Breakfast Table

18x18 oil on cradled panel - SOLD
 
I shared this before but didn't show the final version or title. I didn't make many changes from the initial work but did lessen the blue in her hair and shortened her little pinky finger which my husband thought looked crazy. 
I'm happy to say that the painting quickly found a new home already! Thank you DK Gallery and S.D. 

I am using this model again to paint a very large canvas. Its a 36x48 and the largest I've worked on. I've wanted to explore interiors and "home" - kitchens and dining rooms, etc. I like the idea too that such a scene can create the illusion of more space in a home. People use mirrors to do that, but maybe a painting is a better answer!

Have a good weekend friends!

Peony Tea Room

14x11 oil on panel

Available at Castle Gallery for the Living Color show, opening May 11.

This little tea house has been the source of much inspiration for me. I need to get back to Fort Wayne for another visit! The restaurant is in a beautiful historic home not far from Castle Gallery and they serve a lovely traditional English tea.

Low Conversation II

16x16 oil on linen panel - sold

This painting went to Castle Gallery last week for their Valentine Show. The reception is Saturday night from 5-10 pm. Always a good party - so those nearby should try to go. This scene is from Mario Batali's restaurant Del Posto in New York City.

Cafe du Monde - 60 Minute Study

12x8 oil on paper

Click to purchase this study in my new Etsy shop.

This is all I've had time to paint today. I spent the bulk of my morning doing lots of business things. And laundry (someone has to.) I am really proud of having gotten so much done, even if it hasn't been all painting. It might really surprise people who don't know what else goes on in an artist's studio to know how much we have to be business-type people as well as creatives.

Speaking of business, I have set up shop with Etsy so that I can offer these sketches on paper as well as other works which are in need of good homes. Please check it out.

Eating Establishment - WIP

24x36 - work in progress

On our recent trip to the dude ranch, we stopped in Fredericksburg to eat lunch and I got a couple of great shots of the activity inside the brew pub there. I've been mulling this over for some weeks now. Building up I guess to tackle something large and needing the right images, and the right energy. This is my underpainting and sketch. Stay tuned!

Topping Off

12x12 oil on linen panel

Ask Gallery la Place about this painting.

This will be available at Gallery la Place in Georgia by Feb. 2nd. Speaking of, they have their website up and running and I'd recommend looking over the artists they represent. I am really impressed and feel I am excellent company. Its a new gallery, so I am happy to see the quality of artists they were able to sign on. I think the gallery should do very well.

Pouring Forth

7x5 oil on linen panel
$100 + $11 s/h - sold

No, my creativity is not pouring forth. Bummer. This was a struggle once again today.
But I am pleased with the result. I have narrowed down my trouble though. Drawing. I can't seem to draw. Usually, I start a painting by sketching my lines/shapes with my brush and a thinned dark like alizarin and that is sufficient to get me going. I can see the finished painting basically.
But the last couple of days, I can't seem to get that initial part of it. To get through this painting I divided up my panel, diligently drew with pencil all my lines, measured very carefully, etc. I much prefer being able to start with a flourish.

Ah, the struggles of an artist. Not nearly so thought-provoking a read as, say, van Gogh.

Refill

7x5 oil on panel
$100 + $11 s/h - sold

I love this theme!! I think what excites me most about these restaurant scenes is that I am basically painting "abstract". It just happens to look like something when I am done putting in my lines and color shapes.
I've been really pleased with my work lately. Hope I'm not heading for a crash!

Below is my larger version of the chefs from a couple days ago.
I also updated my website with larger gallery works if you would like to see what else I've been doing lately.

Chefs de Partie

12x12 oil on panel - contest entry for now

Low Conversation

16x16 oil on linen panel
sold

I love the ambiance in finer restaurants. The murmur of voices, low, classical music playing, the clink of china and crystal. Ahhh... I think my husband needs to take me out to dinner this weekend.

Table Setting

14x11 oil on panel - sold

Unfashionably Early

20x10 oil on linen - sold

This is an Austin restaurant - Louie's 106. I couldn't resist featuring the large painting of "King Louie" as I painted this scene of the early dinner hour. With a small child at home, we are often some of the first guests to be seated in restaurants. We don't want to wait a long time or be out too late. But fine dining is one of my great pleasures. In another life, maybe I'd be a food critique!

Dinner is Served

16x8 oil on panel

I love this painting. It came so easily, yet the image I worked from was horrible. I suppose the thing was, I had it in mind before I even began. Unlike another painting I worked on all week and still am not satisfied with. When a painting works like this, its so exhilarating. I wish I could say that they were all so "easy" and felt so good! But those home runs are what keep all artists striving and working.

Cafe Patterns

7x5 oil on clayboard
$100 + $11 s/h - sold
This little scene is sort of a nod to Pam Ingalls - one of my favorite contemporary painters. This was all about the checkerboard pattern on the floor and the blue light from the window on the warmer tones inside. What fun it was to paint.