Epiphany!

"The Epiphany"

8" x 10"

Artist's Gesso Board

I painted this abstract piece on a day when I was feeling inspired about painting on gesso boards! They have such a wonderfully smooth surface and the paint seems to have a mind of its own when the brush hits the surface. I suppose I could control it more, but then...why? We all have to be so controlled in life -- isn't it nice to let go once in awhile? Try it, and see!

Board Again!

 "Cloudwatch"

9" x 12"

Artist's Gesso Board

Loving the board!  LOVING IT!  This was a "mental landscape" -- just something from my head that worked up great on this board.  I reworked it once, to add intensity to the dark clouds on the left and add substance and drama to the central cloud mass.  It was so easy to rework on the board.  And, again, the color intensity is striking --- you really need to see it "in person" to know what I mean.  You might have had a chance on August 6th, when I was going to do a local show, but I chickened out.  I need more time to get my booth together and figure out how to take credit cards and such.  It is not like selling on line!  That is okay, though, I will be ready to go in the Spring!

And I have so many new things to paint, thanks to my trip to Portland, OR.  I am posting this from the hotel there, in fact!  I can't wait to take all my new ideas and pictures and get painting next week!

Getting Board!

"A Cool Change"

8" x 10"

Artist's Gesso Board

Ah, gesso board, how do I love thee?  I bought a painting by one of my faves, Qiang Huang and it was done on this sweet little board.  I had often noticed paintings done on these, but never thought I would be unfaithful to the canvas.  It took just one night and I was totally hooked!  The paint works up so well on these little gems -- smooth, creamy, luscious with a richness of color that I don't think canvas can compete with.  I went right out and did it again!  This is my first try -- with the rocks from one Hawaii photo my husband took and the clouds from another.   What fun!

Outta My Head

"Calm Before the Storm"

10" x 10"

Stretched Canvas

Look for me on Etsy soon!

I am so excited!  I was still on my tropical kick, groovin' on the clouds, in particular, and this painting kind of just happened.  No reference photos of sky or surf.  No inspiration but a paintbrush and a some yummy globs of color on the palette.  This is a BIG deal for me because until now, I have never painted "out of my head" -- I have always used a model and/or reference photos.   Gives me hope that there may be something in my head, after all!!

"Summer Storm II"

8 x 10

Stretched Canvas

Look for me on Etsy soon!

I guess I am just in a tropical kinda mood, since Jim is spending the week in Hawaii (without ME, boo hoo -- thus the storm on all my horizons!).  This was fun to paint and I am still in the mood to paint more scenes.  Jim IS tasked with the job of taking pictures of sun, sand, and surf for me to use -- hopefully he will have time after doing all that hard work on the island to take a few shots.....*sigh*

Wish I Were There...

"Summer Storm"

8 x 10

Stretched Canvas

Look for me on Etsy soon!

Yes, even if it were storming, I would rather be there, digging my toes into the sand and picking up shells along the shoreline.  I am certain that there is a sweet beach shack or pavilion just out of the line of sight and if it rains I can run there and have a pina colada while the worst of the weather passes over.

Or, I could just sit here in my hot, humid yard and slap mosquitos.  Either way....