Reach for the Stars

Merry Christmas and happy New Year! This Christmas we stayed home (normally we make the 1000-mile trek to our home state of Wisconsin), and it was wonderfully relaxing.  My husband gave me the most precious gift of time  in the studio. Over the course of the past week, I was able to gather reference and complete a large studio piece from start to finish. Let me repeat that... I finished a BIG painting in one week's time! For my current stage of life, that's monumental, folks!  I painted it so quickly that the balloons I purchased for it are still afloat (and being enjoyed by my four year old). I love my children dearly, and they are the inspiration behind this newest work... but I'm also incredibly thankful that my husband was able to spend time with them during the many hours … Read more »

Reach for the Stars

New Color Monday: Warm Light Yellow

Today's color for "New Color Monday" is Michael Harding's Warm Light Yellow  Series 2. I first discovered this amazing color this past spring when I purchased the Modern Master  set at an art event where Michael and his team had a booth. (By the way... this is one of the absolute BEST ways to try new colors! Attend an event such as the Portrait Society of America, Oil Painters of America, or the Plein Air Convention, where art suppliers demonstrate and sell their products. I've discovered some of my favorite things this way. Plus you get to meet the people behind the products and they are always incredibly knowledgeable and helpful!) So anyway, here's my take on Warm Light Yellow. I've shown it here next to Warm White Series 1 (on right) and Genuine Naples Yell… Read more »

New Color Monday: Warm Light Yellow

New Color Monday: Sennelier Neutral Tint

I am starting a new feature on my blog and Instagram called "New Color Monday." My goal is to share my experiences with oil paints from various brands. While color has become quite intuitive for me, I do enjoy experimenting with new hues. I recommend trying one new color at a time for several weeks or months--seeing how it interacts with other paints on your palette, and deciding whether or not it will become a regular there, or just a visitor when the occasion calls for it. :-) It's also important to try several brands of the same color, as they are often completely different! Today’s featured color is Sennelier “Neutral Tint.” I was given this to try by the awesome folks at Savoir Faire, and the color surprised me, to say the least! I expected something gray, but it's … Read more »

New Color Monday: Sennelier Neutral Tint

On the Quest for "Mastery"; and Being Stuck in a Chair

This week the American Masters Exhibition opens at the Salmagundi Club in NYC, and several of my dear friends are included in the show. I feel both happy for them, and somewhat introspective as I am being nudged to up my own game. Hopefully someday I'll be good enough to be included in a show of this caliber. I have been following with interest some lively discussions on social media about what it means to be a "master" in one of these prestigious shows. Many of the people involved in the debate are complaining that women are still very much underrepresented in exhibitions like these, while others argue that the art world has made a turn for the better and is no longer just an "old boys club". I agree that women are still marginalized in many ways, but I also tend … Read more »

On the Quest for "Mastery"; and Being Stuck in a Chair

Welcome to the world, Baby Everett!

Baby Everett Anthony arrived August 20 at 2:40 a.m.. He was 9 lbs, 6 oz. (which explains the total misery towards the end of my pregnancy!), and came out with the cutest, most kissable cheeks ever.  I can't believe it's already been a whole month since his arrival! I guess that goes to show that having a second kid really does make for more than twice the work. We are still adjusting to our newest family member, but very much in love. Cecelia has shown no sign of jealousy; she is very proud of her little brother, even though she's disappointed he can't "do" more right now. :-) I am fitting in studio time wherever I can (family and sleep being top priorities for the time being), and there are more exciting projects in the works than I have time for. Meanwhile, enj… Read more »

Welcome to the world, Baby Everett!

All About Oil Painting Panels

If you are a beginning oil painter, the vast world of painting surfaces and substrates can be quite overwhelming, especially when your Instagram and Facebook feed are flooded with artists working on everything from acrylic-primed canvas to vellum and ABS plastic panels.  I take a fairly traditional approach to surfaces, keeping in mind both the archival quality of my chosen supports, and whether or not I actually enjoy working on them. Depending on your painting style, surface quality is everything . I am not a heavy-handed painter, and I like to make delicate, subtle strokes with my brush, so I've come to prefer surfaces that are quite smooth, but still have a bit of texture. So please keep that in mind as you read this post; I can only give examples based on my own experience and wo… Read more »

All About Oil Painting Panels

Home Stretch

Just a couple more weeks until we meet Baby Boy... and I am trying to work like crazy, while showing myself grace and patience. The weather here in Denver has been in the 90's for most of June and July, and it is slowing me down; it's like being in one of those bad dreams where you are trying to run but your legs are stuck in sludge. That being said, my body has required a lot more sleep during this pregnancy than it did with my first; perhaps it's because I have a very chatty four year old whose incessant talking--though adorable--wears me out. Or perhaps it's because I'm still doing Crossfit several days a week. Or... maybe it's because I said I would "slow down" in June and July, and that's not actually what happened. In fact, June was an incredibl… Read more »

Home Stretch