Bundle of Joy!

10.5" x 10.5" x 2.25" |  latex on wood

"The universe is full of magical things, patiently waiting for our wits to grow stronger."      - Eden Philpotts                           

This construct celebrates lifes simple pleasures and little miracles happening all around us. I believe that our quest in acknowledging them is determined by which frequency we choose to tune in.
: )
Last month our basset hound, Kirby, ruptured a disk which resulted in paralysis of her hindquarters. Thanks to Dr. Gower and to the love, support and prayers of family and friends, she is recovering amazingly well. Here she is pictured below during one of her exercise sessions:

River Flowing Through Us

24" x 24", blended wood panel


Checking-in on one of my favorite art blogs, Barbara Muir Paints, has become a daily ritual. Her writings are as positive and uplifting as her beautifully expressive drawings and paintings. Barbara is acutely aware and thankful of the many gifts surrounding her…and that mindset is wonderfully potent and contagious.

We’re all blessed. The ordinary, in reality, is extraordinary. The simple, yet priceless moments with family and friends are what I cherish most…like when my Pearce, creative and rowing buds were there for me at my opening last Friday night, so incredible.

This weekend we’ll be supporting our friends via live webcast at the Head of the Charles…the rock star all regattas in my book. Austin Rowing Club has 34 rowers competing in Boston today and tomorrow. so awesome.

This work-in-progress was inspired by my crewmates, who are about to cash in on months of dedicated training. Bright and talented women all connected by the river.

: )

ripple effect

"Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves."

- James. M. Barrie



I had a few pieces of spalted pecan left over from a previous project. One in particular caught my eye as the wood grain resembled the ripples left on the water by a rower paddling the river.

Yesterday, a young lady from our crew left Austin for grad school in upstate New York. Beautiful, talented and witty...a true pleasure to be around. She quietly influenced many in a wonderful way. As happy as I am for those moving on to their next big adventure, I selfishly don't like good-byes.

So Miss Amy I will say...Later, Cupcake! We'll see you on the water.

low tide

6" x 9 11/16" latex on blended wood panel | nfs



"The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. One should lie empty, open and choiceless as a beach - waiting for a gift from the sea."
- Anne Morrow Lindbergh


Her timeless words of wisdom are as relevant today as they were 50+ years ago when she wrote Gift From The Sea...a book given to me by my ever-inspiring teacher, artist and dear friend, Stephanie Wilger. As if it were yesterday.

ducktail

12" x 36" acrylic on wood panel | sold

Ducktail was one of my paintings that sold at the Pulling Together Art Benefit last Sunday. Thanks to all who braved the cold, rainy weather to support local artists and our community's food pantry, Helping Hands. Special thanks to Chris Smartt and Irene Anderson of Sol'stice Garden Expressions who hosted the event. You guys rock!

blown away

5.25" x 17.25" oil on blended wood panel | sold

I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving weekend. A wonderful time for all of us to count our blessings.

The layout of this piece was influenced by the proportions of the golden section, a harmonious ratio found throughout nature, the human body, art, music, architecture, etc.

I included this detail shot as I have been asked about my "blended wood panels".


This piece and others will be featured at the Pulling Together Art Benefit at Sol'stice Garden Expressions, proceeds help to restock the shelves of our community food bank, Helping Hands.

amazing Grace

20" x 40" graphite, charcoal and acrylic on wood panel | nfs

Gracie Jones: matriarch of the herd, studio dog, medicine mama and confidante. She's one of my favorite models as she has a gift for holding a pose...she naps...a lot.
My preference for capturing the true character of the subject is through the sketch portrait with the graphite underlay drawing exposed as an integral part of the finished work.
* FYI Don't miss Beverly and Billy Ray Mangham's Umpteenth Home Show 27/28/29 November at Sleeping Dog Studio in San Marcos, TX. For a map and more information: http://www.zzzdog.com/

Nina's Black Cherry

4" x 6.75" x 1" oil on blended wood panel | sold


This collage was inspired by my friend Nina.
I hope you were able to enjoy this holiday weekend.

bing!

3.5" x 11.5" oil and acrylic on blended wood panels | sold

New camera, good to be back!

I'm constructing as well as painting compositions these days. The varied fields of color have become a common thread in my work, panels affecting panels as friends inspire one another...or perhaps reflecting my day interrupted.

: )

Pieces of Pie

4" x 7.5" oil and latex on blended wood panel | sold

This painting/collage is my way of dealing the look, but don't touch bit about art that has always bothered me. 'Pieces of Pie' marks the beginning in a series of what I call handhelds.

Tru on Tru

12" x 12" mixed media on wood panel | nfs


Oil is a new medium for me. More in my comfort zone with pastel, charcoal or pencil. With the re-purposed panel above, I used a blue and green mismatched paint from the hardware store and sketched Truman in with pastel and charcoal.

Below Truman critiques.

Conspiring Lemons

6" x 6" oil on wood panel | sold

Taking a painter's workshop from Carol Marine is a life-altering experience and I thank her and our incredible class for inspiring me to blog.

The lemons spoke to me and to themselves...

: )