patricia cotterill

White on white

2012-02-09T15:44:00.000-08:00

5"x7" oil on canvas board
$75

This is my attempt for the Daily Paintworks challenge. You had to paint something white, on white. I placed this sweet little porcelain bust on my white marble kitchen counter. Studying the shadows and highlights colors started to reveal themselves. I had fun with this challenge and will look for another white object to paint.

Feels Good and Dinner Time

2012-02-08T05:20:00.000-08:00

Oil on gallery wrapped canvas
18"x14" 3/4 profile
$325

It feels good to have brush in hand again. Little did I realize how long it would take to move, remodel and settle in to our new house.

I love that time of the day, late afternoon, when the sun bathes everything in a soft glow. Passing through the dining room as golden light shone on the wooden surfaces of the furniture. I quickly grabbed my camera and here is the result.
I have posted it on my Etsy shop, see side panel to view it and other work that is for sale.

A long absence

2011-12-15T15:43:00.000-08:00

Studio under construction

Our move to Asheville, NC has been all consuming. Major renovations, enlarging the beautiful historic home we bought. The most important room, a lovely new studio pour moi. Yes, I finally see a light at the end of the tunnel. It has been so long since paint was applied to canvas that feelings of excitement and fear loom. Hope I have not forgotten how. Just like I nearly forgot how to do this post!

I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and happy New Year.

Saying 'good bye' and 'hello'.

2011-06-23T09:09:00.000-07:00

Looking towards the house from my garden
Door to the basement

It will be a while before I blog. We are moving to NC. Excitement and sadness to be starting over in a new place.

This dear old house that Stuart and I fixed up will be hard to leave. Five years of sweat and tears went into making this house the dream we envisioned when we first saw it eleven years ago. Memories of grand children born, life long friends made and mastering dry wall installation, tiling, you name it, we did it.

What was once a back yard of grass is now a gardeners dream. Warning, only Hostas and Day lilies grow under black walnut trees! A lesson learnt after planting perennials that withered and died for no reason over night!

Thank goodness our new/old house has all been renovated. So the packing starts and Goodwill will be pleased!

Cheerio for now.....

Help Japan Challenge

2011-03-25T17:58:00.000-07:00

Antique Buddha

8"x6" oil on canvas board

Auction ended on this painting

This is my entry to the Help Japan Challenge on the Daily Paintworks web site. This is a fund raiser to help the survivors of the earthquake disaster. Please head over to http://www.dailypaintworks.com/

Washing hands

2011-03-14T16:39:00.000-07:00

6"x6" oil on canvas board

sold

Walking along the back streets of Dalian in China this past year. This little girl was playing with a bowl of water behind a small restaurant. She was oblivious to the hustle and bustle going on inside, intent on her play. The aroma wafting along that street made us stop further along to eat the most delicious dumplings.

MR and MRS

2011-03-03T07:34:00.000-08:00

6"x6" oil on canvas board

$100

Soaking up a few rays of sunshine. Eyes closed and most likely thinking of the full English breakfast they had eaten earlier in the day. Whilst vacationing with my sister on the island of Jersey, an island off the coast of France the sun came out briefly. I captured this couple looking content, enjoying their trip.

Jersey is a beautiful little island, a mix of French and British culture and architecture. One has to reside on the island for ten years before you are allowed to buy any property, which is very expensive. I can but dream!

Migrant worker

2011-02-28T09:45:00.001-08:00

10"x10" oil on canvas board

$200

This was the last painting I did before leaving China in January, heading back home to the US.

A Holiday Inn went up in a matter of months around the corner from our apartment. This young man whom I passed everyday during construction, loading bricks onto a cart stopped what he was doing and looked straight at me and smiled. We had seen each other in passing most days and we finally made eye contact. I motioned to my camera and was able to take his picture.

I wonder where he is now, which new construction sight he is working on. It is a hard life for these men and women, the living conditions and especially being so far away from their families.

