aubrey paints

A lot of things are going on at the New Blog Location

2012-02-13T08:42:00.000-08:00

Go check it out!

Waves No. 1 & No. 2

2012-02-07T11:10:00.000-08:00

This is one of two waves paintings. You have to go to my new blog location to see the other one!

6"x6" acrylic on 1.5" depth gallery wrap canvas

Handprint No. 2

2012-01-31T15:13:00.000-08:00

This is just a crop of my newest painting. To view the full piece, check it out at my new blog location:

New Business Cards

2012-01-30T15:36:00.000-08:00

Go check out my new blog location to see how each one is customized/unique!

Handprint No.1

2012-01-20T15:01:00.000-08:00

Below is a sneak peek of the newest piece. To see the piece in full, visit the new blog location.

The Blog is Moving!

2012-01-15T15:06:00.000-08:00

Hey all! GREAT news -I finally got a legit painting website put together:
http://www.aubreypaints.com/

Not only that, but the bog will now be through Wordpress at the new site, here:
http://www.aubreypaints.com/blog.html

If you follow my blog currently, or have just stumbled upon it, please make note of the change and visit the new location often. It will be the same 'ol blog, just in a different location.

Tea Time

2012-01-11T13:25:00.000-08:00

Here is a painting I did back in the summer of '06. It is at my Mom's house. I still like it -which is saying a lot (if you are an artist, writer, etc... you know how older work can sometimes make you cringe).

16"x20" acrylic on striped fabric (fabric stained with tea prior to stretching)

Perhaps I like it because it reminds me of its original inspiration -Tea parties my sisters and I used to have in which we would dress extravagantly, eat stacks of peanut buttered Ritz crackers, create a huge mess and, inevitably, stain our Mom's table cloth.

More Cards!

2012-01-10T13:18:00.000-08:00

It feels good to finally be producing some prints of my work. I really like how these turned out in card form. Next up -art prints mounted to 3/4" depth board.

set of (3) cards with prints of Santa Monica Beach paintings

purchase here for $12

set of (3) cards with prints of Venice, CA paintings

purchase here for $12

Etsy Print Shop Open!

2012-01-09T10:12:00.000-08:00

I've added a "print" section to my Etsy shop. Below is a shot of the first addition, but more are on the way!

set of (3) cards, high quality print sewn to card face, inside blank

purchase here for $12

Small Victories of 2011 and New Goals for 2012

2012-01-01T13:00:00.000-08:00

Time to review the goals for 2011. The bad news is that I most certainly did not work out 3x/week. (Ug.) The good news is that I far exceeded my artistic goal to enter at least four contests/shows. I actually entered six. Not only that, but I made the scary decision mid year (thanks to God's provision and my husband's encouragement/support) to turn artist full time.

(Portrait of Journey 16"x20" acrylic on illustration board -completed in '06)

Also, my New Year's resolution way back in 2010 was to complete 52 paintings that year. That was a real struggle and, while I emerged victorious at year-end, I pointedly deciding not to attempt it again in 2011. Imagine my surprise when, looking back over 2011, I discovered that I have far exceeded 52 paintings this year! The number is actually somewhere in the high 60s. Things do get easier when you make them a habit.

SO...Here are my goals for 2012:
1) Work out 3x/week (just keep plugging, right?)
2) Complete (3) cohesive bodies of work, each containing at least (12) paintings
3) Have a solo art show
4) Increase my artistic income tenfold (based on 2011 earnings)

What are your personal and/or artistic goals for 2012? Have you been able to maintain goals from previous years? Do you find that once one seemingly insurmountable goal has been accomplished it paves the way for bigger and bigger challenges?

Lucas

2011-12-26T13:00:00.000-08:00

Adorable nephew:

10"x8" watercolor and colored pencil on cold press watercolor paper

a gift

Ice Cream at the Cape

2011-12-04T13:28:00.000-08:00

A Christmas present for Grandma:

10"x8" acrylic on canvas faced art board

sold

Happy Anniversary, Josh

2011-11-29T19:21:00.000-08:00

I love you.

Many Thanks

2011-11-24T12:31:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving all! By the time this post publishes we should all be in the blissful state of food-coma. This Thanksgiving I am especially grateful for three things:

1) God's provision. My husband and I took a big risk to move to LA from Columbus, OH early this summer and we have been provided for every step of the way. We've definitely reached a point in our lives where we can't take credit for the good that comes our way -only give thanks.

2) Two of my lovely sisters and a friend are flying/driving in to enjoy a big Thanksgiving dinner and spend an extended weekend visiting.

3) The two dashing men that I get to spend my days with.

(Josh and Marvin at Angeles National Forest)

Bruno

2011-11-23T12:27:00.000-08:00

Another commissioned doggy painting (this time for a birthday present). Love those big bat ears!

10"x10" acrylic on canvas

sold

Acts 17:27

2011-11-13T14:01:00.000-08:00

Here is my submission for the Intersections show at my church, Ecclesia. I've been going back and forth about whether or not this piece is too blatant... I used gold leaf for the first time and will be using it a ton in my next series.

30"x24" acrylic and gold leaf on 1.5" depth canvas

(wanted to show how sweet the gold leaf looks when the light hits it)

The piece is titled Acts 17:27 but is really based on both verses 26 and 27:

"and He made from one every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times, and the boundaries of their habitation, that they should seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;"

This scripture has had a tremendous impact on my faith. It is a long story so I won't delve into specifics right now but for me it has been about how God enters into the circumstances of our lives in ways that lead us to Him. The best part is where it says "though He is not far from each one of us." It is like he is right there next to us and we have the choice to ignore Him and go it alone or acknowledge Him and accept grace.

Sandia Mountains Commission

2011-11-10T16:30:00.000-08:00

7"x5" watercolor, colored pencil and ink on cold press watercolor paper

sold

The above piece was commissioned by another lover of New Mexico. He tells me that he travels there every year to reflect. Since completing the New Mexico series I have met SO many people who have had spiritual experiences there. If you haven't been there then put it on your bucket list. My paintings are only a small homage -an foggy reflection- compared to the grandeur of that landscape when witnessed in person.

