Pondering Abstraction 1 and 2- 24"x36" on unstretched canvas

HI !
I've been busy but not posting much- in sort of a search and rescue mode for my muse. I'm experimenting with new stuff, and these abstracts were a departure from what I've been painting for a while. I was so excited at the get go with these- but I can only go so far with pure abstract- my love to draw instincts kick in and I get bored. I sometimes can bridge the gap between the real and the imagined.

2017 Year in reveiw

This is a painting for tomorrows Girls Just Wanna  Paint challenge- "Luxury"

This quote rings true for me!

Its a watercolor, inspired by some illustrators I like.

My year in reveiw. Too many photos to post- so I made a little slideshow. It's kind of long! Only watch if you feel like it ( It's a good record for me to have )
Some art, some travel. some wonderful events- not really in order.

Thank you all for following me- and Happy New Year!

Peace

My Girls Just Wanna Paint challenge group theme this month is"Peace".
I painted this oil on location in Maine when I was staying at the Pine Tree Institute where I was teaching an art workshop on a yoga retreat with yoga instructor Tricia Glynn.
I certainly felt peaceful when was painting this!
It is a beautiful place for retreats. The gardens were amazing- the biggest dahlias I have ever seen- in October!

Inly School Mural

I had the pleasure for working with the kids at Inly School in Scituate a couple of weeks ago- an outdoor mural in late October in New England can be a challenge- but we managed to pull it off!

We were inspired by Gary Hirsch's "Botjoy" idea. He is coming to visit the school this winter.

Above is the "think tank" room- total white board on every surface. The kids wrote all the things that gave them joy... and we distilled it down. Then we painted all those words on the wall.

It was threatening to rain so after the kids left  I quickly sketched the outlines of their "joybots" on the wall. Normally I hate to draw for them but it was important to get the spacing right...

The next day we had the morning to work, then the rain came.

So for  the next two days we made plywood joybots inside

The kids went right to it!

The sun returned on the last day.

They had a massage circle going. 

                                                                    Mural is complete!

And here are the plywood versions.

                                                                   It was a lot of fun!
                                                               So, what brings you joy?

Girls Just Wanna Paint Challenge

One of the many things I love about being in my painting challenge group is that it takes me to places I've never been- and although I did go to art school I never really studied chiaroscuro. Here's a description.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiaroscuro.
I started with this image... It is Botticelli-  I started it monochromatic, in acrylics. but then I explored the value scale with color and try to match the value to the black and white to the framed section of his face. I struggle with value so this was a good exercise. I am going to try more- plus i LOVE painting faces! See all the girls renditions here.
Thank you for looking!

Pop Up Painting Show at Local Pottery this Friday!

I am excited to be able to exhibit my 30 trees at the beautiful shop Local Pottery in Norwell- we are having a little reception this Friday, November 3, at 7 PM.
My husband has made beautiful frames for them. All paintings are $150 each.
We plan on leaving the series up on the wall for a couple of weeks so hopefully you can pop by!
I hope to be out painting again soon-I miss it!
The trees around here are looking very lovely these days!
Happy November y'all.

30 Trees All together!

Here they all are!

What Fun. Believe it or not I'm doing another challenge- inktober!

An ink drawing a day.

 I'll post mostly on instargram.

Thanks for looking!