Friday, December 31, 2010

 Man in Black
Mixed Media on Arches Cover Paper
"14 x 14"
(framed dimensions)
SOLD

I was reliving our Grand Canyon trip via photos recently and happened upon a shot that included this fellow.  There's something about a cowboy's true grittiness that I find appealing to paint.


Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Minnie
Mixed Media on Arches Cover Paper
22" x 18"
(framed dimensions)
SOLD

This was commissioned as a Christmas gift by a friend who jokes that her parents treat their adorable little dog, Minnie, better than they ever did her.  I've heard competition between 'sisters' can be fierce!  ;) 


Friday, December 17, 2010

Oh, Christmas Tree
Mixed Media on Arches Cover Paper
10" x 8"
(matted to fit a standard 14"x11" frame)
$110.00 plus $10.00 shipping
(see Purchasing Info on the sidebar)

We had plenty of snow for last year's tree excursion. With the exception of a flurry or two this year, we've had no snow to speak of here in southern Maine...yet!

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Nature's Own
Mixed Media on Arches Cover Paper
5" x 3"
nfs

We've had snow flurries here on and off the past few days which put me in the mood for painting some winter landscapes.  A quick look back through my reference photos revealed this little gem - a favorite that I have painted several times before.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

 Bowl Full
Mixed Media on Arches Cover Paper
15" x 18"
(framed dimensions)
$125.00 plus $20.00 shipping
(see Purchasing Info on the sidebar)

My intension for the studio today was to start in on a piece I've been commissioned to paint.  I got distracted by the light streaming in through our kitchen window and onto the fruit bowl, however, and had a sudden urge to paint that instead.  The commissioned painting will be next, though.  Really.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

 Around the Bend
Mixed Media on Arches Cover Paper
10" x 8"
(framed dimensions)
$65.00 plus $10.00 shipping
(see Purchasing Info on the sidebar)

One last fall scene. This view was on a walk back to our camp from Nat's bridge.  I'm missing summer already.

Monday, November 15, 2010

 The Finale
Mixed Media on Arches Cover Paper
16" x 13"
(framed dimensions)
$150.00 plus $20.00 shipping
(see Purchasing Info on the sidebar)

I took the reference photo for this painting on our last camp visit a few weeks back.  I zoomed in on this cluster of trees along the shoreline just to the right of Uncle Charlie's camp.  It was the strong light that caught my eye...even from such a distance.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Hat's Off to You
Mixed Media on Arches Cover Paper
4" x 4.5"
(framed dimensions)
SOLD

We helped to close up our family's camp a few weeks back.  While there I had planned to collect a pocketful of acorns to bring home.  It seems the squirrels and chipmunks beat me to it, however, since these two acorns were all I found.  They were still worthy of a painting, though...no matter how small.

Saturday, November 6, 2010


 Memories Unleashed
Mixed Media on Arches Cover Paper
18" x 18"
(framed dimensions - painting size is 6"x6")
SOLD
 
 My grandmother was a concert pianist and music teacher. She also loved to sew. She taught my brothers and me a bit of each.  We all took piano lessons from her (some of us persevering more than others!).  And, often when we spent time at her house she would pull out her button box and we'd hang out at her dining room table learning how to sew buttons onto scrap pieces of fabric.  I'm not sure my brothers really cherished those sewing sessions, but I remember them fondly.  That old tin cigar box held a vast assortment of buttons...all sizes, shapes, textures and colors...and all for the taking! I came across that box recently (still filled to the brim with buttons) which sparked the idea for this painting.  Given my grandmother's musical side, this particular paste paper background seemed a logical choice. 
This one's for you, Gran!

Thursday, November 4, 2010


Chief
Mixed Media on Arches Cover Paper
15" x 17"
(framed dimensions)
$185.00 plus $20.00 shipping
(see Purchasing Info on the sidebar)

Another portrait of a Salmon Falls River Friends of Music member.  Chief Noda generally rounds out the evening's concert with stories that make you roar with laughter, and music so beautiful it makes you weep. A truly talented and gentle soul.

