Well, I haven't posted to my blog lately, but now I am excited to present the first in my new water series.  I call this painting "Fluid Movement", and it is 24"x48", acrylic on canvas.  I get a great feeling of energy from the water in this painting, and I feel like I've moved to a new level in terms of my painting and my understanding of the water.  I hope to translate those feelings into my series, and have many ideas!  Through my first body of water paintings, I celebrated motherhood by portraying my children.  Through this next series, it is my intention to celebrate womanhood!  Stay tuned......

You're Invited to an Artist's Reception!  Please come and meet me and see my work at the Majestical Roof, at 88 N. Fair Oaks in Pasadena.  The Reception is Saturday, August 15 from 6PM to 9PM.  I would love to share a glass of wine with you!  See you there.....

My latest portrait commission is of two very special poodles, Lucy and Leopold, who have very special owners!  I painted their portrait from several different photographs, inventing my own background based on the colors and style of their home.  The challenge to painting Lucy and Leopold came in their coloring.  At first look, they are black dog, white dog.  But when you look closer, there are really quite a few colors.  It was a lot of fun, and I was delighted with the outcome (and hopefully their owners were, too!).  This painting is 18"x18", Acrylic on Canvas.

This painting is a product of the time I spent doing the Alternative Art Market at "The Majestical Roof" on the weekend of June 27 and 28.  Since I was there from 11 to 7 both days, I used the time in between chatting with friends and visitors to do a Plein Air painting of the shop.  It really made the weekend all the more special!  There's a kind of light moisture that leaks from the trees over the courtyard there, that kept us cool, like a mister.  I like to think of it as magical, majestical rain!  It contributed to the magic of the weekend.  In this painting,  the two paintings of the women in the second windowpane are representations of wonderful works done by artist Helena Rose, and the paper lanterns in the third windowpane are representations of works done by paper artist Van Lee.  You just might recognize the work in the fourth windowpane as a favorite painting done by yours truly!  "The Majestical Roof" painting is 18"x18", Acrylic on Canvas, $495.

This painting is the result of the "Paint-Out" that I participated in last Sunday with a group of women artists.  The models were three lovely young ladies from Pakistan, dressed in their traditional clothing, and we painted outdoors in a garden.  This painting experience was especially fun for me, because I love color, and there was plenty of it that day!!  The painting is done mostly from life, and completed in my studio.  I call this painting "In the Garden", and it is acrylic on canvas, 18"x18", $525.00.

I've spent the last three weeks working on a very special portrait commission, which was my first opportunity to work on a series of paintings that form one piece of work with a single theme (a Triptych, of sorts).  These paintings depict the special time spent between a mother and her three year old daughter, and were a surprise gift for her for Mother's Day.  Each painting is 9"x12", acrylic on canvas.  I found the best way to approach this was to literally work on all 3 paintings at once, instead of completing them one at a time.  That way I could keep the colors consistent, and have the feelings emerge as I worked.  This was a wonderful project for me, and I was thrilled to do it.  Please remember that I am available for commission, and would love to do a special piece for you, too!

For all you mother's out there, I wish you a blessed Mother's Day.

This is my latest self portrait, called "Pucker Up". It's interesting how this portrait came into being. I sat down at my easel yesterday, just knowing that I wanted to paint another self portrait from life. I set up my mirror next to my easel, and noticed it was dusty. I leaned forward to blow off the dust, and there it was..... my portrait. I just really liked the look, and decided to capture a new expression. I relate it to making a wish. Make a wish, pucker up, and blow. Then get out there and do what you need to do to help that dream come true! This painting is 14"x11", acrylic on Canvas, $295.00

This is the latest in my pool series, and I'm excited because I've started to experiment with some new mediums and metallics in my work.  I really am interested in exploring the translucency of the water, and I used a glazing medium with my acrylics which helped me to create translucent layers.  I think this helped to give the water more of an alive feeling.  I can't wait to become more experienced with the different mediums available to acrylic painters.  I named this painting "Breaking Through".  This is how I explain what I'm feeling..... It's just when I think I've had just about enough of myself, and I don't know which way to turn next, that I start to break through.  Hence the title.  "Breaking Through" is 11"x14",  on canvas with 1-1/2" painted edges, and is priced at $325.00.  You can purchase this painting directly from me.

I've just finished my latest self-portrait, and I thought it would be fun to show the progession of this painting. Here are 2 pictures of the painting in the preliminary stages.



I call this painting "Leap", and the name comes from a favorite quote of mine from Julia Cameron, author of "The Artist's Way", which says.....

