Earthling

10x8"oil on canvas, $135

This quirky guy has been waiting patiently in my sketchbook for sometime now. I often like the sketch so much, I feel like I couldn't possibly like the painting more. So I just keep some of these wacky people tucked away for a day short on inspiration or, more likely, short on time. Here's a peek inside my sketchbook at Earthling in his infant stage and another fellow waiting for his chance at the "Big Canvas".

$135 + 10.50 shipping (I'll even throw in a print of the sketch!)

Tinker Boy

20x16" oil on canvas, purchase info on my website

Well, as usual, summer is crazy-busy around here. And I find it just a bit challenging to paint in the middle of the circus...although "the circus" provides no shortage of material for upcoming paintings, for now many of those ideas are tucked away in my sketchbooks. I am busily working on some large pieces for my Fairy Tales show in October and getting ready for an exhibit in July...and all the while, it's summer! Kids, dogs, family...the circus. Daily paintings? Well, I'll give it my best shot. In the meantime I'm recycling some past favorites that deserve a second look. Summertime...and the livin' is easy.

Kindred Spirits

24x36" oil on canvas, email me for purchase info

I actually finished this painting a long time ago...probably in January. I've just been tripping all over myself trying to name it. I'm still not sure I got it right. But, for now, these two are "Kindred Spirits". In a couple of days this painting will be up on my website where you can get a much larger view. I hope you'll stop by and take a peek!

City Dweller

8x6" oil on canvas, $100

I tried something new with this painting. I wanted just a bit of sparkle in the abstract cityscape in the background so I added a tiny bit of gold leaf. Pretty fancy, huh? I like the way it looks but of course, the photo doesn't do it justice. So you'll have to take my word for it--it's quite snazzy!

$100 + 10.50 shipping

Trio Magnifico

12x16" oil on canvas, SOLD

This painting was commissioned by Alyssa and her brother, Marc and her sister, Elizabeth for their mom's birthday (today!) Their mother was raised in Florence, Italy and is 100% Italian (hence, the painting's name). Buon compleanna, tanti auguri, Adriana!

Bye Bye Birdie

8x6" oil on canvas, $100

I love this painting. Sometimes the experience of making the painting is sheer bliss. And then it's impossible to separate the art from the joy of making the art. All the planets align just perfectly and THE painting just spews out of your brain. It's a rare and beautiful thing...

$100 + 10.50 shipping

Marvin, de-Throned

6x8" oil on canvas, $100

It might be hard to believe, but I can paint pretty. Pretty people. Pretty things. Pretty pictures. I just don't find them terribly compelling. I much prefer the twisted and funky little people lurking in the shadows. Characters with a story. A little dark history is so much more enchanting and full of possibilities...

$100 + 10.50 shipping

OUT OF THE VAULT: Sweet 4 U

 

8x6" oil on canvas $100

Another little "orphan" painting hanging around my studio, gathering dust. Looking for a good home...

$100 + 10.50 shipping

OUT OF THE VAULT: Fishin' For Love

 

8x6" oil on canvas $100

One of my favorites painted a few months ago and still hanging around my studio. Hoping this little guy finds a good home (and a little love)...

$100 + 10.50 shipping

Short Stuff

10x8" oil on canvas, $150

Feeling just a tad squatty lately; It has happened the past few summers when both of my kids are out of school and hanging around at home more. They tower above me. When did that happen? Geez! Then throw my two step-kids in the mix and I really look like mini-mom. They are all 6 feet or over except my baby, Cammy, and she's 5'11" and still growing. They just love to come up behind me when I'm straining on the step-stool to reach the jar of honey on the top shelf of the kitchen cabinet. They like to let me struggle for a few moments and then, with the greatest of ease, they will effortlessly pluck the honey jar from the shelf. Hmmm...guess I could move that honey jar down to the bottom shelf. Well, I might be short but I'm no slouch.

$150+ 11.50 shipping

The Long Way Home

10x8" oil on canvas

I just learned that this painting was juried into the 1Foot Show at the San Diego Art Institute. Wait, there’s more…Bad Boiz was selected for the Regional Show, also at the San Diego Art Institute.

Bad Boiz, 24x36" oil on canvas

Both exhibits run from June 5 through July 12 and the opening reception is on Friday evening, June 12 from 6-8pm. If you’re in Southern California, I hope you’ll drop in and catch a glimpse of some of the most interesting art in the area and enjoy a little wine with the artists. And a big thank you to juror, Larry Baza from Noel-Baza Fine Art/India Street Gallery in Little Italy. One of San Diego’s finest galleries.

