"CALMING THE JITTERS"   Acrylic    16 x 20

Attitude is important in people and animals. This trainer is working with a young horse who spooks easily and is uncertain about the new activity in an arena. I wanted to commemorate the special bond we have with animals and how our influence can either calm or excite our friends of another species. There were many challenges in this composition and I worked it over a period of several days.

"BIRDS OF A FEATHER"   8 x 10   Acrylic

I completed this painting a few years ago but only rediscovered it as I was taking inventory for summer stock. This was a learning phase of getting acquainted with acrylics and it was fun to portray the various poses and motions of new chicks.

"SEA COVE"   11 x 14   Acrylic

Colorful flowers along the coastline are vibrant and aromatic. This scene might typify a number of places in the Mediterranean or Aegean Seas, but happens to originate on the California coast of the Pacific Ocean. The contrast of orange against a variety of blues is a feast for the eyes. Can you hear the roar of the ocean and the cry of seagulls?

"TAGGED AND NUMBERED"   12 x 16   Acrylic

 

 

A young calf wonders about his new world and the recent "body piercing" he just received. But ranch life demands an identity for each newcomer, and getting punched in the ear is part of the process. As I gain confidence in painting, I hope to attempt using a larger canvas for some of my favorite subjects.

"SPELL OF THE AURORA"   11 x 14   Watercolor

 

 

A change of mediums from acrylic to watercolor, this painting was learned in a class setting. Watercolor demands a different technique, but is fun to explore. Wetting the paper, then covering with a base color, then using a hairdryer to speed the drying process, is all 'new' to my experience. Then wetting the paper again to lay the next coat of paint to brush on the background trees, and drying that section before putting on more trees with deeper tones, is a new experience. Adding a few stars in the upper left corner with acrylic paint was the final touch.

"BARNYARD SOLITUDE"   11 x 14   Acrylic

 

 

After a series of vertical paintings, I'm adding a horizontal scene of an old barnyard that might have a few stray chickens or cats still residing within. Most definitely there are mice and swallows and possibly an owl. The horses and cows have gone off to that pasture in the sky. This site has many memories attached to it and soon the weeds will overtake the area.

"ZEBRA NUMBER THREE"   8 x 10   Acrylic

 

 

This zebra is Number Three in the series. I find it interesting to form shapes by the camouflage pattern of the stripes, and each animal is different. Just as in our fingertips, we are one-of-a-kind. It was fun to fill the canvas with the contrast of black and white, but I'm not ready to attempt painting any penguins—ha!

"ZEBRA NUMBER TWO"   8 x 10   Acrylic

 

 

This zebra colt is second in the series of experimenting with black-and-white plus one color. The horizontal stripes of the mare behind him shows he is in a herd. I like the different slants and positions of the stripes as it reveals the conformation of the animals. No wonder this is a good camouflage to a predator who tries to single out one animal amidst the herd as they gallop by.

"ZEBRA MACRO"   8 x 10    Acrylic

 

A friend suggested I try painting an illustration with black-and-white plus one color. Here is the result. The zebra is an interesting animal with variations on its stripes. It was fun to paint and I am working on attempting several illustrations of various angles to capture stripe on stripe..

 

"ROPING THE STRAYS"   11 x 14   Acrylic

 

This horse and rider were active in an arena during competition, but I put them in a setting on the dusty plains as a working combo. Quarter horses are quick to respond and alert to the moment, sometimes seeming to anticipate the next move of a wily steer or calf. The cowboy ain't doing too bad either as he zeroes in on tossing the rope at the precise moment.

 

"FLORAL DECOR"   11 x 14   Acrylic

An unusual combination of having a window frame decoration in the garden, this decor was softened by the abundant flowers that bloomed to soften the effect. I like the contrast of colors and textures, and chose not to add the occasional squirrel or robin that sometimes attended this area.

 

"FRAGRANT FLORAL PATHWAY"   12 x 24    Acrylic

I am often drawn to pathways in art, not only because of the perspective and dimensions, but because of a path leading from here to there and actually "going someplace." The surroundings in nature provide endless opportunities to capture the essence of a place or setting. The painting above celebrates a mixture of cultivated garden and the wildness of lush growth.

"BLACK ROCK"   14 x 18    Acrylic

 

Waterfalls are appealing in their freshness and vitality. Depending upon the flow of water, the falls can change shape and volume and intensity. I tried softening the lines of shapes surrounding the focal point, but I wonder if I'll return at a later time to touch up a few more details or just leave the suggestive shapes to the imagination of the viewer.

