It's the Eyes

Well, I just can't seem to get off this theme at the moment. It's partly because I have 'artist's block'. But this process is so enjoyable, and that's part of the point, isn't it?

Colored pencil on drafting film, 8.5 x 11".

Tabby

I am happy with this one! Another with colored pencil on drafting film. This is incredibly fun to do. I do believe it is a million hairs. 8.5" x 11"

Such a Baby

Such a fuzzy guy. Wanted to try another one on drafting film. This one about 7" x 7" in colored pencil. Photo came out a bit intense and contrasty, but there are a lot of colors used in the hair.

Tiny Tiny

It's been a while, heh?
Tiny little orange in gouache. 3 1/2 inches square. Last one I did was 40". This was easier.

Pony Shed

I wanted to do something looser in pastel. This is 11" x 21" and is an old shed in some nearby woods. I see, now, the photo posted is too dark where some of the inner shed does not show detail. I'll fix that tomorrow.

Christmas Jewel

Small pastel at 4" x 6" for holiday Small Treasures show.

Among the Flowers

Floral overload! I had this idea that I would just go 'all out' with flowers on flowers. That last 6 square inches was a bear to finish.

16" x 17" in Pastel.

All Done!

I think I am finished. What fun! Totally different experience working on the drafting film. Would not work for all subject matter, but wonderful for fur.

New materials and technique WIP

Been reading about using colored pencils on drafting film. Whoa! It's like butter... This is 9" x9" and is a WIP. Just thought I would share.

The surface is divine.

Sewanee

Okay. One more. Sorta' into an animal frenzy at the moment before I figure out what's "the next big thing".



12" x 16' soft pastel.

Quincy Man

This is Quincy. The Papillion. Happiest dog in the world. I wanted to try out a new sample of the Richeson pastel paper. The background was a rust color, a perfect fit for the Man.
Only 5" x 7". Soft Pastels.

My Eyes Adore You

This is Mudball, our standard poodle who has since passed on. A large crazy gal, that wasn't into haircuts. This pastel on velour, 14" x 13".

Dining In Two

I did this subject last year in oil, and wanted to try it in pastel. A departure from my usual approach, with lots of multi-color hatch work to achieve color and tone. 12" x 11".

And as I notice now, I seem to have a lower right corner that needs some pastel!

The Trace

The Natchez Trace Parkway, makes its way through Tennessee to Mississippi and is just 'down the road a piece'.

Pastel 17 x 10".

The Loveless Motel

Perhaps one of the most famous places to eat in Nashville, TN. Remember, those state highway motel motor courts, with all the little separate buildings in a semi-circle, each with a motel room inside? This restaurant remains and serves the best biscuits, preserves, and country ham.

18 x 24 pastels

Classic Caddy

I am finally pleased to say this is finished. A long and winding road. But I really enjoyed this one. The grille was a little tedious, and by the time I hit the fourth headlight, it was deja vu.

More on the Grille

This has maybe ceased to be exciting, as this is just one more step. Haven't worked on it much lately, but this weekend... watch out! Sometimes it gets difficult on the downhill side....
But now we have most of the grille and another headlight...

Tennessee Lily

Not a new one, but did some touch ups and now will get this one framed. Small 8 x 8 pastels.

Happy 4th!

More on the Caddy

Making some progress here on the 1930s Cadillac. I have a finished bumper in the lower left and half a grille. Onward...

Cherry Bowl II

I did this in oils a while back.... but had to take a break from the Caddy below. So this was looser and faster and fun. Terrible photo... too soft. (good camera is with the son this weekend)

1930s Cadillac WIP

Well it would seem that it has been awhile since I posted. Am onto another car. Gorgeous vintage Caddy that is in pastel... about 30 x 20. I must say the grille is taking some time....

Finish Line!

In more ways than one.


At last. Stay tuned... there's gonna' be another car coming soon. Glutton for punishment.

Another Car WIP

Just thought I would share a WIP on another car piece. This one is 18" x 18" in pastel on Wallis. Am enjoying this one.

And later today...