Birthday Suit

8x6" oil on canvas, $135

I am often asked where I get my inspiration. I think inspiration is a mysterious and fuzzy concept to artists and non-artists (normal people?) alike. One of my favorite artists, Chuck Close, has this to say on the subject: "Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just show up and get to work." Amen to that!

$135 + 10.50 shipping

Bird Tricks

8x10" oil on canvas $150

Among pet lovers there's a small but exclusive sub-set of bird owners that actually teach their birds tricks. Impossible, you say? Well, I guess you've never seen a bird do a somersault. Some people just have a lot of free time on their hands.

$150 + 11.50 shipping

OUT OF THE VAULT: Daydreamers

 

5x5" oil on canvas, $100

With this post I'm trying something new. See that little PayPal button at the bottom? I'm making it easier to buy my Daily Paintings. Now, if one of my pieces tickles your fancy you don't have to go to my online store. You don't even have to have a PayPal account. You can pay with any of your credit cards--easy! And guess what? We'll both be just a little happier. A big welcome to all my new subscribers! Enjoy the view!

$100 + 10.50 shipping

Fly Away With Me

20x24" oil on canvas, SOLD

I just finished this commission last week for Gloria and Simon. Unlike most portrait painters, I gather a lot of personal details along with plenty of photographs. In fact, I like to begin the process with an “interview” of my subjects to get a feel for their relationship to each other, some quirky details about their history and a few clues about their life experiences. Like Gloria and Simon. They are world travelers. I worked with a photo taken of the two of them in Monet’s Garden and collaged in world maps as the leaves on the trees. In the background I draw and scratch in words and symbols that I have gathered from my interview. So the final painting holds many secrets that you can really only appreciate when viewed up close. Kinda like most people, huh? To check out these little secret messages there is a nifty magnifier on my website that gives you a clear picture of the backgrounds. If you are interested in commissioning me to do a portrait of you or your family, email me for my current price list.

OUT OF THE VAULT : Tootin' My Own Horn

8x10" oil on canvas, SOLD

OK, so in the spirit of "good marketing practices" and, in spite of the fact that I'm not so comfortable doing this, I'm going to brag a little bit. Just a tad. This past weekend I participated in the North Park Festival of the Arts here in San Diego and I received three awards! Yep, three: Best Painting, People's Choice and Best in Show. Wow! How cool is that? Sometimes that little bit of fairy dust is just what you need to get things rolling. I've been so busy with two Art Festivals in three weeks, my son coming home from Italy, my daughter's end of junior year college search, SAT's, prom and general teenager stuff and, then, my own work: finishing one commission and starting a new one this week. It's all good. But I'm feeling like I've neglected my daily paintings lately. So stay tuned. My sketchbooks are filled to the brim with new ideas for paintings and I'm raring to go!

Mom E. & Dearest

10x8" oil on canvas, $150

Yet another Mother’s Day painting. I’m not really one to sugar-coat the whole Mother’s Day “holiday” in my artwork (Hallmark’s definitely not knocking on my door). Big surprise, huh? I mean the flowers and the gifts and breakfast in bed are truly wonderful but what I really want is a nap. And a good book and time to read my good book. And then something made by the hands of my children. That’s all…well, maybe a “Get out of Jail Free” card on dinner duties for a whole week. Now there’s an idea for a Mother’s Day card. Pay attention, Hallmark!

$150 + 11.50 shipping

Mama Mia

10x8" oil on canvas, SOLD

This little painting is my yearly nod to Mother's Day (happy day to all my mom friends) and a little shout-out to Bruna. She was my son, Zac's mom-away-from-mom while he spent a semester in Italy. He lived with her for four months and I think she spoiled him just a tad (said with expressive hand motions). She spoke no English but Zac speaks some Italian. But she mothered him well with homemade pasta, white tablecloths and warm milk in the morning. Yep. La dolce vita. Grazie, Bruna. And Happy Mother's Day. Thanks for taking care of my boy.

Finders Keepers

5x5" oil on canvas, SOLD

...losers weepers. OK, just a little juvenile, I know. But I'm starting to develop a new series for a show in October based on fairy tales and kid-lore. Like finders, keepers-losers, weepers...that kind of thing. It's six months away, but I'm doing all new large format paintings so it's going to take a good chunk of time to produce. Right now, I'm in the concept stage, trying to channel my inner-kid and remember all those weird little things kids say to each other and some of my favorite, twisted fairy tales. I'm open for suggestions. I double-dog dare ya!

