Night Owls

20x10 oil on linen
PURCHASE

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?

Summer Solstice '09

12x16 oil on panel - sold
Ask Castle Gallery about this painting.

Castle Gallery in Fort Wayne, Indiana, will be hosting a summer artist's reception on Thursday evening, Aug. 20th. If you are in the area, you should definitely get over to see the gallery and meet some fabulous artists.
Timing was such that I am not going to be there... until a week later! On the 28th, I will be in the gallery for a visit. More details next week.

Night Owls

20x10 oil on linen

I have been painting away, just not posting. I wanted to finally check in with my blog friends though and let you know that I am still here.

There has been a lot going on at my house lately. I have been painting a lot, getting ready to send work to another new gallery. More on that to come. ;-)
When not painting, I am never still - having to pick up more than my "share" because my husband has been suffering some bizarre condition which we've narrowed down to chemical poisoning. Its really rather a nightmare, so take note: BE CAREFUL when using any kind of solvents, stains, paints, etc. Watch out for those neurotoxins. They are bad news. Its going to be anywhere from 6-18 mos. for my husband's nervous system to return to normal (looking on the bright side) all from using a solvent to clean his car for a short while.
This is an important reminder too for all the artists out there. Remember to work in a well-ventilated space and choose low voc cleaners. A good substitute for mineral spirits/turps is walnut oil, but I use Gamsol currently out of sheer laziness. I wear gloves though and I do not use any colors with heavy metals in them (no cads, no lead, etc.) I've found substitutes for those colors. The toxins in such can build up in your system over time too and since I want to be painting for many years, I make my environment as healthy as I can.

My plan is to get back to some small paintings after I get this round of gallery paintings completed. If I finish that up, I will be set through the summer with the galleries I think. Added up, I have quite a few works out there waiting for the right home! Its rather amazing to think I've created so many these past months. Some I've absolutely loved and already miss. But I can't keep them all.

Bonne Nuit

16x16 oil on canvas

Ask Russell Collection Fine Art about this painting.

Another memory of France... this time in Paris. I have no idea what restaurant this might have been. One of the thousands with sidewalk seating.
I have to say I was really pleased with how I painted that green light glowing on the red awning. It took several tries to get the right value and not have it be too bright, too distracting or too obvious.

Look for new works in all my galleries this weekend. And look for some small works coming here again now finally.