"Leap, and the net will appear"

My point is that I believe we must all go fearlessly in the pursuit of our dreams. Here's the finished piece, which is 18"x36", priced at $1050:



I want to thank my good friend Jane Krueger for letting me use her trampoline, and being my photographer! We had a lot of fun doing it!

                                                            

I'm happy to share my newest painting with you, which is the latest in my pool series.  I call this piece "Going Deeper", and the title has two meanings for me.  First is the obvious one, where the swimmer is indeed going deeper into the pool.  But on another level, I feel that these times call for all of us to continually "go deeper" within, in order to remain positive, creative, grateful, and hopeful.

This piece is 40"x30", Acrylic on Canvas, $1850.  It's available directly from me.

One of the fantastic things about the internet is the ability to look at other artist's work without visiting a gallery.  Although there is no substitute for seeing the work in person, the internet is a great way to find out about artists that you didn't know existed!  I had a wonderful surprise yesterday while googling (is that a word, hahaha) underwater swimmers, just to study some photos of different ways to view water from under the surface.  I happened upon a Greek artist named Maria Filopoulou, who has done a series of swimmer painters unlike any I've seen before.  I'm an instant fan of her work!  If you enjoy swimmers, Google her!  By the way, I am knee deep in my next underwater painting, and will be posting it very soon.  Have a great day!

I'm very excited because I finished my 36"x36" painting, "Natalie Blowing Bubbles" today. I loved working on the many colors in this painting... I feel like it gives the water a great sense of energy. The work is acrylic and art paper on canvas, $2100, and is available directly from me.

My self portrait for January (ok, I'm a few days late), is called "Soften My Vision". This idea came to me while doing taxes, marketing plans, etc. I realized that I was being hard on myself, and looking only at where I thought I should be, instead of how far I'd come. So I decided to paint my portrait from life, using the mirror, without my glasses. It softened my vision of the woman I saw in the mirror. It was a nice feeling! As a side note, it was an interesting exercise to smile at myself for a few hours while I painted this! We should all smile at ourselves more, I think. This painting is 12"x12", Acrylic on Canvas, $295.

Hello and Happy February 1st!  Thank you, all who are beginning to follow my posts.  I've been quiet for the last couple of weeks.  I spent time organizing and  working on my taxes (now finished) and then met with my accountant.  I also put together a group submission for 14 women from the Angeles Crest Art Guild, of which I am a member, for the 2010 exhibition season of the Brand Galleries.  That was a challenging task, but a great experience, and that it is also finished.  Whew!  Last Saturday, I attended the Los Angeles Art Show at the convention center, and was very excited to see work by two of my favorite artists that include the pool as their subject..... Eric Zener and D.J. Hall.  They are very different from each other, but both masterful at their art.  That was a real treat.  Yesterday I worked with art consultant Margaret Danielak for two hours to help with a marketing plan for my work for 2009, and then spent 9 hours with my friend and computer guru Tim getting some new lessons on my Mac, including how to back up my computer.  Although I have been working on a Mac for many years, there is always so much to learn!  It was a very long day, but full of great information.  Now I'll begin to process it all in my brain, and most importantly get back to painting!  Enjoy your Super Bowl Sunday.           

Linda

Took pieces to The Majestical Roof today...

  
Today I took 2 of my found object pieces to "The Majestical Roof", where they are now available for purchase, thanks to wonderful manager Lynn.  You can find "Valentine Nymphs" (see previous post) for $115, and "Catch a Falling Star" (pictured above) for $135.  These are really great economy based prices, and I hope you can take advantage! I also have 4 paintings available there.

The Majestical Roof is located in Old Town Pasadena, California, at 88 N. Fair Oaks, Suite 102 (between Holly and Union).  They are open 7 days a week, Monday - Saturday 11-8, and Sunday 12-6.  You can call them at 626-844-8886. 

One of my favorite things to do is to comb the local flea markets with my daughter, looking for objects that are crying out for a new life. We found this piece with the heart quite a few months back, and knew Valentine's Day would be the perfect time to finish it. I used two coats of primer, followed by acrylic paint and art papers, followed by 2 coats of varnish. I love this theme with the Nymphs, and they appear from time to time in my work! This piece is 22" tall x 18" wide x 10" deep, and is $115. Right now it's available directly from me, but I'll be taking it into a shop this week, and I'll let you know which one shortly!

I thought this was an appropriate way to start my new blogspot.  This is my self-portrait for December, which I call "Open to All Good".  This painting reflects my own personal goal for the 2009, to be open and ready to recognize new doors that open for me, and to have the courage to walk through them!  This painting is 12"x24", acrylic on canvas, $425.00.  It is for sale directly from the artist.