Balloon girl

2011-02-24T14:04:00.000-08:00

6"x6" oil on canvas board, framed.

$150

Another little girl, running with a big red balloon. Her brightly patterned clothes and piggy tails stood out amongst all the people in the park.

I limited my time to one hour from start to finish. No time to over work the brush strokes, concentrating on shapes and just enjoying the myself.

Pink Tights

2011-02-15T08:15:00.000-08:00

6"x6" oil on canvas board, framed

$150

During a trip to Dalian in China ,this cutie was posing for her family in a park. I had to join in and took a photo. Her scrunched up pink tight with denim shorts were too cute.

I ignored all the clutter behind her so she would be the main focus.

(she is now available for sale in my shop!)

Did Marie Antoinette sit here

2011-01-28T17:36:00.000-08:00

12"x12" oil on board

sold

This was a commissioned painting for a friend of her grandmothers French chairs. The sun was shining through the shutters across these pretty chairs that are placed in a sunny nook of her dining room.

The photo is a lot bluer than the painting, alas, the new camera did not make me into a better photographer!

Chairs make interesting paintings with their figurative shapes. I would like to use this image on a larger canvas, I'll add it to the list...

Beijing bicycles

2011-01-21T11:50:00.000-08:00

10"x10" oil on canvas board

$165

I previously painted these delivery bicycles, this time closer up. It must have been a smoggy day as no shadows were in the photograph. I concentrated on the negative spaces between the spokes without adding too much detail. There was a time when every spoke would have been rendered. I think I have broken loose at last.

It is bitter cold today here in Wisconsin, drinking hot tea, sitting by the fire is all I can muster. I just can't shake off this jet lag.

Mahjong and back home

2011-01-17T09:55:00.000-08:00

35"x26"

sold

Back home to the US and the snow. Three months of being immersed in Chinese culture and overnight it seems as though I have dreamt it.

A game of Mahjong outside in the freezing cold was a common sight in Beijing. These seniors were playing in front of a red painted wall and with their cool colored coats it looked the perfect subject for a painting. Gathering in the streets to play games, talking, dancing etc in the evenings is a daily pleasure. I did ask these seniors if I could take a photo without them looking at the camera. Thirty minuets later after lots of laughter and antics I was able to snap this image.

A $7 gallery wrapped canvas from my local art store. At that price it didn't matter if I goofed up. Using lots of paint which goes against my frugal Scottish blood this piece ended up being one of my favorites.

I am happy to say it is now hanging in a private residence in Beijing.

Stuart

2010-10-17T12:13:00.001-07:00

10"x10" oil on canvas board

nfs

Stuart, husband of 41 years. A surprise painting of him, for him.

I shall be leaving for Beijing, with painting, at the end of the month for three months, to be with Stuart. I have no access to any Blog whilst there, so this will be my last entry for a while. I welcome emails anytime. I wish every one a Happy Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year.

Allie

2010-10-10T14:29:00.000-07:00

6'x6' oil on canvas board

NFS

My dear friend Julie's daughter, Allie. A birthday present to a wonderful young lady.

A long admirer of Karin Jurick, "who isn't", it was after seeing her latest project of 100 faces that got me going. Thought I would have a bash and hope for the best. I used my palette knife, to apply the vibrant red, which looks wonderful against her black hair. I tried to capture her strong character and joyfulness.

Happy birthday Allie, save me some cake!

The porch revisited

2010-09-10T16:47:00.000-07:00

20"x20" oil on gallery wrapped canvas

$550
sold

Porch days are coming to an end, cooler temperatures lingering longer. I will be retreating into the main house for the coming winter pretty soon. This is a larger painting of the same chair that I painted a while back. The bright dappled sun light casting interesting shapes on my comfy chair was a joy to repaint.

Painting on a larger canvas after working so small is some what over whelming, all that canvas to cover. After a few initial brush strokes with what seems like a giant brush, its full steam ahead!

Good bye porch, see you next year.

