Zenfish, 5x7 Pen and Ink Drawing

$35, Click to Purchase

I will be going to Mexico soon, so my posts may be few and far between. I am going to visit San Miguel de Allende with my sister, and I expect to get some interesting subjects to paint down there. I hear it is a beautiful and historic city. I will be fresh off the Qiang Huang workshop, so I will have all my artistic juices flowing. 

Qiang Huang Workshop

Qiang in action

The Happy Group

We had a wonderful workshop this weekend at the Artists' Guild in Melbourne with oil painter Qiang Huang. I have never seen a more enthusiastic group. We learned so much from Qiang, and as always I enjoy just hanging out with him and talking about art. It was great to have so many out-of-towners come here for the workshop, and many were talking about 'next time' when they left. Qiang affects people that way. Two lucky people bought his demo paintings, which were beautiful, of course.

Coiffure, 5x7 Pen and Ink Drawing

$39, Click to Purchase 

Sometimes my hair looks like this when I get up in the morning, but not as interesting. When I drew this Zentangle I was thinking about the "Draw Me" girl--remember her? She was the ticket to correspondence art school.

This morning on the news they postulated a theory that profiles are usually drawn like this because the left side of the face is the more attractive side. My theory is that a right-handed person draws it nose-to-left, and a left-handed person draws it nose-to-right. Applies to horse drawings too. That's just my theory.

Today was the first day of the Qiang Huang workshop in Melbourne. We have a very enthusiastic class! Qiang already posted his first painting to his blog--click on the link here to check it out.

Does Zen Roses, 5x7 Pen and Ink Drawing

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I guess I got tired of round roses. This is a Pen-and-Ink Zentangle drawing. matted in an 8x10 mat. People frequently say, "Painting must be so relaxing for you artists." Really? Well, it sure can make me tired, depending upon how complicated, elusive, or aggravating the subject. I must say, however, that when it goes well I get that artist's high that means I really like what I've done. Zentangle drawings are the truly relaxing forms of art for me. I can be as fanciful as I wish and it's like a form of meditation. It's even better than those trays of sand with little rakes in them. 

Roseate Spoonbills, 24x18 Oil on Canvas

$900, Click to Purchase

This is the painting I did for International Artist Magazine's March 2012 issue. It has been doing some traveling, but now that it's settled down I have put it online in my Etsy Shop. These beautiful birds were hanging out in the Everglades, feeding in the mangroves. They are such a contradiction, with their funny spoon faces and their exquisite plumage. Perhaps God didn't want them to be too vain.

Winter Morn, 8x10 Original Oil Painting on Canvas

$125, Click to Purchase

This light was filtered thru mist and just fell on the ocean in a white light. So peaceful at the beach in the morning. Flocks of seagulls flew by, and when I paint them it will be on a big canvas. I love the way they fly in formation, looking for breakfast.

Red, White and Blue, 6x6 Original Oil Painting on Canvas

$99, Click to Purchase

I like painting reflections. I had not planned a patriotic painting, but the colors do give it an all-American look.

I'm trying to keep up with my daily painting, get ready for the Qiang Huang workshop (I'm the organizer) and prepare for a trip to Virginia, then to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. A lot of pressure for a woman of a certain age. Or any age, for that matter. I will fill many pages of my sketch journal with the sights in San Miguel. Oh boy oh boy oh boy!

Kayla, 18x20 Pastel Life Drawing

NFS

There is nothing better for an artist than drawing from life, but it is hard for me to squeeze that in, what with daily painting commitments and some other big projects (shiny objects) I am chasing. I am taking a monthly class from Stephen Perkins, an internationally known sculptor. We are so fortunate to have him here to share with us at our Artists Guild. The above drawing was to give me some practice between his classes.

I suppose I will never be one of those "known for" artists, as in "she's known for her..." still lifes, or landscapes, or whatever. Some people paint the same thing over and over and over (I call it Kinkading), but my inspiration fizzles if I am too repetitious. That's why my Etsy shop has oils, collages, zentangles, and abstracts. Of course, oils are my first love.

Sunglow, 8x6 Oil on Canvas

$99, Click to Purchase

Some sunrises are "quieter" than others. This one was very soft, but that's because I just didn't get there in time for the bright reds of early morning. I like the softer side of sunrise too.

"If you want to be reminded of the love of the Lord, just watch the sunrise."

That quotation is from Jeanette Walls, who wrote Glass Castles. Every whiny, demanding child should be made to read Glass Castles, about Ms Walls' childhood, to make them see how good they have it. It's a terrific book and one of those that sticks in my memory. With my memory lately, it takes a really good book to to linger in there for long.