Urban Beach No4

2011-11-10T13:40:00.000-08:00

24"x18" acrylic on 1.5" depth canvas-faced art board

Love the light in this one. It is baking light. -And the blue of the sky is in reality how the sky often is here. SUPER saturated. Amazing. Also, I can't really figure out how the devil palm trees can stand up straight. They look so top heavy. If anyone knows the science behind it, please enlighten me.

Urban Beach No3

2011-11-09T13:38:00.000-08:00

20"16" acrylic on 1.5" depth canvas

The old guy on the left is kinda creeping me out...but he was in reality so I don't think I should change that. -Opinions?

Urban Beach No2

2011-11-08T13:33:00.000-08:00

20"x16" acrylic on 1.5" depth stretched canvas

I took my photo reference for these Urban Beach paintings down at Venice Beach. That place is so wild.

Lots of homeless people, weed, sidewalk vendors, street performers, etc... Some of it is shocking but the whole scene altogether is very visual -busy and colorful and sunny. I think there are probably even more (than the current five) Venice Beach paintings in my future because the palce presents a wealth of possibilities.

Urban Beach No1

2011-11-07T16:33:00.000-08:00

24"x18" acrylic on 1.5" depth, canvas-faced art board

This piece is one of (5) that I'm submitting as a proposal for a group show. Hopefully the proposal is accepted and these can hang in a gallery! Steve Hodowsky is putting together the proposal and responsible for taking the initiative. Check out his work -it is fantastic (I especially like the grocery cart piece).

Urban Beach Sketches

2011-10-28T11:43:00.000-07:00

Here are a few sketches for several paintings which I'll be completing for a possible (we have to submit an application) Urban Beach -themed group show. I'm pretty excited about this. Went down to Venice Beach and took some reference photos...That place is wild.

Pasadena Ramblings

2011-10-24T13:09:00.000-07:00

Last Wed. I was up in Pasadena dropping off a painting for The Nature Exhibit at Linus Gallery and took the opportunity to visit the Norton Simon Museum. The museum has a ton of great work. SO much Degas. Only had time to get through less than half of it so will have to go back. Here are a few pieces that particularly struck my fancy-

The Traveler by Liubov Popova

While I'm not necessarily one to complete cubist work myself, I can definitely enjoy it. The style works perfectly for a subject like travelling. Seems like a scrapbook full of ticket stubs, notes, pictures of places visited, signs etc...

Portrait of Leila by Pierre Bonnard

Something to aim fore in portraiture. The pose and setting is classical but the graphic pattern of the chair and the paint application is modern/emotional.

The Legislative Belly by Honore Daumier

Okay so this piece wasn't at the museum but a few paintings by Honore Daumier were there and while reading his biography I learned that he was a respected caricaturist. Having completed a stint in caricature while in college I still dabble and the subject always interests me. I believe a piece like the above can be on the same plane as, say, a Degas. (Don't get offended here -I love Degas.) It just seems that there is as much to be learned from it and as much thought and skill most likely went into it.

Gnarly Hands

2011-10-22T09:31:00.000-07:00

My dad was kind enough to text me a few pics of his hand walking along resulting in some more study sketches for the intersections piece. I like the very first one the best because it looks like the hand is actually taking a stroll.

Riley

2011-10-19T13:37:00.000-07:00

Just finished up (and will be shipping-off today) this commission. It is going to be a Christmas present. The subject is cute dachshund named Riley.

10"x10" acrylic on 1.5" depth canvas-textured artist board

Emphasizing Faith in Art

2011-10-18T12:26:00.000-07:00

Some big things (36"x48" big) are brewing here. I'm working an entry for an Intersections art show at Ecclesia and am also starting a new series that is going to be very spiritually based. The sketch below is a brainstorm for the show entry. As far as the series is concerned, don't worry, you won't be seeing any Pietas or Madonnas but I do want to start bringing my faith into my work in a much bigger way. I've listed some quotes below the sketch which should give an idea of the direction in which I am heading...

(brainstorm for Intersections art show entry)

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world." -Psalm 19:1-4

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." -Albert Einstein

"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the fields will clap their hands." -Isaiah 55:12

"Some keep the Sabbath going to Church,
I keep it staying at Home-
With a bobolink for a Chorister,
And an Orchard, for a Dome."
-Emily Dickinson

"I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it...People think pleasing God is all God care about. But any fool living in the world can see it always trying to pleas us back." -Alice Walker, The Color Purple

(picture taken at The Angeles National Forest)

Urban Landscape With Pink Sky

2011-10-16T10:14:00.000-07:00

6"x6" acrylic and ink on 1.5" gallery canvas, return edge is painted black

purchase here for $50

Urban Landscape With Purple Sky

2011-10-15T10:14:00.000-07:00

6"x6" acrylic and ink on 1.5" depth gallery canvas, return edge is painted black

purchase here for $50

Back Alley Urban Landscape

2011-10-14T13:49:00.000-07:00

This is the back alley behind my apartment.

6"x6" acrylic and ink on 1.5" depth canvas

(1.5" return edge is painted black)

purchase here for $50

I'm trying to decide what subject to do for my next series and struggling to make a decision. Feeling a bit uninspired. Here are some of the ideas that I've been toying with:

1) Venice Beach boardwalk (all the people, the homeless, the grunge, the sun etc...)

2) people in lines

3) downtown LA urban landscapes

Thoughts?

I've Been Chided

2011-10-11T17:39:00.000-07:00

My sister chided me today for being such a lax blogger...So I finally took some pics of this guy:

6"x6" acrylic and ink on 1.5" depth canvas

purchase here for $50

(a pic of the painting in its current environment -for scale and perspective to see the edge is painted black)

Other things that I'm working on which will be coming soon:
>More pet portraits
>(3) More 6"x6" urban landscapes similar to the one above
>A new website (this may take a while but I'm beginning to put it together so stay tuned...)

