Blueberries and a new "mini" picture

"Blueberry Bowl"
9" x 12"

Click here to bid.

I finished this painting a while ago, but it's been sitting around my studio.  I decided it's finally done.  :)  So I just put it up for auction at DPW . . .  $85 is the starting bid.

In "miniature news"  -- I bought this AMAZING living room set from Kris Compas at 1 inch minis.  She is a master craftswoman! I mean look at that piping? Her seams are absolutely invisible.

I also worked on this mantle last weekend:  it's made from matboard, wood/moulding scraps and sandpaper (for the bricks).  It's not entirely done obviously, (needs a hearth and other details) but I've included a picture of what my intention is for the living room.  There will be white paneling below the chair rail and the wallpaper will go on top.

Meanwhile back to painting info -- I have taken some new photos and am busy planning out my next paintings and finishing some wips -- while working on a Christmas commission and planning my next workshops.  So I will post when I can. I must admit, I seem to have gotten a little burnt out doing that 30 day challenge in September and it's been a struggle to get all focused again. The "mini-ing" has helped me stay creative and refreshed.  While I'm still painting close to every day, (and only "mini-ing" in my spare time) I'm just not finding I have too much in the way of painting, to post. In addition, the holidays and other responsibilities have prohibited me from being as diligent. But I'm ok with that.  I'm just trying to pick away at everything -- and wanted to thank you all for your patience.  :) I hope you are enjoying this holiday season -- it's going by sooo fast!  Thank you for viewing my work.

Christmas Card

I had a change of plans and decided to go with my painting "Tangled" as my Christmas Card this year. I got behind in my painting,"Holiday Sparkle," and didn't know if I'd have enough time to finish, design and order my cards, so I went with a painting I did earlier this year. Actually, this was originally my plan for my card anyway.  I'm really pleased with the way it turned out. (I get my cards at catprint.com.) There is also a little red bulb on the inside along with the interior sentiment:  "and a Happy New Year!"  -- I should have taken a picture to show you. Oh well. 

I've been racing around, trying to CLEAN (an impossible battle), decorate, shop for gifts, wrap, etc. so sporadic painting has gone on. I did photograph some future still lifes last week and messed with them in photoshop. I also did some studies, worked on a commission - but nothing really to show yet. Did I share with you, that I've been attending figure drawing sessions? (Pardon me if I already have -- my brain is mush.) Well, aside from the past 2 weeks, I've been going on Monday nights to Workshop13. It's been so much fun . . . but I'm REALLY horrible. Bah! So I went online and found a very cool site that helps me practice. I also bought a great book. I am hopeful that I'll get better. It's such amazing training -- drawing what you see. So difficult, but oh so rewarding. And the people that surround me are MASTERS! It can be both intimidating and inspiring. They are really great people, so I'm mostly inspired.  :)

So that's the scoop around here. I finished up my watercolor workshop at Workshop13 last night. Two of my students were at a concert and finished last week. But here is a photo of my remaining "kids" and their completed work. I'm so proud of them all!!  Cheers!

New Pet Portrait -- Murphy

"Murphy"
8" x 10"
(watercolor on aquabord)

I recently had the privilege of painting Murphy for his owners who miss him terribly.  It was a tough one for me -- both emotionally (anyone with pets will understand why) and technically -- I wanted to get him "just right" - capturing his beautiful essence. Much of his likeness depended on the direction and "clumpage" of his fur, not to mention those soulful eyes. I hope I did him justice. 

On a brighter note and update -- Murphy's family has two new pups now, keeping them very busy. They are the same breed as Murphy and are proving to be quite the characters!  They are beautiful.  :)

Works In Progress

"Sunlit Chair" - wip
19" x 11.5"

As you can see this post is dedicated to works in progress.  The first painting is my "Sunlit Chair" - I'm very close to finishing this one up.  I've also included the other two wips of this. 

