Eskimo Kiss

40x30" oil on canvas, email me for more information

I find plenty of inspiration in all the hoopla surrounding Valentines Day: the persuasion, the wooing, the seduction, the moment the earth shifts and, of course, the aftermath. All ingredients of a great love story. The backgrounds of my paintings are thick, saturated pigment mixed with a wax medium and applied like frosting with a palette knife. I draw back into the paint adding words, symbols and sketches and, in this painting there are little hidden love notes scratched into the paint as well. Clearly, I have a penchant for whimsical, narrative and slightly twisted art. And an uncontrollable fondness for the color red.

More lovers (and other strangers) on my website.

Milton Moonlights As A Juggler Of Hearts

5x7", acrylic, collage and mixed media on paper

Two weeks until Valentine's Day. Or as my son calls it "Singles Awareness Day". Either way, Milton might just be the perfect gift for your sweetheart.

Wanna see some more? Hop on over to my online store where you'll find several available small format original paintings. Perfect for gifts. Or there's always prints, available in my Imagekind Gallery. You can choose from different sizes, paper or canvas, framed or unframed. The quality is top notch!

Just think of it as a little insurance against celebrating "SAD" next Valentine's Day.

$100 + 8 shipping

Valentino Was Curiously Smitten

5x7", acrylic, collage and mixed media on paper

At the risk of being completely and unabashedly schmaltzy I am going to paint hearts until the cows come home. Well, at least for the next two weeks.

(I can hear my friend Maite retching now...) Suck it up, girlfriend--'tis the season! These ain't no Hallmark Valentines, after all. These are for the folks that want/need a little twisted whimsy for that special someone.

These paintings are a combination of acrylic, collage and mixed media on heavy duty professional watercolor paper. They are all matted to 8x10" (standard frame size) with a white archival mat and come in a clear protective bag.

 $100 + 8 shipping

Love Is In The Air

5x7", acrylic, collage and mixed media on paper

You may be wondering where I have been...well, I just took a little time to recover from the YFH (Year From Hell). But now, I am back in the saddle, sketchbooks filled with new ideas just waiting to come alive on the canvas--or paper. Like this piece for Valentine's Day. The series of angels on paper that I painted for Christmas was so popular (ie: sold like hotcakes) that I am going to continue with Valentine images.

These paintings are a combination of acrylic, collage and mixed media on heavy duty professional watercolor paper. They are all matted to 8x10" (standard frame size) with a white archival mat and come in a clear protective bag.

A perfect gift for your Funny Valentine.

$100 + 8 shipping 

A Spot Of Bother In The Garden

Prints Available

This is quite possibly the painting I get the most inquiries about. Long ago sold, but available as giclee prints on canvas or paper from Imagekind. I have been very impressed with the quality and fast turnaround. And the price is just right for your Secret Santa gift!

Here's what I wrote about this piece when I first painted it and it bears repeating: My early education was mostly dictated by the nuns. Actually, the Sisters of Charity, God love 'em. And, as a result of said education, I had a lot of questions as a kid. Still do. There's some mystery surrounding the whole situation with Adam and Eve and the snakey guy with the apple. It could've all been so different....Like why did Eve get all the blame? Couldn't Adam show a little chutzpah and think it through first? I mean it was an apple...come on! Some of these themes show up in my work all these years later. I'm still working it out. But I like exploring some of the more bizarre concepts that were passed off as fact and truth to the little reverent Catholic kids who were actually just scared out of their bloomers. So thanks to the Sisters (of Charity) for giving me plenty of material to work with.

I couldn't be more proud that the original "Spot Of Bother" hangs in the home of a very special couple, Laurie and Bob. My hope is that it has brought joy and light into their world.

Curmudgeon

5x5" monotype and mixed media

I just have a couple of these monotypes left--printed on paper and mounted on wood, the sides are painted red (no need to frame). Hoping to have a printmaking session with my daughter while she is home for her winter break. I think she will be able to teach her mom a few new tricks after a semester of printmaking in school.

If you are looking for a gift of original art hop on over to my online store. I have many affordable, small format paintings and a few angel ornaments left. Ho Ho Ho!

