Alone Time?

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     This little painting is my submission to the weekly challenge hosted by Daily Paint Works. Must say, I found the background a bit tough going. I am happy with the finished piece, and especially like her  bag and shoes.

Sea Dog Run

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         This little guy wore me out chasing him around the beach with my camera last summer - hence the title!  It was worth the effort, though, because I got quite a few good shots of him. This is my first dog painting - and it was quite fun. I might paint another - perhaps this old dog has learned a new trick! (Had to go there.)

Sisters and Sunflowers

    This is one of my first commissions. I remember how nervous I was driving to the client's home to take photos. My mind was racing with ideas of how to pose the girls. Sitting? Standing? Looking at the camera?  Each other? Still anticipating the shoot, I spied a flower stand on the side of the road.
  

   

     I pulled over and bought a bunch of sunflowers. Those flowers calmed me. They ended up working beautifully as a way to tie the girls together. They were a graceful touch to the finished painting. And now, any time I see sunflowers, I think about that day and smile.

Colorful Crew

 

   Upon arrival at the home of this family for our photo shoot, I was struck by all the artwork in the house. The dad, it turns out, is an avid collector of living artists' work. I was shocked and humbled to see, among his collection, several of my pieces. It was such a terrific feeling - one I'll never forget.









Nor will I soon forget the energy of his vibrant family, from the caring nature of the eldest sister to the silly antics of the littlest, who kept the others laughing that day. Always good for a shoot! Overall they were a colorful crew, and so it is that the commission was painted with bright and warm colors, reflecting happy times in the sun.

Still Brother and Sister

    
     There is a quietness about this painting that I think reflects the personalities of the featured siblings.  They were such a peaceful duo, and when I was painting this commission, I feel like I infused their stillness into the sky and sea and even the sand around them. My brushwork is subtle and the colors, subdued. It amazes me how many elements can be incorporated, beyond likeness, into a painting to create a true portrait.

The Gang

                                                                                      

     Remember that group of friends who made summer so extra special and fun? The ones you joked with, the one you had the crush on? The ones you hung out with from early morning long into those warm summer nights?

        
    This is a painting of a group of summer friends. I was commissioned by one mother to paint the whole group, "the gang," as she referred to them. I think she had a fondness for all of them, simply because they were such good company for each other. They are all through college by now, or just about. Funny, no matter how many years go by, the memories of the summer gang, are always warm ones.

Orange You Glad We Came?

oil on 9"x12" canvas

      Nothing cuter than a little one fresh out of the ocean, wrapped in a cozy towel. Nothing better then  spending a little time together, seaside.
      This painting was inspired by the Daily Paint Works color challenge this week. Had to think about complementary or split-complementary colors. I had this great photo of a big orange umbrella with a beautiful blue sky that I had been thinking about painting for some time. The challenge gave me a push...as it usually does. You can see other colorful paintings by visiting. www.dailypaintworks.com.
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