Abbot Kinney Plein Air Urban Landscape No. 2

2011-09-26T13:46:00.000-07:00

6"x6" acrylic on 1.5" depth gallery wrap canvas

(1.5" depth return edge is painted black)

purchase here for $30

Abbot Kinney Plein Air Urban Landscape No. 1

2011-09-25T17:46:00.000-07:00

I did some plein air painting at the Abbot Kinney (Venice, CA) street fair today. It was a good time and there was a lot to see at all of the booths. Plus I love the smell of street food!

8"x8" acrylic on 1.5" depth gallery wrap canvas

(1.5" depth return edge is painted black)

purchase here for $150

Hollywood Farmers Market No2

2011-09-24T10:53:00.000-07:00

I chose to paint the Hollywood Farmers Market for an agricultural show submission because I like the contrast of the fresh produce in the middle of the grubby city. The contrast has been emphasized in this piece by the parking meter in the background and in the last piece by the car and grungy sidewalk.

18"x24" acrylic on wooden artboard w/ canvas face

Hollywood Farmers Market No1

2011-09-23T10:47:00.000-07:00

This is one of two submissions that I made today to an exhibition based on agriculture. I absolutely love the farmer's markets in California. I grew up in farm country in Indiana and we always had a huge-super-mega garden so I am very picky about produce but I've had some strawberries at the Hollywood Farmer's market that are THE BEST I've ever tasted. I'm drooling right now thinking about them.

18"x24" acrylic on wooden artboard w/ canvas face

Cute Doggy Mug No.2

2011-09-21T13:56:00.000-07:00

5.5" x 8.5" (outside, white edge) watercolor, ink and colored pencil on coldpress watercolor paper

Cute Doggy Mug

2011-09-20T10:01:00.000-07:00

6"x6" acrylic on 1.5" depth gallery wrap canvas

Did this piece for a friend. It is to be a Christmas present for one of her friends I believe...Even more doggy and baby portraits are on the way.

Also, working on some farmer's market pieces which am excited about. Will be much bigger than the dailies I've been posting recently -and also very colorful (which is fun, eh?)

Harper's Favorite Spot

2011-09-19T10:33:00.000-07:00

11"x14" acrylic on 1.5" depth gallery wrap canvas

This is my adorable ginger nephew, Harper. Love it when babies realize what "outside" is and want to go there constantly. So cute.

Inspiration from The Getty

2011-09-18T14:25:00.000-07:00

I have quite a few daily paintings that I have to take pics of and post but in the mean time would like to share a few points of inspiration that I gleaned visiting The Getty yesterday afternoon.

Even if you never make it into the museum exhibits, the architecture and gardens alone are worth a visit. It is all incredibly well thought out and has a very calming effect.

(image found here)

There is also a ton of beautiful and thought provoking artwork there. I jotted down a few artists/pieces that really struck me for different reasons-

(image found here)

Thomas Rowlandson had an ink and watercolor work exhibited (it was different than the one above, but same style). I'm always a fan of caricature and it is intriguing to see such comedic work going on in the 1700's. -Beware if you look this guy up, though, as some of his work is verging on pornographic.

(image found here)

This piece, Portrait of Jeanne Kefer, by Fernand Khnopff is just brilliant. The pale, cool pallet contrasting with her warm figure and the space emphasizing how small she is is just perfect.

(image found here)

Baronne de Domecy by Odilon Redon is such a unique portrait. The sitter is rendered in a realistic manner and in very bland tones while the background is free and verging on abstract. I think this work struck a chord with me because I have been struggling to push beyond following photographic reference to the detail and, instead, creating a piece that is overall visually harmonious.

I think this Redon quote (found on Wikipedia) is interesting -"I have often, as an exercise and as a sustenance, painted before an object down to the smallest accidents of its visual appearance; but the day left me sad and with an unsatiated thirst. The next day I let the other source run, that of imagination, through the recollection of the forms and I was then reassured and appeased."

Hope this post isn't boring; I know it is a bit more wordy than usual!

Santa Monica Bluffs No. 1

2011-09-16T14:57:00.000-07:00

6"x6" on 1.5" depth gallery wrap canvas

purchase here for $25

Santa Monica Plein Air No. 2

2011-09-14T13:18:00.000-07:00

Several older women out for afternoon strolls stopped to talk to me while I was painting this in Santa Monica Park. One was also a painter and she spoke of a situation much like mine where finished pieces are piling up/leaning against walls. Another spoke of a painting that she purchased for $20 thirty years ago which, she says, she still absolutely enjoys seeing every single day. Still another pointed out a white poodle walking by and told me that I should incorporate "that fluffy rear end" into my next piece. Hilarious (and probably a good idea, too).

Everyone who comes up to speak with me loves art. It is very encouraging and great to get so many perspectives. Yet another reason why plein air painting will be something that I continue.

6"x6" acrylic on 1.5" depth gallery wrap canvas

purchase here for $25

Santa Monica Plein Air No. 1

2011-09-13T13:08:00.000-07:00

So I took my newly arrived french easel out for the first time...and discovered that plein air painting is the bomb. Of course it helps that I was in Santa Monica Park above the bluffs -in the sun and the ocean breeze- looking down on the beach.

Yes. Be jealous.

Also, I work much more quickly than anticipated and will need to get some canvases that are bit larger for next month. Anyways, here is the first result of my independent plein air adventures:

6"x6" acrylic on 1.5" depth gallery wrap canvas

purchase here for $25

The tire tracks left in the sand and the abstract lines/shapes that they form are interesting. Will possibly have to explore that aspect of the beach further at a later date.

