Ruby

Sometimes when you're painting a commissioned piece you totally fall in love with the subject. Yup, that's totally what happened here. What a cutie!!!

Mixed Media

12"x9" on Canvas

My original paintings are available in my online gallery.

  I welcome commissions.

Please click the links below to share my blog.

We are Beauty

There is beauty in our pain and there is beauty in our recovery. There is beauty in our fear and there is beauty in our confidence. There is beauty in our incompleteness and there is beauty in our being whole. There is beauty in our sadness and there is beauty in our joy. We are beauty.

"We are Beauty"

Mixed Media

Original available for $85.

12"x9" on canvas

Prints available on request.

(Printed image may be slightly cropped for printing purposes.)

My original paintings are available in my online gallery.

Let me know if you're interested in prints of my paintings.

  I welcome commissions.

Please click the links below to share my blog.

Out of My Comfort Zone

Out of my comfort zone...I think that's what creativity is for me these days. I tiny side step here and there, testing the waters, trying things on for size, being comfortable with being uncomfortable, and learning from all of it.

"Out of My Comfort Zone"

Mixed Media

Original available for $55.

16"x12" on wqatercolor paper

Prints available on request.

(Printed image may be slightly cropped for printing purposes.)

My original paintings are available in my online gallery.

Let me know if you're interested in prints of my paintings.

  I welcome commissions.

Please click the links below to share my blog.

Find Your Sparkle

I attended an Art Spark Texas meeting last night and had the opportunity to listen to activist, playwright, and filmmaker,  Terry Galloway. She was funny, passionate, and wise. One thing she said that struck me so much that I wrote it on my art table..."Run toward it...let yourself be enveloped." (I hope she doesn't mind me quoting her here.) I was working on this painting while she spoke and today I added some sparkle to the hair and couldn't help but think, "Find your sparkle...run toward it...let yourself be enveloped."

So, friends, I wish this for all of you.

"Find Your Sparkle"

Mixed Media

Original available for $85.

12"x9" on canvas

Prints available on request.

(Printed image may be slightly cropped for printing purposes.)

My original paintings are available in my online gallery.

Let me know if you're interested in prints of my paintings.

  I welcome commissions.

Please click the links below to share my blog.

Eyes of Green

Only 5% of the population have hazel eyes. Sometimes I wonder if this explains why I see the world so differently than others.

"Eyes of Green"

Mixed Media

Original available for $85.

12"x9" on canvas

Prints available on request.

(Printed image may be slightly cropped for printing purposes.)

My original paintings are available in my online gallery.

Let me know if you're interested in prints of my paintings.

  I welcome commissions.

Please click the links below to share my blog.

Me...ish

Since summer began I've started each day with eyes closed and thoughts of gratitudes and intentions. I've done five sun salutations every single day upon rising. I've gathered my hair up in asymmetrical clumps on each side of my head and worn the same three outfits (except for that one day I got all fancy and put on overalls). I've worked on writing five days a week and played the piano every single day. And I have been painting again.

I'm not quite like the me I knew before all of this, but I'm me...ish, and being me-ish is a good thing.

"Me...ish"

I'm taking an online portrait class and this is my first piece.

Acrylic

Not For Sale

12"x9"" on canvas.

My original paintings are available in my online gallery.

Let me know if you're interested in prints of my paintings.

  I welcome commissions.

Please click the links below to share my blog.

Recommit to the Work that Remains Undone

With respect and celebration I'd like to pair this quote with a painting I completed today.

"Juneteenth is a time to recommit ourselves to the work that remains undone. 
We remember that even in the darkest hours, there is cause to hope for tomorrow's light."

-President Barack Obama

Mixed Media

Original available for $85.

16"x12" on paper

Prints available on request.

(Printed image may be slightly cropped for printing purposes.)

My original paintings are available in my online gallery.

Let me know if you're interested in prints of my paintings.

  I welcome commissions.

Please click the links below to share my blog.

The Wisdom of Frida

"Perhaps the butterfly is proof that you can go

through a great deal of darkness yet

become something beautiful." 

-Unknown

Through October 20th I will be donating 50% of my original art sales to the Citizens' Climate Lobby (CCL), Texas 21 Chapter. More information may be found here. Let's make the climate great again!

