THE MOON AND STARS, 6X6, OIL SOLD

A few weeks ago, my friend Phillis, invited our painting group to do some plein air at her lovely home.  She is lucky enough to live on the water .  We gathered in her back yard to paint the boats going bye but, I was more interested in the her little patio container garden.

  I took some photos and later created this little piece of her amazing blue ceramic pots and garden balls.
Thank you Phillis, for being so generous with your home.


SOLD

THE QUEEN, 5X7, OIL SOLD

I spend a lot of time in my favorite framer's shop.  Being a very casual store, there are two cats that live in the shop during the week.

 They are equally beautiful, but on the day I had my camera along, only one was willing to pose.  I don't know what her/his name is, but, I think she/he looks very "queenly" in her/his pose, thus the name.

Bon jour!

Purchase here
SOLD

ISLAND TIME, 4X12, SOLD

Have you ever been to the islands?  I'm talkin' Bahamas or Abacos.  Both are delightful, and for the most part, unspoiled, pieces of paradise.  Things move slowly, for good reason, and it seems perfectly reasonable to accomplish nothing for long periods of time.

This is an edited view of Hope Town lighthouse in the Abacos.  I say edited, because the real lighthouse has red stripes, which seemed a little jarring for this scene.  To see the reference photo, check out IslandTimeInAbaco where Sam and Meakin were kind enough to allow me to use their image.  Sam also has another fun blog,
MyCarolinaKitchen where she posts the most incredible food.  YUM!

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SOLD

ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE, 8X6, OIL

A few weeks ago, I awoke early, grabbed a cup of coffee and my camera and headed off to my favorite park on the inter-coastal.  I was rewarded with a peaceful morning, arriving just as daylight was breaking.  A blue heron was perched on a piling, contemplating breakfast, with the sun backlighting the scene.  

How could I not paint it??  Well, I didn't even try to resist.  A month from now, it may be 95 degrees with 100% humidity and everyone who lives in the southeast may be wondering, why??  I will have this little reminder of why.  For someone else, it may be a snow shovel or bad back, but for me, this will do the trick.

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$90

THE WAY IT WAS, 8X6", OIL

This is 2011, but it could easily be 1939. Old Florida, before Mickey, a kinder, gentler, slower time.  No computers, or cell phones or even jet planes.  The Florida of Silver Springs and Cypress Gardens fame.  When people came to Florida for sunshine, beaches, and oranges.

Don't get me wrong.  It's not that I hate the time we live in, but, now and then, for just a moment or two, it's nice to close your eyes and think back.  Well, really far back,  as my mother didn't even know my father in  1939.  And, now that I think about it....there probably wasn't any air conditioning or mosquito control then either.   Never mind.

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$85

SIGNS OF SPRING, 8X6", OIL, SOLD

The iris has always been a favorite flower of mine, but the ones that will grow in Florida are not to spectacular.  The ones we have here are not the big, beautiful, bearded iris that the more northern states have.  Ours are little puny flowers.   I always look forward to visiting our mountain home in North Carolina, as one of the first things I did when we bought it, was plant all those lovely flowers from my childhood.  Daffodils, iris, tulips, lilac, cone flowers, and lots and lots of hydrangea.  I have not been able to go up so far this spring, but we are planning a trip soon.  I hope there are still some daffodils and lilac blooming.  But if they are gone, I know the iris will soon be there to greet me.  What is your favorite flower?

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SOLD

BOUGAINVILLEA AND UMBRELLA, 6X8 SOLD

While driving to the post office, I passed this charming garden spot.  The blooming bougainvillea and garden umbrella in contrasting color, caught my eye.

I so enjoy doing these small paintings.  I have little desire to do larger ones these days.  This give me instant gratification and tomorrow, I have the thrill of starting over on a new project.
Purchase here
$90

A few weeks ago, the talented Diana Marshall, from Dublin, Ireland, had a painting give-away.  She offered to do a portrait of choice for the winner, who happened to be ME!

Today I received this great painting of my grandson showing off his prize fish!  Thank you Diana, this will go directly to my grandson Kevin.

Be sure to check out Diana's blog.  Her paintings are great and her  animal portraits are fantastic, especially the cats.

REGATTA, 4X12, SOLD

Some days I just want to play with thick paint.  It's so soft and buttery and creamy, almost as good as eating pudding.  Maybe thats why Vincent squeezed that tube into his mouth!

The weather is so beautiful here that I would love to get back out on the water.  Chances are slim as we no longer have a sailboat, but I am on the look-out to find a new friend who might have one.  You know what the say about the two best days of owning a boat....the day you buy it and the day you sell it!

Purchase here
SOLD

HOUSE ON THE POINT, 6X8, OIL

Another in my mini-series of Florida houses on the water.  This house is on a point of land  that juts out into the inter-coastal waterway.  This is a view from a nearby public park.  I love to visit the park early in the morning.  It is so very peaceful.




  The water is still, herons are fishing for breakfast, there may be a fisherman with his cast net or a small boat motoring out into the inter-coastal.  Later in the day it becomes a busy place but at seven in the morning, with a cup of coffee in my hand, it's heaven to me.
Purchase here
$90

FLOWERS FOR YOU, 8X8 COLLAGE SOLD

I had so much fun with my apple collage a few weeks ago, I decided to try another.  This one is on a canvas panel and I layered a lot of colored tissue papers to make new colors.  It also has a bit of metallic ribbon.

This is a great example of the wonderful and unique art available on Etsy.  The creative artist, Danny Phillips from Austin, Texas has a great selection of his clever collage paintings.  He has developed a unique technique for his backgrounds, as shown here.  Visit his site here.  One of my guilty pleasures....surfing Etsy!

WHITE CUP ON PINK, 6X8, OIL, SOLD

It's a rainy and dreary day today, just the kind of day you want to curl up with a soft blanket, a great novel, and a cup of hot chocolate.  I thought it would be the perfect day to post this coffee mug I painted a few weeks ago.

The purpose of the exercise was to paint an object with reflected color.

It was a fun exercise.

Now, time to find my blankey and book.

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SOLD

LIFE IS GOOD, 4X12, OIL,SOLD

I wish I were here today, sitting on the beach, soaking up some rays, sea salt in the breeze.  Instead, I am stuck in my house for the fifth straight day.  I cannot walk.  I cannot paint.

 I cannot do anything other than prop my foot on a pile of pillows.  I had foot surgery last Thursday and cannot walk until  next Friday  or later.  It depends on how well I follow the doctor's orders.  If my foot stays lower than my heart, I will get doctor demerits.  So, I am trying to do as told...Friday looms far in the future.  Sorry I'm so grouchy.
Purchase here
SOLD

AND THE WINNER IS...............

Yesterday was the final day in my painting give-away and the winner is....drum roll

Elizabeth Kaleida of NYC!  Congratulations Elizabeth!

I want to thank every one who participated in this give-away.  I think I will have to do this every January.  A little added bonus to the people who like my work enough to actually purchase it!  Elizabeth, I will be shipping this painting to you in the next day or two.  Enjoy!