Thursday, October 28, 2010


 In the Moment
Mixed Media on Arches Cover Paper
18" x 15"
(framed dimensions)
$185.00 plus $20.00 shipping
(see Purchasing Info on the sidebar)

This painting is from a photo I took at the Salmon Falls River Friends of Music concert last spring. Ben Werth is a talented young musician who captivated the audience with his fine performance.

Sunday, October 24, 2010


 Cool
Mixed Media on Arches Cover Paper
14" x 12"
(framed dimensions)
$150.00 plus $30.00 shipping
(see Purchasing Info on the sidebar)

I chose to work from this reference photo today for the challenge of the straw hat.
Turns out a challenge is exactly what I got!
Phew!

Saturday, October 23, 2010


Fine Tuned
Mixed Media
SOLD

I paste papered over some old sheet music a while ago.  I was curious as to whether the paper would accept the paste, and, if it would hold up as a painting surface.  It seemed to work well on both counts.  Of course, the music has a copyright date of 1931, so how long it will last is anyone's guess. The musical notes added an interesting dimension, though.  It's a song titled "By My Side" with lyrics by Dorothy Dick and Bert Lown, and music by Harry Link and Chauncey Gray.

Friday, October 22, 2010


Wired
Mixed Media on Arches Cover Paper
12" x 10"
(framed dimensions)
SOLD

Candy Corn sure looks innocent enough. I admit to nibbling on a few as I painted this piece, and before long it became evident that the jar wasn't the only thing in my studio that was wired!
Yikes!

Monday, October 18, 2010


Up and Away
Mixed Media on Arches Cover Paper
10" x 20"
(framed dimensions)
$150.00 plus $20.00 shipping
(see Purchasing Info on the sidebar)

I had a blast painting this one. I had no idea if I could pull of the weightlessness and transparancy of those bubbles, but somehow it just...happened!  I love those easel moments.

Sunday, October 17, 2010


Green Living
Mixed Media on Arches Cover Paper
12" x 12"
(framed dimensions)
SOLD
We see lots of turtles when we kayak on the lake.  Most of them slide into the water as we paddle by. This little guy stayed put, though, which made for some great photos.

Saturday, October 16, 2010


Painted Painter
Mixed Media on Arches Cover Paper
8" x 8"
NFS

Earlier this week, I received the news that I've been accepted as a member of the daily painting site, Fresh Paint Daily Painters.  Needless to say, I am thrilled to be among such a talented and prolific group of artists. This latest venture prompted me to finally create an image for my profile. I've grown tired of looking like the rest of those gray silhouetted folks! Because I am a painter, it seemed appropriate to create my own portrait. So, that was how I spent my easel time on Thursday. Since I've painted both of my daughters sporting their sunglasses, I decided to make us a trio and do the same.  

Tuesday, October 12, 2010


Tootin' His Own Horn
Mixed Media on Arches Cover Paper
18" x 15"
(framed dimensions)
$185.00 plus $20.00 shipping
(see Purchasing Info on the sidebar)

Another painting inspired by the Swingin' Vermont Big Band.  I liked the challenge of working with a variety of textures.  Figuring out the composition was an interesting process, too.  I'm happy with the close up view that I settled on for both this painting and the previous post, Brass Section.  It's a fun twist to have the focus on the instruments rather than the musician.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

 Brass Section
Mixed Media on Arches Cover Paper
18" x 15"
(framed dimensions)
$250.00 plus $20.00 shipping
(see Purchasing Info on the sidebar)

Church Street in Burlington, Vermont has become one of my favorite places to visit.  There's always so much going on there. It's a visual feast! As my family and I strolled along there a few weeks back we happened upon a musical performance by The Swingin' Vermont Big Band.  They were awesome, as were the couples who dared to break out in dance right in the street.  Fortunately, I had my camera. I'm glad to have the photos to work from in my studio.