Postings will be few and far in between for a while. A wedding in the UK and a trip to Jersey, "Island off the coast of France" with my sister. A busy summer is coming to an end and my trip will end it nicely.

Rebecca

2010-08-16T13:44:00.000-07:00

4"x6"

nfs

Rebecca, youngest daughter, mother of twin boys and married to Scott. A very busy young woman who never ceases to amaze me.

Rebecca was sitting under a tree at Monticello, VA, resting and of course the camera came out to take this perfect picture.

Cherub

2010-08-07T15:05:00.000-07:00

4"x6" oil on canvas board

$50

Myself and some friends took a tour through the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC a few weeks ago. Photography is forbidden inside this beautiful home but I was able to take a few pictures outside. Decorating a window on the covered promenade this sweet little cherub caught my attention.

Summer time has lots of commitments and painting seems to be further down on the list. I was able to paint this little one during a spare morning.

Hydrangea

2010-07-29T07:24:00.000-07:00

14"x11"

oil on gallery wrapped canvas

The photograph of these Hydrangeas on my deck was beautiful. I tried to capture the sun shining through the flowers and into the glass bowl. I warmed up the table to give a better contrast to the cool blues in the petals. Painting flowers is a stuggle, which is why I don't paint them.

My childhood school days were spent in various convents where the nuns would rap you on the knuckles for an incorrect math answer. When I try to paint any kind of flower I expect a nun to emerge for a knuckle rap and when finished breath a sigh of relief. So keeping those nuns at bay I will wait a while before I paint another flower!

Portobello mushroom

2010-07-05T14:19:00.000-07:00

5"x5"x1".50 gallery wrapped canvas.

$95

I have just said good bye to my eldest daughter, husband and two grandsons from NY. What a whirl wind of activity to cram into a week. The eldest celebrates his seventh birthday today. Happy birthday big A.

We have a wonderful mushroom farm close bye. I once fed my husband a marinated grilled portobello mushroom and told him to close his eyes for his first bite. He commented that the 'steak' was delicious. What a great substitute if you are a vegetarian.

When I looked at the underside I was a bit wary as to how or if I could paint it. With a mantra of 'keep loose' I took control, sort of.

This mushroom was curried into a Rogan Josh, delicious.

Welsh dresser

2010-06-21T15:26:00.001-07:00

5"x7" oil on canvas board

$75.00

My Welsh dresser from England holds reign in my kitchen. Forty years of memories are displayed on its shelves. It has moved so many times and the ritual of placing every precious item on it brings comfort. When the sun shines on the two hundred year old pine, it glows. I could never part with it. It is a family member!

My husband found the lamp which is made from painted camel skin, in Afghanistan, many years ago before the nightmare that it is today.

Feet up

2010-06-17T13:17:00.001-07:00

10"x10" oil on canvas board

sold

After a hectic trip to see my twin one year old grandsons I can put my feet up in my porch on this chair that I found at Goodwill for the unbelievable price of, wait for it......$2 .50 cents. I made a slip cover for it and it is sooo comfy.

I have set up my painting area at one end of this room for the summer, it is too cold to use during our Wisconsin winters. I then, don't laugh, move into one of our bathrooms! We have a very old house, so an office space many years ago, before us, was made into a loo. The light is perfect and I have plenty of room to maneuver and it is "warm".

I like painting interiors at the moment, so hopefully the next painting will come together as easy as this one.

Dana Cooper asked in her blog what favorite new color we had. I am stuck in a rut as I have not ventured beyond my usual color pallete and can see that I need to get out!

Sweet Lady

2010-06-05T16:52:00.000-07:00

8"x6" oil on canvas board

Work in progress

This sweet lady was tending her stall at my local farmers market in VA. I asked her if I could take her picture and she graciously posed. I just loved her shoes and flowered head scarf.

