Sunflower III

This latest sunflower is done on velour pastel paper.  The surface is so rich and holds the brightness of the pastels very well.  I've definitely been in a pastel mood lately.  This is the second of four recent paintings done in pastel.  I've worn my sticks down to nubs now and need to go shopping!  

                                           "In Bloom"

I've been out of town painting with friends on Lake Buchanan.  What fun - a girls slumber party and paint out all at the same time.  This is a pastel on velour paper.  It's the first time I've painted on this surface and it is so luxurious.  It's a challenge because you can't erase anything once you've touched the pastel to the surface, but the reward is how the pastels glow on the surface.  Hope y'all like it.

"Family"

I went away a couple of weeks ago to a fabulous workshop given by Nick Simmons.  I managed to finish 3 paintings and this is the first one.  This was painted entirely in acrylics but used in a watercolor technique.Hope this post works since BlogSpot has once again changed formats and it looks totally foreign to me now.  Oh well.

"Frost Twilight"

I snapped a photo of the Frost building one night from the 6th floor of the Hilton. The sun was setting and there was some great bounce of colors and light hitting the building. I decided I needed to do another Austin skyline painting from a different perspective. This one has just won a Merit Award at the Waterloo Watercolor Society. The exhibit will hang at the Corridor of Arts in the old Chase Bank building downtown from mid April to June.

"Medicine Man'

Well here's something different! There was something special about a guy who's willing to wear a dead bird on his head. He captured my imagination and off I went. I'm back to experimenting again with some different techniques. You never know what I'll come up with next. Stayed tuned. This one is a half sheet watercolor.

"Austin Skyline" - SOLD

Latest update: This painting just won Best in Show at the 2012 Image Exhibit! I was beyond thrilled. Then the day before the exhibit opened it sold. I'm a happy camper!!!

After my previous intense workshop week with Judy Greenberg I came away and painted this one. It utilizes several "techniques" Judy taught us during our workshop. I got a brief start on it during her class but it took another 2 weeks to complete it at home. There are probably 30+ layers of watercolor on this painting. Each one must dry before adding the next. Hope you enjoy it.

"Backyard Sunset" - SOLD

Thank you Tom for your recent purchase of 4 paintings!!! I am honored that you are now enjoying them in your home. Thanks for all the great comments and continued support.

The above is an acrylic painting I had fun painting representing my back yard. I spend a fair amount of time on my studio deck and look out at the trees and creek while contemplating my paintings. One day after sitting out there I just went inside and painted this mental impression.

Abstract Silk - SOLD

Thank you Steve!!! You are my number one best client. Not only is your house beautiful, it's just chocked full of my original paintings. You're the best!!!!!

"Cataclysm" - FIRST PLACE WINNER

Update: This painting just won First Place in the Waterloo Fall Juried Show!! I'm so excited. Our juror was national watercolorist Judy Greenberg. The opening reception and awards will be presented Sunday, November 6th at the Northwest Hills Gallery. Yippee.

Sorry to take so long to post again. I've been really involved with the Round Rock Arts group and all the great upcoming events. I wish I had more hours in each day or an assistant. Ha This is another full on abstract creation that combines watercolor, ink, painted collage papers and some calligraphy. I had a great deal of fun painting it; now it's time to share. I hope you enjoy it too. BTW, please mark your calendars for next weekend's 2nd Annual Chalk Walk event. The streets will be blocked off and hundreds of artists will be in town painting the streets. There's a great plein air art exhibit at ArtSpace, so stop in and take a look. We are turning in to a real artsy town!!!

"Primitive Matter"

The sounds of old music playing in the background, a quiet mind and a paintbrush in hand . . Primitive Matter is born. This is a watercolor/collage 15 x 23 abstract that just came out of ??? Hope you enjoy it.