Recession Angel #2, Cherub Of Chapter 11

4x4" mixed media

Doesn't he look just miserable? Well, this is the second in my series of Recession Angels and I really don't think they should look anything other than miserable. Like yesterday's painting this one also has old newspaper collaged into the background. It gives this little angel a bit of a pinched look I think. So, in reverence of the Great Economic Pickle we find ourselves in, all the Recession Angels are $100 bucks and shipping is free. Such a deal!

Archangel Of The Silver Bullet, Recession Angel #1

4x4" mixed media, SOLD

OK, I am starting on this year's angel series for the Holidays. And my guess is that not many folks are feeling all that festive this year with the constant brain upload of bad news about the economy, the recession, unemployment, blah, blah, blah...Are we sick of this...or what?

So in an effort to be mindful of the the wallet, irreverent about the issues and still make art for the people out there that "get" me, I'm introducing the Recession Angels. I have been collecting "recession bits" from the news that has now become a part of our language (I mean really, did you ever even say the words underwater mortgage before last year?). And I'm turning these bits into angels. Small angel paintings that have little pieces of old newspaper (1910 on this one) collaged into the background or the wings. Each canvas is 1 1/2" deep and the sides are painted and collaged. The Recession Angels sell for $100 bucks and I'll pick up the shipping.

My way of thumbing my nose at too much bad news and starting the holidays off with a little twinkle in my eye!

Earthling

8x10" oil on canvas SOLD

Another re-visit to paintings past but this one is the perfect visual to go along with my link below. This is so cool...a few days ago I got an email from this guy Morgan in Northern Ireland. He wanted to tell me that his band, The Sons Of Robert Mitchum (great name!) wrote a song that references me and my art. I have no idea how they know of me or my paintings but I think it's a perfect example of our shrinking world, thanks to the internet. So take a minute to listen to the Sons Of Robert Mitchum from Belfast. The song is "Soviet Hotel Dressing Gown". Hmmm, small world! I told you it was the perfect visual...

http://www.myspace.com/sonsofrobertmitchum

A Spot Of Bother In The Garden

36x24" oil on canvas

Although the original painting of Adam and Eve has long been sold, you can get high quality giclee prints at ImageKind. I have several pieces available in my ImageKind gallery, mostly paintings that previously sold. And you can choose your preferred size and the option to frame. So if you missed out on one of your favorite paintings it might just be available as a print!

Diamond Boys

20x16" oil on canvas, available on my website

I haven't been posting as often as I should. My bad. I am trying to complete larger pieces in between some of the smaller, daily paintings. And this is one of my newest paintings. I really love these guys with their little stick arms and big noses. I finished it in time to show it at ArtWalk and it received many favorable comments. (Along with "What, exactly, were you thinking......?) So, even though these guys are not your usual daily painting I think some folks like to see my "Big Girl" paintings once in a while. And today's a good day to do that because this is my 200th post on this blog!! Man, that's a lot of words. And a bunch of paintings! Many thanks to everyone who subscribes. I'm ready to start the next 200 paintings!

Brainstorm

6x8" oil on canvas, SOLD

Most of today was spent working on my website. Really not my thing! Have I mentioned that I'd rather paint? I did manage some easel time today and came up with this funny little painting. But I'm on a deadline to have a website up and running by the 15th--Jeez! Well, back to my HTML codes...

Marvin And Teensy

8x6" oil on canvas, SOLD

Is it just me or is the Holiday Hoopla turned up full blast? I know I'm getting a little wiggy already. Not good. As I cross-reference my calendars (yes, an absolutely necessary survival skill) I see that I have two Holiday coffees to attend, two more Christmas parties (one at my house), my daughter's Sweet Sixteen party (23 hormonal teenagers), two more carpool turns, three doctor/dentist appointments, four more birthdays thrown in and just in case, I'm not having enough fun, my Mom is coming to visit for a week. I'm just a little tense. Can't imagine how I'm going to paint...ho, ho, ho!

Between Two Places

8x6" oil on canvas, SOLD

I'm trying to work a little landscape into my figurative paintings. (Emphasis on "little".) I find it difficult to narrow down landscapes but I think this abstract style lends itself to some blocks of color that could be accused of being grass, hills, trees, skies, ponds, etc...

"Face To Face With The Fishies"

6x8" oil on canvas, SOLD

Well, August here in San Diego means the beaches are jammed with sunburned visitors from all over the country. There are a few beaches that only the locals know about and they work hard to keep it that way. Folks here are very protective of their beaches. Litter on these beaches and you might get a swift kick in the Speedos. It's a good thing though, better to go swimmin' with the fishies than somebody's empty Fritos bag.

"Empty Nest"

8x10" oil on canvas, SOLD

"Birdman"

8"x 6" oil on canvas, SOLD

The other day when I was painting in my studio a baby hummingbird landed right on the window ledge. I was afraid it was going to fly into the studio (I don't have screens on the windows) and get injured. So I stood very still and the bird did the same. We had plenty of time to get a good look at each other before his mom swooped down and shooed him into the tree branches. I had actually painted this piece a few weeks ago but it reminded me of my staring contest with the little hummingbird.

"Above And Below"

8"x 6" oil on canvas, SOLD

"A Redhead In The Bunch"

9"x 12" original oil on canvas, SOLD

"Birdman"

8"x 6" oil on canvas, SOLD

"Swim To Me"

6"x 8" oil on canvas, SOLD

I'm really enjoying the challenge of painting water and reflections. It gives me a chance to work a bit more abstractly and to loosen up a lot. And, of course, I never pass up a chance to paint one of those wacky little people. Gotta love 'em!

"Afloat"

5"x 5" oil on canvas, SOLD

Remember going to the pool when you were a little kid and you couldn't yet touch the bottom and it was kind of scary and kind of exciting at the same time? Remember holding on to the slippery blow-up inner tube for dear life but still trying to look brave? That's the inspiration behind today's painting. Trying to look brave.

"Sunfish"

6"x 8" oil on canvas, SOLD

for whatever we lose (like a you or a me)
it's always ourselves we find in the sea
-e. e. cummings

"Guppies"

5"x 5" oil on canvas, SOLD

"Pool Shark"

8"x 6" oil on canvas, SOLD

I love painting water. I know I've mentioned that before but it bears repeating. I love how you have to paint water abstractly in order for it to look real-ish. And pool water is such an outrageous, acid blue color compared to ocean water. Skin tones look other-worldly in pool water--aqua blue reflections on little sunburned faces in strong, mid-day sunlight. One of my favorite subjects. I have a few more of these water babies up my sleeve!

"Balancing Act"

5"x 5" oil on canvas, SOLD

"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving."
- Albert Einstein (1879-1955)