Friday, October 8, 2010


 Keeping On
Mixed Media on Arches Cover Paper
10" x 12 "
(framed dimensions)
$125.00 plus $10.00 shipping
(see Purchasing Info on the sidebar)

We have a spindly little peach tree in our side yard that we planted years ago. It's never grown beyond its almost five foot stature. The top was snapped off when our first cat attempted to climb it. Yet, somehow each year it manages to produce at least a dozen perfect peaches from its two little limbs.  Quite spectacular, actually. I decided it was time to honor it with a painting.

Thursday, October 7, 2010


Harvested
Mixed Media on Arches Cover Paper
18" x 15"
(framed dimensions)
$185.00 plus $20.00 shipping
To purchase, please contact
The Common Ground Fair was held a few weeks ago, and although the weather was a bit too overcast for photos, it did inspire me to take a look back at some of my reference photos from previous years.  Of the hundreds I have to choose from, this one fit the mood today. 

Monday, October 4, 2010


 Hanging by a Thread
Mixed Media on Arches Cover Paper
14" x 11"
(framed dimensions)
$95.00 plus $20.00 shipping
(see Purchasing Info on the sidebar)

While exhibiting my art at the Bangor Public Library a while back, a patron presented me with this lovely paper crane he had made from a magazine page (hopefully not one belonging to the library). 
It hangs in my studio.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Still Smiling
Mixed Median on Arches Cover Paper
26" x14"
(framed dimensions)
Private Collection

It's always a bit daunting when attempting portraits of people I feel passionate about.  When I painted our daughters, Meg (All Smiles posted 2/28/10) and Erin (pictured here), I so wanted to capture not only their likenesses, but their personalities as well. I am extraordinarily proud of the bright, thoughtful, determined young women they have become
Can you tell?

Thursday, September 16, 2010

 Great Escape
Mixed Media on Arches Cover Paper
21" x 21"
(framed dimensions)
$375.00 plus $30.00 shipping
(see Purchasing Info on the sidebar)

I had fun working with a limited palette for this painting. The obvious challenge was the abundance of colors in the marbles. I'm amazed by what can be created when starting out with just eight colors. It's so much more interesting to work this way rather than just squeezing pre-mixed colors from the tube. 
The marbles in the painting are mine from childhood. My mom sewed the marble bag for me and, though it's not visible, she even hand embroidered my name on the front.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Downtime
Acrylic on Gallery Wrapped Canvas
(painted on all four sides - ready to hang)
15" x 60"
$1200.00 plus shipping

To purchase please contact

I've been itching to paint this boat scene since photographing it in South Freeport, Maine.  Last month's workshop with Carol Marine left me intrigued by the idea of working with a limited palette. I experimented a bit with a few smaller paintings before launching into this much larger piece. As it turned out, having more room to move about on a large canvas made it easier for me to see how the mix of colors worked together. It also made any color adjustments easier as well. And, actually, I'm just as pleased with the variety of colors I created on my palette as I am with the finished painting!

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Beach Bum
Mixed Media on Arches Cover Paper
12" x 10"
(framed dimensions)
$100.00 plus shipping
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Unlike the shells, stones and feathers painted in an earlier post,
I couldn't take this guy home with me from the beach.
He hung around in the sand long enough for us to become pretty good friends, though!

Friday, August 27, 2010

Last week I participated in a three day workshop with Daily Painter,
Carol Marine.
To read more about it, click here.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Beach Finds
Mixed Media on Arches Cover Stock
14" x 11"
(framed dimensions)
$110.00 plus shipping
To purchase please contact

It was fun to paint these few keepsakes that had I slipped into my pocket during a walk on the beach last week.
The walk on the beach was fun, too!

