April 22 - Earth Day

"Earth Day Light" What better for Earth Day than a celebration of light uplifting the soul on a glorious morning? this is a 5 x 7, and came off my acrlyic palette for several reasons: 1) I'm an optimist and know things are going to be OK, 2) it is wonderful to be alive and enjoy such sunrises, regardless of not sleeping great, and 3) I'm looking forward to another commission (Fritz) and a major show next weekend. So life is good, and you and I can bask in the sunbeams. Original acrylic on canvas, 7 x 5 inches.
$100

April 21 - Del Mar Racetrack Backstretch

"Hustle (Del Mar)" There are breakthroughs in painting, we all know exactly when they happen. This painting represents a breakthrough for me, with groundwork laid on yesterday's figurative piece. What's the breakthrough? Utter freedom! Piles of paint, the essence of the subject, no worrying about details, more shapes and color fields. This painting was pure fun. I am looking forward to tomorrow's, too! Original oil on canvas, 9 x 12 inches.

April 20 - Self Portrait in Hawaii

"Io Valley, On Location" Several years ago, my husband and I went to Maui and Oahu for a vacation and conference. I spent a lot of time painting on location while there, and enjoyed what my parents experienced in their beautiful Hawaii. As we plan the memorial and honoring their wishes to have their ashes co-mingled and spread off Diamond Head, I thought that revisiting one of those balmy days would be appropriate. I'm looking forward to the trip, as I will again get to paint on location. I hope to do some plein air with Roger Whitlock, who lives there, as we've painted together several enjoyable times. Original oil on canvas, 9 x 12 inches.

April 19 - Cat in a "Patch of Sunshine"

"Patch of Sunshine" Today has been the day of cats. I spent most of it painting ceilings (Michaelangelo? I don't think so!) while the roofers finished up outside. It is slow work, but gives great satisfaction. Rollers and plastic drop cloths... thus the connection to the cats, and today's painting. Pesto, the young calico (half sweet and half nuts, like a Hershey bar) has decided that plastic makes great noise and pouncing onto it is great fun. Those shenanigans annoyed the heck out of the painting process to the point where I had to finally shut her out of the room, much to her consternation. Very vocal, that one. Listening to a Brother Cadfael audio mystery, I had the volume up loud.
I'm painting the ceilings white, and I have paint spatters from here to tomorrow afternoon on my hands and arms. So today's painting is a white cat, perhaps the result of falling in the paint bucket?

This is a 5 x 7 acrylic. $100

April 18 - Sea Otter

"Rolling Along - Sea Otter" Cleaning the studio today, I came across some images I'd taken when I was up on the ocean in Monterey Bay. The sea otters are tame enough to get some good imagery. This fellow is floating on his back, washing his face, in the relatively clear waters of the Pacific. I like the design of this acrylic 5 x 7 piece, as the lights and colors work so well. Yes, the roofers are still here, but at least they finished the studio today.
$100

April 17 - Del Mar Fair Commission

"Still Life, Commission" I finally finished the commission for the Del Mar Fair Art Education Presentation. I was selected to do the still life that all the artists are doing, but mine is in acrylics. These 20 x 16 canvases will be collected and framed and shown together to show the public how artists approach the same subject and end up with unique personal visions from the same starting point. Not for sale--being donated to the Del Mar Fair Arts Committee. Here's the source image:

April 16 - Shallots

"Shallots" Today's bigger commission painting isn't falling off the brushes with the ease I'm used to, so I detoured into another nicely colored image of those boiling onions, or shallots, or cream onions--regaional names for the one-inch-sized onions you can buy at the store for a myriad of recipes. this is an original acrylic, on gallery wrap, and is 4 x 6 inches. I like the positioning of the three onions. Nothing casual about the story there. $100