Red Poppies

I've been playing around with palette knife backgrounds lately.  I've often used my knives to put in highlights and accents, but rarely do I paint the whole painting with a knife.  I struggle with this because I want to fix everything.  This little painting is a 5 x 7 painted in oils on canvas board with palette knives...

"Red Poppies"
(5 x 7 - oils on canvas board)

Collage Background Birds #2

I'm still working with collage backgrounds. I chose decorative papers with nature and floral patterns, cut out some of the flowers and tore some of the edges. I wet the paper and applied it to a 5 x 7 canvas board using Modge Podge. Once the background was dry I applied acrylic raw umber to make it look old. I then drew this little female Ruby-throated Hummingbird feeding her young and painted them in oils. I felt the background was a little distracting from my focal subject so I add the blue in around Mama and babies. I then antiqued the edges again but this time using oil paint (raw umber + liquin).

"Ruby-throated Hummingbird & Babies"
(5 x 7 - oils on canvas board)
SOLD

Purple Martins Are Here!

I noticed this week the Purple Martins have returned and are making their nests.  I love Springtime!  This is painted in oils on a 5 x 7 canvas board.  I put the birdhouse and background in with a palette knife.  I love to paint loose but struggle with it.  I want to fix everything.  Then I painted this little female in.  Looks like she is claiming her spot...

 "Returning Home"
(5 x 7 - oils on canvas board)

Collage Background Birds #1

I've been keeping the left overs from the paper I use on my Fashion Diva series and decided to make a collage of those papers for the background of this little bird. I cut out and glued onto a 5 x 7 canvas board and antiqued in acrylics to make it look old. Then I painted this little bird and antiqued the corners in oils.
Let me know what you think...

"American Woodcock"(5 x 7 - oils on canvas board/mixed media)
SOLD

Fashion Divas

I've added 3 more girls to my "Fashion Diva" series.  They are really fun and addicting!  I was watching television last night and had to laugh out loud because I would stop the show and rewind to check out a hairstyle or an outfit then freeze the frame while I drew it in my sketch book.  I have a couple more in mind, but I'm not going to say until they are done.  Check back for more Diva's to follow...

"Charleen"
 (8 x 10 - oil on canvas/mixed media)

"Donna"
(8 x 10 - oil on canvas/mixed media)

Blogging Tips

I'm really a newbie at blogging, so I've been researching/studying on what is out there.  There are many resources out there and one I like is from the Social Media Examiner website.  It talks about the 21 Dangerous Blogging Mistakes (and How to Fix Them).

 http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/21-dangerous-blogging-mistakes-and-how-to-fix-them/

Post a comment here and let me know what you think....

More "Fashion Divas"...

I've been adding to my "Fashion Diva" series and have produced 4 more since my initial post. These divas are painted mostly in oils but I consider them a combination of oils and mixed media because I collage decorative paper on the canvas for background, painted in the girl and any shrubbery or trees, etc. in oils and antiqued the piece in either oils or acrylics.  Let me know what you think....

"Colleen"
(8 x 10 - oils on canvas/mixed media)
$65










"Sophie"
(9 x 12 - oils on canvas/mixed media)









 

"Debbie"
(8 x 10 - oils on canvas/mixed media)










"Jodi"
(8 x 10 - oils on canvas/mixed media)

Happy Mardi Gras!

I live in south Louisiana and today is a local holiday, Mardi Gras. The terms "Mardi Gras" or "Mardi Gras Season" refer to Carnival celebrations beginning on or after Epiphany and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday.  "Mardi Gras" is French for Fat Tuesday, referring to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which begins on Ash Wednesday. Popular practices include wearing masks and costumes, social balls, dancing, sports competitions, parades, etc.

 I've painted a "Mask" series that is right in step with the local theme this time of the year.


"Cat Mask"
(12 x 12 - oils on canvas)

"Maple Leaf Mask"
(11 x 14 - oils on canvas)

"Green and Gold Mask"
(11 x 14 - oils on canvas)












"Purple and Gold Mask"
(11 x 14 - oils on canvas)

Bird Series

I've added another addition to my "Bird Series".  This little guy is a Ruby-Throated Hummingbird, commonly found in North America. 


"Ruby-Throated Hummingbird"
(6 x 6 - oil on canvas board)

Sister-in-Law Fun!

I often visit with my sister-in-law Joanie, who is also an artist.  We love to discuss art, share ideas, techniques and visit local art exhibits, but we have never painted together.  We got together this week to set up a new blog for her.  After the blog preliminaries were completed, we decided to paint together.  We collaborated and came up with an idea we both loved.  I'm sure Joanie will be posting her completed piece on her new blog soon.  I'm sharing the two I completed thus far.  More to follow...

P. S.  Please let me know what you think...

"Anne"
8 x 10 oil on canvas/mixed media
SOLD

"Mona"
8 x 10 oil on canvas/mixed media