"The Wisdom of Frida"

Miniature easel included in the price of the painting.

All works are copyrighted and all rights are reserved by the artist.

My original paintings are available in my online gallery.

Prints of many of my paintings are available in my Etsy shop. 

Let me know if you're interested in prints of my paintings.

  I welcome commissions.

Please click the links below to share my blog.

I'd love to hear from you...feel free to leave me a comment.

Floating Just Below the Surface

There are days that leave you feeling like you are floating just below the water's surface...struggling for a breath that may never be attained.

Through October 20th I will be donating 50% of my original art sales to the Citizens' Climate Lobby (CCL), Texas 21 Chapter. More information may be found here. Let's make the climate great again!

"Floating Just Below the Surface"

All works are copyrighted and all rights are reserved by the artist.

My original paintings are available in my online gallery.

Prints of many of my paintings are available in my Etsy shop. 

Let me know if you're interested in prints of my paintings.

  I welcome commissions.

Please click the links below to share my blog.

I'd love to hear from you...feel free to leave me a comment.

Be the Change

"Be the change that you wish to see in this world."

-Mahatma Gandhi

We all have ways that we choose to support positive change in this world of ours. My way, I've decided, is through my art. I absolutely want to be politically active but I've found that making phone calls, writing letters to the editor, showing up at a congressperson's office, etc. is not a fit for me. But selling my art as part of fundraising efforts...well...this is something that I can do, have done, and will continue to do.

So...through October 20th I will be donating 50% of my original art sales to the Citizens' Climate Lobby (CCL), Texas 21 Chapter. More information may be found here. Let's make the climate great again!

"Be the Change"

All works are copyrighted and all rights are reserved by the artist.

My original paintings are available in my online gallery.

Prints of many of my paintings are available in my Etsy shop. 

Let me know if you're interested in prints of my paintings.

  I welcome commissions.

Please click the links below to share my blog.

I'd love to hear from you...feel free to leave me a comment.

For All of Our Children

My husband recently did a photo shoot of one of my friend's kiddos. I was incredibly struck by one of the photos, the shadows so compelling that I was inspired to capture them.

As I painted my version of this beautiful young man I thought of my own boys and all of the children I teach and all of my friends' children, and I felt incredibly protective of their present and future. Let's do right by them.

"For All of Our Children"

My original paintings are available in my online gallery.

Prints of many of my paintings are available in my Etsy shop.

  I welcome commissions.

Please click the links below to share my blog.

Dani and My Billy

I was commissioned to paint a precious girl and her wonderful uncle. It is always such an honor to capture a special moment in time. I'm reminded of the photography my mom did throughout my childhood. The slogan for her business was "Memorable moments make meaningful keepsakes". I think that pretty much sums it up.

"Dani and My Billy"

Click here to view my gallery 

Most of my paintings are for sale and I welcome commissions.

Please click the links below to share my blog.

I'd love to hear from you...feel free to leave me a comment.

With his Back to the Window - Part 4

I'm a lightweight...in so, so many ways. Case in point, tonight. The little guy, Dave, and I went to Schlotzky's for dinner. Each of them had cokes with their meal and then afterward they each had an ooey, gooey cinnamon roll. I looked at the roll with a longing rooted way in my past. Before I knew what had happened I'd taken a pinch of the little guy's roll and popped it in my mouth. It was a swirl of cinnamon sugar deliciousness. Then I took a small bit of Dave's. And then I took a ride on the sugar rush express.

Mmmmmm...it was worth every second.


I finished this painting. I loved being introduced to Max Beckmann's life story and his work. I enjoyed creating this piece with my own vibe inspired by his painting.

"With his Back to the Window"

I did a yellow wash over much of the painting.

I worked on the details of his face.
I struggled a lot with his right eyebrow, his nose,
and his mouth. Teeth are hard!

I added some reddish tinting here and there.
And before the final stage, I reworked his right eye,
his ear, and his hairline. I decided I liked the
unfinished look of his arms and hands. It
worked for me to leave them less finished
as it made his face pop as the most important
part of the painting.

Click here to view my gallery.

Most of my paintings are for sale and I welcome commissions.

Please click the links below to share my blog.

I'd love to hear from you...feel free to leave me a comment.

With his Back to the Window - Part 3

Gifts are lovely. Well, almost all the time they're lovely.

