Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays to all, no matter what religious celebration one holds dear to their heart! Even if you do not have any religious views, it is a time of year to reflect and have hope for a  better world. A time of year to get out and do something , no matter how small, to help those less fortunate and  to carry that spirit throughout the new year!

I am still in the process of moving into a new studio! I moved out of my old space and decided to work in my home studio for the winter to save a little money. I just got settled in when...... a great studio space in an old ceramic factory down the street became available.

Well it is so inexpensive ,$150- a month, I could not refuse it! That is about ten times less then what I was paying for a loft space in my small town . It is not anywhere near as "swank" as the loft but how could you refuse a decent space for a price like that!  This is New Jersey we are talking about, you couldn't find anything decent for less then $800!

I promised a few "symbolically tagged" artists I think you will enjoy. You may know these folks and if you do take another look!

Katy Schneider 

Stephen C. Layne

Justin Mortimer

Cheryl Taves

Paul Seaton

Benjamin Shamback

Cristina Cordova

Sangram Majumdar

Ray Donley

Philip Harris

Divine-SOLD

 I have been so very busy these past couple of weeks, moving out of my old studio into a new one and I have not been able to post. I see I have been tagged twice ! Thank-you and I am honored. I am having a hard time  finding folks to tag since every one I would tag has already been tagged . So I will "symbolically" tag some artists work which I think should be seen . Most of these artists are not involved  in the "blog" world as we know it.

I will  tag them in the next post as I am just starting my day and I need a little time to find the websites. You won't be disappointed!

Seven things about myself........unusual.

1-I am really bad at this because I am not very  clever, or have a natural ability when it comes to writing. I admire those who have the gift! (I am thinking Silvina)

2-I am a lot older then I think I am.

3-I own seventy different tubes of paint colors and use 3 or 4 at a time  plus black and white.

4-I very rarely if ever, paint on a white ground.  Sometimes a grey, teal , ochre and venetian red ground. Sometimes it is a wash, other times it is opaque.

5-  I do not draw on my canvas with charcoal or pencil when I start a piece. I will very loosely , sketch in with a brush. But I have been known to go into a piece with pencil lines during the process of painting or when a piece is near finished. I like the way that technique looks.

6- I have always loved abstract expressionism and painted abstracts for a number of years.

7-And last but not least I would probably kill for a really good piece of chocolate!

The little study above is -Divine  6x6   oil on linen   mounted on board

 

Well It's Been A While

The election is over and I can "get a life" again! I get myself too wrapped up in politics, especially when it comes to choosing  the president . Here are a few pieces  I've managed to complete. 

They are from top to bottom:

-Tango at Twelve   17x17   o/l -SOLD

This piece will be at Wally Workman Gallery  in Austin Texas, for the December  show "Twelve"

-Two    11x14  o/l-SOLD

A  study from the dancing series I have been sort of working on. I have a hard time with series. I tend to get bored quickly!

-Maggie's Boys- SOLD  24x36  o/l

Another from my red headed Maggie series. She is hanging out with a friend's goat, Whitey and Arthur the Westie.

Diana's Herd-SOLD

Zebra's have finally made it! 

I want to thank everyone that has left their wonderful comments in my previous posts. I have been extreeeemely busy and have not been able to respond back but I wanted to let you all know how much I appreciate them!!!

Diana's Herd         18x24   oil on linen  

Emmett

A pencil drawing ! Something I don't do very often but will try to do more of because I really love it. This is "Emmett, like you've never seen him", a drawing on some very cool recycled paper that can take a lot of abuse. Thank God because I  am so out of practice with a pencil that I surely needed my eraser!

Emmett is a kid's kid, but he was pretty sedate when he first came to my studio. He was quite apprehensive at first, as you can see in the drawing, but after half an hour he was back to his ol' self!

Maia's Last Day-SOLD

Alright, still no Zebra's, but I'm workin' on it!
This is a little painting of my wonderful young model Maia who will be leaving Frenchtown NJ for the great state of New York!

Maia's Last Day o/l 12x16

Goat in a Box-SOLD

One more goat before the zebra's!

Oscar and Chelsea-SOLD

Here is another little guy, Oscar and the very beautiful Chelsea. I am sure you know which one is Chelsea!

I am in a goat phase right now and believe it or not there are a lot of goats out here in this part of Jersey.
I have always been pretty much a figurative painter but I am really enjoying painting these animals.

Stay tune for the zebra phase in about a week or two!

Show Opening-Link

If you are in the Chicago area and make it out to Harbert Michigan on the lake this weekend, stop in The Judith Racht Gallery for a group show titled "Masks". I have this piece of my husband, "Michael in Greasepaint" included in the show.

Maggie's Goat- SOLD

Well it's been a while! Here is a new piece and possibly a bit of a new direction.

A Few More Paintings

A few more paintings! All are oil on linen, mounted on board.

The Man from Seville 14x14
Gitano 9x12
Hop A Long 9x12
The Girls 14x14- SOLD

A Few More

These are two more pieces for my future show.
"April in Black" and a lovely italian greyhound "Angel".

Blue Maia-SOLD

Big Boy

Getting Ready

I am busy preparing for a one person show here in New Jersey.I will post some of the pieces  as I finish them.I have done numerous one person shows  but I took a break these past five years from doing one and I am ready to jump in, I hope! 

Maia Lets Her Hair Down-SOLD

A small painting in the Maia series.
This is 11x14 oil on linen.

Maia's Glove-SOLD

This is "Maia's Glove" , the large piece I have been working on . I have to do a bit of tweeking in the shadows but I decided to post it anyway. I am getting antsy to move onto another piece!

Maia, another really lovely young model from my very small town on the Delaware. We seem to have a ton of gorgeous young women in this community of about 1200 people!

Enjoy!

I'm Back and here is "Gilda"-SOLD

Feeling better and the large piece is almost finished (hurray!). I should post it next week.
This is a painting that I did to take a break from the large piece.

Loooooove doing dog paintings because well I just love dogs (probably a lot more then people).
Truly your best friends! They don't care if your getting fat, or your to skinny, to young ,to old, rich or poor.
They are always so happy to see you and adore you!
This is Gilda, and she is a beauty. She is not one of mine but I hope to have a greyhound or Italian greyhound one day.

Gilda 9x12 oil on linen mounted on board

Happy New Year-SOLD

I want to thank everyone for stopping by and leaving your kind messages. I apologize for not responding but I have been overwhelmed with commissions and trying to finish a large, 6 ft.x 4 ft. figurative piece.
I'd like to wish everyone the best for the New Year!

I am posting an older little painting here titled: Uncle Rocco takes a Walk

Yes, I do have an uncle Rocco and had a grandpa Rocco on my mother's side and a bunch of crazy Russians on my dad's side!
Isn't it great, America, such a melting pot!