"Foreign" girls just wanna paint challenge 8"x8" acrylic on panel

I painted this one early this morning- it's my new Italian espresso pot . I did it in one sitting- as I drank a luscious large tankard of brew from this puppy.
It tastes so gooooood, I do  love  my coffee!

It struck my as I was uploading this from my camera how the shape reminds me of other things...
this shot was one my daughter Maddie got at a recent Boston event...

Magical evening

Last night's garden party was so fun!
I didn't finish this little "doghouse" painting, but will- it was crazy with a down-pour ending just as the first guests arrived- and sun came out- simply delightful!

still unfinished ... and a new beginning

I wailed on this in the studio-the middle tree area was killing me so I went at it with the palette knife-and added the chairs( thanks Carol J for that idea)
I might need to put this one away-  too much of a struggle. All of your suggestions were great though and helped me a lot.
Mostly its great to not feel all alone- thanks to the blogosphere!

Heres the painting I started the other day and might use as my demo piece- It's an adorable garden shed on the property.

It's raining now- my plants are very happy.

Thanks!

Everyone's emails and comments helped SO much- constructive, encouraging and some great ideas- I was in a funk all day about this painting ( I know- seems silly- ) but with the garden party looming and me having to be a demo artist in front of 250 people I am feeling less than adequate. I love how the minute I sat down at my computer I felt immediately bolstered and revved. I have  a new painting to use as a demo- went back to the place at 4:30 yesterday and my friend Mary Sheehan Winn sat and chatted with me as I worked- it was just what I needed. Thanks Mary for your coaching!
THANK  YOU  SO MUCH to all who wrote to me - it was such a great help! I am so lucky to have you all in my corner.
Can't upload an image today- for some reason.
Oh- and I made a typo ( surprise) that painting yesterday is 16 by 20 (not 2!)

out of my element 16"x2" oil

Can't seem to get this to work.

so much green! 

I would love some  constructive criticism- don't hold back!

Tomorrow the Art Complex will have a gala from 6-8PM
We are celebrating our 40th. Music, food and spirits- all free!
Come join us for our celebration!
I used a scan of this woodblock print from the collection to design a t shirt.
They look cool- the image is black and white on a cedar colored shirt.
Git one!

sun is out

get out and grab some!

8"x8" oil on panel...
for the upcoming garden party for the North River Arts!

more party girls

Seems like a lot of my friends are turning sixty- attended another 60th on Sunday.

Still working on this one- enjoying the simplicity of the flat color applications.

Party Girls - WIP 30"x30'' acrylic on canvas and my ballerina Niece

I went to a friends 60th birthday the other night (FUN!) and snapped some VERY blurry pictures with my phone. I sketched from them, and memory, and came up with this. I didn't prime the white canvas like I usually do- used brown and red chalk to draw- painted the lines over with acrylic-and when I erased the chalk it made a soft tone over the surface.
I am thinking of maybe leaving it looking like this... but need to get the surfaces more finished somehow.
I have been wanting to paint something like this for a long time- its fun to have interactions of things and people going on.

My beautiful niece Kellie was in her dance recital yesterday- she danced so well and with such grace- it was a joy to watch! She is a natural dancer.

tea time-sumi ink paintings- 16"x20"

Did these two during the tea ceremony at the Art Complex on Tuesday.

It was fun to use only ink and water on rice paper

Shadows from the trees are on the photos...

adventures- work and play

Sunday I visited my friend in her new beautiful beach house- geo- thermal, sustainable- green -mid century modern - cool and full of amazing art!
Then at work on Monday  we had  tea ceremony with the 2nd graders from Marshfield...perfect weather.

 Caught the last sun rays at a beautiful place down the street where a bunch of us are going to be painting for the next three weeks- there will be a garden party there on June 26 and I am other artists will be showing our work there.Check out the NRAS website for more info...

me ,myself and - still me

My painting challenge this month was self portrait- I procrastinated a long time but managed to get myself in front of a mirror..( eesh)

(above) self portrait done when I was 19 in art school in my Van Gogh phase

( we share the same birthday)

20"x24" acrylic on paper

self portrait done this morning

4"x4  acrylic on panel

I am proud to be older- 

rounder? not so proud, ( this is a tiny panel- cropped out the double chin!)

but hey- I'm accepting....I'm still here!

veiw the other self portraits here!

chihoooligans at the MFA

Yesterday I was treated to a day 

out to see the Chihuly's at the MFA, also had a tour of the new wing.

 MUST SEE THIS EYE CANDY!

poppies and donkeys

My day started with watercolor painting in Mary and Jim Curran's gorgeous garden.

 The poppies were still there even after the big storm last night! I love the redness- hard to capture the luminosity...

Then I helped with  the Marshfield Grad Night  mural painting- my buddy Sue Sheehan was a big help with the stapling of the giant paper and creating of tails...this mural lists all the donors who are so generous !
I'm a bit  tired after today!

teaching peace

Have been in third grade classrooms for the past two days prepping them for the tea ceremony visits next week to the museum... Here is a boy meditating before he paints a scroll with sumi ink.
Some kids work very hard at it... others have the most peaceful faces.