The market is held in what was once a tobacco weighing building. The area is now an historical district of old warehouses, stores etc that thrived up until about thirty years ago. It is a wonderful market, full of the most delicious baked goods, vegetables, meats, plants and crocheted doilies made by 'sweet ladies'

I am visiting my baby twin grandsons at the moment in VA. It is non stop motion. I really am out of shape! I will finish this painting when I get back to WI, too busy playing!

William Morris sits here

2010-05-24T15:01:00.000-07:00

6"x8" oil on canvas board

sold

I grew up surrounded by William Morris textiles, furniture, ceramics. To me it was just home and I had no idea that my parents had such good taste! I re-discovered W M in college and I have been in love ever since.

On my last trip to England I scoured the Charity shops and found a bolt of Sanderson fabric for 5 pounds, $7.50. With heart racing I grabbed it before anyone else saw it and on my return to the US I covered this chair. The pattern, 'Golden Lilly' was designed by one of W M pupils, John Dearl in 1899.

I have to thank Roisin O'Farrell for giving me the inspiration to paint this chair. Check out her blog to see her wonderful chair paintings.

Ellie

2010-05-13T16:39:00.001-07:00

Watercolor Print

Ellie belonged to my eldest daughter Samantha and her husband Lucius. I painted her when they visited us and she was lying on the floor giving me 'the look'. She was a real character. She became jealous of their first baby and after many unhappy tears was sent to a Bulldog retreat in Calgary, Canada. To see a large pack of Bulldogs running freely is a sight to behold.

I have been sorting out my cupboard which is full of neglected watercolor stuff. Thought you might like to see her.

Interupted viewing

2010-05-05T04:38:00.001-07:00

12"x12 oil on gallery wrapped canvas

$275

This man was texting away, oblivious to his suroundings. He was still texting when we back tracked forty five minutes later!

I changed the grouping of the people in the back ground. They were evenly spaced along the wall in the original photo. I think this makes a better composition.

It was a bitter cold day and the museum was no warmer inside, hence all the clad people in winter coats.

Reposted the image. Second try to get the colors right.

Back pack girl

2010-04-30T05:03:00.000-07:00

6"x8" oil on gessoed board

$115

I saw this young lady with her heavy back pack in Beijing National Museum. She was with a group of friends who were all taking photographs of paintings as they moved through the different galleries. New 'No photo taking of paintings allowed' signs everywhere but ignored by everyone. As I was only photographing people! my excuse. Who am I kidding, still feel guilty.

I had it framed in a wood grain finish at my favourite frame shop which is next to an "illegal" DVD shop in Beijing. A sweet student helped me choose the frame then asked me to look at her sketches. I ended up giving her a drawing lesson and promised to bring her back some instruction books on my return to China.

Posting will be few and far between as it is garden time and we are trying to sell our home. This is our sixteenth move in 40 years of marriage and will be the last. Growing up with a father in the Royal Air Force we moved all over the world every few years. My husband had never moved until we met. Little did I know that he would get wanderlust. It has finally run it's course after four countries and five different States. No regrets but a life of never ending surprises.

Chu Teh-Chun

2010-04-19T16:10:00.000-07:00

12"x12" oil on Gallery wrapped canvas

sold

I couldn't wait to access my blog after being in China for two months. Two months is a long time without being able to access ones blog and the blogs I follow, due to censorship.
I spent a day at the National Gallery in Beijing looking at the paintings of Chu Teh-Chun. I found information on him on the Internet before I went to his exhibition which helped as everything was in Chinese with no translation.

These two women stood looking at one of his paintings talking excitedly in Chinese. I would like to have known what they were saying. 'I don't get it' or 'is it the right way up'. I imagine they were in admiring it as I was and they were wishing they could afford it.

Sorry, I don't know the title. It was a wonderful exhibition and I painted this picture the next day.

The color is not quite right, I did my best.

I have a lot to catch up on and hopefully will back at my easel in a few day's.

Courgette or zucchini? let's call the whole thing off!