Price: $100 + free shipping

Center Of His Own Attention

24x36" oil on canvas

If it's Thursday it must be Print Day. On Thursdays I am featuring paintings that sold while the paint was still wet. The pieces that were snatched up the minute they were posted. But no worries, I have made them available as prints.

I have partnered up with Imagekind to offer some of my most popular paintings as prints: big prints and little prints, prints on canvas and framed prints--all at very reasonable (ie: gift-giving) prices. I have been very impressed with the quality of the prints I have ordered from Imagekind and I think you will too. From now until Christmas, I will be featuring one painting every week-now available as a print. If you'd like to see all that are available hop on over to my Imagekind Gallery.

Three Wise Guys, #2

30x24" oil on canvas, email for purchase info

Another version of the Three Wise Men. Slightly irreverent but oh, well...maybe next year I'll paint their wives: The Three Wise Women. I'm guessing they'd skip the frankincense and myrrh and bring a casserole instead. Just sayin'.

Hop on over to my website to see more of my paintings and if you're interested in gift-size pieces for the holidays, check out my online store. Ho Ho Ho!

Three Wise Guys #1

12x16" oil on canvas, SOLD

aka: The Three Wise Men. Just a little twisted holiday humor. I have a weird fascination with the Wise Men...I like to paint a new version every year. Tomorrow's post: The Wise Guys #2.

In the meantime, the angel ornaments are flying out the door. If you are considering purchasing one (or a family of angels) now's the time. Stop by my blog for a detailed description and the ever-easy Buy Now button. Each one is hand-painted by yours truly and sells for $25. 'Tis the season!

Limited Edition Angel Ornaments

5.5x6.5" oil on wood

I have a thing for Christmas Tree ornaments. I love them! So I have made a limited collection of original hand-painted angel ornaments. Each angel is oil paint on wood, painted on both sides, numbered and signed. The wings and halos are copper wire and the halo is topped off with a bead and a satin ribbon for hanging. Because each ornament is an original painting, they will vary slightly. 

My elves will happily choose the perfect angel for you. All you have to do is decide who is the lucky recipient. Each angel measures 5.5 x 6.5 including wings and the halo. 

Order by December 19 for Christmas delivery. 

Guardian Angel Of The Scatterbrained

10x8" oil on canvas, SOLD, prints available

Ahhh, here's the one that got away. My all-time-favorite angel sold as soon as it was posted last year.  What was I thinking? I wish I had held on to her--heaven knows I could put this angel to work full time these days.

I just ordered myself a print from Imagekind of this painting and a couple of other favorites that sold. The Guardian Angel Of The Scatterbrained and 20 other favorite paintings are available as affordable prints in my Imagekind Gallery. Big prints and little prints, prints on canvas and framed prints--all at very reasonable (ie: gift-giving) prices. The turnaround is quick and the quality is impressive. Know anyone that could use a Guardian Angel?

Angel Of The Wings And Roots

5x7" acrylic and collage on paper, SOLD

Not sure why I am drawn to the whole angel thing this time of year. I grew up Catholic and am still recovering (my apologies to those of you who are still devout and earnest believers). But seriously, there is something so compelling about letting go and believing that there's truly some one/thing out there, bigger than you, that has things under control. So maybe it is a twisted little nod to my Catholic roots that I paint my angels of Divine Intervention this time of year and practice letting go of the wheel--just a wee little bit.

These paintings are a combination of acrylic, collage and mixed media on heavy duty professional watercolor paper. They are all matted to 8x10" (standard frame size) with a white archival mat and come in a clear protective bag.

A perfect gift for someone who could use a little Divine Intervention.

Fair Weather Friend, Out Of The Vault

8x6" oil on canvas, available

Most of my paintings include a bird somewhere on the canvas--some are more obvious than others. Many are hidden in the scratchy background marks. There are several symbols that appear repeatedly in my work: tic-tac-toe games, ladders, chairs, moons, etc. But the bird? Well, he can represent so many things; a versatile little symbol, this guy. Freedom, childhood, the sub-conscious, the voice of reason, escape, my kids...the list goes on. Thinking I should change the name of this blog to Brenda York's Bird A Day. Tweet that!