40 Inches of Horsepwer

Nothing like tackling a big 'un.
40" x 40" oil on canvas. I love doing all that glass and metal.

Siddhartha

It's been a while, heh? Life got in the way.
Small 8 x 10 oil on canvas.

Bob Who is Always Annoyed

Not a new one. But I finally got off my duff and took it to the framer today. Pastel. I can't remember the size. Maybe about 20-24" wide.

Bob is handsome but not the social type except maybe once a month. Looks like a lion and just cringes at being touched. He's a case.

Tennessee Dogwood

24" x 36" acrylic on canvas. Larger and looser. The dogwoods are in bloom now and this tree is in my front yard.

Bragging on the Son

Just a bragging moment for the son's photos. He's 17 and a young man possessed by cars and the camera (as it relates to cars).

I think he's really getting good and has an eye for it. He's gotten very consistent in the quality now.

Please note, the camera interest has not extended past the car thing yet. LOL

This also explains why, sometimes I can't take pictures of my paintings. Guess who's got the good camera?

So there ya' are. Proud mom.

Bouquet

20 x 20 acrylic on canvas. Time to cover an old canvas with something playful.

You Say Tomato...

Ah HA! More plastic but this time with pastels (my fave!). I could work on this forever and it's not as tight as I might have liked.

14" x 14"

The Redhead No. 2

6" x 6" oil. Just playin' around since haven't had much time to really paint lately.

Orange Wrap

I just took off with that plastic bag idea - a wild idea. So did a plastic wrapped canvas.

12" x 12" oil on cradled art board.

Lemon Twist

The ol' lemons in the plastic bag trick. I really enjoyed doing this one. This is the kind of painting where you can keep going and going... there's always one more spot to do. I think I will do some more of these, as I am captivated by the plastic.

Glory Be

Enjoyed doing the fabric on the shirt, so this was a chance for more fabric and folds...
12" x 12" oil on artboard

The Redhead

Ever have avoidance mechanisms come into play? This was an evening computer-generated delaying tactic. I did three! I just could not paint - it was way too late, or so it seemed at the time.

Afternoon Delight

12 x 12 oil on cradled board. Loved doing the cloth and the bit of glimmer on the watch.

The Blue and the Gray

This small 12 x 12 oil is an historic building on Main Street in Franklin, TN, a town with Civil War origins. The painting will hang in ElmTree Gallery right across the street from the drugstore. The store is long gone, but the sign remains.

Bye, Bye Miss American Pie

Okay. One more. This song just stuck in my head, so what was one to do? Every single thing in the painting reflects some portion of the lyrics in the song.

8" x 8" mixed media on gesso board.

Dawn's Early Light

Got a bee in my bonnet after the last post, so made a diptych.


Each are 8" x 8" on gessoboard, mixed media.

The Rockets' Red Glare

I'm in the process of finishing up a rather tight, realistic painting and it's taking a while. So in the meantime, a little rebellion against studied concentration. It's fun to let 'er rip.

8" x 8" mixed media on gessoboard.

Have a Cold One

Had a busy week with no painting to show for it. So, I am posting one from a series of 6 of things we drink everyday.

12" x 12" oil on wrapped canvas.

At Ease

My son's shoes are cool, with the two tone canvas and looked like they'd make a good subject for a painting.

12" x12" oil on cradled board.

Vintage

A wild and crazy experiment. I enjoy doing ink drawings, although I don't post many of them on the blog. I was ready to paint this as a realistic oil (which I will still do), and got the hair-brained idea to do the ink drawing on cradled art board and color it with acrylics. Best part - no glass or framing required.

Perhaps the technique will have interesting possiblities... who knows.

6" x 6"

Dirigibles Disguised as Starfruit

Such an interesting fruit, that looks like little dirigibles to me.

6" x 6" in oil on cradled board.

It Was Mom's

This was my Mother's favorite little coffee pot, an old drip-style model that predated those new-fangled percolators. Made just 2 cups. I keep it in the cupboard and can't bear to let it go.

6" x 6" oil on cradled board.

The Blues

6" x 6" in oil. I got these for Christmas several years back when I thought I wanted to learn to play. Heh.