Dreamer. (Not The Only One)

16x20" | oil on canvas | SOLD

Inspired by John Lennon's song, Imagine, this image came to me in a dream. I know, that's kinda woo-woo--but it's my story and I'm sticking to it. And, it's true. In fact, I think I will be getting a whole series from that dream! More to come.

So...I've been painting like crazy for ArtWalk. Yep, it's coming right up again. April 28 and 29 right here in "America's Finest City". I will have many new pieces this year including this one. More details as we get closer to the show (like where to find me and where you can find a cold beer--the important stuff). In the meantime--I'm tied to my easel.

To see a larger version of this painting hop on over to my website.

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!

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!

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.

Tag-A-Long

6x6" oil on canvas, SOLD

It's been a week of playing catch-up after the Valentines Day group show and then spending five days out of town. Whew! I feel like this little guy--dazed and confused with who-knows-what sitting on my head. Buried under paperwork, taxes and other adult stuff--I just wanna go outside and play. Oh, wait a minute...that's what I get to do on the canvas! Guess I just haven't had enough painting time this week. All work and no painting makes Brenda a cranky...uh...person.

I'm so happy to announce that I'm a new member of Daily Paintworks! Take a moment to check it out--really talented artists and incredibly beautiful art. What a pleasure to behold. Don't click the link unless you have some time on your hands--it's hard to leave once you start perusing the galleries. OK, go ahead and click. You won't be sorry. Promise.

Romeo Lends An Ear

5x5" oil on canvas, SOLD  

Sitting here wondering about the struggle to string words together to go with my little painting. Seriously, I've said this before, but sometimes it's so much easier to make the painting than to find the words. A really smart person once said, "There's only so many words..." and just between you, me and Romeo, I've used up my quota for this day.

Love Bandit

5x5"oil on canvas, SOLD  

It's all about balance, isn't it? Waaaay too many balls in the air lately and I know it does not bode well for my sanity when I haven't picked up a paint brush in ten days. Feels like I'm about to go sideways with all the adult stuff that's needing my attention right now. So I'm posting a few of the Daily Paintings that sold in the Temptation6 show (thank you to my new collectors!) and I am heading for my easel for a little bit of balance and a whole lot of painting. Yay!

Out Of The Vault: The Long Way Home

10x8" oil on canvas SOLD

One of my all time favorites--out of the vault. I'm crazy-busy painting for my upcoming show in February so I get to revisit the oldies but goodies.

I'll have many new paintings to post soon from my new series about love and all it's twisted little permutations (for Valentine's Day, right?) The February show is called Temptation6 and I'm thrilled to be exhibiting with five women artists that are so talented and creative...and just a bit zany. In the next few posts here I will be introducing each of them. Can't wait to share their art with you.

In the meantime, if you are in Southern California, plan to drop by our opening reception on February 12. In addition to paintings that will thrill and inspire you, there will also be chocolate, wine and strawberries! Oh, and music by The Temptations. Hope you'll plan to stop by.

Center Of His Own Attention

24x36" oil on canvas, SOLD

400! Yep, this post is number 400. Wow...deep breath.

That's a lot of chatter by yours truly. I hope you enjoy the stories of my life, my kids, my struggles and enchantment with art-making. But mostly I hope you are touched by my art. It's like putting a little piece of my soul "out there" and at this point in my life, I'm OK with that. Really. This is what I do and who I am; definitely not mainstream.

But the folks that appreciate my paintings are passionate and just a little bit twisted. Like me. And, as unbelievable as it seems, somehow we find each other. For me, it's like finding a long lost friend--someone who speaks the same language, someone who appreciates the absurd and still sees the intrinsic beauty. So to my slightly twisted and passionate followers and collectors: thank you for coming along with me on this wacky little adventure and I promise you at least 400 more equally quirky and slightly bizarre works of art. From my heart.

Tweet L. D.

8x6" oil on canvas SOLD

Earlier this week, I sold one of my favorite paintings, FeatherBrain, to a collector in Washington D. C. It's funny how some paintings just feel close to the heart and are tough to send off to their new home (even though I know FeatherBrain will be surrounded by several other of my paintings). So I decided to paint another little guy with a funny hat and a bird perched right on top. Inspiration courtesy of FeatherBrain.

Visit my website to see more of my paintings.