When are they not lovely? When they come in the form of a very large dead rat. Our little cat, Tommy, was so excited, too. I looked at him as he pranced by me, presenting it so proudly, and then I turned my back on him. 

Somehow I don't think I've managed to discourage him one little bit.

I continued working on this painting (and on my mystery commissioned painting as well). I'm really liking the darker tones with this one.

I started adding some red tones.

I worked a bit more on the shape of his face.
I'm wanting him to look more harsh
than I'm managing to do.

Working on his hairline and his eyebrows
seems to have helped a lot. I still want
more harshness, though.

I darkened the black areas and added
some dark details here and there.

Click here to view my gallery.

Most of my paintings are for sale and I welcome commissions.

Please click the links below to share my blog.

I'd love to hear from you...feel free to leave me a comment.

With his Back to the Window - Part 2

Sometimes things come full circle. Tonight my little guy and I were walking through a parking lot. I started to step off the curb and he, having seen a car approaching, put his arm in front of me. Mind you, I was in no danger, but how lovely was it that his protective instincts kicked into gear. Particularly considering that whenever I put my arm out to protect him he thinks I'm being ridiculous. I kept my mouth shut and just relished in the lovely moment, of course.

Me: "I love you, kiddo." (Except for that...I couldn't help but say that.)


I continued working on this painting. It's going to look like slow progress as I'm also spending time working on a commissioned piece. I'm not able to post anything on the commissioned piece until it's given away during the holidays. It's kind of fun doing something on the down low.

I began adding some color. I also decided
that his left arm was too high. You can
see the beginnings of my moving it.

I added some dark shades and
continued working on that arm.

Click here to view my gallery.

Most of my paintings are for sale and I welcome commissions.

Please click the links below to share my blog.

I'd love to hear from you...feel free to leave me a comment.

With his Back to the Window - Part 1

I went to my first Zumba class in a couple of years last night.


Little guy: "You looked ridiculous, mom."

Me: "Was it just me or did everyone look ridiculous?"

Little guy: "Everyone looked ridiculous."

Me: "OK, then I was doing just fine."


Whew! Good thing that as I get older I don't take the things my kids so so seriously without digging just a tad deeper.



I started working on a new piece. The artist we're studying in the class I'm taking is Max Beckmann. I'd never heard of him, but his story is incredibly compelling. He did a number of self portraits and I'm working on a looser impression of one of his self portraits. My goal with this one is not to work on matching his painting stroke and technique-wise, rather to explore the emotions being conveyed and explored.

I watched a couple of hours of coursework this evening before beginning this, so I don't have a lot to show...yet.

The last few paintings I've done (this one included) have been on canvases given to me by my mother recently. She is an amazing artist and painted a lot during my childhood. It was with mixed emotion that I accepted these canvases. This girl always loves some free art supplies, but accepting these also symbolized an end of my mother's painting. I hope she enjoys what I'm doing with them.

I started by doing a quick charcoal sketch.
There's a lot that will be "corrected" during
the painting stage.

Click here to view my gallery.

Most of my paintings are for sale and I welcome commissions.

Please click the links below to share my blog.

I'd love to hear from you...feel free to leave me a comment.

Stepping into Frida's Mind...Beauty, Strength, Pain, and Joy - Part 4

It was an incredible experience painting this. Part of the painting process was learning about Frida's life both before and after her accident. I think that with more than any other painting I've done I felt compelled to do her justice. To show her beauty, strength, pain, and joy. During the process of painting her I noticed that she started as a young Frida and with layer upon layer I embedded her life experiences. Makes me think of the lines and shadows on my own face and the stories they contain within them. I looked at my reflection this evening and honored my own experiences...the beauty, strength, pain, and joy.


Here is my finished piece. And, yes, I added to the name of this painting. It's a painter's prerogative.

"Stepping into Frida's Mind...Beauty, Strength, Pain, and Joy"

And here are the last few stages.

I decided that her lips needed a redo. They
were too close to her nose. I also did
some work on her right eye.

I redid her lips, added yellow to her dress,
and began working on the details of her ear.

I painted in the circle on her forehead. It's
a scene with a skull. Frida's painting is titled
"Thinking about Death".

I worked on the tones of her face
and lowered her chin.

