Spotted Cup, 8x10

This is an homage to Georges Seurat, a post-impressionist-neo-impressionist--oh, to heck with all those labels, the man is best known for painting in dots. This was my painting group's challenge this week. I have to say that I feel a little seasick when I look at the lower left corner, but that's just me. This was so much fun, and next time I'll use acrylics so the colors moosh together a bit less.

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New York Minute, 6x6

This is my entry in the Daily Paintworks Challenge for this week. Linda Popple posted a great photo of this woman in New York and it was really fun to paint.

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Biltmore House, 5x7

We visited the Biltmore House on a rainy day in Spring. This magnificent place was so beautiful with the wet reflections on the pavement. You have to admire Anderson Cooper, descendant of the Vanderbilts, for working so hard and at times putting himself in danger to do his job. He could have just sat back and enjoyed being a Vanderbilt.

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Farmers Market, 12x4

When I go to this market I usually spend a little and get all I can carry away. There's nothing better than local produce. I have included my first YouTube video of my process. My first Lesson Learned: use a more square format painting for video. My painting is wider than the video shows.

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Blueberries, 6x6

There are two reasons I like this painting. I love the colors; and I grew the blueberries, which is a bit unusual for Florida. I heard you need two bushes, so I bought another one. Maybe my crop will be bigger next year. Bigger than seven (there's one more berry that you can't see).

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Washday in Venice, 6x6

Venice is such an amazing place, one forgets that it is inhabited by real people who have the same mundane chores as everyone else. No matter how much beauty is in the surroundings, the wash still has to be done.

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The Dragonheart Incident

Monday the Pieces of 8 met at Phillis's house to paint and observe the Olympic hopeful Scandinavian rowers as well as dragonboat racers. Phillis was ready with our paddles with "10s" on them. When athletes went by, we cheered them and gave them all "10s." The most appreciative was Team Dragonheart, the dragonboat racers. One of them even came round to thank us for giving them a big laugh, and told us about the team. They are from Vermont, and are all breast cancer survivors. If we had known that, we would have given them "20s!"

We also managed to get some painting done. Here's mine in progress and the finished product.
I call it "Peaceful" because of the scene and the beautiful message of peace on the white post in four different languages.

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Streetview Paintoff

My painting, The Pantheon, got an Honorable Mention in the Streetview Paintoff. It's always a challenge to paint from a Google Streetview, but more fun when it's a place you have visited. I'm really happy to be recognized in this competition.

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Girl, In Anticipation, 16x20

You're right, this subject is not from the century of Lady Gaga and hybrid cars. This is a book illustration and the subject goes back a few centuries. I can't say more than that right now about the Lady of Mystery.

Africa!, 20x16

I've never been to Africa, but my son-in-law climbed Mt. Kilomanjaro, and my brother-in-law was a Peace Corps volunteer in the Congo many years ago. In fact, he had the worst reason ever for a promotion while he was there; he got a job because his predecessor was eaten by a crocodile (and I thought alligators were bad).

SOLD

Shady Spot, 6x6

The Pieces of 8 painting group did some plein air painting at Gleason Park this week, and I found this little scene with light shining through, just the kind of spot I like.

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Snuggle Up, 6x6

Since my husband broke his foot I share my shower with a shower chair, which reminds me of the movie "Flashdance." Remember the scene with the chair and the water? Oh, no, I didn't...but I wanted to. I just couldn't remember the song.

What does this have to do with my painting? Not a doggone thing.

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