12/27/09 Amsterdam, France and Fenceline - GIFTED

This painting of Amsterdam has found a home in Austin with my niece Keithly McNally. She has been to Amsterdam and loves it. She said this is exactly the way it looks.
Katie McNally chose the picture of the river that ran through a village in France. This is one of my early ones that was painted in acrylic, but it is still one of my favorites.
Well, among others, Fenceline has found a home. I told my nieces and nephews to come over to choose a painting for part of their gifts for Christmas from me. Kevin McNally chose Fenceline to grace his new apartment. I guess I'd better get to work replacing them with others.

12/20/09

"The Girls," (as they are called collectively) have been completed and delivered! The Munceys are thrilled. Stephen has wanted them painted for a while - Bridgette just kept forgetting to give me the pictures! They were easier to paint than I thought they would be. It really only took about a week - total, to finish them. They are very sweet schnausers - Sophie is the baby and very shy, Gretchen is just a love - she rolls over to have her tummy scratched!

12/19/09

Put finishing touches on this landscape. It is going to hang in my dining room and then I'll have to put medium on it and properly frame it.

12/14/09

I am almost finished with this painting. Just a few more touches before I sign and frame it. Need todarken the base of the mountain and add more purple water at the edge of the shore.

12/11/09

Variety is the spice of life! This is an abstract that I've had in my head for a long time. I want to make another that is 5ft. x 5ft. so instead of really using a ton of paint I made a "mini" that I think will end up as a gift to a friend - if he likes it. I do. I just have to live with it a while. Thanks for viewing my blog.

12/11/09

Going to the studio today with the idea of finishing this landscape. I want to hang it in my dining room. Almost the whole painting was done with a pallet knife. It is a lot of fun to use a pallet knife but it really eats up the paint and takes foreveer to dry! It is worth it all for the finished product. Thank you for viewing my blog and I WILL post the finished product.

12/09/09 Rollin On - SOLD

This is one of the images I got from my friend, Terry Porter. It has been very popular and people always comment on it. Someone commented on it at the Lakewood show and they actually called today to buy it!! "Rollin On," will be going to Iowa as a Christmas present! Thanks to the Webbers - Hope the Webber Sr.s like it.

11/28/09

This colorful little bird was my first experiment before I went to oils. I tried open acrylics and enjoyed the feel of the paint. This painting is currently in a little shop in McKinney,TX. called Decorati. It is just off the square and very quaint. Please feel free to make a field trip to McKinney to see it and the shop. Thanks for visiting my blog.

11/27/09

This little fellow was one of my first attempts at oils and I still love him. We stopped on the way home from a Salado workshop with Carol Marine. We originally wanted pictures of the wierd cows (they look like pigs!) but they just kept getting farther away. This darling burrow came right up to me and, much to the horror of my friends, he let me pet him. He was so tame and stood just where I needed him to so I could capture him on my digital camera. I decided then that he would be my first oil painting! He has a special place in my heart for that very reason.

Can't wait to return to the studio to begin painting again after the long Thanksgiving holiday. Thanks for looking at my blog. There will be more coming soon.

11/21/09

We have never ALL been together at once until this past Saturday at our open studio tour. Yes, we are a motley crew but we ARE ALL so much fun and SO TALENTED! The back row : Grant Schirpik, Linda Greer, Kay Wyne, Mark Malone, Carol Morgan, Michael Terstriep,Front row: Gail Kirkham, Donna Page, Karen Rike, Suzy Moritz and Sharon Hodges. Thanks to all who came and helped celebrate our second annual Studio Art & Soul Opening!

11/16/09

Sold this and five other paintings at the Lakewood market. Very successful show . Had a lot of fun but it took its toll on me. Stayed in from the studio to rest - just worn out. Did all the setting up and breaking down myself! Physical labor is not my forte - to say the least. Got it done and am feeling better now that everything is back to normal. Tomorrow is our "Painting Tuesday " at the studio and then we all will start the rush to get ready for the Cedars Open Studio Tour this Saturday, November 21st! Once again, a lot of work but so much fun and I won't be the only one working! I think we will be having a record breaking crowd this year. Last year I only told a few people and this year I broadcasted it to all my friends! Whoa! It could be a real crowd. Please come see all of the fantastic artists at Studio Art and Soul this Saturday.

11/11/09

Just finished framing this little picture yesterday. Bought a frame but had to change it - needed simple frame to reflect the simple subject. Hope for a fisherman to come to the Lakewood Home Festival and Market this weekend. Come on by to see a lot of my work that is for sale and some of my examples of portraits.