Succulents No. 2

2011-09-12T17:08:00.000-07:00

I can't believe my first month of a painting/day is almost halfway done already. It honestly hasn't been as grueling as I had imagined. Sticking with smaller canvas seems to help with that. Here's what happened on the 9th:

6"x6" acrylic on 1.5" depth gallery wrap canvas

purchase here for $25

Succulents No. 1

2011-09-11T13:05:00.000-07:00

Many a house plant has died at my hands. I simply neglect them. Are succulents supposed to be easy to take care of? -Or perhaps paintings of plants will have to replace actual plants in my apartment so that the death toll can stop where it's at.

acrylic 8"x8" painting on 1.5" depth gallery wrapped canvas

purchase here for $50

Hollywood Watercolor

2011-09-10T13:35:00.000-07:00

Really stretching into my photo reference folders these past few days...Good thing the french easel is officially here and some open air paintings are on the way!

8.5"x5.5" (outside, white edge dimension) watercolor, colored pencil and ink on cold press watercolor paper

purchase here for $25

Chinatown LA Watercolor

2011-09-09T13:38:00.000-07:00

I did this piece awhile back in acrylic on wood panel and thought I'd give it a go as a watercolor.

5.5"x8.5" (outside, white edge) watercolor, colored pencil and ink on cold press watercolor paper

sold

Corrugated Barn in Indiana

2011-09-08T13:07:00.000-07:00

...I realize my subject matter is kinda jumping around w/ these dailies. Must adopt a new theme and do another series like the New Mexico/Arizona series.

5.5"x8.5" (outside, white edge dimension) watercolor, colored pencil and ink on cold press watercolor paper

purchase here for $25

I have an french easel on the way as well as (15) 6"x6" canvases so here are a few series ideas that I've come up with:

Venice Beach -since I'm showing at a gallery there- could result in some really textured/blown-out/messy ocean grunge pieces
Downtown/Urban LA -urban landscapes w/ palm trees and power lines
Succulents Up-Close -really digging the exotic plant life here in LA and would like to to some big, graphic paintings of succulents a-la-Georgia O'Keeffe

Shaylee Nearly Strangles a Cat

2011-09-07T13:20:00.000-07:00

5.5"x8.5" (outside, whit edge) watercolor, colored pencil and ink and cold press watercolor paper

Lake George Watercolor

2011-09-06T08:55:00.000-07:00

This is Sept 3rd's painting. The subject is Lake George (in Northern Indiana) at dusk. My grandma has had a cottage there since before I was born. I learned to swim there and spent countless summer days in the water with my siblings and cousins. It is THE best place I've ever been in my life -my favorite place.

8.5"x5.5" (outside paper edge) watercolor, colored pencil and ink on cold press watercolor paper

purchase here for $25

Grand Canyon Watercolor No. 4

2011-09-05T15:30:00.000-07:00

This is the piece I completed on Sept 2nd. Had some trouble with it. Spanked it with some ink and colored pencil which made it behave but also made it more of a drawing than a painting. Oh well.

8.5"x5.5" (outside edge) watercolor, colored pencil and ink on cold press watercolor paper

purchase here for $25

Beach Watercolor

2011-09-02T12:15:00.000-07:00

I forget what the name of this beach was. But it was up near Malibu, small and not busy. Painting numero uno for the month of September complete!

8.5"x5.5" (outside edge) watercolor, colored pencil and ink on cold press watercolor paper

purchase here for $25

Josh and I made plans to go to San Diego for Labor Day weekend. Neither of us have been so it should be a grand time -and will hopefully result in a few cool daily paintings. Does anyone else have exciting Labor Day plans?

A Painting/Day in September

2011-08-31T14:12:00.000-07:00

There is a huge group of artists that blog online daily paintings. Until now I have lacked the time or energy to commit to this kind of goal but I have always wanted to try it. SO, this is me committing to completing a painting/day in the month of September. Let's see how it goes!

In order to keep inspired, I've been reading my good 'ol blog roll and some books on master painters. Here are a few images from the blogroll that I have set aside as extra interesting-

by William Wray

(Love the simplicity, the color pallet and the otherwise ignored setting.)

by Randall David Tipton

(This artist has taken his landscapes to an unexpected place- really shows a personal interpretation.)

by Don Gray

(This piece just reminds me of so many places in the rural Midwest where I grew up. The humble but tidy building is touching.)

by Kim Cadmus

(Urban landscape taken to the next level -graphic yet still grungy. Love it.)

Plein Air Painting Here I Come

2011-08-30T11:41:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went with Lisa Goldfarb to try some plein air painting. Neither of us have done much in this vein so Lisa suggested a safe place to try would be Paint Lab in Santa Monica. Basically, you pay $20 and they provide brushes, easel, paints and space (you purchase your painting surface separately). It is nice not to have to lug supplies around -esp. if just diving into this sort of thing, however the space itself is not very inspiring. Next time I will load up my own supplies and try a more scenic vista. Will need to get a fold-up/travel easel.

10"x10" on 1.5" depth canvas

purchase here for $100

Grand Canyon Acrylic 3

2011-08-26T17:39:00.000-07:00

...And here's another grand canyon acrylic. You can find its small watercolor version in this earlier post. I'm really working towards not being too literal in my interpretation when using photo reference. Makes me feel a bit like a baby crawling about but I know it's good.

16"x20" acrylic on 1.5" depth stretched canvas

purchase here for $400

Grand Canyon Acrylic 1 & 2

2011-08-23T16:22:00.000-07:00

16"x20" acrylic on 1.5"depth stretched canvas

purchase here for $400

16"x20" acrylic on 1.5"depth stretched canvas

purchase here for $400

Here is what they look like next to each other.

Convo me on Etsy to purchase both for $600.

Venice Beach Sketches

2011-08-21T17:07:00.000-07:00

Spent the day at Venice Beach yesterday. Pulled off a few sketches between naps and The House of Mirth.

New Mexico Acrylic No. 4

2011-08-18T13:30:00.000-07:00

8"x8" acrylic on canvas

purchase here for $100

Ear Nightingale -The Strangest Secret Part1

2011-08-17T09:12:00.000-07:00

Earl Nightingale's recordings have really interested/inspired me lately. (The older I get the more I am into self help -hehe.)

