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.