11/04/09

This is one of my little cupcake pictures that I have done and sold. Today this painting is dedicated to Carrie Kuhen Martin that teaches at Lakewood Elementary - it is her birthday today. She is still a "baby" in my eyes and a terrific teacher! Happy Birthday Carrie!!!!!!!

10/31/09

This little painting was done almost two years ago from a photo I snapped one summer evening when we first moved into the studio. Karen and Mark had gone up to see the moon from the roof. We have amassed a lot of wonderful memories at our studio in a year and a half.

10/27/09

Wow, pictures really show all the mistakes! On the whole, I still like this painting that is not nearly finished. I like the colors and the simple subject. I can tell I'll be working on this for a while. It was a lot of fun to paint with large brushes and be free and loose -I guess I got a little too loose! Still a nice start.

10/26/09 Goodbye to my sweet Tyler

Today I am packing up my favorite portrait to send to his mom! This is little Tyler Clark - and he has just turned one year old! I did his portrait about five or six months ago and have entered him in several contests. One of my painting partners, Kay Wyne, gave me his picture to paint. Her daughter was his nanny in Arkansas and is going up soon for a visit. Tyler (painting) is going with her.

10/25/09

This image was taken from a picture I took in 2004 while in Paris. This little bird just ate right off my place mat and wasn't afraid of people. He was so charming that I was just compelled to paint him. One of my favorite images of a wonderful time in Paris.

10/24/09

This portrait was done for JT Osgood for her birthday several years ago. Her daughter Georgie wanted me to paint it. It is of JT, Georgie and Georgie's grandmother, Suzy Moritz-Rawdin. I am lucky enough to paint with Suzy at Studio Art and Soul. Suzy is a very talented artist and also a good friend.

This painting is a 16x20, acrylic on canvas and it has been gifted, so it is not for sale.

10/22/09

This is my picture that I'm almost finished with for the Virtual Paint Out. This month's location happens to be Northern Ireland. I really like this one - very peaceful. Still have a few little touches to add before I sign it. This one will be for sale at the Lakewood Home Tour Market and if it doesn't sell there it will be shown at our Cedars Open Studio Tour.
I'm going to have to change Grant's background -- it is too green! Put this in on Tuesday night and with all the rain - it never dried so I'm still waiting to work on it. Grant Schirpik is one of the artists in Studio Art and Soul. Besides being extremely good looking, he is supremely talented. This photograph doesn't do the painting justice and nothing beats the real thing! This original picture was taken on an Alaskan fishing trip with Grant's dad and cousin. We were lucky enough to be the recipients of some of Grant' yummy homemade salmon spread.

10/20/09- on the easel

Should be able to finish this small addition to my "chair" series today. This is one of the four that I started this week. Really had some creative juices flowing - hope they continue. I have also been working on my Northern Ireland painting, David Schultz's cupcakes and a portrait of my fellow painter Grant Schirpik(sp?) Grant's face and shirt came together very quickly yesterday and was a LOT of fun to paint. I guess I do things backwards - I painted the portrait first and now I'm going to fill in the background - whatever works! Hope to post one or more tomorrow. Off to the studio to create. Thanks for checking out my blog.

Playing "Catch Up" - 10/16/09

Even though I haven't posted a picture, I have been working hard. Got to the studio today around 11:30 and left the side door open, blinds down. Some drunken white man came up and rattled the bars on the front door then began banging on the glass with his fist and shouting, "Let me in!" He scared me to death! I grabbed my cell and was determined to call 911 , but he left. I had just opened the front blinds and Suzy drove up. I nearly ran outside to grab her but I figured I might scare her to death too so I played it cool. Let her in and related my experience and it just so happens the same man came up last week and rattled the gate when she was at the studio alone. This makes me angry! I don't like to be frightened!

The rest of the day was great and I got a lot done: working on David's cupcakes, another set of small chairs is well under way and I began Grant's portrait! Even began another set of chairs to go with the other two.

Probably won't get a lot of painting done tomorrow because of a luncheon and a gallery opening with two of my friends in it. Sunday will be open for painting most of the day.

Thanks for listening to my rantings. I just HATE to be frightened!

10/06/09

Well, after being out of town and subbing for 7 weeks I have finished my first in a series of lawn chair paintings. This one is quite large (12x36) and now I'll be embarking upon a journey to paint 3 more much smaller versions of different lawn chairs (4x12). I want to finish these pretty quickly and get on with Grant's portrait which he finally sent (a picture that I'd nagged him about for almost a month) after much ado. I just want to be able to paint every day so I can make some money at the Lakewood market show. I'm also aiming at showing some of my portraits at the Cedars Open Studio Tour next month - that means I have to get with it and start painting every day!