This is just part 1 of 3 so go to YouTube if you are intrigued and would like to hear the rest. Part 2 is really interesting in that he talks about how people can float through life -doing what they're expected to do- w/out ever stopping to decide what their goal is and what steps should be taken to get there. -Thoughts/comments?

New Mexico Acrylic No. 3

2011-08-16T10:45:00.000-07:00

The second gallery showing fell through which left me temporarily unmotivated... (Not enough artists signed up. The space was really not ideal, so I get it and am actually not too disappointed.) Will just have to finish these pieces that I'm working on and find another venue.

20"x16" acrylic and ink on 1.5" depth canvas

$400 purchase here

Family Portraits

2011-08-07T16:17:00.000-07:00

I took a break from New Mexico/Arizona landscapes yesterday and did some family portraits. All are 8"x8" acrylic on stretched canvas.

Will have to post a pic once they have been hung so you can visualize the final result.

E-mail me (aubrey.studebaker@gmail.com) if you are interested in commissioning portraits!

New Mexico Acrylic No. 2

2011-08-02T11:43:00.000-07:00

This is the other acrylic piece which will be displaying at Venice Art House. At first I wasn't sure about going the illustrator-ish route by adding the black ink lines but I like how it turned out. I will be keeping this style for the other New Mexico/Arizona pieces (there are about 5-6 more to come!)

20"x16" acrylic and ink on 1.5" depth canvas

New Mexico Acrylic No. 1

2011-08-01T11:42:00.000-07:00

This will be hanging/for sale at the Venice Art House which is opening on Friday (going there this afternoon to set up). I absolutely can't wait! This is the first gallery I've displayed in since graduating college...Just needed a few years to conquer my fears. (o;

20"x16" acrylic and ink on 1.5" depth canvas

Also, I framed the two lovelies below which will be on display/for sale along with their larger acrylic counterparts. I got the (2) frames and (2) mats (which have a beaut texture) for a total of $9.75 at a wholesale shop near my house. Score!

The Limited Color Pallet

2011-07-30T11:08:00.000-07:00

Right now I'm working on a group of acrylic New Mexico/Arizona pieces which will be up in two group-show galleries in August. I am trying something with these that I haven't done much of before: using a limited color pallet. Here are the only colors that I'm using-

(That's ultramarine blue -red shade, permanent rose, light green permanent, titanium white and cadmium yellow medium.) Limiting the color pallet is great for keeping the pieces more cohesive and also for staying with the color strategy initially decided on. Will have to have to use this trick more often.

And here's a preview-

Rather jumbled/disorganized looking right now but not for long...I will post the finished pieces and that should be very soon since the deadlines are looming.

Grand Canyon Watercolors 2&3

2011-07-25T23:20:00.000-07:00

4"x6" watercolor, ink and colored pencil on cold press watercolor paper

for sale as a pair (for $50) here

New Mexico Watercolor No.3

2011-07-19T11:51:00.000-07:00

I'm really happy with this one. Also, (6) 16x20 canvases were ordered yesterday from my good friend Dick Blick on which the acrylic versions of these Western landscapes will be realized soon...

4"x6"

purchase (for $25) here

Also, I recovered some throw pillows yesterday as planned. Been waiting to use this fabric for quite some time. Found it in a reclaim bin for super cheap because I guess the dye lot was messed up or something...but I think it is beautiful. Marvin likes it too, as you can see.

Fresh Coat of Paint

2011-07-17T21:30:00.000-07:00

Still settling into the new place and decided that this side table needed to be white. So I did some less-than-artistic painting in the courtyard. Made a mess. Marvin now has a white paint streak on his back end.

before

after!

I would also like to note that my sister saved this table from being thrown away by the people she bought her house from and graciously gifted it to me. It is hand-made, one of a kind and has a chipped handle that makes it look like it is squinting or winking or something.

Tomorrow I'll be busting out some job applications but will try to squeeze some recovering of throw pillows into the equation along with another watercolor study.

Grand Canyon Watercolor

2011-07-16T18:27:00.000-07:00

4"x6"

purchase (for $25) here

...Came a little close to overworking this one and had to stop. Makes a good study, though.

New Mexico Watercolor No.2

2011-07-15T14:14:00.000-07:00

Second watercolor completed of the New Mexico landscape. The plan is to use these watercolors as tiny studies for larger, canvas/acrylic pieces.

7"x5"

purchase (for $50) here

New Mexico Watercolor

2011-07-14T14:25:00.000-07:00

Here is the first of several watercolors that I'm completing from photo reference taken on the drive West. (Forgive me, I should take this to get it scanned for a better image but this is what you get right now.)

7"x5"

purchase (for $50) here

New Mexico was entirely surprising to me. It was so very beautiful. Lots of trains, mountains and little puffy tufts of vegetation. The overall coloring of the land was inspirational -such a subtle, warm, rich and creamy pallet.

I wanted to stay for awhile but California was waiting...

Santa Monica Beach Sketches

2011-07-13T17:24:00.000-07:00

I took a break from unpacking/cleaning last Friday to hit Santa Monica Beach. It was so crowded there were places where I couldn't see the sand for all the people. Fun times, though. Here are a few doodles I scribbled between naps-

Some Monday Inspiration

2011-07-11T10:27:00.000-07:00

Here is an artist's website that I found awhile back which affords some much needed inspiration. (All images below taken from the site.)

The scenes are very dream-like/moody and textural.

There is some trouble understand what exactly the work is for but I think it must be mainly illustration pieces because many of the images seem like they should have a story connection (below, for example).

This artist has achieved a style that is admirably individualized and recognizable. Aspects of whimsy, imagination and humor are all part of what makes the work memorable. I love, love, love what has been accomplished here.

What are your thoughts?

Travels, Arrivals & Cadillacs

2011-07-09T20:16:00.000-07:00

Well, we arrived in LA on the 4th of July and spent all week cleaning and unpacking. This move signifies for both my husband and myself a decision to focus more on our creative goals. That means some serious painting time and more frequent blog posts!

