Finally!! Sometimes getting shapes right isn't easy.

It took painting, scraping and re painting to get this beginning- don't give up. Pick up a sketch pad and keep trying. You will finally get it:-)

Ohhhh...how soon we forget! How to relearn?

Had to take a not voluntary break from plein air. How do I kick start the process? How about a 5x7 hour study in the yard each morning.  No sun today and most of my colors had dried up so very limited palette ---first quick oil sketch -- needs some highlights/touch up but got me started!

Fundraiser Christmas ornament --- is it that time a year already?

Have almost completed one side of the Key Largo ornament! 

Plein Air & Everglades -fun! Fun! Fun!

Finally getting over med stuff and our weather is cooling off ---this is a favorite spot  called Mrzak Pond. Our seasons are opposite of all you northerners--we are housebound in summer due to heat and bugs and our winters are for being outdoors! 

Tried a bigger canvas - what a challenge!

Been away... I'm back now and here is a tip:White highlights..????

Hi everyone-- sorry I haven't been blogging- had med issues which are now hopefully under control. Trying to get up strength to start painting-- but in mean time here is a tip... When using white for a highlight put a touch of the compliment of what you are highlighting. It will help it "pop".

Can't paint 4 some reason? Then practice color mixing.

These are oil mixing studies on 300# watercolor paper.

I have them in a small portable notebook. Great way to learn your medium if you are not up to creating a masterpiece. It works with all mediums. This is a finished one and a blank so you can make them.

Affordable art soon in San Antonio!

So many people love art but can't afford originals in this wacky economy.  So... Beautiful canvas giclees are the answer.

This is part of a collection I just picked up from the printer headed for Magic Mirror Gallery Boutique in San Antonio. The original oil paintings are available at the Key Largo Art Gallery -- which I'm sure you can guess where!!

VALUE --- try this fun exercise!

Find a photo, one you have or in a magazine you would like to paint but think is too difficult.  Paint up a batch of 4 values, turn the pic upside down and paint the value shapes.  If I had tried to paint these, especially the boats I wouldn't have gotten close.....but look what happened when I did this exercise!

FUN! Fun and more FUN sept. 27

Don't miss food, fun and art at the Key Largo Art Gallery on 9/27 from 6:30-?

Challenging & Struggling with thes darlings

Have just

begun these and they are turning out to be really a tough challenge-- Learning as always!

Good to be painting ...

I am having lots of fun learning the oil paint medium...I live by the sea which I love. So, sea turtles caught my fancy - this just needs some final touch ups

Catch Em if You Can!

Finished my grouper series with a spotted coral and a black grouper. Trying to build up a body of work so ill have variety for sale when season comes. 

Where inspiration comes???

Well, due to surgery I haven't been able to be out in our brutal heat/humidity to pain "en plein air" so having fun doing small 10x10s. Inspiration came from coffee cups, then roosters and now groupers? We never know what is going to trigger our desire to paint. 

LUV MY COFFEE!

Trying my hand at 10x10 so it will be easier for printer to do 8x8. Not easy when so used to 6x6.  Sold all my original coffee themed -- everyone loves coffee! So starting another series. You can buy my art at The Key Largo Art Gallery! 

CockadoodleDoooo

Went to the "studio day" at garden center --- working on a trio of roosters.  They are coming along... 

Playtime

Despite dealing with some serious health issues - trying to play a little to keep spirit lifted. Lighting wasn't good so pic not the best but this 10x10 oil almost completed.  You can find works on sale at the Key Largo Art Gallery.

More in the works- but at Key Largo Art Gallery

Have 3 more started...surgery is on left this Wed and I'm left handed so it will be awhile before I get to finish. You can find lots of colorful finished works of mine at The Key Largo Art Gallery.

Took a great class

The Art Box in Key Largo offers great classes. Took a great painting light and what color is white in oils. Quite a challenging exercise.

Studio Day at garden center was fun!

Once a month artists hangout at garden center, paint, play, eat and talk away! I got these 6x6s almost completed. 

First set of giclees---whoopee- they are great!

