"Glads"

Fellow painter and blogger, Karen Appleton, talks about "pieces of a painting that you fall in love with", and does a great job (the best I think) painting bows and presents. I was thinking about certain paintings I've done that have those special spots, and "Glads" has that for me. It was one of those times where you have the still life set up, the light is just right, and you know if it isn't fast and loose, tomorrow just won't be the same. And white always has a special appeal to me. Creating shadows that aren't just spots of purple, and hold a special quality all their own.

"Glads" 30x15 (detail shown)

Piccolo Spoleto

A nose for art.......

4 days left!

"Longchamps - #7"

"Longchamps - #7" 24x36 oil. Sorry the image isn't the best - still working a bit on this one, but having a wonderful time all week painting, listening to Jazz, and working on images from France.

John has been asking for three years when we visit Paris, to visit Longchamps,so we all took a day to go to the races. It worked out well as I was content on taking pictures, and they were all busy studying the racing forms. (No big winners by the way - I bet $10 on number 2. Lost by a nose.)

Painting animals has been a nice new challenge, and Piccolo Spoleto is going to consist of a lot of people, cafes, music, birds, etc. Except for my favorite kinds of still lifes (vintage stuff), a lot of things with movement.

"Wing Tips"

One of the places I love to go when I go visit my daughter, is the flea market in the North of Paris. This year was even more fun because John went with us and was totally amused by the array of goods (and prices) of the vendors. I was on the hunt for an egg beater (found), and these shoes that I had seen last fall. I now have lots of inspiration from our Saturday trip- the first being "Wing Tips", 10x8 oil on board, painted in my little apartment in the Bastille.

Giverny

The highlight of my trip, which from my long list is a hard thing to choose from, was the day Sam and I went to Monet's house in Giverny. You take the train, that follows the Seine, to his home and gardens. They don't let artists in to paint until after they close, around 5:30, but since I was the only painter there that day, they let me have the run of the place and I could paint anywhere I wanted. We went through the tunnel to the lily pond and I set up while Sam knitted new designs for "Wool & the Gang". I think we are in about 500 holiday photos taken by Japanese tourists, and one British gentlemen stopped to comment "Does life get any better than this?" I replied that "two glasses of red would be good, but no, other than that, it doesn't."

So the painting is much softer than I normally paint, but I really liked the way it turned out, and think it represents the feel of the gardens. Very "Monet-ish" It will be a good one for the show at Ella Richardson's Fine Art next week.

"Monet's Lily Ponds" 12x12

Jazz Exhibit

I can't believe my trip is almost done - and I am not ready to leave. There is just so much to do, all the time, and Sam and I have been walking to everything. Morgan left for LA a few days ago, I moved back into their place, and after having her move here almost 11 years ago, it is so nice to spend the time together. 

Eight of us met up for dinner at an African restaurant Friday, and then made plans to all drive up to Normandy on Saturday to go look at Aunt Mimi's house on the beach. But the weather turned cold and rainy and we went to the Jazz Exhibit at the Musse Quai Branly instead. It was really an amazing collection, and as a former graphic designer, I loved the album covers and posters. They also had a jazz band playing so have some great photos to work from - been dying to do some trombone and sax painintgs.

The shopping is what they all say it is- just wonderful. I keep having to remind myself though that  the "layers" they are showing here are not condusive to Charleston climate in May. If you come to Paris though, check out the store "Merci" on the Rue Bon Marche. It is a very funky, three story store, with a florist and coffee shop on the first floor, housewears in the basement, and retro clothing mixed with designer wear on the top floors.

Tomorrow is my final adventure - painting at Giverney. We are getting up early to take the train to go see the wonderful gardens and house of Monet. avoir pour mein te nent!

Room With A View

I am loving my little apartment. Across the street they are setting up the market, the smell of saffron and cumin rises from the Eastern deli below and I am painting by the window as everyone walks or bikes by. The weather has been wonderful and I have walked everywhere - including to my new find - the art store! On the way, I have to walk by this great store called "Merci" which is three floors of clothes, housewares, and flowers. Came back to the studio with one bag of canvas the other bag full of flowers and a few bowls for still lifes.

It's pretty funny to paint outside here. You'd think that there would be tons of painters everywhere, but I seem to be the only one, and everybody comes up to talk. I am very embarrassed by my horrid French, but we all seem to get along fine. 

The other side of my new social life is going to some of my daughters appointments for the fashion end. The designers are showing their new collections and I get to see what is the new style for fall. We also went to one of her promotions for Wool & the Gang (a very hip knit wear company she designs for). It was in an old movie theater where they knit squares and sat around drinking Cosmos. Great fun and quite the change for someone whose wardrobe consists of t-shirts with paint on them.

First Week in Paris

I have been so good all week - great weather, lots of photos, great laughes with family - but itching to paint now! We've been to galleries, the Louvre, the flea markets (new little treasureas to paint if it rains), John got all of us to the horse races at Longchamps, and we are pretty good at the metro now. So I've scoped out the city and now have lots of places to go paint in the mornings and evenings. Mornings should be the best as no ones gets out the house til 10 am, at the least. And with all the tourists here I need to get out early. 

I love it here. The croissants, the food, the people, the light, and the walking. You get to walk EVERYWHERE.

So we are taking John to the airport tomorrow to go back home, I move into my little studio and then I am back to work!

Favorite new purchase: funky ankle boots with buckles that are so chic

"White Linen"

I've really been enjoying working on these small "portraits". Each are about 15x7 oil on linen (on board) and are taken from people around town. This guy was in the Folly Gras parade a month ago, and strolling down the street with his friend, also dressed in white linen.
I've also taken up stretching my own canvas, and have to say it is pure joy when you are done stretching, priming, sanding, priming, etc - and then get to paint on them. There is something wonderfully "old world" about starting from scratch, and I love the surface.


"White Linen"
15.5 x 7 framed in dark wood w/gold liner
$750

"Lunch Time"

"Lunch Time" was selected to participate in this year's Richeson75 Small Works Show, and just received Second Place. As I said before, I love that the figurative pieces have been selected for the few shows I've applied to. (Two more figurative pieces were also selected for the book, but not on the web site.) This is one of my favorite pieces, so glad "she" is out hanging in a gallery!

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"Lunch Time"

12x4.5 framed in dark wood w/gold liner $750

BUY

Salon International 2009

"Beehive" 16x12 oil

It's so nice to get out of the box and paint something you know may never sell, or just will appeal to either artists or a certain clientele (I like to think those with great taste). In other words, painting for the pure enjoyment and challenge.
"Beehive" is one of those paintings. I am very fortunate though to have some judges for The Salon International 2009 (sponsored by The Greenhouse Gallery in San Antonio, TX) think she is pretty special too, and the painting has been selected to be included in the show. I love being in this show (4th year I think) because there are some really great painters with some great pieces of work, and the judge is always top notch (Daniel Greene this year) It is really an honor - and I am just thrilled!

"March on Folly"

John and I went with friends to the Folly Christmas Parade and I had forgotten what a fun time it is. After living in Key West for a couple of years, Folly is very reminiscent of those days. And I love marching bands!

This little painting wasn't just about the band and the instruments, it was an experiment in putting such a large round object in the middle of a painting, and still making the focal point of the tuba player's face work. Challenging yourself in each painting is so important - through color, soft and hard edges, and pushing yourself every time to try something new - that's what is so rewarding to me.

Now working on a big piece of the band.

"March on Folly" 12x9 SOLD