Adventures in Gordes, France from my Sketch Journal

See my sketch of the steep road we walked down? You might think that's an exaggeration; no, it is not. The cobblestones have probably been there since 1300 AD. Inside the restaurant we had to climb a steep, narrow spiral staircase that had me hanging onto the railing. It was all worth it. We had a table on our own little balcony, with a view of the sunset over the valley. The meal was elegant and delicious, the service impeccable. Gordes is a beautiful medieval cliffside town full of kind and friendly people.

Carmen

Aunt Bea, 16x20 Pastel on Paper

I have learned that lots of people, not just Opie, have an Aunt Bea. Mine was a corker. When she gave us stink eye we knew we were in trouble. She figures prominently in my book Crackers and Oranges. When my daughter Suzanne was a baby she fell asleep in her high chair with a pork chop in her hand and Aunt Bea said, "Hmph! She's faking it." Devious little baby. 

This portrait was done years ago when I was dabbling in pastels. It's the only pastel I've ever posted on this blog. I do enjoy the medium, but I need to concentrate on my oil painting. I had a period of doing caricatures in pastel, which really worked for that medium. Let's face it, there are only so many hours in the day and so much energy I can expend, so I am working on the application of squishy oils on canvas, which I enjoy most of all. And the occasional collage. 

Scarlet and Gold, 11x14 Oil on Canvas Panel

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All that glitters is not gold, sometimes it's gold oil paint. I was so seriously studying landscape painting until I unscrewed the top of my gold paint. That started a chain reaction, and this week I am going to see the movie about a stolen Klimt painting, so the fires will be stoked again. I want to get back to the Roaring Twenties too. So many ideas, so little time...

Carmen

The Grape Picker, 20x16, Oil Painting on Canvas of Portuguese Woman in the Azores

I did this painting years ago when I lived in the Azores Islands, which are Portuguese Islands in the Atlantic Ocean. The people were very hard-working, and this woman was typical of our industrious Portuguese acquaintances. Life was not easy for them, but they were lovely, hospitable people. Our maid was like part of our family and it was heartbreaking when we left, although we never lost touch.

Carmen

Summer Fun, 6x6 Oil on Canvas

What a great feeling, having the water go back out, dragging sand between your toes. There is nothing more exhilarating for a boy than going to the beach.

By the way, I am now convinced my husband can fix anything. Our car was stuck in reverse, wouldn't go into drive. He said, "The linkage is slipping," and he got under the hood and fixed it with two zip ties. That is one handy man to have around.

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Fatherly Love, 6x6 Oil on Canvas Board

It's so nice to see a father having fun with his little boy at the beach. Who needs fancy toys when you have entertainment like this for your child?

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Sittin' and Fishin', 6x8 Oil on Canvas Board

This guy looks so peaceful. It was nice of him to arrange his accoutrements for me. He was unaware he was posing for a painting. I don't fish, but I understand why others enjoy it.

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Esmeralda, Collage on Canvas Board, 24x18

This collage took me way longer than I anticipated. I used a canvas primed with gold gesso, some of which is peeking through. After doing the whole painting I added touches of copper and gold paint, keeping with the whole gypsy vibe.

This is all fashion and home decor magazines. The finished product is varnished for protection from UV rays and other atmospheric problems. I must say, a small "daily painting" is going to be very restful after this!

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Street in Venice, 8x10 after John Singer Sargent

I copied this Sargent painting because I liked its mysterious air and because I felt I could learn from it. The two characters on the right look a bit shifty, if you ask me. Sargent spent a lot of time in Venice, as any artist should. It is a completely unique place now as it was then, Old-Worldly beautiful.

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I Miss You Already, 8x6

It really tugs at my heartstrings when I see young people deployed to hostile places. I can just imagine what that conversation might be about. This is No. 16 in my cell phone series.

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Beach Stride, 5x7

I saw this woman striding down the beach, arms swinging, and I took her picture from the seventh floor of my friend Mary's condo. It was the day of the last launch of Shuttle Endeavor, and it so exciting to see that bright light rise from the sea's horizon and lift into space. The weather was beautiful, the ocean was calm--a great day all around.

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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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Artist at Work, 8x6

I like the warm sunny aspect of this painting. This was at an art show, and I loved the concentration of the artist in the midst of the excitement around her. She is focused and at peace, and she is making--think about it--an American product.

I heard this week that if we all buy 1 percent more American-made products, we can add 200,000 jobs right here in the USA. One percent is not much, but would have big results. The problem is, just try to find a product made in the USA. And by the way, hint, hint, all of the art I do is made in the USA. Sometimes it's inspired in Italy or France, but it is American-made. Three cheers for the Red, White and Blue!

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Leap of Faith, 10x8

I got tired of painting single objects and decided what I really needed was something difficult to give me a spark. This is my granddaughter leaping off a rock into a beautiful river. The stop-action shot is just filled with the joy of anticipation. This is the kind of fun that can be had without any technology or admission price whatsoever.

NFS