Clucky Lucky

I have taken a break from blogging, mainly because I got a new computer (Mac) and have spent many hours (days actually) trying to learn how to do some basic things - like adding a photo to my blog! But in the meantime I have been painting regularly. I found out I love doing chickens, so here is another one. It won't be the last. I have many roosters I want to paint too.

Cote d'Azur maison

My sister has a home near Fayence in the South of France. When we were visiting there in September I was dying to do some plein air painting. The light and colors were unbelievable. But, malhereusement, I did not have my painting gear with me on this trip. So this was done from a photograph I took.

Springtime in Burgundy

When we were in Burgundy a year ago last spring, we drove along the Canal du Nord one morning. The colors were those of new growth and blooms. Everything was fresh and dewy. The sun was trying to break through the drizzle. France is such a beautiful country!

Dancing Cacti

I have been attempting to paint cactus and so far, this is the only one that I would want anyone to see. I certainly have plenty of material around me! But I will keep trying because I have seen so many wonderful cactus paintings. I especially like Mark Haworth's and Kathryn Stats' renditions of cactus.

A Chicken

How is that for a catchy title? I just couldn't come up with anything else. It is my first attempt at painting a chicken but it won't be my last because it was so much fun to paint. I didn't mean to cut the feet off, but it just happened and I hope you will pretend not to notice.

Brandywine Barn

I was recently in Bucks County Pennsylvania, "Wyeth Country," and found this barn really close to where Andrew Wyeth had his studio. It is a beautiful area and there are many "pictures" ready to be painted. I will post another one soon that I am about to put the finishing touches on.

Looking North

Another view on our property. I did take a little liberty with the hills. It is actually a bit flatter, but I wanted the dynamic of a hill. After all it is the Hill Country. This was painted a month or so ago when it was greener. I only wish it looked like that now. I plan to paint it again using the browns and ochres that I actually see right now.

View From A Porch

I thought I would post another square piece that I did. I am really hooked right now on this format. I am sure I will get it out of my system after a while, but at the moment that is all I want to do. Trouble is, I am out of square panels until my husband cuts me some more. This is another view from our house. I am thinking about doing a series gradually working my way all round the place because there is something wonderful to paint in every direction.

A Patch of Blue

I have gotten into painting on a square format lately and love it. I took a workshop last year from Ian Roberts and he did a lot of square paintings and that is what got me interested in it. This painting was done from a photo that I took last year when we had such a fabulous bluebonnet display. What a difference from this spring when there were virtually none!

Steve's Peach Trees

Our neighbor, Steve, has a small area of peach trees which we enjoy driving by especially in the spring. Unfortunately, they do not produce a very sweet peach, so I just enjoy them when they bloom. But it does look as though we will have some fresh peaches in the roadside stands soon although they say that because of the drought they will be small. I need to go get my peach pie recipe out and have it ready!

8 x 10

Oil on canvas panel

Colors of Napa

On a trip to the California wine country I was nearly overwhelmed by the stunning colors. The orange and lavender hills make a wonderful backdrop for the new vines. I am sure that some wonderful wine came out of this vineyard. What a gorgeous place!

Near Albert, Texas

Albert is a small community not too far from Stonewall in the Hill Country. My little plein air group painted out there one spring morning and this is what I came up with. There was a picture everywhere you looked, so I plan to go back there soon. Also, there is a winery and tasting room nearby. And that is a good thing! I am still having trouble getting good photographs of my paintings. for blog posts. Honestly, they look much better than this in reality. I just cannot get a good sharp and true image no matter how much I edit and play around with the photos. It is so frustrating and if anyone can suggest something I would really, really appreciate it.

The Way Home

This is one of my entries in a local juried show sponsored by the Fredericksburg Art Guild. I was really surprised to learn that it won 1st place! But I am thrilled because there were many very good pieces entered. The scene depicts the driveway to our house.

Maybe It's Gonna Rain

I pass by this place every time I go into Fredericksburg. It is a great little building (a bed and breakfast, actually). On this particular day the sun was shining on it, but storm clouds were building behind and the effect was beautiful. So I took out my camera and snapped a picture. Although I had painted this place several times before, the light effects were just too spectacular to pass up, so I went for it once again. And it may not be the last!

Willow Creek

Here is a creek several miles up the road from us. I was out driving around in the late afternoon and the light was wonderful. I shot some pictures of it, and planned to go back with my painting gear the next day at the same time. But the weather turned nasty and I was not able to. So I just used my photo to do this. It has always been my intention to return to the same location, but.......................

House on Shubert St.

One hot day last summer I painted a plein air sketch of this place, and then later did quite a bit of touching up in the studio. I have donated it to a charity auction which will be in Dallas in late March, I believe.

Old Luckenbach Homeplace

Here is an updated version of this painting. When I looked at my posting, the colors looked so dull. I realized I hadn't edited the colors to represent the painting the way it really looks. This is a lot closer but not perfect.

Looking Down Heritage Lane

I painted this on an 8 x 10 panel and now think I try the same picture on a 16 x 20. And when I do, I will add a woman walking a dog, because this is where I walk Coco on nice days. We live just off this dirt road.