OUT OF THE VAULT: Bad Boiz

24x36" oil on canvas, purchase info on my website

Ahhh....I've been basking in the afterglow of ArtWalk for the past two days. It was a great weekend; some of my favorite collectors-now-friends came by, I met so many people that GET my art (not everybody does and that's OK--really) and the weather gods were on their best behavior. These Bad Boiz were the big draw this year. Seems everyone has a "bad boy" in their family and I heard all their stories. This particular piece was inspired by a story my daughter told me about what her brother and his friend did to her dolls when they were little kids. Maybe my next painting should be about the time he put her in the rabbit cage...

Robin Red Breast

10x8" oil on canvas, SOLD

Back in the Midwest, where I grew up, the first sign of summer was catching a glimpse of the resplendent robin red breast. Guess you could say the same is true here, in San Diego, only you'd have to look for Robin at Black's Beach. If you're in San Diego this weekend and looking for Robin, she's probably hanging out with me in Little Italy at ArtWalk, booth #525. tweet....

Nigel Was A Plucky Bird

5x5" oil on canvas, $100

Keeping it short tonight as I am up to my ears in ArtWalk prep...prints, S-hooks, grids, frames, mailings, postcards, archival bags, painting labels, wires, banners, signs, interviews, credit card knuckle-buster, inventory sheets, price lists, business cards, brochures.....and so it goes. But wait a minute! All I really want to do is paint....(drowning in details tonight.)

$100 + 10.50 shipping

Rank And File, #1 and 2

 

 

 15x34" (each piece), oil on recycled kitchen cabinet doors, 

email me for purchase info

Yep, that's right...these are my old kitchen cabinet doors. I just couldn't let them go to waste. And they look pretty cool adorned with my colorful people. I left the background mat black so it almost looks like a chalkboard and it makes the colors so vibrant. I'd love to sell them as a diptych; they look great hanging side by side. If you'd like to get a close up look at this piece or any of my paintings, for that matter, I'll be at ArtWalk this weekend in Little Italy, here in San Diego, booth #525 on Date Street. Hope to see you there!

Flight Of Fancy

24x24" oil on canvas, wire, ribbon

I created this piece to be auctioned off for ArtReach, a non-profit organization here in San Diego that offers on-site visual art workshops for K-6 students. Of course, with all the budget cuts, art is the first thing to go. So ArtReach is a much needed program and I am glad to help out. The good folks at Mission Federal ArtWalk are the brains behind this program and are holding the auction, The Art of the Kite, at this year's ArtWalk, April 25 & 26. My kite, along with kites from several other artists will be included in the silent auction. All proceeds benefit ArtReach. How cool is that?

Here's a close-up view:

Oh, and one more thing...

I have been honored with the "Passion for Painting Award"

by artist Linda Apple. Check out her blog to see her beautiful paintings.

As with most things, there are rules that go along with receiving this award:

-List 7 things you love

-Link to the artist that chose you

-Choose 7 other artists to receive the award

-Notify each artist of their award

So, here are 7 things I love:

My off-the-wall crazy family. You may have noticed they provide much inspiration

My inner sanctum of best-ever girlfriends

Petey and Nellie

Books (you can never have too many)

Organic strawberries and Greek yogurt

72% dark chocolate, imported from Belgium

Painting. Everything about it-

the smell, the sound of my brush on the canvas and every color, planned or accidental. Love it!

Here are seven artists whose work is flat out amazing to me:

(I hope you'll take a moment to visit their sites--it's a trip worth taking!)

Beth Bojarski

Melissa Peck

Squeak Carnwath

Mark Gould

Lynn Whipple

Andrea Zuill

Paul Balmer

Hush Puppy

10x8" oil on canvas, SOLD

Well, I'm back in the saddle...back from my road trip with my daughter and counting down the days until ArtWalk. It's only 12 days away...yikes! It's one of my favorite art events of the year. Great people, interesting and diverse artists, beautiful artwork, music, food and, best of all, it's located in Little Italy in fabulous San Diego. It just doesn't get much better than that! If you are in Southern California (or planning a visit), mark your calendars for Saturday and Sunday, April 25 & 26, noon to 6pm. And it's free. I'll have plenty of small format paintings and some of my new larger paintings, prints and info about commissions (yes, I do commissions...). I'll be in booth #525 on Date Street between India and Columbia. Hope to see you there!