Cow 18...Upper Crust

6 x 6
oil on board
SOLD

Well this is my last cow until New Years.  We are heading to London for Christmas to visit our daughter.  I considered bringing my paints(for a tiny second) and then decided sometimes it is good to just be on a full out vacation.  I will have my camera though to take many inspiring pictures for the New Year.  Wishing everyone a wonderful holiday.

Cow 17...Wondering

oil on board
6 x 8
SOLD

I am back to painting on the 6 x 6, I find even something as simple as changing the canvas size can really change things up...more interest for me.

Cow 16...I've been thinking

6 x 8
oil on board
$65.00

This cow was so much fun to paint,  I love the shape of the head and the markings around the eyes. There is such great light around the ears.

Cow 15...I'm blue for you

6 x 8
oil on board
SOLD

I added quite a few subtle highlights to the darks in the painting, I am happy with the outcome...it gives it a little more interest..  Notice the skinny little leg...I find this quite amusing.

Cow 14

6 x 8
oil on board
SOLD

I am finding the most lovely muted purples in my new palette...it is a surprise everyday.  Since I have been focusing  on cows I have just noticed how thin their legs are to hold up those huge bodies, interesting.

Cow 13

6 x 8
oil on board
$65.00

Each painting I do I feel more comfortable with the primary palette, it amazes me how many varieties of colours you can get from just a few tubes of paint.  I wanted the colours in this painting to be warm...a golden hew.  I love the combination of pink,green and gold.

Cow 12

6 x 8
oil on board
SOLD

This cow had quite the hair do.  I used some hints of green and turquoise blue for a little bling.  ..trying not to go to far with the colour though.  I have been making a point of squinting lately, it really does make a difference in breaking the image down and painting what is important.

Cow 11

6 x 8
oil on board
$65.00

I used less strokes again on this painting.   I am trying the less is more approach...for now.  Still loving the limited palette...freedom.

Cow 10

6 x 8
oil on board
SOLD

Well, I am in the double digits with the cow paintings.  I have to say I am really enjoying painting them and also my new limited palette.  

Cow 9

6 x 8
oil on board
SOLD

The cow is the perfect subject, a go to if you don't know what to paint. I really wanted to try doing soft colour  which for me is a challenge.  I just kept mixing similar tones.  I like the outcome. 

Where's my ball?

6 x 8
oil on board
SOLD

The more I paint the more I love to paint.  In the last week I have completed 4 commissions, each one a complete joy to do.  It has been a year since I joined DPW, it was the best thing I did this year, it has motivated me to keep painting. I was very nervous to put myself out there,  I have  had nothing but great comments and support from customers and fellow artists.  In the last couple of months I can definitely see an improvement in my painting and my self confidence as an artist.

Was it something I did?

oil on board
6 x 8
SOLD

This is a commission.  I got some really great photos from the owner.  I added bits of cobalt to brighten up the painting.

The thinker

6 x 8
oil on board
$65.00

So much fun doing this painting...eventually.  I started it yesterday and was going to toss it this morning, my husband actually said that it looked evil...yikes.  I took one last look at it when I woke up and thought I will bring it to the studio and try to breathe some life and personality into it...voila.  I am so pleased it didn't go into the dead canvas pile.

I'm in charge

6 x 8
oil on board
SOLD

Another commission, this is the first time I have painted a chocolate lab.  I am really pleased with the colours, now that I am just using the primaries to mix I am starting to really enjoy adding a hint of paint to make another shade that seems to work right into the existing colour.

I'm yours

6 x 8
oil on board
SOLD

This is another commission.  Love painting labs.

Cow 8

6 x 8
oil on board
SOLD
I just realized today that some cows have whiskers

Cow 5

6 x 8
oil on board
SOLD

The colours are starting to make a little more sense, I mean how to mix them and what the colour will actually turn out like.  The problem I find is how to mix the same colour again...practise, practise, practise.

Cow 4

6 x 6
oil on board
SOLD

I am addicted to paint colours. I am sure that I have every colour of paint there is.  My tool box full of paints is so heavy I don't even want to pick it up.  I just received  Carol Marines new book which I absolutely love.  While I was reading the section on colour I decided to take another whirl just  mixing with the primaries.  This morning I did colour charts.  This cow is the first painting with my new for now primary palette.

I aim to please

6 x 6
oil on board
SOLD

Commission number 4th and final of the group.

I know everything

6 x 6
oil on board
SOLD

Another commission...definitely a run on small dogs.  I loved how dark the eyes and the nose are...wonderful contrast to the rest of the pooch.

Little big man

6 x 6
oil on board
SOLD

Another commission, how cute is this dog but with a serious side.  As usual black is a challenge to paint for me. I used turquoise blue for the under painting.

I'm looking at you

6 x 6
oil on board

SOLD

This is a commission.  My favourite part of this sweet pup are the eyes, longing, questioning and just a little nervous.

Cow 1

oil on board
6 x 6
$50.00

I was looking at my daughters blog and she had posted some pictures of cows.  She had been out for a walk and they all came charging toward her to say hello... or maybe to get their picture taken, I was inspired.   Here is my first cow painting...there will be many more.  I have decided to use the cow as my subject as I play with colour.  

Winter flowers

6 x 8
oil on board
$65.00

I found this image on paintmyphoto.com.  I loved the simplicity of it. I have a fear of painting glass    so it was a challenge for me.  Usually I use many more colours in my paintings, this was a nice change, very soothing.

Reaching

6 x 6
oil on board
$50.00

I looked through some old pictures and of course the tulips jumped out.  It has been very stormy here lately so it was nice to paint something light.

