Another painting making a return home from a gallery. Available unframed from my studio. Its a dark scene - as in low light. But the cafe and sidewalk look very pleasant and cozy!
I haven't been painting actually, and I don't want to sound negative, but I feel like I am lately. I've been having issues with a business associate and its stressed me out so much that I can't paint. Be really careful who you allow to represent you art. Not every opportunity is golden. Can you sense my restraint here?
This one is back from a gallery and I thought I'd keep it in my studio for now and offer it via my ETSY site. I don't use ETSY as often as I'd like, but its updated with the work that is currently available from my studio. Check it out!
Happy Friday! I know I am relieved its the weekend. Been a frustrating week in the studio dealing with business issues. The Girl Scout cookie campaign ends this weekend too, so I will soon have a lot more of my time back for creative endeavors. The ability to quietly center and focus on painting is just impossible with too many things cluttering my mind. I bet a lot of you can relate.
We may as well stay with the horse theme here the rest of the week. This was painted at a rather urban sort of stable tucked away here in Austin. You wouldn't know it was there, but once you drive in, you feel like you are in another world. The barns are mostly brick with windows and green shutters and trim and they have beautiful landscaping all around too. My daughter goes there for summer camp and some 'kids' night out' activities.
Ok, if this one doesn't sell eventually, I really don't mind. Its one of my all time favorites. Why? Well, because I love horses. And I love light in it, and the dappling of his coat and the gesture. And it reminds me of NYC and my trips there.
I don't think I ever really talked about the book I put together last fall. Part of what I enjoyed most was the feeling of accomplishment and a sense of growth I saw as I looked back over my paintings. Artists rarely get to see their work in a group or spend time looking back over their body of work. Revisiting the work I'd done over the past several years and having a real sense of pride in the work was huge for me. Not only had I created quite a few paintings, there were enough that hit that high mark I expected. Others might not agree with me on all the choices, heck, I doubt any two people could agree on what to include, but each one of my choices was a milestone in my ability to express myself in paint and brushwork. I can't wait to see where I grow over the next few years.
This is looking east on Austin's (in)famous Sixth Street. During the day, if you overlook a bit of dust and grime, the buildings are wonderful examples of "old west" architecture with their builder's names and dates on their facades. At night, its a half mile or more packed with competing music acts and partiers pouring in and out of countless bars. I don't get down there at night anymore, but it could be a lot of fun people watching.
A couple of hipsters strolling Sixth Street in Austin. Its always a fun challenge trying to capture the effects of bright sunlight. Oh, that it came in a tube.
16x12 oil on panel - sold We had a morning that felt like this today - but its warmed up quite a bit and I had to take off my trench coat and roll up my sleeves.
I admit to owning and loving my e-reader, but there is still nothing quite so nice as browsing bookshelves. Its not unlike looking at art. The covers and titles promise us an escape, a learning experience and commentary on the human experience.
This is one of my all-time favorite paintings and I am surprised it hasn't yet found a home. I love to paint scenes from the subway. The lighting is so garish and weird. People seem to turn inward, staring into space or nodding off with the rhythm of the cars. Makes me want to paint some more...
I have a lot of paintings available in the six galleries that represent me and it dawned on me that I should use my blog as a way to bring some attention back to those pieces while I am working on new works. I'm working on my First Impressions series and planning a summer exhibit of 20-30 of those in NC.
A note about the galleries I work with. They are owned and run by lovely people. If you see a painting you admire online and its available in a gallery, don't hesitate to contact them. They will be very happy to talk with you about the work. Many will work with you financially and can offer payment plans if its an investment piece [not that my works are so expensive yet ;-)]. They offer guarantees if you aren't happy with a piece, even if you do not live nearby. I have had buyers contact and purchase from my galleries out of state and had very good experiences. I've done it myself when I've bought other artist's work. So I encourage you to follow up with me or my galleries if you see something you love. Don't let it get away!
Sometimes, when I sit down at the easel, I hear the Monty Python blurb in my head - "And now for something completely different." This scene, glimpsed through a shrub at the Renaissance Faire, just appealed to me. I had to try it. The light on her shoulder and face was irresistible. Its a little confusing in its impressionism at first perhaps, being a 30-40 minute study, but I think once you make sense of it, its a pleasing scene. Maid Marian and her young Robin Hood perhaps.
This was a fun little scene. I couldn't resist trying my hand at those colorful socks! This little gem, as well as some other paintings, are headed to sunny California to Edward Montgomery Fine Art gallery in Carmel.
20x10 oil on linen
