My Studio

My Studio

Here is a picture of my painting spot.  It is kind of a tight squeeze, but it works for now.  I am constantly trying to find ways to make it more efficient and tidy.  I think it looks better than it ever has though so I need to take advantage of that and get a lot of work done!  Looking at this picture makes me want to go work on my inspiration board.  It has looked the same for quite some time now!  My husband nicely made that for me for Christmas last year and I love it!  I also see in this photo that my palette needs some cleaning!  Time to get to work...

Recent Commissions

Here are some of my most recent charcoal commissions. The top two were a gift for their mother and the bottom was an anniversary gift.  I always think it is nice when people choose to give art as a gift for someone.  It really will last forever and be passed down the generations. I know people worry about the price of a custom portrait, but charcoals are very reasonable. If you are interested in learning more about the pricing of my custom portraits visit my website. 

Although my favorite medium is paint, I do really enjoy sketching with charcoal.  I really like the spontaneous quality that it gives to a portrait.  I am such a whimp though... I can't stand the feeling of charcoal on my skin so I wear latex gloves most of the time!  Probably not the most environmentally friendly choice on my part, but it's like nails on the chalkboard for me... it's awful even thinking about it!  That is one of the reasons I love painting so much I guess.  I don't mind it on my hands and I am even known to go in public with paint all over my clothes.  Charcoal, on the other hand, I don't want it anywhere near me or my clothes!  

A Nap in the Sun (in progress)

A Nap in the Sun (in progress)

10 x 10

oil on canvas

Sold

I started this underpainting today, along with several others. My underpaintings are usually neutral although when I am doing portraits, I sometimes like to use a crimson color to warm up the skin tones. I really enjoy the process of making the underpainting disappear. There is something really satisfying about laying a luminous color on top of a muddy neutral. I am looking forward to finishing this painting of my cat. It was pretty cute today when she laid on my lap while I painted her. I think she was making sure it met her approval! I will be posting the finished product soon!

VNA Art & Soup

VNA 2008

I will be participating in Art & Soup, a benefit for the Visiting Nurse's Association, again this year. It is a lot of fun and the perfect activity for a cold, February day!  I would say it is one of the best art events in town! The best restaurants around Omaha compete in a soup competition while artists sell their work.  The soups are judged by foodies and the public.  I am always a little busy to eat very much soup, but Mike attempts to hit every restaurant.  I always make sure he brings me a sample of the best ones though!  There is also music and drinks and a silent auction.  The art is well chosen and, most importantly, at least half of all the art sales benefit the VNA. There is everything from sculpture to paintings to photography and even some artist demos!  It takes place Sunday, February 22nd from 2 - 6 p.m.  If you would like to purchase tickets or for more information, visit the VNA website.  

Gracy (in progress)

Gracy (in progress)

16 x 20

oil on canvas

I really thought I could finish this one by the end of the weekend but, alas, I am stuck.  I was going for a very simple composition with a background that just makes her face pop off the canvas.  I wanted most of the color to come from her face and hair.  I also wanted the background to have a lot of depth, but not distract from her face.  I thought I could achieve this by layering colors and mixing some different whites, but Mike (my husband) and I both agree it's not working.  So I stared at it tonight while we ate leftover pizza contemplating different background colors.  Grey/blue? A luminous yellow/orange?  Mike suggested maybe changing the color of the blanket. I am stumped.  I guess I'll have to stare at it a little longer and get some input from others.  I would appreciate any comments or suggestions!

Painting Preview

Gracy (in progress)

oil on canvas

I haven't quite finished this painting, but I am getting close.  I thought I would give you a preview before it's completed.  Her face came together pretty easily, but I wanted the background to have a lot of depth so it has taken a while to complete.  I've been layering colors, and we all know what that means when it comes to oils.  I am so impatient sometimes so I tend to rush it.  I've learned to work really thinly with my paint so that it will dry quickly.  I could never spend months on one painting. The background is actually really simple, I am just experimenting with layering colors to create depth.  I like how a simple background really frames the face.  Anyway, I hope it will be done by the end of the weekend and I will be able to post the final product!

Boating in Minnesota

Boating in Minnesota
18 x 20
oil on canvas

Sold

I worked in the flower shop today, so I didn't have a chance to paint something new. Thought I would post an older painting. This was a commission a few years back. I'm off tomorrow so I can finish up the painting I'm currently working on and have something new to post!

Gracy Study

Gracy Study

19.5 x 25.5

charcoal on paper

NFS

This is a charcoal study for a painting.  Gracy is actually really animated, so this pose is not really typical of her.  She is so expressive which makes her a really good subject.  I love the sweetness of this moment though.  She paused for me!

Hope

Hope

16 x 20

oil on canvas

For purchase information click here.

Hope: to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence; to believe, desire or trust.  This painting was in honor of all the children who hope against hope, who have hope when they have nothing left.  Without hope, what do we have?  Hope is why I paint.  Hope is why I love.  Hope is why I live.

"But hope that is seen is no hope at all.  Who hopes for what he already has?  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."  Romans 8:24,25

International Living Magazine

I am pleased to announce that International Living Magazine hired me to do three watercolor paintings to illustrate their December 08 issue!  I finally received my copies in the mail yesterday (a little late, but exciting nonetheless)! I am looking forward to doing more of this type of work in the future.  

Costa Rican Kitten

Costa Rican Kitten

11 x 13

oil

For purchase information click here.

Here is a the more finished oil version of that kitten.  Totally different huh?  That's one thing I love about art... a person could continue studying the same subject and never do the same thing.  That's what is so cool about the world God created too.  There are countless works of art in the world and He could keep creating for eternity!  I consider it such an honor that I get to be creative too!

Study of a Kitten

Study of a Kitten

5 x 7

watercolor

For purchase information click here.

This was just a quick study, but I thought it actually turned out kinda nice.  It's fun to just make yourself do something quickly and not over think it.  Sometimes it surprises me when it turns out ok! 

Boys on the Lake, watercolor

Boys on the Lake

5 x 7

watercolor

For purchase information click here.

Here is a watercolor version of the oil I did last year.  I ended up selling that oil and love the image so much that I had to revisit it.  I loved painting the water.  Sitting on a boat on a warm day in Colorado sounds nice right now.  Current temperature: -14

Ahh... Punta Uva

Punta Uva

watercolor

5 x 7

I love Nebraska with all my heart, but I have posted this painting at a current temperature of -9 degrees outside!  Oh how I love Costa Rica and it's deserted beaches... maybe I will paint more beach scenes so I can dream of warm weather!