Land Girl Portrait

My husband says I've become a Netflix monster since our corner Blockbuster finally closed down.  He would always be the one to stop in at Blockbuster to get the latest released movie.  Now that we signed up for Netflix, I've discovered all the old British series and movies that we would never have rented at Blockbuster.  My latest movie series was "Land Girls" and the best thing is, Netflix will suggest more movies of the same!  I know.  Anyway, I'm loving it and I painted this portrait with a land girl in mind.  BTW..a land girl was a girl that signed up to do her part during the war in England and worked on farms to labor, etc.

What a face! :)

What a face!  5 x 5, acrylic on canvas

Don't you just love when a dog doesn't understand you and they tilt their head.  So cute. 

White Roses

White Roses, 16 x 16, mixed media

What is Spring without flowers?

I love the way  this galvanized/tin texture came out with a one squirt of latex paint remover sprayed on the wet paint  (The first coat was a dark gray and then I painted the lighter gray over with a little spray on top. 

Another interesting backaground detail.

All this yummy texture comes from adding some Golden Gel Medium to the paint. 

Michael Carson

"Ready" 40x30, Michael Carson

What is a spring break trip with my daughter to the desert without stopping to see a few art galleries on the way.   We came across the Jones & Terwilliger Galleries in Palm Desert, who had several Michael Carsons to see up close and appreciate.

"Man in Jacket", 30x40, Micheal Carrson

I loved seeing the drips and brush marks.  The shoes are kind of there but melt into the background.

"Red Chair", 40"x30", Michael Carson

I wish I took my picture next to these beauties, because you could get a better feel for the size.  If your ever in Palm Desert, so worth a stop on El Paseo ...shopping and galleries, perfect.  

Old Sailboat Painting

Sailboat Painting, 16" x 20", mixed media

My husband suggested I put some paintings in his office.   So, I was inspired by the old vintage sailboat paintings I see in many of the beach homes.  I thought something more masculine for a law office than a floral. So, I looked online for a nice photo of a sailboat.   After I had painted it for the first time.  It was all fresh and crisp.  This would not do.

I wanted the painting  to feel vintage.  So, I glazed the whole painting to bring it down and reduce the brightness.  I used my usual painting and sanding method along with a palette knife to drag the paint around. 

The closeups show have fun it is to look at all the texture and detail. 

Ok, so this is our family room, but I gotta try it out first, right?

More Shell Art

Shell Art 1  5" x 7" Print

Shell Art 1  5" x 7" Print

I had admired Sheila Norgate's art from one of my pins on pinterest and found a short youtube video in which she describes making her own stamps with discarded takeout containers and other packaging items.  So, this is the first project that finally came together.


I know its simple, but that's what I like about it.

Shell Painting Beach Art

I had saved an inspiration picture for beach art of these fossil shell prints from the Horchow catalog some years ago   It must be very old, because I don't even see it on line anymore.  Anyhow, I decide to try my own version of the shell painting.   

I  realized very quickly  this painting was taking on its own personality.  Once again, I added Annie Sloan chalk paint at the end and this time I waxed the painting at the very last step.  It really made everything gel and it feels really nice and smooth.