Sweet Tater Pied And The Tiny Forest

10x8" oil on canvas, SOLD

Another painting to go with the theme of “Taking Care of Planet Earth”. One of my favorite companies that provides great products and timely information about going green is Greenfeet. I found them online when I was looking for a way to break the plastic water bottle habit and happily discovered their Kleen Kanteens. They are a fabulous product. Lighter and safer than glass and, it might just be me, but I think water tastes better out of one of these stainless steel bottles.

Bird Wrangler

8x10" oil on canvas, NFS

My daughter, Cameron, has been hanging around my studio a lot this summer and I do believe she is my greatest fan. She is quick to offer criticism on my paintings—both positive and not. But either way, she feels strongly that she should have first right of refusal on most of my paintings. And this one in particular…well, she could never part with him. He is her soulmate (her words). She’s sixteen and just a tad dramatic sometimes. And really funny all of the time. So Bird Wrangler joins Bernie and the other paintings in Cammy’s personal collection. Her soulmates.

Handle With Care

10x8" oil on canvas, SOLD

August 1 marks the first day of a month-long promotion on the Daily Painters Gallery. All 137 artists have made a commitment to paint images about conserving and celebrating Planet Earth. Yup, we're on the bandwagon! Pay attention Al Gore--amazing things can happen when artists go political! In theory, there could actually be 4,247 paintings posted by the end of August. In reality, it will probably be more like 2,500-3,000. Whew! That's a lot of tubes of green paint...

The Grass Is Greener

14x11" oil on canvas, SOLD

Well, jeez....it's been two weeks since I've posted. I wish I could say I've been on a beach in Tahiti. But, no, I've been right here. Juggling...kids, schedules, visitors and sometimes even a little painting. Or a big one. I'm almost finished with a canvas that is nearly as tall as me and several other large pieces. (Watch my website for those paintings. Coming soon...). But this week, come hell or high water, I'm doing a painting a day. Stay tuned.

Ollie's Songbird

10x8" oil on canvas SOLD

While I was painting this piece I was listening to David Sedaris’ latest collection of essays on tape, When You Are Engulfed In Flames. It really has nothing to do with this painting—well, maybe just a tad bit of influence in the color palette. I have a date with my son, Zac, tonight to see Sedaris in person as he reads from his new book and I like to be familiar with the material. We are both Sedaris groupies; we have all his books and tapes. Several, of which, we waited in lines way too long to get autographed. We’re excited that the newest tape is nine hours long. Just long enough to drive Zac back to Tucson in August for his third year at University of Arizona (where, by the way, he majors in Creative Writing) and long enough to keep me laughing instead of crying.

Bumber Shoot

8x6" oil on canvas, SOLD

This painting was inspired by a hat I saw at an outdoor art festival. It was actually designed like an umbrella but meant to keep the sun off the wearer’s face. And I got to thinking about umbrellas and how unwieldy and somewhat dangerous they are, (“Be careful! You’ll put someone’s eye out!”). Not to mention that “bad luck” thing that happens if you open one in the house. So why not re-think the whole umbrella industry. I mean, who really needs an umbrella big enough to cover you and your Volkswagen?

Tell Me No Lies

12x16" oil on canvas, SOLD

I love this guy's little "seashell ear" and the purpley-blue sky. Sometimes a painting will just sing to me while I'm painting and other times it's a struggle. This one went through a few transitions. That's a nice way of saying he was banished to the corner for a few days while I made myself crazy(er) contemplating the perfect sky color. And now I'm happy. Nothing like a good purple-y blue sky (and that's technical artist talk, by the way).

Doorman

8x6" oil on canvas, SOLD

"A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of."
--Ogden Nash

Princess Willy Nilly, revisited

11x14" oil on canvas, available on MY WEBSITE

This painting was sitting in my studio for several months...buggin' me. Couldn't quite put my finger on it. So I kept it in my line of vision while I worked on other paintings. I futzed with the background a little but completely re-worked the face. And now I'm happy with her. Funny, how you just know when you're finished with a painting. And when you're not.

The Forest For The Trees

8x10" oil on canvas, SOLD

I had a whole "art weekend"--Alison's opening on Saturday, met with a new collector today and was interviewed by a high school student about my flamboyant career as an artist. Luckily, I had already sketched out this painting and somehow managed to finish it this afternoon. I really like the trees. In fact, I may have to paint more landscapes just so I can do more of these lollipop trees.