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.

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!

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!

LoveBirds (Out Of The Vault)

5x5" oil on canvas, SOLD

Yep, like it or not, the Holidays are quick approaching. What better gift than one of a kind original art? In addition to these "Lovebirds" I have several small, affordable pieces available in my online store. At the top of my blog, click on the BUY tab and then the Daily Paintings link. 

I also have prints available of a few of my all time favorite paintings that have sold. I have carefully chosen some of the more popular pieces and have made them available on Imagekind. They make high quality prints on paper or canvas. I have been very impressed with their work and I encourage you to take a look at my Print Gallery in case one of your favorite paintings got away. It just might be available as a print.


And don't forget to visit my website to check out my newest paintings in larger format. Enjoy!

Truth Or Lie?

6x12" acrylic and mixed media on paper

To those of you who pay attention to my artwork and my crazy little blog, you've probably noticed a scarcity of offerings from yours truly of late. It's been a very rough summer--make that a rough year. Not conducive to creative output in either words or pictures. But I am happy to report that I am slowly getting "back in the saddle" and will be sharing some new pieces that I consider little mutations of my usual work. I hope you like them and thanks for waiting for me!

Message From The Wild Side

12x12" oil on canvas, email me for purchase info

This piece was done a few weeks ago before the sh*t hit the fan. I've been trying to get back in the swing of things ever since I have returned home from the Midwest but I can't seem to clear my head (or my desk) enough to light that creative fire. One thing I know for sure (channeling Oprah, here...) is that stress is creativity's worst enemy and "the only way around is through." Thank you Mr. Frost. So for now, I'm just wading through and hoping to be back at my easel by the end of the week. Fingers crossed.

Whispering Smith Flies The Coop

8x6" oil on canvas, sold

For those of you that have noticed my absence I can assure you that I have not run off to a deserted island--although the idea has crossed my mind more than once lately. No, I have been in Kansas City, taking care of my mother who recently underwent open-heart surgery. It's been a rough road and we're not at the end yet.

I have received many kind messages from so many of you who actually pay attention to my blog and noticed that I was MIA. I do appreciate your concern and wish I could respond to each email. Thank you for patiently waiting for my quirky little paintings to re-appear.

For now, I will be posting a few new pieces that I finished before I left and also some favorites "Out of the Vault" that deserve a second look. As for this piece, if you are wondering about Whispering Smith check out what I wrote about him in 2007.

Check out my online store to see other available small format paintings and my website to see my larger pieces. Enjoy!

Fair Weather Friend

8x6" oil on canvas, available here 

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!

Paramour

6x6" oil on canvas, SOLD

Just returned from seeing Midnight In Paris and felt that this was the perfect painting to post in my afterglow. The line work in this painting was done with oil bars to give it that primitive appearance along with the scratchy marks I make in the backgrounds of all my paintings. 

What? You hadn't noticed that? Ahh...that's where I write little secrets, love-notes, grocery lists, lyrics to my studio music, pretend algebra equations and little drawings of robots and unfinished tic, tac, toe games. If you click on this painting on the Daily PaintWorks website there is a wonderful little magnifier that allows you to get a close up view of the painting. Check it out--the magic's in the details!

Dr. Lovelorn

8x6" oil on canvas, SOLD

Dr. Lovelorn is a recent favorite and I must say he makes me smile. Hope he finds a new home with someone who also could use a little sniggle!

Sweet Song

6x6" oil on canvas, SOLD

I've been experimenting with new paints and new materials lately. Specifically in this painting, I did a little collage with some interesting papers and then painted over it. I really like the way the paper peeks out in certain places--adds another layer of interest and discovery. Just tryin' to keep it fresh!

Chatterbox Is All Ears

6x6" oil on canvas, available, SOLD 

Sunday night and this chatterbox is out of words. (Shhh...don't tell my family! The shock will be too much.) I've said it before: many times making the painting is so much easier than stringing the words together to tell the story of painting the painting. This is one of those instances. Tonight let's agree to let the picture do the talking...

Head Trip

6x6" oil on canvas, SOLD

Sometimes it just all comes together without any head-banging, weeping or swearing. And this is one of those paintings. It painted itself. I just stood by and held on to the brush. Love it!

I'm starting a new method for purchasing some of my paintings. Each week I'll put a couple up for auction on Daily Paintworks Auctions. It's a bit reminiscent of eBay but much classier. All the work is quality and diverse. And, really, who doesn't love the nail-biting competition of bidding on something you really love on auction. Give it a look--you won't be disappointed.

Head In The Clouds

6x6" oil + collage on canvas, SOLD

I'm pretty proud of myself...this is blog post #501. Wow! I started this blog way back in January 2007 without much in the way of purpose or direction. Just wanting a place to park my paintings. That all changed in pretty short order when I joined the Daily Painters Gallery. Once I committed to becoming a Daily Painter my art went through so many changes--in short order. In other words, I got where I was going, just a lot faster. 

I am often asked "How did you develop your style?" The answer: I show up. Often. And with an open mind. I think the practice of daily creating has done more for my style, my knowledge base, my tenacity and my joy of painting than anything else could have.

And so, with my head in the clouds but my feet planted firmly on the ground I'm ready to take on the next 500 Daily Paintings I wonder where I'll land?

This is the first painting I posted in January 2007--still a favorite. One thing is quite obvious: after 500 I have at least learned to take a decent photograph of my paintings.