Since my little gems have been selling so well I had giclees made. My very first time - had 6x6 and 8x8. Used Printing Plus in Key Largo. Great job-great price! 

Took a class!

Took a one night class at local art store -- really fun!

Took time out

Sorry for the delay in posting-I've been a bit overwhelmed with a medical issue.  I have started painting again so ill be posting soon. Meanwhile - my "wounded warrior" friend got married and was here for a diving honeymoon. Got to meet her and have dinner with them.

Yea they fit!!!!

I was given a card rack ... And the little oil paintings fit!  I hope to fill it by next season.  Might take awhile as have some medical issues interfering.

All for one....

Three makes me

think of  that legend ...you know the one...

"Apart from the crowd......"

Taking awhile to get these done. This is #18.  Have a short window of time in am before I go to work. Seem to be out of gas after work and some issues in life.  Practice is the only way to improve .... So as a friend recently told me "paint on!" 

Toasting art

A lot of us local artists get together on Mondays for $5 martini night at Snappers here in Key Largo...thought I'd paint a few. Harder to do than I thought. Makes me think of the Impressionists who gathered at the cafes for coffee, port, absinthe and artistic companionship.

Key Largo Art Gallery

The Key Largo Art Gallery has my 6x6 oils, plein air pieces and conch houses for sale.

Cherry, cherry - trying to ignore health issues and still squeeze 6"x6" stil life in when I can😄

Little Gems

It's hard to do what u luv when u have to work full time:-(! But squeezing "little gems" in during morning coffee time:-)! #14 & 15

I am lucky to live in the land of mojitos, salsa dancing, margaritas, cheeseburgers in paradise- Key Largo. #13 of my goal of 100 small works. Many now available at the Key Largo Art Gallery.

6x6 oil paintings will be on sale soon!!!

11&12! Have a goal to do 100!  They will be available at the KEY LARGO ART GALLERY in Key Largo, Fl  

Historical Deering Estate plein air event!

It was great to have shade, benches & nearby bathrooms. 20 artists participated. 6 awards given. I received Judge's Choice award. Art will be on display at Deering in June. 

Deering Estate was awesome!

Been out of wifi range:-(.  Deering Estate's annual plein air event was this past weekend. Pic doesn't do it justice-- won the Judge's Choice Award.

Paint, paint and paint some more.

 

8&9 of100 exercises!

Exercise or exercise?

Walk or paint b4 work? Behind on little still lifes. Fascinated with cape cod school of light. So set red block under still life lamp. Was purple, yellow, blue and magenta b4 becoming red!! Read Susan sarback and Lois griffel's books to learn more!

Block in' good time!!

My friend Jackie & I spent am in backyard attempting Cape Cod School of Light block study.  Never thought simple blocks could be such a challenge! We see blocks n more blocks in our future.

So hard to portray!

Bob gave me flowers for Easter of an unusual color.  #7 of 6x6s.  Tried to capture but so difficult!

Pet portrait - a tuff task

This is far from done - but this was commissioned by a friend. It is coming along (in oil)

#6 These r fun and not so easy!

6x6 oil

#5 Wow--I'm really doing it

Several teachers have said do 100 small still life studies -actually up to 5

Luv Bahia Honda beach

Spent time recently in Bahia Honda state park - love picnic shelters to stay out of sun!   HOORAY - it was sold once completed thru Key Largo Art Gallery

How hard can it be to paint a block!! Ask those in the Mike Rooney workshop this week. We used palette knives and learned Cape Cod school of light method. This is my attempt -- I see lots of blocks in my future! AAAAGH

#4 of 100

I have taken several workshops where teachers say do 100stii life's and 100 value studies. Latest said the 100 stil life's-- so working on 6x6 color not true via camera but this is the fourth:-)

2nd quick study

Been feeling under the weather -- was hoping to do one a day - life gets in the way

Wow- what a great surprise!

I did him in a rush so he was a bit wacky -- but my great blue heron won a ribbon. I'm shocked.

These are so much fun!

Going to start doing 6x6 quick studies - extremely fun little works and hope to improve in the process

Council of arts project

Local arts council making a mosaic w/350 of 6x6 from local artists