2010-02-27T10:12:00.000-08:00

6"x6" oil on board

$100

I can't make up my mind which is the better name for this vegetable. I confused people in America when I first came to live here by calling them courgettes, and confuse people when I visit England and call them zucchini.

The colors in the photo are not exactly right, too much blue, I tried.

In my last post I made a delicious salad with the avocado. Ratatouille comes to mind with this painting. Painting and cooking go hand in hand.

Avocado

2010-02-23T15:00:00.000-08:00

4"x6"each

oil on gessoed canvas board

sold

Don't you just love the look and taste of an avocado?

I finished these two quickly as time was not on my side before the ripening change of color.

Now I can make a goat cheese, walnut, spinach and avocado salad with a yummy balsamic/olive oil dressing for my dinner.

Apple snack

2010-02-19T06:14:00.001-08:00

8"x10" oil on board

$145
sold

I had one apple left in my fruit bowl, decided to paint it before I ate it. I have loosened up with this piece and felt relaxed and excited as "still life" is unknown territory for me. I am off now to the grocery store to load up on fruit and veg!

Chinese Hutong

2010-02-16T13:58:00.000-08:00

8"x10" oil on board

sold

I am getting ready to return to China next month for two months. I thought I would paint a photo of a Hutong that I took last time I was there. Beijing has destroyed large areas of these old homes and winding alleys to build soaring towers of glass and concrete. I love to explore these little winding street of grey painted homes.

I added some warm colors to draw the eye into the courtyard as it was all gray except for the washing on the line. That will soon turn grey if left out too long! My husbands white shirts are slowly turning a dingy grey, he doesn't notice poor thing. The pollution and the winds blowing in from the Gobi desert make for one dusty city.

Samantha

2010-02-06T12:28:00.000-08:00

10'x20" oil on board

nfs

Three days of struggle and strife. I painted the face first, hoping to get the hardest part over with. I'm not sure if I have the right flesh colors. I'm used to doing smaller images of people so this was a challenge. I kept reminding myself of lost and found edges, cool and warm and to stop before the urge to pick up a small brush overcame me.

Samantha is a beautiful young woman, mother of two boys and artist. I'm a proud mother! She was holding onto the carousel in Saratoga Springs, NY, when I took this picture. I hope she she likes it.

Home

2010-01-31T11:38:00.000-08:00

8"x10" oil on gessoed board

$145

This nest was laying discarded after a very windy day in my garden last year. Everytime I look at this wonderful creation I am amazed. I added the eggs, fake ones from the craft store, not so amazing!

Watch me grandma

2010-01-19T09:35:00.000-08:00

4"x6" oil on gessoed board

sold

My grandson #2 showing me how fast he can pedal. He and his elder brother were obsessed with the Tour De France last year. Cavendish was their hero. How could I not paint this picture.

This little piggy stayed at home

2010-01-13T11:30:00.001-08:00

4x5 oil on board

$50
sold

This little piggy was a quick loosening up session. I need to be more relaxed and loose. I have the mind set that every painting needs to be perfect and I am trying hard not to think this way.

His or her name was #1. My daughter had two rare breed pigs that they fattened up for eating. He or she is now in the freezer. Piggy was not at home very long.

Time for shearing

2010-01-12T11:21:00.000-08:00

4"x5" oil on board

sold

Sheep, sheep and more sheep. The English countryside is dotted with sheep. This one must have missed being sheared. Whilst on a trip back home last year I happened upon this dreadlocked sheep down the lane from where my sister lives in Romsey. A lovely town with a beautiful Cathedral.

I managed to paint a couple of animals this past weekend, sheep included, in between running and fetching for laid up broken legged husband. Three more long weeks until he is able to start putting pressure on his leg. No complaints, he is a good patient.

Nursing not painting

2010-01-06T15:02:00.000-08:00

sold

Two days after Christmas day my husband, Stuart, slipped on the ice and broke his leg in two places. After surgery and later a harrowing three day drive from NY through snow blizzards, we finally made it back to Wisconsin.

