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.