In honor of Cyber Monday, this painting and 20 other small format pieces (ie: affordable for gift giving) are available in my online store. Take a peek--the elves have been busy! 

$125 + 10.50 shipping

Useless Moon

18x 24", oil on canvas, prints available

There are some paintings that are a real hot commodity--they sell practically the minute I put my brush down. And then for months after, I get more inquiries about that particular painting. I've never been able to figure out what the magic potion is; there are just some paintings that go out into the universe and strike a chord with a whole bunch of people. And this painting, Useless Moon, is one of those. 

So I have partnered up with Imagekind to offer some of my most popular paintings as prints: big prints and little prints, prints on canvas and framed prints--all at very reasonable (ie: gift-giving) prices. I have been very impressed with the quality of the prints I have ordered from Imagekind and I think you will too. From now until Christmas, I will be featuring one hot commodity painting every week-now available as a print. If you'd like to see all that are available hop on over to my Imagekind Gallery.

Heartquakes And Jive

16x20" oil on canvas, email me for purchase information

Just recently finished this piece to add to my series of "Lovers". I usually do the lovey-dovey stuff around Valentine's Day but these two sweethearts jump out at me every time I open my sketchbook. A bit pushy, these two! I really like the colors and the line work done with big fat oil bars--makes me feel like a little kid with those chunky crayons. Here's a detail shot so you can see the line work.

Double Divine

5x7" acrylic and collage on paper, SOLD

This is another in my series of Divine Intervention angels. Sometimes the dirty work of life requires a tag team approach--right? Two angels for the price of one!

These paintings are a combination of acrylic, collage and mixed media on heavy duty professional watercolor paper. They are all matted to 8x10" (standard frame size) with a white archival mat and come in a clear protective bag.

Bones, Out Of The Vault

8x8" oil on canvas

 A while back I painted a series of Fairy Tales for a solo show at a San Diego Gallery. By far, the favorite of most everyone was Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. In addition to the "family portrait" I painted a little mug shot of each of the Dwarfs. And, of course, I couldn't settle for the Disney names so I spent hours (truly...) agonizing over the names. I wanted them to have some relevance to the original names but with a twist. Say hello to Bones (aka: Doc) one of only two remaining (and homeless) dwarfs. Awww....

Here is Snow White in all her glory with those seven little dudes tagging along.

Snow And Her Tribe Of Wee Bitty Boys

36x24" oil on canvas email me for purchase info

To see all of the Fairy Tale paintings visit my website and click on New Work under Portfolio.

"Soft Spot", Out Of The Vault

5x5" monotype and mixed media  

I have taken a couple of printmaking classes with Amber George and learned how to make monotypes. Loved it! It's so different from painting but in many ways, is a very painterly method of printmaking. Each piece is an original--no editions. I made a few of these in class then added to them in my studio with pencil, ink and paint--that's the mixed media bit. I just have a few of these left; hoping to get around to making more very soon. The pieces available now are mounted on 5x5" wood with sides painted red. 

$100 + free shipping

To see more of my artwork please visit my website and my art blog. Enjoy! 

Guardian Angel Of The Empty Pockets

6.5x4.5" acrylic and collage on paper, SOLD

Toward the end of 2008 I started doing a series of Recession Angels. And here I am in 2011 still working with the same theme. Sheesh. I don't know about you, but I am pretty darn sick of the whole financial debacle. I can whine with the best of them but have decided instead to put my own personal juju toward a new series of angelic paintings. Real life angels--not the fluffy, virginal angels. Nope, angels that don't mind dealing with a little scum to get the job done.

These paintings are a combination of acrylic, collage and mixed media on heavy duty professional watercolor paper. They are all matted to 8x10" (standard frame size) with a white archival mat and come in a clear protective bag. A perfect gift for everyone on that long list of yours that is in need of some Divine Intervention!

Guys In Ties #9, The Urbanite

9x12" oil on canvas  

"A well tied tie is the first serious step in life."

Oscar Wilde - wit, poet, dramatist 1854-1900
He tied his first tie at the age of two while wearing a smoking jacket.