Painting has been put on hold for a while so I thought I would post this painting I did of Stuart a while back, listening to some music in Montmatre, Paris.

2009-12-13T18:13:00.000-08:00

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Guernsey trio

2009-12-04T18:57:00.000-08:00

$700

24"x30" oil on gallery wrapped canvas

I am getting ready to drive to Virginia to see my newest grandsons. Twin boys, now eight months old and crawling every where and getting into everything. Then more driving up to see my other grandsons in upstate NY for Christmas.

It has been a whirlwind year. Seeing family in England, being at the birth of Rebecca's twins in VA and saying goodbye to Samantha and the boys in NY before heading off to Beijing for two months to be with hubby. As I reflect on this year and it's amazing blessings I just have to thank all those people that are close to me.

***************

I am posting these cows as I love their gentle and enquiring gaze. I will be painting once I get settled and hopefully do at least one blog post in between snuggling two babies and playing with two energetic boys.

Lunch break

2009-12-02T04:33:00.001-08:00

8"x8" oil on board

$125

I was leaving my local grocery store in Beijing and followed these migrant construction workers. They were heading for lunch at the noodle restaurant. I hope the lettering on the building is for noodles and not a massage parlor!

I loved all the blue shirts and yellow hats. My camera was under my veggies and milk so it was a rush to get that photo before they disappeared into the ?

Not so happy miners

2009-11-30T14:01:00.000-08:00

Why did I think I could fix this painting? See previous post. As soon as the canvas went up on the easel I knew I had a problem. If I started again from scratch it would be totally different in technique. My brush strokes, colors, everything was wrong. I changed the middle mans odd shaped arm and all three faces. Oh well, on to the next painting. The best part is, Stuart will still like it for his birthday.

Miners

2009-11-28T11:23:00.000-08:00

24"x30"

n f s

I painted these three miners last year whilst waiting for my daughter to give birth to twins. I obviously had my mind else where.

I have not looked at it for six months and I can see that it needs work. This was my first attempt at painting figures and I enjoyed painting their bodies. The faces were another matter, they need to be reworked.

My husband works in the mining industry and I happened upon this photo. Sorry your birthday present is late Stuart.

Hereford cow

2009-11-22T18:46:00.000-08:00

20"x20" oil on stretched canvas.

$550

Painting this cow with loose brush strokes, something I have to keep reminding myself to do. To connect with your subject is the most important step. Believing in your self and not giving up and when at the end of the day you walk away from a completed painting, it feels so good.

Moo

2009-11-19T13:36:00.001-08:00

20"x20" oil on canvas

$550

This was my first cow oil painting. I love painting cows. Her long lashes and soulful eyes. At first they were more "mad cow" eyes. That reminds me. When mad cow disease first hit England my parents bought all the beef they could lay their hands on as it was so cheap and put it in the freezer. They said the symptoms would not show up until they were 99yrs old! I miss their humor.

Nosey Bullock

2009-11-18T07:48:00.000-08:00

20"x20" oil on stretched canvas

$550.00

I love this bullock. He was peeking over the fence near my daughters farm wanting to say hello. I rushed back to get my camera and he was still waiting for me to take his picture. I think I will post him on my Etsy shop this evening and see if I have a buyer who loves him too.

I painted several cows, had a bovine phase, a while back. They are the dumbest, sweetest most gentle creatures. Don't you agree?

Morning coffee

2009-11-15T17:07:00.000-08:00

4"x5" oil on board

sold

I have one cup of coffee a day before my umpteen cups of tea.

I was sitting in my local coffee shop, the "Candy cafe" in Beijng for the last time before I headed back to the US. I ordered my coffee and thought about my time in China. I liked the rings in the cup as my latte slowly descended and as I take my camera every where with me, I took a quick picture. I think I will paint a cup of tea next as this was fun to paint, and think about my life in the US.

I had my latte at my local Caribou today, no rings on the paper cup!