 

"CHICKY"   8 x 10   Acrylic

 

 

Baby chicks are adorable and fun to watch. Peeping as they explore, pecking as they spot a morsel, their focus is on food. Raising chicks is an adventure and I wanted to commemorate a memory of long ago.

"WHITE KITTY"   11 x 14   Acrylic

 

 

A friend had a special cat during her childhood and she consigned me to paint her "Princess." She tells the story of one winter chill touching the ear of the cat with frostbite, thus removing the tip. Her plush fur made her seem regal.

"STROLL in the RAIN"   8 x 10   Acrylic

 

A friend showed me a new technique in painting that I hadn't tried before. Although it seemed strange to be dabbing blobs of color on the canvas instead of strokes with the brush, each layer brought about more depth and flavor to the illustration. This painting was completed in under two hours. I like having soft edges and the contrast of colors. Not much detail to this one, but it makes a statement.

 

"MARE GAZE"   8 x 10   Acrylic

Memories of our Quarter horses prompted me to paint another portrait of one of the members of our herd. This is Marquita who had a gentle spirit and loved to frisk with her peers. The pose is similar to an earlier painting of our filly, but I recently gave that painting away, and miss not having a portrait of our equine friends. I should probably add the muzzle on these portraits but I want to focus on the eyes.

"AVENUE of TREES"   12 x 12   Acrylic

 

I was trying a new approach to this painting—abstract, minimalism, simple shapes and forms, etc. Using broad strokes, it reminded me of kindergarten days of finger-painting. I limited the textures and just concentrated on forms. It's not my favorite style, but it was fun to experiment.

 

"INVITATION TO RELAX"   8 x 10   Acrylic

 

Another lakeside scene, it was appealing to paint in vivid colors even as the outdoors is white with snow. This scene reminds us that "somewhere out there" are bare sands and rocks, fragrant forests, and warm breezes. There was a temptation to put a moose on the edge of the scene, but you'll just have to believe that he's not far into the woods and keeping an eye on us.

 

"BIRCHES in FOREST DIPTYCH"

Here is the expanded scene of the Birch forest (seen separately over the past week). The gap between the paintings is not great, but they ARE two separate paintings. I'm considering adding a third painting to elongate the scene, but first need a 'break' from these tall and skinny paintings!

 

"BIRCHES in FOREST #2"   12 x 24   Acrylic

 These birches are the second of the series, having the same background of lake and colorful Fall trees. I chose to stylize the blocks of color representing the forest "out yonder" and to simplify the texture of leaves and bark. It's a fun theme to do.

"BIRCHES in FOREST #1"   12" x 24"   Acrylic

 

 The birches outside my window invite me to paint them. This painting is taken from a distant location and is the first of several, intended as a diptych, or possibly triptych. I've been working on both paintings simultaneously, but discovered I wasn't advancing very quickly, so focused on this first one.

"LAKE in MUSKOKA"   16" x 20"   Acrylic

Commissioned by a friend who likes reflections, rocks, and the Fall colors of trees in the forest, this painting captures the stormy effects of clouds passing overhead. There's a feeling of warmth in the golden lights cast from the cottage upon the waters and we can almost smell the coffee brewing and hear the loons crying.

"GUITARIST SPLASH"   11 x 14   Acrylic

 

 

A fun painting to do with all the color, but a different style than I'm used to with suggestions of sound by the shapes and blocks of color expressed. I'm working on a series of musician paintings, reflecting various genre and instruments. Each painting has a lesson to teach me. I hope you enjoy.

"JAZZ TRUMPETER"   11 x 14   Acrylic

 

Taking on the challenge of painting faces is a new experience, but this one turned out with the drama that I was striving for. Any musician knows of the intensity of the moment, of the music, and of being in-the-groove. It was fun to change the perspective of looking up at this musician to bolster the composition. I hope you enjoy.

 

"READY TO STRUM"   8 x 10   Acrylic

 

Music is available in a variety of ways—from singing to playing an assortment of instruments. This red guitar caught my eye as a reminder of many young people (and not-so-young), who have taken up this instrument and discovered the joy of making music. It's easy to carry around and to pluck out a tune. The contrast of red against the black emphasizes the color of the subject.

 

"BOVINE BOREDOM"   11 x 14   Acrylic

 Cows have it pretty easy. They eat and they graze and they mosey around the pasture and then lie down to snooze. This heifer here is trying to decide which she wants to do first. It was a fun painting to do, capturing the moment before leaving the barn. The "negative space" of black background adds to the drama before she enters the world for the day..

