Aunt Ruth's Couch

My granddaughter - all hands and couch in this pose.

Maya Goes to Art School

I did this from a photo that someone pointed out on Instagram. I did try to communicate with her, but don't "technically" have her permission to use her image. Too good of a pose to pass up, though. This is a half sheet size.

Red Hair

Reddest hair I've ever seen - Of course I made it quite a bit redder than the reference photo (and added a red dress).

Maggie

Saw this on Facebook - the daughter/granddaughter of friends of mine. I loved her attitude. It's just a small sketch playing around with color.

Lady Criminals

Since I was trying to find black and white photos to use as reference material, I ran across these mug shots of Australian criminals from the early 1900s. I took artistic license with color and placement.

This woman killed her pimp.

Springmaid Watermedia Workshop - November

This past November, I had an amazing experience at Springmaid Watermedia in SC - I got to spend a week attending a workshop with Ted Nuttall, who's one of my favorite portrait artists. Other artists were attending different workshops at the same time and it was wonderful to talk and do art 24/7.

Jean Pelletiere

A young reenactor 

Vivi

Recent Portraits

This portrait was commissioned as part of an auction event for my church. Had the added bonus of a kitty portrait!

This is a portrait of my neighbor (one of my former students) done from one of her wedding photos. Added bonus - their dog/child.

Fall Still Life and Limes

Quickie Children's Lake Plein Air

Clover Still li

Took this (to the Monday watercolor group) from my back porch one day.

Pepper plants - Monday Watercolor Group

Pepper plant still life

Blossom

This is my friend Blossom from the Monday painter group. One afternoon, some of the group talked me into doing a demo of a portrait painting and this was the result.

Gretna

This painting was done at Mount Gretna when I went with a group of plein air painters.

Beach Quickies

These were VERY quick sketches that I did at Rehoboth Beach a few weeks ago (before my paints and brushes got dumped into the sand (and the people all got up and moved).

Some Monday Group still life setups

Commission of a Fort

This painting may seem odd unless you know the people and story behind it. It was commissioned by a former student of mine for his father and mother as an anniversary gift. There's a big story behind the fort (which I won't go into). Several older photos were combined and some elements made up to create this fort - which now has a housing development in the background instead of the view of Ski Roundtop.

LeTort Falls 8/5/14

I painted with some of the Susquehanna Valley Plein Air group at LetTort Falls this morning. The challenge of the running water and rocks were daunting. I need to try this some more.

Monday Painters 7/28/14

Lazy gourds and quickie bouquet.

Lake Meade Plein Air

Yesterday I went to a friend's house in Lake Meade. I had all sorts of water scenes to pick from, but I liked the colors of these boats. (I did try a little bit of water in the background)

Watercolor Pouring experiment

My friend Donna gave me some instruction on how to create a picture by "pouring" watercolor and masking certain areas. I wasn't very adventuresome and didn't leave the paint on very long - so my colors are muted. I went over it later and used some watercolor pencil on it. I may try it again, but it requires a bit too much "thinking" for me!

Gladiolas and Still Life from the Monday Painting Group

The Gladiola's were about a 5 min sketch from a week ago. The still life contained a plant from my deck whose leaves I thought were interesting.

Children's Lake Plein Air

A few weeks ago, I painted at Children's Lake with some friends from church. I wanted the challenge of painting the water.

Espyville Plein Air

A few weeks ago I went to a friends cabin near Lake Pymatuning. I did a quick plein air (because it started raining) and later did a painting of a tree in the yard of her cabin.

Monday Painters 6/30/14

Yep, another still life...what can I say. I love that copper kettle.

Dillsburg Garden Tour

This past Saturday, I painted as part of the Dillsburg Garden Tour. I had the time messed up, so I got a late start, but enjoyed painting and socializing as part of the "exhibit".

My very first plein air barn!

I figure you can't call yourself a plein air painter 'till you've painted a barn or two. I spent a lovely morning with some other painters from the Susquehanna Valley Plein Air Painters. My biggest challenge was the fact that I was sitting under a Mulberry tree getting berries dropped on my head from time to time.

Viola and Emma and a Bunch of Flowers with a Nest and Can.

Can you tell I don't like creating titles for things? These were done with my Monday painting group. The gravestones were from the Historic Monaghan Cemetery. I was trying out my new plein air chair with umbrella (worked great).

Selfie

I'm really not comfortable with taking pictures of myself, but doing a painting seemed a step removed from that. I created this because it was time to change my Facebook profile pic.

My lilies

Painted these in class, but I have them on my deck. I love the color and smell.

Jeannie's House

Last Monday we painted at Jeannie Hartman's House. I chose this little angel statue (with a broken wing).

Plein Air

Enjoying the new experience of painting plein air!

Longwood Gardens "Paint Out"

I just spent two days with painter friends at Longwood Gardens. I've avoided the plein air experience up until now, but truly enjoyed being outside in the beautiful weather at a gorgeous location. Here's what I came up with during my two days there. I do plan to get involved in painting plein air now - It's a great challenge and especially fun if other painters are involved!