Journal Pages of New York-2

Another illustration in the hand made journal I took with me to New York in May. On my way to the Museum of Modern Art, I passed this hot dog stand, and was attracted to the light shining through the bottles.

Journal Pages of New York

This is an illustration in the hand made journal I took with me to New York in May. As I was walking over the Brooklyn Bridge I took a photo of this skyline, and used that photo as reference for this ink and watercolor illustration.

Less is More

Oil painting over acrylic.

Last week I attended a Sedona Arts Center workshop at the National Academy of Design in New York: 'Power Painting in New York City - Lessons from The Old Masters for Our Time.' The instructor was Morton Kaish, N.A.
For one of the exercises we worked from reproductions of Old Masters' paintings. The one I worked from was 'Juan de Pareja' by Velasquez. In the first image you can see I had just painted the eye; the background was created using acrylic paint. The outline of the head has been indicated in charcoal. Then in the middle image you can see that one eye has been fully developed and the nose and mouth have been painted. I used oil paint for this. Then in the third painting the background has been developed but not finished - using acrylic. The tie around his neck has been indicated. Some of the charcoal lines have been erased. What I am left with is a painting with areas that are highly finished, against areas that are quite abstract and unfinished. As the instructor said 'Less is more'.

It starts with a book..

In my journaling workshops we start by making our own books. I have found that this is actually very important and the making of the book creates on some level the intimacy and connectedness we feel with what goes inside. There is no right and wrong way to approach journaling nor is there a skill level required for success, it is all about being engaged in a personal way.

Waiting Patiently

Oil on Canvas, 16 x 16

A child sitting at a table, sunlight reflected up from the white tablecloth creating a soft glow under her chin, waiting for her meal to be served...perfect subject matter for not only a journal sketch, but taken one step further it works well as an oil painting.

Doll with Beaded Collar

Ink on Paper, 6.5 x 8.5, $110

This is a journal sketch. I used both brush and dip pen for this. The doll is handmade, and has an intricately beaded collar and dried pods and woody tufts in her hair. Her face if made of fabric, and her eyes, nose and mouth are all hand stitched. I like sketching and painting in ink because I can indicate these detailed areas very quickly. This is a technique I often use when I am journaling.
My next workshop will be on April 25th & 26th 2009 at The Sedona Arts Center.

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Morning Tea

Oil on panel, 11 x 14, $275

This painting is inspired by a journal entry from February 2009, when I was on a road trip with one of my daughters. I had made the morning tea, and because we were traveling, we used glass jar mugs.

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In a Foreign Land

Oil & gold leaf on panel, 8 x 10, $175

Inspired by a dream, January 2009

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And in the Dream...

Mixed media on Panel, 9 x 12

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Make a Wish

Oil on Canvas, 9 x 12 $210

Today, as Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th president of the United States, I just wanted to add a note to this painting entitled "Make a Wish". The painting is also a celebration, my daughter's birthday tea at the Peninsula Hotel in Chicago. As I watched the inauguration today, I felt that kind of hope associated with making a wish.


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Once upon a time...

Oil on Panel, 8 x 10 NFS

The inspiration for this piece came from sketches in my journal, January 2009.

View from the Beach Hut

Oil on Panel, 6 x 8 $110

As we sat on the front porch of the beach hut, this was our view looking out to sea. Out over the sand and small pools that were left behind by the tide. I had been sketching people as they made their way across the sand; they would often stop and the children would play in the shallow pools of water. Dogs would run by, yachts would sail by, but now all was still, and I wanted to capture this peaceful view on the only small panel I had with me, and the limited palette I had carried down to the beach that day.

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Journey to England:6

Oil on Prepared Paper, 12.5 x 15.5 SOLD

Journal entry 6: July 2008.
A sunlit alley in a small town in England. We had found the perfect place for lunch, and thought we should walk around the town for a while before heading for home. This alley came as a surprise along a shady pavement, like a little jewel.

Journey to England:5

Oil on Panel 5x7 SOLD

Journal entry: July 2008.
The garden in the afternoon. The roses were at their best about a week ago, so they tell me. I remember this maple tree when it was about as tall as me, now it shades a large area around the summer house.

Journey to England:4

Oil on Canvas 9x12 SOLD

Journal entry: July 2008.
Arrival at Luba Lodge; the sun in the late afternoon creates a welcoming glow. An unusually large array of cushions have congregated on the end sofa. In the background I can hear a BBC program about choirs, it sounds like a competition, one choir just
sang 'Moon River', so I'm off to investigate.

Journey to England:3

Oil on Canvas 9x12 SOLD

Journal entry: July 2008.
A country road in Norfolk. I had forgotten how lovely the hedgerows are, and how dramatic the skies can be; so I watch as the clouds shuffle and heave themselves around the sky, manipulating sunlight against thunder, pinks against dark blues and then glimmers of white try to rise, then subside and then have another chance and through an opening the sun illuminates a patchwork below...of fields, hedgerows, trees, roads and almost and then a dulling as clouds gather once more.

Journey to England:2

Oil on Panel 9x12 NFS

Journal entry: July 2008.
Heathrow Airport Train Station, London, England. The blue lighting against the wall of the tunnel makes it look like an aquarium, it's mesmerizing. I intend to travel light next time, my luggage is overwhelming the joy of traveling at this point.

Journey to England:1

Oil on Panel 9x12 NFS

Journal entry: July 2008.
On my way to England. The flight has been uneventful so far. I'm looking out of the window now and clouds appear to have formed what looks like a kingdom in the sky, and the sunlight seems to be beckoning us homeward or at least reassuring us as we pass by. There is a gap in the clouds, exposing a shocking contrast of dark, gloomy land.

Dream of Buddha by a River

Oil on Canvas 18x24 SOLD

In the Potato Patch

Oil on Canvas 9 x 12 SOLD

Ladies in Sunglasses

Oil on Canvas 9 x 12 $200

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August at Wells Beach

Oil on Canvas 9 x 12 SOLD