Hope

I have always loved this flowering plant.  The first time I ever saw a true tropical hibiscus was when I visited St. Maarten in the Caribbean.years ago.  I created a painting to display in the Villa my friend owned at that time.  This particular painting was created for my dear cousin and husband who lost their precious HI home from Kilauea in March of this year (2018).  And this was my first piece after returning to oils as the medium.  I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, loving the memory from using the medium years ago,  as well as the reason for the painting.  My cousin just recently visited OH and I presented the painting to her.  She grew the plants in her yard in the district of Puna in Hilo.  The Leilani Estates where Kathy and Gene's home resided was devastated by Kilauea.  Their precious home/land was sadly lost, having been covered with tons of lava.  Lynn and I were privileged to visit this home last March and to also spend quality time with Kathy and Gene.  This painting was created to honor the time spent with them and to also honor their sweet home in Hilo.  I hope this image serves as a positive affirmation toward a new home in their beloved Hawaii.

Sunset in the Forest

This is the view, while sitting in the living room of our lovely home, on summer nights around 7pm.  The sun sets, shedding light on the less dark trees in the small forest.  I decided this was a Plein Air kind of opportunity.  Though it started out that way, it became a project that took a few months to perfect.

Back in March 2018, a pastor from a Methodist church in Oregon City contacted me about using one of my paintings to put in a bulletin announcing the funeral of a church member.  He found my painting by googling Chitwood Bridge paintings which led him to this blog.

The member grew up just down the road from the bridge.  He said they couldn't pay me, but would list my name as the artist.  I considered this an honor and gave him the rights to do so.  Just received a copy of the bulletin.

Second 4 x 5 painting of a still-life in acrylic.  The basic impetus was starting with a black background. 

BASKET OF VEGGIES

Decided to try painting on small canvases for a bit.  This is a 4x5.  Was easy enough to hold in my hand, while painting.  Tiny brushes were necessary for the detail.

Clan Davidson Museum in Dingwall, Scotland

We went to Scotland last September....and yes it was this green!   Lynn and I took many photos.  One that I most wanted to paint was the pic of a sweet cottage.  This particular one resides on the property of Tulloch Castle......a place we stayed while in Dingwall.  This "cottage" was once a deer larder and since has been converted to the Clan Davidson museum.   You can read more about the history of the castle here: http://www.stravaiging.com/history/castle/tulloch-castle.

I started out spending too much time on the sky....trying to get it right.  After many weeks of painting, white-washing, erasing, etc., I finally realized that the sky was not the focus, though apparently I wanted it to be.  The sky was gray in the photo, though I remember some blue and clouds on that day.  Decided to make it what I envisioned.  I changed a lot of things from the original pic.  That is huge for me!  Being a realist, I want to make it just like the photo.  I am very happy with the results and feel good about sharing.  If you haven't been to Scotland,  I encourage you to do so.  Lovely people, beautiful landscape and wonderful vibes.

My parents gave me the gift of art lessons when I was 9 years old.  I rode the city bus by myself every Saturday morning from one side of the town to the other in the spring of 1958.  Huge endeavor for a 9-year old!  I took lessons from the sweetest "old" lady (she was probably in her 50's then) and when I look at this painting, I can still smell the oil paints in her studio.  This was a wondrous time for me and I am forever grateful that my parents gave me such a gift.  We didn't have a lot of money, but they felt I was worth it.  This was my first attempt at painting the human body.  I also painted portraits, still life, and landscapes under my teacher's tutelage.  But this was my favorite.  The only other art instruction I had was in HS.  I never pursued a career in it, though I was offered a scholarship at the community college in my hometown.  That would mean another 4 years at an all girl's college and by then I had had enough of all-girl's schools.  Besides, I had my sights on a certain someone that I wanted to marry and start a family with.  Over the years, I have played with painting/drawing and I am glad I had the opportunity early in life to learn some basics.  Thank you my parents!