New Paint New Problems

So I bought some paint for an upcoming workshop and needed some more white so I thought I would try the brand suggested by the instructor.  (the price was the same as most other brands so I figured I'd give it a whirl) Yikes!  this white paint is so slippery and loose it just mixes with the underpainting.  This is definately a work in progress but I think it needs to dry a bit  before I can do anymore.

Full Bloom

8x10 oil on panel

Well, I'm out of glass until I can order more so I am forced to go back to painting.  Not that I'm complaining, I missed it but the glass paintings are so much fun.  I'm planning a road trip with my glass friend Kelly to get some glass and frames in a couple weeks so I'm going to be painting for a few weeks.  I'm also attending a 2 day plein air workshop with several of the friends I made at Carol Marine's workshop in December, it will be like a mini- reunion!  So today, I decided to try my first real attempt at plein air in my yard.  Artists friends, please give me some constructive criticism so I can learn more about this difficult method of painting! It seems like something (or everything) is not quite right and I can't place it.....

Sand Painting

This new technique I'm currently experimenting with reminds me of sand paintings.  The glass frit is as fine as beach sand and the only way to manipulate it is through sifting and pushing it around on the glass.  The trick is not to sneeze or be anywhere that there might be the slightest movement of air.  Here are two I' currently working on, one is my mom when she was little, and the other is in honor of the fallen soldiers for Memorial Day.

Iris Trio

8x10 oil on panel click here to bid

Whenever I don't finish a painting in one sitting, it never turns out and I struggle with it.  I came back to this 3 days in a row and finally decided to put down the brush and start something new....I WILL master the irises though, they are my favorite flower!

Sunny Days and Blooms

6x6 oil on Panel 

Bidding Starts at $40 click HERE to bid

It's 88 and sunny here in Ohio, just 5 days after 40 degree temps but I'm not complaining!  The irises are blooming so I have a feeling you will see several Iris paintings in the near future, and I just planted some Dahlias, sunflowers, and poppies! Anenomes tomorrow!...I'm on a flower roll I think......This is the last of the photo refs from the workshop, I think I can safely take my own now....

3 In One Blow!

6x6 oil on panel $50

To buy click here

6x6 oil on panel $50

To Buy click here

6x6 oil on panel Bidding starts at $40

To Bid click HERE 

It seems like forever since I've painted when it's actually only been two weeks, but my head hasn't been in it since my boy left for boot camp, and now that it's over I'm BACK!  I have lots of catching up to do as I have several outdoor shows this summer and fall.  I decided to pick up where I left of after Dreama's workshop.  Our final exercise was musical easels and I decided that when I got home from the workshop I would try it out on my own using some of the photos she provided for the exercise.  I did each painting about 5 or so minutes at a time and then moved on to the next one rotating until they were all complete!  It was fun, and it helped to keep me from overworking each one.   I took a break between each pass of the three and was able to see where I needed corrections.....Now I have 3 little lovelies waiting for a new home.  Perfect Mother's Day gift!   Here's my son and I after his Pass in Review, he is now on his way to Pensacola, FL for more training.

These Boots are Made for Marching.....

8x10 oil on panel

I painted this before I left for my workshop last week but didn't have time to post it, so here it is now.....If you've been following my Boot Camp series, you know my son in in Great Lakes IL becoming a sailor in finest Navy in the world :)  He has less than a week left and I will be traveling to Waukegan to see him graduate...I am soooo proud, there are no words.....


Also, something for me to look forward to when I get back is an art form I've wanted to try for a long time...I used to do a lot of glass fusing before I started painting, and have somehow wanted to try to meld the two together....Kelly Alge has mastered it and is going to give a workshop on the ins and outs of Sgraffito drawing in glass.....Please visit her BLOG , her work is incredible.... Here is what I will be learning

Final Day of Dreama's workshop

6x6 oil on panel click to bid

12 x 12 oil on panel click to bid

12 x 12 oil on panel click to bid

Trying to catch up and recover from the workshop with Dreama this past weekend....as always I come home to a lot of household chores that I neglected in the days preceding and while I was gone, so mowing and laundry are tops on my list today.  This cupcake was from the last day and I can't take full credit for it because it was painted by at least ten other artists during "musical easels" which I have to admit was the highlight of the workshop for me!  Everyone got 3 minutes per station until Dreama determined we were finished and when I got back to my easel this was there!!  I'm posting the other two paintings because I think I have better pics of them now.....

Also, for my faithful followers, thank you for your kind comments that I am still trying to catch up and reply to!!  They didn't go unnoticed and I appreciate all of your thoughts!!

Dreama workshop Day two

Today's painting was a big challenge I think for almost everyone there but I was happy to try out my first city/cafe scape using dreama's technique. It's not quite finished so will finish it up tomorrow. I will say this. I love the team of both Dreama and her husband ron such great hospitality.

Dreama Tolle Perry Workshop in Nashville Day one

First day of the workshop in beautiful Tennessee and I've never heard more southern drawls in one place y'all. Great group of ladies and the two token men at the Nossi school of art and design.