a tuxedo cat from one of the local shelter that I painted in the style of watercolor using oils.  It is loose and with my favorite transparent colors.  I deliberately kept the under painting of transparent red oxide.  This is a 6x6  painting on linen gallery wrap.

"Putting On My Tux"  6x6 Oil with brush on linen gallery wrap- SOLD

Abstract Painting and Life

Instruction  with Randy Blasquez is always excellent. What made it even more exceptional yesterday was the music. Imagine painting a still life with white roses and pears with "La Vie En Rose" by French singer Edith Piaf playing in the background.  It doesn't get much better than this.
Here is my piece from yesterday's class.  I am trying to see and create abstract shapes at the beginning. The pears are the only things rendered and I pushed the color brighter.  I  struggled with the gravy boat because I was thinking silver and subject rather than shapes and color.  The roses in light are represented with three values and the roses in shadow are represented in two values. It is a difficult study and I finally decided to stop working on it today and start another.
Yes - another. When I am learning a method, I take the class information and practice it during the week. If not, I can't improve. My biggest concern is not creating a precious, wonderful painting in class but rather my concern is what do I need to learn to improve my work. So, I am willing to make as many mistakes as possible to push myself. 

"La Vie" 12x12 Oil on textured cotton gallery wrap canvas

Close up of roses

Close up of pears