updates

My first painting sketch of little ruby.......can't decide on a picture for the final painting. The good news is I'm back in the saddle!

things to come.....

Ruby is next on my list. I have taken a little break from painting due to moving and having a baby. I'm excited to start painting again. I can't wait to paint this little beauty, I just need to make the time. I will tell you one thing, I am not lacking in photo reference! So now you all can hold me accountable and ask me: how's your painting coming?

David

So this is Joseph's Older brother David, and no he isn't wearing eye liner. He just has amazing dark eyelashes. Joseph is the painting at the header of the Blog. Both such fun boys to paint. The boys were painted on 24x24" birch wood.

I only have one other painting project that is looming over my head that I plan to finish before september ends. I want to have october to relax and prepare for the baby. I have a big wood board waiting for her to be painted on. I can't wait!

paintings coming....

Its been way to long since my last update. Work, moving and being pregnant are my excuses this time. I will have some new paintings up to view soon! I know the suspence is killing my mad following of reader's

Into the elements

So, I have lived in the beautiful Palos Verde's area for almost 3 years.....I have not once taken my easel out to paint..........so sad, I know. Well I finally got out there. I left around 3:30 since that's about when the sun is heading down these days. Let me tell you, painting out of doors is no picnic, and I live in a temperate climate! Its sounds weird, but you have to deal with all the extra elements of the out doors. These include: wind, sun ,crazy onlookers, rapidly changing light, not to mention a faulty easel. Painting is challenging enough as it is. I came away with 4 mediocre paintings and a headache from staring at the sun. I risked blindness to figure out...."now what color exactly is that sun". I never really have been interested in painting landscapes, I would much rather paint people. I have learned that if you have fun while you paint, it shows in your paintings, they just turn out better. As you will see, I didn't enjoy myself that much, but an artist has to stretch themselves right? Thank you cyberspace for this therapeutic rant

Painting from life

This is the only way to paint: from a live model. It is more economical to sign up for a class than to pay for a private model. I can't describe the feeling of seeing colors that have no name, then trying to duplicate them. It is so exciting to me. These are recordings of the colors of light rather than a perfect refined likeness. The pictures are not the best, I'm still refining that skill

rest time is over!

Work has been keeping me quite busy,....(wait, thats just an excuse) but it does seems to zap my energy for creating art. I guess thats why I attend a life painting class once a week. It keeps me connected with what I love to do: paint people. I will take photo's of my recent work from that class and post very soon,...maybe today!

Classes for kids!

I will be teaching at the Palos Verdes Art Center Again Saturday mornings and afternoon. If you are interested please go to pvartcenter.org Looking forward to fall and cooler weather!

Nauvoo Temple

This is my next painting adventure. I have'nt done many paintings of buildings, let alone a temple. The painting is for my mother in law, Susan. Hopefully I can get it done by christmas. She donated 400 dollars to the Nie-nie fund. In return, she gets a painting. (she was the one and only bidder in my painting auction) Anyways, I will try to get some of my recent paintings photographed so I can post them. Thanks for looking!

Invitation

The Palos Verdes Art Center is holding an exhibition for its intructors. I will be showing just a few paintings. There will be many other wonderful works from the other talented instructors as well. I will be at the opening reception and would love to have friends and family join me. It will be on June 19th from 5-8. Located at 5504 west Crestridge rd. Rancho palos verdes,90275

spring back into painting

I 've been keeping busy working, teaching and painting. Sadly, painting is at the bottom of the list. Now that its spring break, there is more time to paint. I am almost finished with a child portrait I 've been working on for a good friend. Should be done this week. I will get pictures up soon. Thanks for looking! Happy Easter!

Work Samples

New Additions

Here are just a few paintings I recently finished. All 1'x1' on birch wood ply.

Finished and Furnished

Here it is, the mother's nursing room. It is being well used. We have so many new mothers in our ward, its great. It was alot of work but I am happy I did it. I think it looks even better with the new rug, curtains and furniture. You can't tell from the pictures, but the windows are of colored glass (blue, pink and green) The color sceme for the room and mural was inspired by the windows.

Dahlia details

Just finished these flowers today. All the white spots have yet to be painted, in case you were wondering about the albino hummingbird. Ever since my wedding, I have loved these beautiful dahlia's. I wanted to paint something different than the typical garden roses. It makes the painting more personal. I chose just a few main flowers to show in greater detail. The background flowers were just painted in flat color. This also saves me on time. I will post the finished product next week, hopefully...

Garden Mural inspired by dahlia's

So this is the Garden Mural for the mothers nursing room in the San Pedro Church building.
I posted the pictures backwards,... oops. I wanted to show how the mural progressed. It all started with research, drawing, and trips to the library to gather photo reference. The next step was to figure out a design through sketches. Once I decided on a final sketch, I did a mini painting of how the colors would be. After that I did some color studies for the more detailed flowers. Prep work is a pain, but without is I would be lost! Finally, I started by sketching out the design in pencil, directly on the wall. The next step was the blue background, then the clouds, leaves, and the flowers. I'm learning all the time. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity, what an honor! I hope the moms and kids enjoy it. I'm planning to finish it this week, I will keep you posted!

Garden mural in progress...

I have been so busy painting and teaching that I have posted nothing latley. I have been working on a garden mural for a nursing room this past week and a half. Hoping to be done this week. I will have pictures soon!

Ready to clear out

Lots of finished work to get out of the studio. I had a productive summer as far as producing paintings go. Blaize and Ryker will be in their new home soon. Here are the finished products. (I think the only notable difference in Blaize since my last post of her is the pearl necklace.)

Signed, sealed and delivered

Finally, I finished the Anvaripour girls. I dropped it off a week or so ago. I finally got a few decent pictures of the painting. Talk about being indecisive. I think I repainted the little ones shirt 5 or more times. I couldn't decide if green or purple fit the painting best, I finally decided on purple as you can see. It was a fun challenge to include two faces in a painting. Thanks to the Anvaripour family for sharing their girls!

Artists Studio Gallery

I was juried into the Artist's Studio Gallery in June and they finally have their website updated. You can see my artist statement and some of my work there. Right now the captions are all mixed up, I will have to get that taken care of. The website is www.artists-studio-pvac.com