Trick or Treating shouldn't be just for little ones...

Never Grow Up~iPhone Photograph from #Mailart Series Being Human in Time

Apparition ~ iPhone Photograph

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After the little ones have gone to bed and left their coveted stash unattended is the perfect time to raid the booty of all of YOUR favorite sweets along with some extras to add to this delectable cookie...Blowout! This particular cookie has become a yearly splurge ever since my mother gave me a copy of Lee Bailey's Country Desserts. It is what every peanut butter cookie strives to be with the addition of dark chocolate chips, honey roasted peanuts and chopped miniature peanut butter cups (pilfered from the Trick or Treat bucket). And like all the creatures you see on Halloween, don't be surprised if all these cookies disappear overnight.

Waiting on the Waves

My local strip of California beach is notorious for small summer surf and I couldn't be more excited for the fall waves to be rolling in. With sizes of 5-6 ft waves making a morning search for the perfect wave a welcome retreat.

Waiting on the Waves is an original oil pastel drawing on archival watercolor paper;
8 x 12 inches (20.32 x 30.48 cm).
Original drawing available in my Etsy shop; prints available on Imagekind.

Life Imitates Art

One of my favorite features in fashion and style magazines "Get the Look". You know the ones...where they show you a highly trendy fashionista in her latest must have ensemble and then they break down the pieces of the outfit and show you where you can get your very own uber-cool boots or super blousy top. Well I've been doing a little shopping inspired my MY very own stylish girls and can show you how you can get more of the art of fashion into your life.

This particular lady can never be too far from her every necessity which can easily be taken with her in her Large White Bag (original acrylic on canvas, 8x16 inches or 20.32x40.64 cm). I've taken a little artistic license and found some earrings that would look fabulous  and finish her look.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From top to bottom: Avonlea Dress-Ellaina Boutique by Sue Bradbury, Baby Ruche Bag in PEARL Leather-Jenny N. Design, Golden Pod Dangle Earrings-Kathi Roussel

 

Something Has Caught Her Eye

I was recently commissioned to paint one of my pretty girls in a new dress. Everyone close to me will happily tell you what a clothes horse I am, so who was I to say no. For a consummate shopper, finding just the right dress in that perfect shade of robin's egg blue can be a welcome challenge. Below are all the steps taken to give one of my favorite friends a new outfit. Something Has Caught Her Eye is acrylic paint on heavyweight rag board, 16x20".

She Can Fit Everything in That Bag

She can fit everything in that bag. A girl's purse can be her best friend-after all it does keep her iPhone safe. She is an original acrylic painting on 100% rag board, 11x11".$61

She Doesn't Have Time For This

She quickly throws her purse over her shoulder and out the door she goes. "She Doesn't Have Time For This" is an acrylic painting on 100% rag board, 11x11".
$61

Girls and Their Purses-Step 4

I've given shape to her purse. The purse handle and some miner details are all that is left.

Girls and Their Purses-Step 3

I have filled in her clothing and just made a reference to her hair. I want to leave the focus on the purse, and have a subtle vagueness to the figure.

Girls and Their Purses-Step 2

I have added her flesh tone. Leaving it transparent in some places allows it to still have a connection to the background. Plus, I like the way it gives a kind of glow.

Girls and Their Purses

I have had a chance to start some new figure paintings and wanted a chance to show the process.
This is an acrylic painting on rag board, 11x11". Working Very loosely, I covered the entire background with paint. While the paint was wet I lightly drizzled rubbing alcohol in the paint as a resist. The result is the random spatter in the center of the surface.
Once the paint has dried I returned to sketch my figure using a water-soluable graphite pencil (thank you Bob).

She'll Tell You How It Is

This is a figure exercise, it is acrylic paint on rag board, 8x8".

As She Drifted By

This is a figure exercise, it is acrylic paint on rag board, 8x8".

Gathered Gown

This is a figure exercise, it is acrylic paint on rag board, 8x8".