"COTTAGE WINDOWS"   8 x 10   Acrylic

 

Some folks like "palatial and grand," but I prefer "cozy." This little cottage represents cozy. A house does not need an expansive entrance to make it a home, and this painting depicts a portion of a small dwelling that looks out to an enchanting garden. The abundant vines surround the windows like a necklace casting shadows on the unpretentious domain.

 

"QUARTER HORSE TRIO"  11 x 14   Acrylic

This painting preserves some of my memories of my equine friends. I watched the sorrel mare (on left) being born, and she went on to become dam to the colt on the right. The filly in the middle is half-sister to the mare and an aunt to the colt. As I painted this, my nostalgic thoughts almost brought the fragrance of their horseflesh and the aroma of the hay from years gone by. All three served me well and I miss them. Now a question for you: Do three Quarter horses make three-quarters of a horse?

KASHA Debut   8 x 10  Acrylic

 

Softening the edges and adding more light from above provides Kasha with a softer look. She's a spunky little watch-dog, and it was fun to try to capture her essence. She loves her red sweater, especially during these cold days and nights. I hope you don't mind the transition of some of my recent paintings, but there's always something to learn from each endeavor.

 

"KASHA in Process"   8 x 10   Acrylic

 

This little painting is still a work-in-progress. She is a neighbor dog who is petite in size and smaller in build than this illustration demonstrates. I still need to rework the hair and lighten some areas, maybe adding a softened glow from above. She loves her little red jacket and is quite a character.

 

"THE HILLS BECKON"    11x14   Acrylic

This painting was fun to do mainly because there is some whimsy in the perspective and relationship of size in some of the features in the scene. Do you notice the small buildings in the middle ground? I like the color splash and contrast of tones and some of the geometric shapes overall. The effort to paint "loose" is still a challenge, and each painting allows for more experimentation.

FLOWER BURST ABSTRACT    16 x 20   Oil

 

Experimenting with oils again, it was fun to do an Abstract after a long spell from the genre. My mood that day was to splash on a burst of color and make it Bold! This is very contemporary compared to my usual paintings, and I have a lot to learn about the relationships of form and color and composition.

 

GEORGIAN BAY UPDATED

 

The previous painting needed a little work on touching up some areas, so here is an updated view. Can you note the differences? They are not remarkable, but hopefully improve the composition and realism.

 

GEORGIAN BAY    11 x 14   Acrylic

A favorite campsite is just to the right of this scene. The sand and varied rocks are a special contrast to the blue waters and surrounding forest. This particular day is rather cloudy, but on occasion the bright sunshine heats up the sand nicely. No beachcombers today.

 

WAITING FOR THE MASTER   5 x 7   Acrylic

Anyone who has owned a pet knows the loyalty and devotion of that animal. It's rewarding to come home at the end of a day and be greeted by one or several happy animals who are delighted to see you again. We go through rituals in the greeting process, and the scenario uplifts our spirits because of the furry welcoming committee. This painting is a memorial to our furry buddies.

 

OWL  EYES   5 x 7   Acrylic

Returning to the animal faces series, this little owl was fun to paint, with expression and textures. The subject is small enough to fit in your hand, but he appears bigger than he really is when he fills the canvas. I'm finding that, for the time being, painting animals is more enjoyable than the landscape scene or still life subject.

AUTUMN GALA   11 x 14  Acrylic

It's THAT time of year when the leaves change color with the touch of frost. I tried a more relaxed approach to the forms and shapes on this painting, using a bigger brush, but I'm not quite able to get the effect I want. I like the contrasts of deep woods shadows versus the leaves catching the sunshine, laid against the background of the blue mountains. You may see an update on this selection later on.

GRASSLANDS    12 x 24    Acrylic

Many of us enjoy "wide open spaces" and when we venture upon a scene that allows the eye to view miles in the distance, it satisfies our longings for space. I debated on whether to add a herd of buffalo or cattle or antelope to the scene, but even if they are not visible at this point, we know they are grazing just over the next hill. The dimensions on this painting add to the horizontal vista.

 

OWLET    8 x 10     Acrylic

Young birds are appealing and this little owlet carries an expression due to what he is seeing. It could be an approaching cat or possibly another owl who has returned to the tree with a choice morsel of food. Whatever the reason, this painting is an addition to the series of animal faces recently portrayed. I hope you enjoy.