Quick study at Asilomar (as promised)

Here is the painting study from my trip--rather poorly photographed still, but better than nothing--it was too cold and windy to spend long on it, but the rocks on the shore were gorgeous.  I'll have to go back someday and paint properly.

Small Works, Principle Gallery

I've just gotten back from California. I spent a little over a week enjoying gorgeous scenery and lovely friends and family. It was cold and windy, so my plans to sit on the beach and paint were a bit waylaid, but I did get one little study done (I don't have a picture yet, would you believe, I forgot my camera?!) I got to see a fabulous exhibit of Anders Zorn at the Legion of Honor Museum in San Francisco (if you're in the area, GO!) And I got to hug some redwoods. So all in all, it was a lovely trip. While I was frolicking on the West Coast, on the East Coast, Principle Gallery opened a lovely Small Works show which is full of paintings (treasures!) by painters with whom I'm so honored to show. I wish I could have made the opening. If you're in the DC area, be sure to stop in and see it! 

A new one

The first day of a new painting is always so terribly exciting. A blank canvas, the excitement of the imagined image still fresh in ones mind, the visual impression undiminished by over-familiarity, nothing yet set in stone: it's always one of my favorite days.

Pictures and postcards

I realized I never posted finished images of my latest paintings (they were finished late in the waning evening light the day before open studios--their set ups needed to come down before the event--not that I left it until the last minute or anything).  So here are "Bunny, meet Chipmunk" which is heading to Principle Gallery for their December small works show, and "Whoops" which is going to hang out in my studio for a while longer before it finds a new home.  

Also, you guys, I just listed a bunch of new postcards and postcard collections on Etsy (left-overs from open studios). Just in time for the holidays, or, you know, any given Tuesday--who doesn't like receiving postcards?

Open Studios, before and after

Open Studios has come and gone. It's always so very much work preparing (see below, before and after pictures). But, more importantly, it's always so rewarding to share my work with people. I had some truly beautiful interactions with the public, and some truly touching reactions to my work. Now I'm very glad it's over and I can get back to normal studio life. So, until next year, my dears.

Before (it seemed less messy in sepia):

After:

On the easel

Here are a few images to show what I've been working on: a Sebbie and a pair of toys squabbling. Both paintings are still in progress. I'm having fun. I have great plans for the next Sebbie painting as well, which is spurring me to work faster--no spoilers, but it *may* involve a fake mustache. 

It's coming...