Purple chair

6 x 6
oil on board
$50.00

At a loss for what to paint, I headed outside and took a picture of one of our deck chairs.  I have 4 and they are all different colours.  Here is #1 which today is my favourite.  

Can I go outside?

6 x 6
oil on board
SOLD

Jack is one of my favourite cats to paint, every time I go into the pet store he is sitting very regally up on his stoop, just high enough so that none of the dogs can bother him...he doesn't like to be bothered.  

Circle cat

6 x 6
oil on board
SOLD

A friend of mine goes for a walk most days and passes this cat.  He finally got close enough(now that the cat trusts him) to take some pictures.  I love how his body and head are lovely and round.

For some reason I find it more difficult to paint animals with smooth lines.  This was definitely a challenge for me.

We are meant for each other

6 x 6
oil on board
DONATED

This is my dog Gracie who I have painted many times.  She has the most lovely personality,  she will place her paw ever so gently on you if she wants attention.  This is the expression that is always on her face.  

Curiousity

6 x 6
oil on board
$50.00

This little doll is a rescue kitten who was adopted last year.   I love the composition of this picture and how her little head is tilted just so.  I enjoy painting pictures where there is not very much background...very effective.

Flowers from Cindy

6 x 6
oil on board

SOLD

These flowers are from my friends garden,  she had come to pick the plums from our tree and thanked me with this beautiful bouquet.  

Patience

6 x 6
oil on board
SOLD

I was at the market a couple of weeks ago and this dog was just sitting patiently waiting for his owner to finish shopping.  It was as if he knew I was taking his picture.  I wanted to keep the painting fairly soft with just a hint of darks.  I am pleased with it. 

Don't rain on my parade

6 x 6
oil on board
$50.00

This was another dog day.  This is Abby, I have painted her before.  Her face is so full of expression.  On this painting I slowed down a little and was more careful where I placed my brush strokes.

Don't fence me in

6 x 6
oil on board
$50.00

I was on vacation for a week and did not pick up my paint brush.  I had every intention of taking hundreds of pictures...not a one was snapped.  Sometimes it's just good to do absolutely nothing productive.

I headed to my studio this morning and started perusing my photos...Baxter was the one.   This is a very loose painting, not much detail.  I seem to be using brighter colours, a little more freedom.  I enjoyed painting this.

Dancing peonies

10 x 10
oil on wrapped canvas
SOLD

I have painted this scene before on a smaller canvas.  The windows are outside of my studio at the art gallery I paint at once a week.  It is quite freeing moving to a larger canvas after doing so many painting on a 6 x 6.

We stand together

6 x 8
oil on board

$65.00

 Originally there was a large window to the left of the arrangement in this painting, it just didn't  work so I took it out.  I like the simplicity.   

I dare you

6 x 6
oil on board
SOLD

This is Millie, she has such a unique look to her.  I did really loose strokes with this painting.  She was a delight to paint.

The Dude 2

6 x 8
oil on board
SOLD

This is the second painting of the Dude for a family who have two son's so they want a painting of their beloved dog for each son.  

Looking through the window

6 x 8
oil on board
$65.00

Today was overcast and very muggy.  I took the dogs for a long walk and then headed home to paint a picture I had already chosen of a beautiful cat from our local shelter.  Well that didn't happen, I just had to paint more tulips.    

Pleasant thoughts

6 x 6
oil on board
SOLD

After the last month painting animals it was time to switch it up a little.  Of course it would be a tulip image that would jump out at me.  I tried to keep the flowers very loose.  I am pleased with the outcome.

Millie

6 x 8
oil on board
SOLD

This is little Millie.  Painting these fluffy dogs is always a little tricky for me.  I start with the placement of the eyes, nose and mouth and then work from there.  I used burnt umber as my under painting.

Yoyo

6 x 8
oil on board
SOLD

This is Yoyo, the colouring on his face is quite interesting, it almost makes him look crooked .  From the stories I have heard he has quite the personality.  

The look

6 x 6
oil on board
SOLD

I have never seen a picture of a cat that didn't warm my heart, this was no exception...her expression is so serious even a little on the cranky side, but you know that she is just a sweetheart.

Millie

6 x 8
oil on board
SOLD
This is sweet Millie, she was an absolute joy to paint...such a beautiful girl.

The Stuffin

oil on board
6 x 6
SOLD

This little dog was at a party I attended last weekend, he looks like a stuffed animal to me. When my kids were little they called all there stuffed animals Stuffins , hence the name.

Baxter

6 x 8
oil on board
SOLD

This is Baxter, my friend Alison and her family trained him for two years to become a service dog.  I am sure it was very bitter sweet the day they had to say goodbye, but he is now a wonderful companion for someone who needs him.

Bad hair day

6 x 8
oil on board
SOLD

Colour experiments with the fluffy white dog.  This painting took off on its own...it all started when I decided to use ultramarine blue for the under painting.

The Dude

6 x 8
oil on board
SOLD

This is the month for commissions,  my girlfriend Alison comes to visit  the island every summer and a couple of days ago photo bombed me with a bunch of pictures of favourite animals that she wants me to paint.  Here is Dude.  

Sweet Abby

oil on board
6 x 8
SOLD

Another commission for a friend of mine.  This is sweet Abby who I met last week for the first time. 

Me and my dad

6 x 6
oil on board
SOLD

I seem to be getting obsessed with running to the market every Saturday to take pics.  Love this dad walking at full speed with his little daughter...another person on a market mission.