Chinese man

2009-11-13T12:13:00.000-08:00

5"x7" oil on board

sold

This elderly Chinese gentleman was sitting peacefully in the sun at the Summer Palace, Beijing. I asked him if I could take his photo. He beamed a golden toothed smile and let me focus. He closed his mouth never to show those dazzling teeth again. I could not wait to start on this painting when I got back to my easel. With or without those golden teeth I like this painting of him. What gracious people.

Airport travelers

2009-11-09T07:04:00.000-08:00

6"x6" oil on board

This is my first attempt at the challenge for Karin Juricks Blog, "Different Strokes For Different Folks". I have been following this Blog for the last few challenges. I thought it was time to jump in the deep end. It was deep!. It came together like a jig saw puzzle, starting with the darkest shapes. I enjoyed every small brush stroke. I only hope the next challenge isn't flowers!
I have just started to use my new camera, so hopefully the images won't look so chalky from now on.

Coffee and news

2009-11-08T12:44:00.000-08:00

5"x7" oil on board sold

Sitting one morning at my local Caribou, I quickly photographed this gentleman sitting comfortably reading his paper. Many a time has a photo been taken in a flash. This one turned out and the painting too . Why is it that some paintings turn out with no effort and others are like pulling teeth?

After lots of persuading from my daughters, who sell their creations on Etsy,I now sell my work on Etsy. Click on the link to view.

Temple Buddhists

2009-11-07T06:16:00.000-08:00

6"x8" oil on canvas board

sold

I sneaked a photo of these Buddhists at the Putuo Zongcheng Temple in Chengde, China.
We took a five hour sleeper train to Chengde. We had the cabin to ourselves so stretched out, read, snacked and napped whilst viewed by passengers on route to get hot water for their fast food noodles. It must be the hair. I have only seen grey hair on a handful of ladies and they were all OLD. I know, being a Da beize, "big nose" is the main reason.

Click on my shop link at Etsy to purchase.

The Bard meets Pluto

2009-11-02T19:00:00.000-08:00

oil on board 8"x8"
$125 plus $10 domestic s/h

When I was shopping in an art store opposite the National Gallery in Beijing I turned a corner and nearly collided into these life sized plaster busts. I used a limited palette and I am pleased with the result.

Beijing bicycles

2009-11-01T16:50:00.001-08:00

8"x8", oil on board

sold

I am back from a wonderful two months in China. Stuart and I love the people, food and culture. I am still suffering from jet lag, hope it does not take as long as last time to get back to normal! I took lots of photographs, so I have no excuse to paint.

I eyed this row of rental bicycles on one of my walks to Ritan park in Beijing. I hope you like it. I have only recently changed from watercolor to oils. Goodbye watercolor. That first stroke onto the canvas is always the hardest, but as soon as the paint spreads over the surface, like butter, I am happy.

Tea in the park, Paris

2009-09-01T17:43:00.001-07:00

8x8, oil on board. sold

$125 plus $10 domestis s/h

This is another scene from our vacation in Paris. It was a very cold day, but drinking hot tea in a park in Paris was tres bon.

I will not be posting for a couple of months as I leave for two months to be in Beijing, China. Hopefully I will have many paintings to show you on my return.

Please email me if you are interested in this painting. I will not be able to ship untill I get back to the US.

Kindergarten concert

2009-08-27T15:11:00.000-07:00

10x20, oil on board
$225 plus $10 domestic s/h

This painting was taken from a photograph of my grandsons school concert. He is the tallest one.

Boating in the Jardin du Luxembourg

2009-08-20T07:29:00.000-07:00

8"x8"oil on board
$125 plus $10 domestic s/h

sold

Whilst vacationing in Paris a few years ago I photographed a mother and daughter sailing boats. This was a beautiful setting and I thought it would make a lovely painting. If you would like to purchase this painting please email me.

First entry

2009-08-19T14:04:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome to my Blog. I would like to share with you what inspires me to paint.