Far below are some works in progress from my students at Workshop13.  I think they're doing great - don't you!?  A couple are already done (the first two, with the signatures).  These two ladies are headed to a concert next week so will miss our last class.  They did some work at home so that they could finish up last night.  I'm very proud of them as well as all my students!  :)

Have a great day and thank you for stopping by.

Mini-Vacation

the master bedroom

I hope you all had a delightful Thanksgiving.  I thought I'd share with you, a sort of renewed hobby of mine -- miniatures!  When I was a kid, my dad made me a dollhouse that I loved so much. I spent hours upon hours setting it up and making things for it.  Well, when I met my husband, he also shared my love of miniatures -- but his is in the form of O-Gauge model railroads. (Dan used to work for Lionel and I must say, is a truly amazing model-maker. Incidentally, his layout is on the cover of the January issue of O Gauge Railroading magazine, in case you want to check it out. We're very excited.) 

Anyway, as my story goes, I sometimes accompany Dan to different hobby shops. Although I think the trains are great, I'm always drawn to the dollhouses. So a few years ago, Dan bought me a dollhouse kit that I somehow managed to put together (with him fixing my many mistakes, of course.) The house has sat for years until recently. After looking at a bunch of phenomenal blogs (otterine's miniatures and 1 inch minis by kris -- to name a couple), I finally took the plunge and began my endeavor. I had wired the house a couple years ago. Although who knows if the lights will even work once I buy some fixtures! But I don't care -- I figure this is my learning house. Especially after reading lots of blogs and figuring out that it's best not to put the entire house together first. Oh boy.  :)  Anyway -- here are some progress shots so far. I dabble when I can, so it's slow-going. The master bedroom is the closest to being completed, but it too has lots of details still left to finish.  

I hope you enjoy this little side-track for today.  Thank you for coming by.

The oil painting above the bed is an original by artist Cynthia Wilson.
It is an Artist Trading Card that I bought on DPW - doesn't it look fantastic?

corner of hallway looking into the bathroom and guest bedroom
the bathroom wall is removable

the jewelry section at Michael's has lots of treasures to be used as little mini-things!

I "bashed" up a Michael's cupboard and used the bottom to make a little chest for the end of the bed.

the downstairs hallway - the paper is just "dry-fitted" - that's why there isn't any on the front door wall
obviously the stairs need railings, side finishing, etc.

dry-fitted floor in the guest bedroom

looking out into the hall from the guest bedroom

a little mirror I made from findings at Michaels

the upstairs hallway - and looking into the bathroom
that wall is removable

upstairs hallway - door leading into the master bedroom

the bathroom

Workshop13 Class Photos and Happy Thanksgiving!

I thought I'd share some photos from Tuesday night's class at Workshop13.  I think the paintings are coming along just bully!  Wishing all my U.S. readers a very Happy Thanksgiving -- and safe travels to all those who find themselves in planes, trains or automobiles.  Cheers!

Percolating

"Percolating"
6" x 6"
watercolor on paper

Click here to bid.

This is a little painting I have wanted to paint for awhile now.  I picked up this vintage coffee pot about a year ago at the famed Brimfield Flea Market.  I thought it would be interesting trying to create the illusion of glass, with all its distortions of the patterned background -- it was fun.  I hope you like it . . . and thank you for viewing my work.

New and Stylish

blue calendar holder

"What the heck is this?" you ask -- well let me tell you!  :)  My husband and I collaborated on a little project for my Backroads Studio Tour back in October, but I never too any photos until now.  Sigh.  This is a calendar holder, fit to hold my 2014 calendars.  I have two holders still available - one in red and one in blue -- both antiqued for a slightly aged, more subdued finish.  Each one is outfitted with a vintage knob as a unique detail.  I am hoping to sell these last two holders before the holidays -- they would make a lovely gift.  Or what a great little housewarming present? I have posted them on my 2014 Calendar page.

Thank you for visiting and reading my shameless little plug.  :)  Now I'm off to paint!  (more images below).

  

red calendar holder - antique knob detail

red calendar holder - close-up

red calendar holder (calendar not included)