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!

Royal Pain

6x8" oil on canvas, SOLD

Summer is upon us and moms everywhere are looking at those Summer Camp catalogs. Wishing they had garnered enough foresight in March to sign up for the long days of summer stretching out ahead of them. But in March, it all looks so promising; lazy summer afternoons, lemonade, summer reading lists, forts and running through the sprinklers. The truth is: that covers about a day and a half. And then the inevitable sets in, “There’s nothing to do, I’m bored, we’re hungry, I hate sunblock, there’s no one to play with, I’m bored, bored, bored…” Summer. It’s just a little bit of a royal pain.

Royal Poo-Bah

8x6" oil on canvas, PURCHASE INFORMATION

I think this is the British cousin of Bernie (from my Bernie series). He looks like a stuffy member of the Royal Family---Charles, maybe? My apologies to the Brits in my family…(you know who you are).

Speaking of our friends across the pond…I was recently invited by a very nice man, Antony, in the UK to submit photos of my studio to his website: www.artistarea.co.uk. It’s a site “to show where real artists and designers work”. Hmmm. I wonder what makes an artist real? Anyone want to guess? Anyway, it’s a cool idea and you can get a look other studios to see that yours isn’t really all that messy, afterall.

Charmed, I'm Sure

14x11" oil on canvas, SOLD

This is actually a practice piece for a very large self-portrait. I'm finding that not only have I had to wrangle big, red hair my whole life but now I 'm trying to tame it with paint. Some things never change. They just sprout a little silver.

Princess TPO

8x6" oil on canvas, SOLD

OK, I admit it. Not a pretty sight. I'm just a little too busy getting ready for the Big Show (ArtWalk). TV interview today and another one next week. Radio interview on Wednesday. All part of the package of being a Featured Artist. It's all great. Really great! I'm just a teeny-weeny bit crabby with the rest of my life. I need a nap. Princess TPO (Totally Pissed Off) has left the premises. Sweet dreams...

Royal Tizzy

8x6" oil on canvas, SOLD

It's just been one of those days. Or maybe weeks. Wait a minute, it's only Tuesday. I have been getting ready for a big show in three weeks, ArtWalk in San Diego. It's a fabulous venue (outdoor art festival in San Diego--c'mon, doesn't get much better!) And I am one of the "Featured Artists" this year. Quite an honor. So in addition to making lots of paintings and prints, signs and brochures, I am doing things like...radio interviews. And PR type events where I paint and people watch me. While they drink wine. Should be interesting to say the least. I'm not complaining. Just a little overwhelmed with the rest of my life. Wish I could put it in a shoe box on the top shelf of my closet for just a little while. Twenty-two days--max. And after my big show, I'd take it down off the shelf and, one-by-one, I'd gently pull out each little irritation, dust it off and...DEAL WITH IT! Just not now, please, I'm in a tizzy. A Royal Tizzy.

Queen Doozie

10x8" oil on canvas, SOLD

It's still Spring Break here and barely any time to paint, let alone write about it. So here's my painting. Hope you like it!

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.

Bird Whisperer

8x6" oil on canvas, available HERE

Tonight it's all about the picture. Too tired to string the words together...

Crown Prince Faint-Heart

10x8", oil on canvas, SOLD

As promised, this is the painting that won the Juror's Choice in the San Diego Art Institute's 1 Foot Show. The show is actually up now and the artists' reception will be on February 29, 6-8pm. Come by if you can, all paintings are better in person. And mine usually have secret messages in the background that you can really only see up close and in person. Food, wine, fabulous art and secret messages...what more could you want?

Brain Vapors

16x12" oil on canvas, SOLD

This wacky little painting just got into the juried Regional Show at The San Diego Art Institute! Woo-Hoo! The artist's reception is February 29, 6-8pm. If you are in this neck of the woods, do drop by. In addition to some inspirational contemporary art there is always quite a spread of tasty snacks. Open to the public. Tomorrow I will post a second painting that was juried into the 1 Foot show, running simultaneously. And wait a minute, there's more...tomorrow's painting won the Juror's Choice award. Tune in tomorrow. Oh, and by the way, if you're wondering what Brain Vapors means...it's just a polite way of saying "Brain Farts". Somethin' new every day...

Waiting For Queen B

8x6" oil on canvas, SOLD

Feelin' like a drone...too much "real life" lately and not enough art. I didn't even pick up my paintbrush today. Sigh...Queen B is just a little cranky.

Bernie's Illusions Of Grandeur

10x8" oil on canvas

Some days are just like that...you're going along minding your own business and out of nowhere comes a Good News Bubble. That's what happened to me today. Besides finishing this funny little painting that I just love, it was announced that I was chosen as one of the Featured Artists for San Diego's ArtWalk 2008! Quite an honor to be one of 12 chosen out of 400 artists. I'm pretty darn excited. And now I've got to get busy and make some paintings!

And one more thing...Happy Birthday, Eve!

Crown Prince Faint-Heart

10x8" oil on canvas, SOLD

Some things you just can't explain....

Princess Willy Nilly

11x14" oil on canvas, available in MY EBAY STORE

My friend Laura pointed out that three of the four paintings she recently purchased from me all have crowns somewhere in the composition...not as obvious as this crown, however. I also often include birds in my paintings. Sometimes I scratch these favorite symbols into the background and sometimes I plop them right on top of a head. Whatever works!

"Prince Balderdash"

6"x 8" oil on canvas, SOLD

"Queen Of Thisnthat"

6x8, oil on canvas, SOLD

There's a feeling of insecurity when you change directions with your art. But something about this recent work finally feels like the direction I want to be heading. A little more abstract but still keeping a narrative quality. Your feedback really helps. Keep it coming!