Prairie Ponies

Oil sketch on paper

Another little study created while traveling to the Texas coast this past weekend. The tall white flowers are called Snow on the Prairie. I hadn't seen them before. Good thing V, the farm girl, was along to tell me what I was seeing. 

Coastal Cows

Oil on paper sketch

So V....Vaughan and I took a quick trip to the Texas coast this past weekend. She watched the weather and was anxious to  work under the beautiful skies. And for once i was able to tag along at the last minute. We had some rain and lots of pretty clouds (and clouds of Mosquitos) and did some birding. 

We sketched with paint and pencils and watercolor. And took lots of photos. Much of the scenery was more to V's taste but its always good to play with new subjects. 

Here's V working on her cows while sitting on the hood of her vehicle.

While working here we had a small family stop and need our help with tire troubles. Luckily, we were able to reach a very helpful mechanic who came to their rescue and we resumed our sketches. The cows probably hadn't ever been so entertained. 

Swan Lake Rehearsal

12x16 oil on paper

Another sketch from the ballet. Can't get a good photo because the paper is white wants to curve and the paint is reflective (dries with a nice gloss!)

Maestro

12x9 oil on panel  

Ask Gardner Colby Galleries about this painting

"Slice of Life" opens March 14th. The theme couldn't be more right for me. Its what I like to paint best - those moments in life that seem less than extraordinary, but are what the stuff of life is made of. Life here is finally taking a turn for the better. My husband is going back to work soon. My parents are making plans to move to the Austin area finally. Spring is in the air and I feel my heart lifting as these weighty matters come to resolution. Not to get too personal, but I feel very blessed that these last months have made our family stronger and closer when the difficulties could have produced very different results. I'm really proud of my husband. And my daughter.


My work is now turning to kitchen and domestic scenes. Its all relative. :-) 

Yesterday I met my lovely friend V....Vaughan and we painted while we visited in a very welcoming and cozy coffee shop in northwest Austin - Joel's. Its also the home of Austin Truffle Company and nothing will get you through a crazy time like excellent mocha truffles (and friendship.) I did the two studies above from photos while we enjoyed our hot chocolate, tea and truffles. Will be working them into larger works soon.

Barton Springs Pool Sketches

Today I met a friend for some sketching at one of our lovely spring fed pools. We are so lucky in Austin to have two large spring fed swimming pools. The more well-known one is Barton Springs Pool. And it was so much fun to sit on the bank and watch people enjoying the brisk 68 degree water. Its going to have to get a whole lot hotter (94 today) for me to get in that water!


My first sketch was just a woman sitting on the concrete sidewalk above the pool. I made the water bluer than it is really.


I'm pretty pleased with my second sketch. This is very accurate to the water color in the shallow end. The water created such a distortion that their legs were pretty much invisible, though the water is crystal clear.
I might finish out these pieces with a little more detail and clean up some things... like the broken hand on my sunbather. Then I will post them again on here or ETSY.

Year's End

12x9 oil on carton board
nfs

Today I painted my contribution for Different Strokes for Different Folks' final challenge - we submitted and then were sent random photo portraits. I waited until the last minute practically, as usual. But enjoyed it thoroughly.
And this is my last painting of 2009. What a year. Its been up and down certainly and I hope for a more stable 2010 for us all. I am excited to start a new body of work next week.
Happy New Year!!

Ella sketch

12x9 oil on paper
nfs

At Christmas we draw names to exchange gifts among my husband's numerous siblings. Last year I got my sister in law Johannah and I painted a little sketch of her older daughter from some pics I took of our kids playing at Grandma & Grandpa's house.
This year she rigged the draw so I'd get her again. So here is a sketch of her younger daughter. Hope she doesn't look at the blog and see it before Christmas. You can see last year's gift here.

I've not touched a brush or pen to sketch for the whole month. Been very busy with the usual holiday rush - those important things like school parties, our annual gingerbread house making party, friends and family time, etc. I hope you are all doing the same.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Central Florida

These are just some tiny oil sketches I've done trying to record my memories of scenes we've passed while driving around. We went tubing on the Ichetucknee river a couple of days ago and drove out to a neat little hamlet along the gulf marshes. Today we're packing for our beach week. We go to Amelia Island Saturday morning.

The Landing

6 1/2 x 9 oil on paper
PURCHASE

Tomorrow I am off for Florida! I am taking paint and paper and laptop and will be painting, sketching and posting often I hope. TTFN!

Up and Over Sketch

7x7 oil on paper
PURCHASE

Tune in tomorrow for our monthly challenge postings! It was a huge challenge for me.

Laissez le bon temps rouler!

oil on cardboard

This was actually done as a project for a friend. She is a chocolatier (Expressions Fine Chocolates) and makes the most wonderful European, hand rolled truffles and divine florentines...mmmm

...Sorry, I got distracted. Anyway, she is based in New Orleans now and wanted a unique look for some boxes and so I came up with a couple of ideas for her. This was never completed obviously, but I thought it would be fun to share it with you and wish you all fun on this Mardis Gras day and for those who are going to be good for Lent, bonne chance!

Snow Queen - 30 Minute Study

12x9 oil on paper
$50 + s/h - sold

Getting back into the groove of things today. The dancer here is one of the two snow queens the Austin ballet has performing in their Nutcracker. This was a great way to warm up after a break from painting. Setting a timer makes me see the big picture and not get caught in details. I literally paint for 30 minutes and then its brushes down. I wish I could describe why this exercise works so well for me. I am suffering a little disconnect though between doing and talking about. I will try again tomorrow!

Salmagundi Parlor - 30 Minute Study

10x8 oil on paper
$50 + s/h
Purchase this study

This is the front parlor of the historic Salmagundi Art Club in NYC. I wanted to capture that cool light coming in from the front windows which would be on the right. The building is really wonderful both in architecture and art. The walls are hung with the art of early club members. We were very lucky to have had the space available for our workshop.

For some reason I am in the mood for those rainy days we had in the city. I think I will go paint another scene from the club.