Click here to view my gallery.

Most of my paintings are for sale and I welcome commissions.

Please click the links below to share my blog.

Stepping into Frida's Mind - Part 3

I was sooooooo excited yesterday. I got a set of steak knives for FREE from a grocery story I shop at. (Ironic, I know, since I don't eat meat.) I've been collecting stamps every time I make a purchase and I finally had enough stamps in my booklet to trade them in for the knives. It reminded me of being in charge of sticking all those Green Stamps in the booklets when I was a kid. I think my parents were onto something making their kid lick all that nasty gum on the back of the stamps and making me feel ever so special at the same time.

Well, what I realized after I got home with my FREE knives is that said knives actually cost me $700 in groceries. I seriously earned those knives! And you know what? I'm already saving stickers again because I totally want some kitchen shears. And they'll only cost me $300 in groceries!

...ah, the sweet anticipation.....


I continued working on my Frida painting. To me she's looking like a young Frida. I need to work on her a bit to allow the truth of her pain and life experience to shine through. That will be an emotional process and I'm looking forward to it.

I painted her hair black and worked
 on her eyes and eyebrows. I also
darkened the shadow by her dress
and outlined her neck and shoulders.

I added a layer of skin color which lightened
the shadow by her shirt. I also gave her
eyes a bit of sparkle.

More darkening of her skin.

I did the first layer of paintin the leaves.

Click here to view my gallery.

Most of my paintings are for sale and I welcome commissions.

Please click the links below to share my blog.

Stepping into Frida's Mind - Part 2

I've had new glasses for a couple of weeks now. And get this...not one person has noticed. I guess they're a lot like my old ones. When I was choosing them I suppose change must've seemed scary. Anyway, I took them in today to get them adjusted. They weren't being very kind to the top of my ears. The very nice glasses lady took them, sat down to work with them, and SNAP! Yup, they broke.


Me: "No problem. I can go all dork style and wear them with tape holding them together."


She didn't let me do that, of course, though the prospect had my inner geek a little excited, I must admit. She found another pair that my lenses fit in pretty well and off I went...more hip than dorky, unfortunately.


I continued working on this painting. I'm really enjoying the process with this one.

I started working on some flesh tones. The
original painting seems to have a yellowish
tint to her skin so I'm leaning that direction,
but perhaps I went a bit too yellow. It's just the
first layer. I decided I didn't like her right eye
so I got rid of it. 

After reworking the right eye I decided that I
didn't like either eye. Off they went!

I redid the eyes and I think I'm getting closer,
though don't be surprised if they go again. I
worked a bit on her face,a shadow by her
shirt, the hairline behind her ear, and her eyebrows.

Click here to view my gallery.

Most of my paintings are for sale and I welcome commissions.

Please click the links below to share my blog.

Stepping into Frida's Mind - Part 1

I'm the mom of a high school football player. As such I find myself watching a sport that I'd never in a million years intentionally lay eyes on. Mind you I only watch the game when he's on the field. And by watch, I mean peer through my fingers, wince, and cross my fingers and toes that he doesn't get hurt, all the while aware that I am utterly and completely clueless about any rules of the game.

I talked with my little guy after his last game.


Me: "I was watching you play and I realized that all of you on the field actually want to play."

Little guy: "Uh, yeah, mom."

Me: "Whenever I got on the field when I was a kid I spent my whole time hoping that the ball (or whatever) never, ever headed my way. You're not like that at all."

Little guy: "When were you on the field?"

Me: "In P.E. class."

Little guy: "That wasn't a choice, mom. Everyone on the football team is choosing to be there because we all want to play."

Me: "Oh...."


I think I get it, sort of. I guess it's like how I absolutely love creating art each and every day and my kid hated creating art in the art class he had to take at school. Choice is an awesome thing.


I started a new painting. In the class I'm taking we're now studying Frida Kahlo. I am so excited! I find her absolutely fascinating. Excited to make an attempt at stepping into her painting mind.

I quickly sketched "Thinking About Death".

I added more details and worked on lowering
her left eye so they'd be more even as they
were in the original painting.

I roughed in the background. I'm so excited
to start painting this!

Click here to view my gallery.

Most of my paintings are for sale and I welcome commissions.

Please click the links below to share my blog.