$350 + 15.50 shipping

Frank N. Stein

8x6" oil on canvas, SOLD 

My friend and fellow Daily Painter, Chris Beck challenged several of her artist friends to do a special painting for Halloween. I, of course, went through many pages in my sketchbook of pumpkins, witches and black cats. But ultimately Frank won me over--lovable and creepy at the same time. And a really good excuse to paint a guy with a ghoulish-green face. Scary stuff, right? Hop on over to Chris Beck's blog or Pablo Villicana Lara's blog to see all the Halloween paintings created by this group of talented and diverse painters or you can visit each artist's individual blog for a real treat. Happy Halloween!

Artists participating in the Halloween Challenge: 

Janet Belich

Debbie Cannatella

R. Garriott

Jeanette Jobson

Ron Morrison

Diahn Ott

Suzy Pal Powell

Terry Rafferty

Kay Smith

Deb Ward

Brenda York

A Spider Beside Her

8x6" oil on canvas 

Funny thing: I've done several paintings of Little Miss Muffet. Makes me look like one of those people that keep pet tarantulas in little pink cages in their bedrooms. But really? I'm pretty much a weenie about spiders--so maybe I'm just working out my issues with the Arachnid Nation. Here's some of my previous spider offerings just in time for Halloween.

$125 + 10.50 shipping

Little Miss M. Makes Peace With The Arachnid Nation

36x24" oil on canvas, available on my website

I really had to face my fears in painting this one--I don't have much integrity when it comes to spiders. In fact, I act all girly. Not a pretty sight. But my daughter has convinced me that we should not smash them in an act of pure power over nature. No, we should lovingly catch and re-direct them to the out-of-doors because they were here first. So she and I are spiders re-directors which requires a lot of squealing and flapping of the hands. It's a tough job. So even though this is a painting of Little Miss Muffet, it's also a little bit me. Our secret.

L. M. Muffett

8x8" oil on canvas, SOLD  

Seriously...anyone who accuses me of making "cute" paintings surely hasn't seen this one. Little Miss Muffett is one of my favorite subjects. Creepy little lady. Creepy little spider. Cute? I think not!

Along Came A Spider

16x12" oil on canvas, sold 

I find great joy in painting the people that collect my paintings. They already have an appreciation for my art and, other than a few little directives, they usually give me free reign. The best of all worlds. Take this guy, for instance. He and his wife own several of my pieces. In fact, so devoted are they, an entire room was repainted in their home to work with my paintings. He and his wife had seen my painting of Little Miss Muffett and loved it because he is a spider aficionado. So his lovely wife commissioned this portrait of Mr. Muffett for his birthday yesterday. Which is also her birthday. And their wedding anniversary! I hope the day was spectacular Donel and Robin and thanks for including my art in your celebration! I am honored.

Chatterbox Is All Ears

6x6" oil on canvas, SOLD

I am often asked where I get my inspiration and, at the risk of squashing the ever-romantic notion that artists are the targets of golden nuggets of genius randomly dropping from the skies, I give you one of my all time favorite quotes from a brilliant working artist:

 

"Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just show up and get to work." --Chuck Close

And that's pretty much how I do it. Somedays the art gods smile down upon me. And somedays just plain suck.  But I keep showing up...

Wanna see more? Check out my website for the latest in my larger paintings.

Color Blind And Featherbrained

8x6" oil on canvas, SOLD 

Blinded by color is more like it, these days. I am a test subject in UCSD's Department of Psychology Synesthesia Studies. Yep, I'm a bona fide synesthete (and proud of it). So I've been going to the campus for experiments and tests--I think they are going to try to re-program my color/number connections while I am hypnotized. I have color-graphemic synesthesia; I perceive certain numbers as colors. Seriously--you can't make this stuff up!

Not sure what synesthesia is? There's a good lay person explanation on Wikipedia. I'm guessing that some of my artist friends out there are also synesthetes--true? Let me know. Definitely going on my resumé!

Margo, Queen Of The Bird Bots

12x6" acrylic and mixed media on paper, SOLD 

My son, the college graduate and creative writing major, has many great works of literature under his belt. He has always loved to read. If you ask him to list his all time favorite books, Stuart Little is still in the top ten. And Margo will always be one of his favorite characters. So this is a twisted little nod to Margo and to Zac and to the joy of the great books of childhood.

To see more of my artwork please visit my website. Enjoy!