Small Stuff, a whimsical mother and child portrait in oil

6x8" oil on canvas SOLD

How many times have we heard, "Don't sweat the small stuff."? Like we have a choice, right? Well, I guess you can decide if you're going to get all whipped up over running out of peanut butter or arriving at the movie 10 minutes late when you love the previews almost as much as the movie itself. But when it comes to the offspring I sweat every little dagnabit thing. Am I alone here or what? Really. My name is Brenda and I'm a worrier. So this is my little homage to those of us that still worry about the small stuff--even when the small stuff towers over you and pats the top of your head! Worry on, mama!

Don't forget to visit my website to see my large format oil paintings!

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?

Sleepwalkers

8x8" oil on canvas, SOLD

In between working on commissioned paintings, I will sometimes peruse my handy sketchbook which is filled with ideas and sketches that I rely on for inspiration. Many never see the light of day but others may just be the spark I need to spin-off another daily painting. I did the sketch for this painting after we had house guests with two babies--quite a whirlwind! The parents were bone-weary. The babies were befuddled. All were sleepwalkers. Only their dog slept through the night.

Offshoot In Green

8x10" oil on canvas, SOLD
Been thinking a lot lately about that mother and child symbiotic relationship. Probably because my son is turning 20 on Sunday. And my daughter, 16--soon enough. Both are milestone ages and both seem so...well, old! Many times when I start a painting I don't intend it to be about my personal life but, before I finish, some thought that's been knocking around in my brain reveals itself in the painting. I guess it's cheaper than therapy...