09/26/09

Finally got to the studio to work on my lawn chairs. I love the colors - so perfectly "summer" sorbet colors. It makes me remember early spring and sunny mornings. Of course I'm not through but it is fun to really be careful with this painting. This is the BIG one (I don't remember how big, but big) and then I'm planning on doing three small - 4x12 - to go under it . Series to be completed by Cedars Open House. Should cover ALL prices.

09/12/09

Just love little shoes! My great nephew has the cutest shoes and little feet that I HAD to paint! Started a while ago and got side-tracked ( as we all do). Finally finished them !

Quiet rainy day at studio. Have a new painting to start tomorrow after Chibi gets his weekly bath! Going to start a series of painted lawn chairs! Hope they sell at the Lakewood show in November!

09/07/09 Labor Day!

MORGAN'S ADDIDAS - JUST DO IT!

Still not through - as usual but had a VERY productive day at studio. Suzy joined me and we both painted like crazy women then stopped for a drink and to talk. It has been forever since I've seen her and it was good just to lay eyes on her. Glad Scott, her husband, was unhooked from all the tubes today - that's a good sign!

Back to work tomorrow and then to paint tomorrow evening! I love Tuesdays.:-)

CUPCAKES - looking better!

COCOA THE PUG

Worked on this little beauty today - not easy. She still needs something - not sure what.

09/06/09

Had a great quiet day at the studio after running errands and doing household stuff early in the day. Grant spent the afternoon at the studio painting too. We are both relatively quiet painters ...................... every once in a while one of us ( usually Grant) would sing along with my weird mix of music. Thank God his voice is better than mine!

Anyway, I finished my little cupcakes that look so retro .............. I really like them. The sprinkles were fun! I now see a few places that I need to touch up and some shadows that need to be sharpened and deepened. Oh well, tomorrow is another day.

09/05/09

Just got my foundation painted last weekend! I haven't been able to paint in a while since I started teaching 4th grade math and science (are they crazy to get me to do that or what?) classes at Lakewood Elementary. ( or as Grant says ............. mining coal!)

I am so happy to have a 3 day weekend so I can paint! Life is getting busy ........... school, tutoring Georgie, and painting when I have the time and energy. The energy is lacking but the will to paint is still there. Will probably be too late to send this in for Different Strokes but it is a great exercise!

08/16/09

Spent most of yesterday at the studio on a photo shoot. A young man named Joshua King is making a book of the artists in the Cedars. He took pictures of all of us that were there "jumping," of all things! Since I DON"T jump, Gail doesn't either, I stood on a box and pretended to jump. Some of my work was around me - self-portrait included - I hope it turns out well. I have also entered this portrait in the TVAA" Self-Portrait" show in September. Some of my non-painting friends don't think it looks like me but the painters at the studio think it does.I used the photo on this blog but changed the color of the shirt. True, I am a few years older (2 1/2) and quite a bit heavier, but I think it DOES look like me!

08/14/09

When I got to the studio yesterday (late for me) I worked on finishing up Kay's portrait. Looks pretty good . I am satisfied with it.

08/14/09

I have been lazy for the last couple of days! Getting lots of rest and visiting with friends. The "perky" Carol will return to the studio today to work more on her self portrait and Kay's portrait too. Kay and I averted disaster on Wednesday when her wet portrait fell on her and blue paint went all over her face ( in the painting ) and all over her hands. Hey, accidents happen! It was fixed with q-tips and some more paint - no worry. Kay took some pictures of me at the easel after the catastrophe was over!

08/11/09

Well............. Sharon , as usual is correct. If Kay isn't around, I need to have a self-portrait to prove I can do what I profess! So............... I did one. I still need to warm up my shirt but the face is definitely ME. Hope you like it. If you are interested in having a portrait done ... contact me at mcmduke@mac.com at any time.

08/10/09

I asked Kay if I could paint her portrait so I would have one for the Cedars Open Studio Tour that people could see that looked like one of the artists. Sharon thinks I need to do a self-portrait but I'm not so crazy about that idea. Anyway, Kay just happens to be one of those people that is pretty easy to paint. I'm going to change the background but still have her in a wicker chair. Anyway this is the beginning of a portrait. Pardon my scratches all over it, that is just the way I work. Thanks for looking!

08/08/09

Worked on this marker yesterday at the studio. Kay and Ruby joined me there for a while. I think I might be almost finished with this. It is difficult to get that yellow reflection in the water and make it dark enough. Think I might try a very light glaze.