I did manage to do a small amount of painting at one of the sites we stopped at along the way- Cadillac Ranch. This place is so much fun because there doesn't seem to be any rules. It is in the middle of nowhere (Amarillo, TX) and smells oppressively like a pig farm but there are constantly trails of cars and people making their way out -cans of spray paint in hand.

Perfect example of how this functions as a time-lapse art piece: Below is the family portrait Josh & I did. I spray painted my silhouette and Marvin's in blue and Josh did his own torso in black.

We walked elsewhere to do some more damage and returned not five minutes later to find that Josh's painting had already been accessorized w/ and orange hat and face. Hehe. Love it.

Moving & Funny Pic

2011-06-15T07:29:00.000-07:00

Big news: my husband & I will be moving from Columbus, OH to LA at the end of this month. This means that I will probably continue to be bad about posting new paintings until early next month. Sorry; please bear w/ me.

As an apology I offer this funny picture of my dog Marvin:

The Introverted Artist

2011-05-26T06:32:00.000-07:00

Several new paintings are in the works right now. Will actually have the weekend in town for once (no travelling) so hopefully they can be finished and there will actually be more than a post once every several weeks.

In the mean time, I found something online that was a really enjoyable/personal read. Perhaps, since many artists are introverts, some of you will find it interesting too. Let me know what you think:

Myth #1 – Introverts don’t like to talk.
This is not true. Introverts just don’t talk unless they have something to say. They hate small talk. Get an introvert talking about something they are interested in, and they won’t shut up for days.

Myth #2 – Introverts are shy.
Shyness has nothing to do with being an Introvert. Introverts are not necessarily afraid of people. What they need is a reason to interact. They don’t interact for the sake of interacting. If you want to talk to an Introvert, just start talking. Don’t worry about being polite.

Myth #3 – Introverts are rude.
Introverts often don’t see a reason for beating around the bush with social pleasantries. They want everyone to just be real and honest. Unfortunately, this is not acceptable in most settings, so Introverts can feel a lot of pressure to fit in, which they find exhausting.

Myth #4 – Introverts don’t like people.
On the contrary, Introverts intensely value the few friends they have. They can count their close friends on one hand. If you are lucky enough for an introvert to consider you a friend, you probably have a loyal ally for life. Once you have earned their respect as being a person of substance, you’re in.

Myth #5 – Introverts don’t like to go out in public.
Nonsense. Introverts just don’t like to go out in public FOR AS LONG. They also like to avoid the complications that are involved in public activities. They take in data and experiences very quickly, and as a result, don’t need to be there for long to “get it.” They’re ready to go home, recharge, and process it all. In fact, recharging is absolutely crucial for Introverts.

Myth #6 – Introverts always want to be alone.
Introverts are perfectly comfortable with their own thoughts. They think a lot. They daydream. They like to have problems to work on, puzzles to solve. But they can also get incredibly lonely if they don’t have anyone to share their discoveries with. They crave an authentic and sincere connection with ONE PERSON at a time.

Myth #7 – Introverts are weird.
Introverts are often individualists. They don’t follow the crowd. They’d prefer to be valued for their novel ways of living. They think for themselves and because of that, they often challenge the norm. They don’t make most decisions based on what is popular or trendy.

Myth #8 – Introverts are aloof nerds.
Introverts are people who primarily look inward, paying close attention to their thoughts and emotions. It’s not that they are incapable of paying attention to what is going on around them, it’s just that their inner world is much more stimulating and rewarding to them.

Myth #9 – Introverts don’t know how to relax and have fun.
Introverts typically relax at home or in nature, not in busy public places. Introverts are not thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies. If there is too much talking and noise going on, they shut down. Their brains are too sensitive to the neurotransmitter called Dopamine. Introverts and Extroverts have different dominant neuro-pathways. Just look it up.

Myth #10 – Introverts can fix themselves and become Extroverts.
A world without Introverts would be a world with few scientists, musicians, artists, poets, filmmakers, doctors, mathematicians, writers, and philosophers. That being said, there are still plenty of techniques an Extrovert can learn in order to interact with Introverts. (Yes, I reversed these two terms on purpose to show you how biased our society is.) Introverts cannot “fix themselves” and deserve respect for their natural temperament and contributions to the human race. In fact, one study (Silverman, 1986) showed that the percentage of Introverts increases with IQ.

(original source)

LA for Work Art Show

2011-05-09T03:48:00.000-07:00

This piece (subject: Chinatown, LA) is for an art show that we're having at work (benefit of working at a place with so many artists). Each piece submitted should used recycled materials in some way. I used some of the mountain of soliciting mail that is dropped on our front stoop constantly. And some aluminum foil. Just a bit.

12"x12" collage, acrylic & ink pen on wood panel

purchase here ($100)

I Had Triplets!

2011-04-30T08:21:00.000-07:00

Well, not really (tee hee). These commissioned pieces are finally completed. (2 copy paintings of a painting I did last year -mentioned in this post.) Here they are:

I paint watercolors by taping them down to the table. Works well.

copy 1

copy 2

Each piece is approx. 10"x14;" watercolor, colored pencil and black ink pen on coldpress watercolor paper. They are on the way (in the mail) to be gifted to the sisters of the woman who received the original painting.

Vivian Maier, Street Photographer

2011-03-28T08:21:00.000-07:00

My friend Stacey found a blog with some amazing/inspirational street photography by a woman named Vivian Maier. There are some insanely interesting photographs. Here are a few (all photos below taken from the blog linked above) but I encourage you to visit the blog itself & scroll through the many, many excellent images there.

I could spend hours and hours looking at this woman's photos.

The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies

2011-03-23T14:13:00.000-07:00

I am in the middle of completing a unique painting assignment. Awhile back I completed this piece as a commission to be given as a gift to a young lady's grandmother:

The grandmother contacted me a short time after wanting to purchase two more paintings of the same imagery for her sisters. She said that she knew each painting would be unique/not necessarily look exactly like the one that she received but that she wanted her sisters to have original paintings as well. I think that's fantastic. It is going to be an interesting experiment, though -completing the same painting 3x...will need some kind of chocolatey fuel...