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Blown Away
Mixed Media on Archival Paper
10" x 15"
(framed dimensions)
SOLD

I couldn't resist one more go 'round with the dandelions. 
This piece is made up of three 2"x3" sections painted on a single piece of paste paper I created during a workshop session last fall with master bookmaker, Nancy Leavitt

Friday, July 16, 2010

Wishes
Mixed Media on Arches Cover Paper
22" x 18"
(framed dimensions)
$200.00 plus shipping
To purchase please contact

It's been a busy few months which has kept me from my easel, although I did document many moments along the way with my camera.  I'm happy to have captured lots of inspirational images to work from. 
It feels great to be back painting again!

Sunday, February 28, 2010

All Smiles
Mixed Media on Arches Cover Paper
15" x 27"
(framed dimensions)
Private Collection

I had fun working on this portrait of Meg. I painted from a photo I had taken of her down on the waterfront in Burlington last fall. I played around with different ways to crop the photo before finally settling on this composition. While I tend to work vertically, I wanted to capture a lot of Meg's hair in this painting, so this horizontal structure seemed the most interesting choice.  Hope you approve, Meg!

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Incognito
Mixed Media on Arches Cover Paper
17" x 15"
(framed dimensions)
$185.00 plus ship/tax
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On a good day, a painting just seems to paint itself.  Not today!  Though I'm happy with the end result, I kept finding myself with my nose inches away from the easel while working on this one...a sure sign that I'm over thinking each stroke.  Once I got myself to back away, things rolled a bit easier.  Phew!  This particular paste paper seemed suitable for the background since I shot the reference photo of this fan as she listened to a performance by Dave Mallett at the Common Ground Fair. 

Friday, February 19, 2010

Home Made
Mixed Media on Arches
27" x 15"
(framed dimensions)
$225.00 plus shipping
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Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Flower Child
Mixed Media on Arches Cover Paper
20" x 20"
(framed dimensions)
$325.00 plus ship/tax
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This painting was done from one of many reference photos taken at the Common Ground Fair in Unity, Maine last fall. This fair is an annual three day event just loaded with inspiration, great music, and wonderful organic foods. 

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Cornered
Mixed Media on Arches Cover Paper
26" x 14"
(framed dimensions)
SOLD
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This painting is from a reference photo I took some time ago during a stay at my home away from home in Dixmont, Maine.  I always seem to find inspiration there...

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Boys will be Boys
Mixed Media on Arches Cover Paper
17" x 33"
(framed dimensions)
$425.00 plus ship/tax
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During our trip to the Grand Canyon last spring, Steve and I took a day trip to the Hoover Dam.  We went down to the shore of Lake Mead where we happened upon this group of boys having some water fun together.  Ah, youth!

Friday, January 22, 2010

Conversation Peace
Mixed Media on Arches Cover Paper
26" x 32"
(framed dimensions)
$850.00 plus ship/tax
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This was a great painting to work on. I had taken several photos of these two gentlemen last summer. They were unaware and appeared to be deep in conversation while leaning against a tall granite post. I shot all of the photos from quite some distance, capturing their full body stances. Initially, it was their positioning and body language that interested  me.  It wasn't until many months later, when I zoomed in on the their faces, that I realized I had captured a little snippet of time in one of the photos when neither was speaking...yet the simple gesture of that one hand, and the direct eye contact between the two seemed to speak volumes. It was then that I also noticed the tip of the flag waving off in the distance in the upper right corner of the photo. That's when it all came together for me, and I knew exactly how I wanted this composition to play out. Once again, the paste paper background seemed to provide just the right amount of energy to the finished painting.
To see the progression of Conversation Peace as it was being painted, click here.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Ice Cold
Acrylic on Arches Cover Paper
16" x 21"
(framed dimensions)
$165.00 plus shipping
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Thursday, January 7, 2010

Puppy Love
Mixed Media on Arches Cover Paper
17" x 15"
(framed dimensions)
$185.00 plus shipping
To purchase please contact