Painting Challenge

The topic for our Girls Just Wanna Paint Challenge this month is "glass". 

I'm not sure why, but quite a few of us struggled with this one. 

I guess that's why we call it a challenge! 

 I found this handblown light green vase at a funky antique store ......

"Hand Blown"

8 x 8 oil 

I wasn't crazy about this. Kind of a "so what?" problem. 

So I thought I'd try my hand with some sea glass. 

"Sea Glass" 

6 x 6 oil

What was I thinking? It's so small! 

(BTW. That's an upside down coke bottle top)  

Speaking of Snow Paintings

I was going through my painting archives and found all of these "snow paintings"! 

Thought I'd post them in honor of the wondrous snow that abounds in our neck of the woods right now. Looks like the prefect White Christmas in New England! 

Happy Holidays One and All!  

Winter White
2005

Cross Country
2005

Stand Behind the Yellow Line!
2008

A Duxbury Lane
2008

Red Barn
2009

Winter Fence
2009

Next Door Neighbors
2009  

I guess snow paintings do sell after all. 

I don't have any of these in the studio! 

Snow Paintings

I've been thinking about "snow paintings" lately. 

Last night we got our first "dusting" so I caught this scene on my way home from doing errands this morning.

First Snow
10 x 10
$325

There is a general theory out there that snow paintings don't sell. 

That may be true, but they are fun to paint. 

This was a challenge because there was NO light source (except the sky) 

and everything was very dulled down to almost the same purple grey.  

BTW:  While I was warm and cozy in the studio painting this, we got about 4 inches! 

Here we go!  

Field Trips

I went on another "art related field trip" on Friday. 

My wonderful artist friend, Kelley MacDonald lives near Providence Rhode Island and this year she became a member of the Providence Art Club. 

Housed in a series of wonderful old buildings in the Historic section of Providence, this club offers it's members classes, art shows, and private dining. 

Add caption

We had a lovely lunch in one of the beamed ceilinged dining rooms with a wood burning fireplace, followed by a tour of the large and sunny galleries. 

What a wonderful and special treat! 

The New Wing at the MFA

I finally got a chance to visit the new American Wing at the Museum of Fine Arts yesterday! 

I am thrilled that we now have this incredible educational resource in our own backyard. 

I'll be going back often, as there is no way you can see it all in one day. 

Can I come?
7 x 7
$225 framed 

As usual, a visit to a museum or gallery always inspires me to get to work. 

I squeezed this in today between holiday preparations.

Sheep Paintings

A Pear or an Apple?
6 x 6
$225 framed 

Sisters
6 x 6
$225  framed
$400 for both 

There is something so fun about painting sheep. 

I think it's their funny body shapes and complacent expressions.  

 My friend and gallery owner, Franny told me to get back to painting sheep because they sell!
I generally avoid "painting to sell" because it can become tedious, but I actually enjoyed doing these! 

These three ladies will be available at my Holiday Open Studio this Friday!
 (2 - 8 pm!)
Come on by if you are in the area!
Have some cheer, check out these AND the Bargain Box!  

Open Studio on Friday!

Bring a friend and stop by 

Salty Dog Studio

Friday (Dec 10) 

2 - 8 pm 

for some holiday cheer 

and 

great bargains on paintings! 

e-mail me for directions

Baby It's Cold Outside

The Mitts Are Out
11 x 14
oil

The leaves are gone, firewood is stacked, and the winter gear is coming out!
Welcome winter.

Gathering of Painters

Last night, I hosted our monthly Challenge gathering in my studio. The 10 of us bring our paintings for a discussion followed by a pot luck dinner. Since we were in my studio, I did a quick demo for the group. It's my version of Peggi Kroll Robert's Limited Stroke Lesson that I teach my students. It's a fun exercise that teaches you to plan your strokes ahead of time and once they are down, you have to leave them alone.

It takes about 15 minutes and is a challenge, trust me. 

This is how it goes:

Do a simple drawing of subject matter 

Carefully count how many strokes you will need to cover the canvas 

Pre-mix enough color to cover entire area 

Load your brush and go for it! 

The bigger the area, the bigger the brush 

Do not pick up the brush until you have covered the planned area 

Keep count your strokes

Give yourself one "Mulligan".