Here is the BEST chocolate chip cookie recipe EVER! (simple, perfect, delicious):
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup Hershey's special dark chocolate chips
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
bake at 350 degrees for 12-14 minutes (or until very lightly golden brown on top)

Church Sketches

2011-03-22T06:31:00.000-07:00

Drawing in church is excellent- people tend to sit still for you.

Above, my nephew Elijah fell instantly asleep on his grandma's shoulder.

Above, a lady in an awesome 80's cable knit sweater.

Above, my sister Mariah's itty-bitty feet rest on the bench in front of her.

Crazy House_Progress

2011-03-09T06:33:00.000-08:00

So I'm not sure if this painting is finished or not. I'm going to set it aside for a week where I can't see it and then pull it out and see how I feel.

I started this last year. Click here if you want to see it's beginnings. Funny story- I shot the reference while driving home from work. It is probably really dangerous but not uncommon that I drive home with my camera out and take pictures while driving. Does anyone else do this?

...Anyways, I'd had my eye on this house for quite a while. It is really very run down and in a bad part of town but it is touching to see all the flowers and the colorful yard. I imagine the person who lives there is an older woman who does not have the mobility to paint the house or clean the gutters. But she loves bright colors and so she plants flowers.

Hudson the Dog

2011-02-26T10:47:00.000-08:00

Here is a commission piece completed as a birthday present for Hudson's dad. (Happy birthday Matt!)

I have met Hudson on several occasions. He is quite rambunctious. I hope that this piece captures some of that personality.

Mail Art 5 & 6

2011-02-10T12:45:00.000-08:00

Here is the last of the mail art! -Now gearing up to complete some larger pieces and several commissions. I hope to be more productive this month in getting paintings completed (and posted on my esty site)!

both are 6"x4" acrylic on paper coated bio-board

Is anyone else READY for the weekend?! It is my Dad's b-day on Saturday so Josh and I will be headed to my parent's house for a visit. Should be a wonderful day full of children running about, card games, chaos... (o:

Mail Art 3 & 4

2011-02-09T12:45:00.000-08:00

It's good to be painting power lines again. I would like to focus more on power line and urban landscape paintings this year. Obviously the below are just quick sketch-type-paintings but I may use these as templates for some larger pieces later on.

6"x4" acrylic on paper coated bio-board

4"x6" acrylic on paper coated bio-board

Mail Art 1 & 2

2011-02-03T06:19:00.000-08:00

I have six total mail arts to complete. I knocked two out last night. I'm not telling who is getting which because, even though I'm sortof ruining the surprise by posting these on my blog...I still want it to be a surprise which one actually arrives in the mail.

I've always been a big fan of starting with a dark background and working in the negative space with a tint. Silhouettes also leave a good amount to the imagination which can be more interesting for the viewer.

...And one of my all time favorite things to paint are power lines...not really sure why that is.

Mail Art Time!

2011-02-01T15:13:00.000-08:00

I signed up to do a mail art project w/ some of you lovely people in the art blogging community. SO glad I did, too because today when I got home from work I was met with to not one but two pieces of mail art!

Hand drawn card, envelope & bracelet from Erika & original painting from Kim. Makes me smile. (o:

...Now I need to get cracking on my art-to-mail, eh?

An Apple a Day...

2011-01-29T15:01:00.000-08:00

This past week has been blog-less on my end because I came down with the flu in a very bad way. Just starting to feel normal again and up for a quick little warm-up painting:

5"x5" acrylic paint on 1.5" depth stretched canvas

(Forgive me for the always-bad photography. It is on my list to get a digital SLR, a tripod and take my photos mid-day for better lighting...until then though it will be poor photography for awhile longer.)

First Painting of 2011

2011-01-22T14:42:00.000-08:00

Time to get back into the swing of painting. I've been doing some thinking about 2010 and how much setting the goal to do 52 paintings pushed me. After last year -painting more than ever before, garnering inspiration from other blogging artists, for the first time being commissioned several times and even selling some pieces on Etsy- I feel some courage coming on.

SO...In 2011 when people ask me what I do, I am not going to respond by explaining my current employment situation but instead say that I am a painter. Painting describes me so much better than what I do for a living.

Weird place to find inspiration but, I saw Bette Midler being interviewed prior to her televised stage show which rang in 2011. She was asked how she had stayed in the business so long -continuing to be successful decade after decade. And Bette said something like (and I'm not quoting directly) "Stubbornness. Persistence. I knew what I wanted to do and wouldn't shut up until they let me do it." I want to approach painting that way moving forward. Remembering that it is what I want to do and not letting self consciousness or other people's measures of success stop me.

Revenge Complete

2011-01-20T09:05:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm done with this series & will be back to posting paintings very soon. After having some fun with this project, however, I will definitely be sharing sketches more often as I aspire to maintain a more regular sketching habit.

Can you guess who the above ladies are?

Ever notice the similarity between Captain Hook (above) & Inigo Montoya (below)? ...Both have big hair, big noses, distinctive mustaches, are out for revenge & are adept swordsmen. Hmm...perhaps long lost brothers?

Above, the sketchbook finally got fed-up with the pen marring its pages & taped the lid shut. The crisp, white page sighed with relief. Revenge was sweet.

Revenge 13 & 14

2011-01-19T11:50:00.000-08:00

As you may have noticed, I ran out of clever ideas about half way through my sketchbook & so started doing drawings on famous films centering around revenge. There are a surprising amount of them. Didn't realize it was such a popular movie theme before this sketchbook.

Russell Crowe in Gladiator

Revenge of the Nerds

I'm racking my brain but can't really think of a time when I plotted & succeeded in taking revenge on someone. Then again, I've never really been sorely wronged like Russell Crowe was in Gladiator. Does anyone have any personal revenge stories to share?

