Sandy hit Cleveland too

Sandy didn’t spare Cleveland.  We had crazy wind and rain, trees and power lines came down too.  Lake Erie (!?) generated 22 foot waves.  The tall fence that divides our backyard from the neighbor’s also came crashing down…   We have debris and stuff stacked up back there, it’s not pretty.  Adventure kitty, Layla has been assigned to indoor patrol until another fence is installed, she’s not happy about that.  Worst of all has been the lack of internet for 24+ hours.  The sudden absence of email, facebook and twitter has put me in an isolated funk!  ...and the nonstop barrage of political advertising here doesn't help any either.  Pathetic, I know.  I should be grateful our house and electricity held up…  Happy Halloween.  Mmph.

Poppycat plus a whisker painting tip

Poppycat  Oil on cradled wood  8" x 8"  NFS

Painting cat whiskers is tricky. I paint whiskers last and by the time I get to 'em, my motivation to get them right is pretty good. Pencilling and/or lightly scratching them in first helps.

Gray Cat Blue Bird small oil painting

Gray Cat Blue Bird  Oil on cradled wood  8" x 8"  SOLD

Fun with cat eyes:  Coco's eyes have just a smidge of pthalo green/yellow in them.  Just enough.  I saved the earth greens and muted colors for the background.  Very happy with this one.

The Dance II painting of couple plus news

The Dance II  Oil on cradled wood  10" x 10" NFS

Lots going on, despite the absence of post-able paintings here.  I'm in the process of planning a large commission, a figurative.  My husband (seen above) posed with a local model for reference photos.  Figurative painting is something I've wanted to try for a while!  Will share more as the project unfolds.
For those of you local to Ohio, please visit The Framer's Gallery in Brecksville.  They are now showing a selection of my paintings.

Red Sun Sparrow bird on pattern painting

Red Sun Sparrow  Oil on cradled wood  6" x 6"  SOLD

Here's one more small sparrow painting before I move onto other projects.

Sparrow on Swirl small original oil painting

Sparrow on Swirl  Oil on cradled panel  6" x 6"  SOLD

I like to believe that the paintings that "paint themselves" are almost always better.  ...that somehow because they are a walk in the park to paint--they are easier on the eyes too.  This one here was a bit of a struggle.  I don't think it shows though?!  In fact, it might be one of my favorites from this series.

Sparrow on Pause

Sparrow on Pause  Oil on cradled wood  6" x 6"  SOLD

I'm enjoying combining the gray critter-birds with sophisticated man made patterns--and the neutrals with pure(r) colors.  

Flight Risk sparrow on pattern oil painting

Flight Risk  Oil on cradled wood  6" x 6"  SOLD

Painting patterns is a great opportunity to try different color combinations.  Not unlike flowers, they also allow for the use of strong, sometimes pure color right from the tube...  When I plan my paintings, I'm always inclined to desaturate everything that isn't a focal point, the inclusion of patterns is helping me shake that habit. 

Directions small sparrow bird painting

Directions  Oil on cradled wood  6" x 6"  SOLD

The Dance painting of romantic couple

The Dance  Oil on cradled wood  6" x 6"  SOLD

Painting new subject matter feels like a taking refresher course on fundamentals.  My big thing is always values.  I figure if I can get those right most everything else will work out.  ...oh, and edges.  An early art "lesson" that is still burned in my brain:  being told I wasn't ready/entitled to paint sharp edges.  (Say what?!)  That assessment stayed with me for a long time before I got serious about painting again many years later.  I see here, I mighth've sharpened some edges for better effect, but this is a good start.  I may try a few more figurative paintings.

Sparrow on Pattern painting

Sparrow on Pattern  Oil on cradled wood  6" x 6'  SOLD

You've seen this sparrow before!  I removed his buddies and added a pattern.