08/05/09

This is also another of Terry's photos that I just can't help but paint. I have made changes in the water and haven't finished by any means but I HAD to stop because it was so very wet!

08/04/09

I am attracted to these marker buoys and their bright colors! I've become stuck on this nautical/ fishing theme. Thank heavens that Terry got stuck on them too. These are her images from a 2008 trip to Maine. I just paint from her super pictures. This might become a series.

08/03/09

I have nothing to post! I'm working on three paintings and haven't completed any! I should finish one tomorrow and be finished with the rest by Thursday. Several of my painting buddies are out of town so the studio is pretty empty. I went on a cleaning jag today - poor Kay could barely drag the HUGE trash bag out. I cleared off the table and emptied everyone's trash then I started on our refrigerator. OMG! There were several science experiments in there. Since we all bring things we ALL tend to just leave them in the frig. - sometimes for weeks at a time.

Kay came down with Ruby Tuesday and we both painted and cleaned. I had to accomplish something since I wasn't able to reset my e-mail on my computer! ( that is making me VERY anxious ) We each had a drink and Ruby sat in my lap and calmed me down! Ahhhhhhhhh!

07/29/09

Started these buoys last night at the studio and I just love the bright colors. I might try doing a small series of 8x10 buoys.

Still working on the hay but I think it is almost finished. This is another gallery wrap canvas that just seemed to "fit" the horizon. (8x24)

07/27/09

Worked today mainly on my hay bales. Having difficulty getting the right color for dead hay! My fellow artists have helped a lot.

07/25/09

Today I got to the studio LATE! Lots of people were there and the phone seemed to ring constantly. Some days are like that! Worked on a painting of hay bales in a field with a very cloudy sky. Skies are not my best and I will ask for help in improving them from my fellow artists. I am striving to make the hay bales appear round instead of flat like some people have. Quite a challenge!

07/23/09

Worked on Justin after working at The Stewpot (homeless art studio) this morning.Warmed up his complexion and I think I might have lost his smile. Will fix it tomorrow.

07/22/09

Haven't posted for a while because I didn't stagger my paintings. Worked for several hours at the studio and there isn't a lot to show. Tried out a new Gesso board and have come to the conclusion that they are too slick.I am not through with Justin Rubenstein's portrait but at least you can tell who it is. His complexion is a lot warmer - more olive than I have now so I have quite a bit of work to do to finish him up.

07/19/09

I went to the studio today (Sunday) and accomplished SO much on my latest painting,"Fence Shadow." This is another of Terry Porter's marvelous photos! I am so lucky to have her find all the beautiful paintings I just LOVE to paint.

I painted this on an 8x24 gallery wrap canvas because it just seemed to fit my idea of what I wanted to capture. I noticed when I put this picture up that I still need to go back and dull down some of the highlights on the fence. Other than minor adjustments, I really like it. Especially since I've always said I didn't want to paint one of those typical "bluebonnet paintings " that EVERY artist paints. Mine has a small twist that makes it much more appealing to me!

This painting is also for sale. If you are interested, please contact me at my e-mail provided on my profile. Thank you for viewing my painting. Please feel free to make any comments (nice ones will be appreciated).

07/17/09

Worked on the boards today and I think I might be finished!

07/17/09

Worked a long time at studio yesterday perfecting the dock under the kayak shadows and putting in some of the boards. They are pretty wiggly because I shake so much but it won't matter because by the time I complete the dock you won't notice (I hope). Took my time on the yellow and green (yikes!) kayaks to get them correct. Green is another one of "those" colors but it cooperated yesterday!

Started some other paintings but won't post those just yet. Thanks for looking at my blog.

07/16/09

Decided to change the look of my blog to something a bit more mature, subdued and professional. Hope you like it.

07/14/09

Worked on the two red kayaks today then HAD to stop ............ red gets away from me very quickly and pretty soon there is red EVERYWHERE!

I love Terry's picture and it is so different from my usual. Lots of fun.

07/13/09

This is a "fast and loose" painting of my dog Chibi. He gives me this adoring look and I melt. He is there waiting when I get home and excited to go out for a walk - even at 6:00 A.M.. He is the ultimate in unconditional love.

07/12/09

I've started two new paintings that are different for me. Both reference pictures are from one of my high school classmates - Terry Porter - an award winning photographer. ( Yes, I have her permission to use them!) Looking forward to seeing how they turn out!

Worked at the studio yesterday and finally finished "Nancy's Magnolia". Just compared my last picture of the magnolia and there is a big difference in the cast and reflected shadows!