Revenge 10, 11 & 12

2011-01-18T11:33:00.000-08:00

Inglorious Bastards is another really good revenge film. It does a great job conveying the consequences of seeking revenge. The actress that plays the heroine (of sorts), Melanie Laurent is gorgeous in such a unique way.

The above doesn't really look like the villain much but ah well; can't win 'em all.

I had to do the quick sketch above because I felt totally tormented by the Trix commercials when I was a kid. Did anyone else just want the rabbit to have some Trix at least once?!

Revenge 9

2011-01-17T11:17:00.000-08:00

I'm really enjoying getting back into spending more time drawing. For quite some time I was someone who had my sketchbook with me at all times but I have allowed that habit to dwindle over the past few years.

Just a few reasons why keeping a sketchbook is so important for an artist:
1) It keeps you inspired/focused
2) It is a reminder not to take yourself too seriously
3) It is also a reminder of why we do art in the first place -because it is what we love.

I keep returning to that last point especially since I am not what would be termed by society as a successful artist. It is hard not to let that cloud my thoughts or influence my work. I am constantly reminding myself that I am successful as long as I am still doing it and enjoying it.

Revenge, the Cover

2011-01-16T11:13:00.000-08:00

Here is the cover of my sketchbook on revenge:

Thinking about doing a bunch of tiny sketches of sweet treats for the back cover. -That is, if I don't run out of time. Really glad that the post mark date was moved out to 1/18 so that I can have this weekend & Monday to finish up.

Artists vs. Hobbyists

2011-01-15T07:29:00.000-08:00

I try not to be too wordy w/ my posts but would really like to have a conversation about this blog post by blogger Ambera Wellmann. A quote that sums the idea up: "During today’s meeting in a discussion around the difference between artists and hobbyists, someone was quoted as having said 'art making is like a sexual practice: in the case of hobby painting, it’s masturbatory, whereas art that creates a dialogue is like having sex with another person.'"

Not sure that I entirely agree w/ this statement but it does make me wonder: Am I an artist or a hobbyist? Am I just producing work to have a meaningless conversation w/ myself (and is that always wrong or is it sometimes good)? Or does my work open doors to thought & conversation with others? If I'm honest with myself, there are times when I have done a work in the spirit of art & other times when I have done a work in the spirit of a hobbyist. Examples:

The above sill life was strictly an exercise -done w/out any idea of starting a dialog, therefore, it was completed in the spirit of a hobbyist.

The above portrait was painted to be purposefully emotive -to capture the mood & perhaps make you wonder about the thoughts of the subject, therefore, it was completed in the spirit of an artist.

Again, while I may not entirely agree w/ the sentiment quoted, I do see it as a challenge to try to keep my work meaningful & relevant to others...Hopefully this post won't turn out to be a one-sided (aka hobbyist) conversation. I would love to hear other people's thoughts!

Revenge 6, 7 & 8

2011-01-14T07:19:00.000-08:00

Okay, the sketches in this post are ridiculous at best & horribly executed but I'm getting down to the wire on this sketchbook project. It needs to be postmarked 1/15 (ack)!

The banana above gave it's life for a taste of revenge.

One of the best revenge movies of all time is (in my opinion) Kill Bill. And seriously: Uma has some ugly feet. Look- even she appears to be grossed out by them.

Revenge 5, aka Revenge of the Nuts

2011-01-13T07:18:00.000-08:00

I like the idea of inanimate objects exacting revenge. What would it be like if we lived in a world where that could happen? The sidewalks would peel up & smack us in the face, fender benders would turn into car warfare, silverware would dip themselves in hot sauce before dinner and who knows what else?!

Good thing that it is entirely implausible because it would be mayhem.

Okay, so the pile of nuts turned out looking a big like a big pile of steaming poo...but you get the gist.

Revenge 4

2011-01-11T12:17:00.000-08:00

Went to see True Grit this past weekend. I'm not going to give any details away but it is a story largely about revenge so I thought a portrait of the young lady in the film would be a good contribution to the revenge sketchbook:

Revenge 3

2011-01-10T12:11:00.000-08:00

See if you can guess where I'm going w/ this one...

Please bear w/ me on these sketches as I'm treating this sketchbook project as just that- a place for very rough/unfinished work.

Revenge 2

2011-01-09T12:10:00.000-08:00

You'all are going to have to put up w/ this silliness for awhile...Here is my second take on the topic of revenge.

Personally, I'm not big on revenge. It tends to lead to bad places. But just because I don't typically partake, doesn't mean that I don't sometimes enjoy seeing the little guys get theirs.

What comes to mind when you think of revenge? Are there certain stories or someone in particular on whom you'd like to take some revenge? (I'm not condoning, just asking...)

Coworker Sketches

2011-01-06T09:26:00.000-08:00

I finally cleaned my cubicle this week at work. It needed it badly -was like the surface of the moon (if the surface of the moon had piles of papers & samples on it before the dust build-up began). While cleaning, I found a bunch of sketches that I did of some of my coworkers awhile back. I think I'll give them each to the appropriate person but thought it could be fun to share them here before they leave my possession.

This work definitely harkens back to my summers doing caricatures during the college years...Those were some fun times spent with a lot of really talented people from whom I learned so much.

Revenge 1

2011-01-05T16:49:00.000-08:00

I will be taking a hiatus from painting in order to complete my sketchbook for the sketchbook project. My sketchbook's theme is revenge. Since the theme lends itself to darker subjects, my aim is to bring some humor to it.

Does this make sense to anyone else?! (Think about a pencil stewing for years because the eraser keeps destroying its work...Then one fateful day the pencil finds itself on the kitchen counter next to a very useful tool...)

Painting 52

2011-01-04T08:54:00.000-08:00

My mother in law tells stories about her & my father in law's trip to Mexico in their first years of marriage. Some really amazing photos came out of that trip...I most enjoy the story about riding a donkey for hours through the wilderness.

approx. 7.5"x5" graphite & watercolor on cold press watercolor paper

based on photography provided by my father in law