"Granny's Quilt"

"Granny's Quilt"

22 x 36 acrylic

SOLD

This one is sold, but I may have others similar on older posts. Please scroll down and take a look! I was inspired by some vines growing at the side of my property, so I added some sort of structure and a garden path and an old chair with grandmother's flower basket quilt draped over it. Click on it for a closer view.

I am busy working on a commission (don't like to take them, but I did this one)! The reason I don't like doing commissions is that I tend to stew over them, trying to please someone else rather than please myself! That is a bad thing, as often whoever you are painting for doesn't have a clue about the elements of art or whether there is balance, center of interest, etc. They often have a pre-conceived idea as to how the painting needs to look and it may be near impossible to accomplish what is in their head! Plus it may not please the artist at all. I have had people ask me to whiten someone's teeth in a painting (heaven forbid!--all you see, then, is glaring white teeth). Once a lady wanted the front of a house AND the back of the house in the same painting! I tried to explain that if you saw the front, you could not see the back. She didn't get it. So we went outside and stood in front of my house. Can you see the back?, I asked. "No, she said, " but you are an artist so you can put it in." She had brought photos to work from of both the front and the back of a house. It took a very long time, but I finally convinced her it could not be done.

Anyway, I will post a new painting as soon as I can. Right now, my mind is completely on the painting commission and I am posting older paintings I have sold. But keep looking!

Geranium Window Box"

"Geranium Window Box"

8x10 watercolor

SOLD

This painting was done from sketches made in Northern Ireland at Ardess House, where my daughter and I did a mini workshop. I loved the peeling plaster, exposing brick on the old structure. This watercolor is sold, but I may have others similar. Please look at older posts. And click on it to see the details.

"Still Life with Roses"

"Still Life with Roses"

18 x 24 watercolor SOLD

I suppose my favorite paintings are still life paintings. I like to challenge myself by setting up things that are hard to paint! In this one, I used a Carnival Glass compote with iridescent colors and put a white embroidered napkin in it against a white batten burg lace piece. Then roses with the stems showing through a clear vase...all these things were difficult to paint, but so much fun! I thought the result was quite beautiful!

This one is sold, but I may have others that are similar, so please scroll down and look at older posts. I do recall doing another painting where I painted white objects against white. Check it out! Also, don't forget to click on this to see the details--that is what makes this painting so interesting! Thanks for looking and tell your friends about my blog.

By the way, now is a good time to sign up as a follower because I know lots of you have not done so and I really appreciate it when you do. Only takes a minute. Thanks!

"My Indian Friend"

"My Indian Friend"

18 x 24 egg tempera on panel From Private Collection

One day, my Indian friend, Fred, stopped by the house to swap me some avocados for his persimmons and I was in awe of his fine appearance in his colorful shirt and his turquoise and silver necklace, so I asked him if I could photograph him. I took several photos and later from these I did his portrait in egg tempera. I used egg tempera because I wanted to get fine details in his hair (click on it to see a larger view). My friend passed away shortly after I finished his portrait, and I miss our talks about gardening and nature. He was a wise man who is missed by many. I think this portrait captures the essence of a man who lived a good life full of nobleness and adventure.

"Pepper Parade"

"Pepper Parade"

6 x6 acrylic on canvas panel $50

Peppers are surprisingly hard to paint, especially when a green one is turning red. If you aren't careful it can turn into a rotten pepper pretty fast! I like the way this one turned out---it was a strange ill shaped thing that came in a package of assorted peppers. And, my daughter sent me a wee present once and my gift was wrapped in the pretty radish napkin the peppers are fond of resting on, so the whole composition fit right into my new color mode! Hope you like it!

Orchid Tree

"Orchid Tree"

16 x 20 watercolor on Arches paper SOLD

FROM COLLECTION OF OWNER

I painted this from the Hongkong Orchid Tree that is on my property. It blooms usually in the Fall. The orchid-colored flowers look like real orchids and the leaves resemble cow's hooves!

Take a walk through my studio....

I thought today I would give you a little tour of my studio. Many of these paintings have sold and have been replaced with other paintings.











My studio is quite large--the size of a two car garage--but it seems it is never big enough! I have a large table (above) where I normally frame and cut mats, work on large projects, etc. and in this photo, I was having an open house, so I used it to display smaller paintings.


I have two tilting drafting tables where I work on many paintings. I use a big standing easel some, too, but I have it low enough that I can sit to work. In my youth, I always stood to paint, which may have taken its tow on my legs. At any rate, I now need to sit the long hours I paint, with breaks frequently to walk around and stand back from the painting to see the work from a distance. That way, I get a better idea of perspective, color harmonies, shapes, etc.





You might notice the air purifier, circulator under the drafting table. At times, when weather permits, I open windows, have a ceiling fan on, and turn this purifier on to freshen the room. I was once very sick from painting on flag cloth that contained formaldehyde, and was hospitalized a number of times, so I caution all artists to be very careful with your supplies, and with good ventilation in your studios. I hope you have enjoyed seeing where I work! Thanks for looking at my blog, Egretta

Girl with Umbrella"

"Girl with Umbrella"
5 x 5 acrylic on stretched canvas $50

I am in some kind of different painting mode than usual and it is a mystery to me as I am sure it is to you! I just feel like exploring color in an abstract sort of way. So I have no idea how long I will explore this new method.
But I am enjoying it for now and how several things in mind to paint. We will see. Hope you like the brighter colors. Your comments are welcome!

"Tropical Paradise"

"Tropical Paradise"

8 x 10 acrylic on stretched canvas $125

I am still in the brighter color palette mode. This painting is strictly from my imagination, probably influenced by the big "jungle clean up" we are doing on my property. I like the bright colors against the dark purples and blues in the foliage.

"In the Garden"

"In the Garden"

3x3 acrylic on mini stretched canvas $35

After walking outside around the gardens today, I decided to paint a mini garden scene. I guess our nice weather is bringing out the longing for Spring!

I'm anxious to paint a larger landscape in my brighter color palette, so that is what I will be working on for the next post.

"Still Life with Red Teapot"

"Still Life with Red Teapot"

8 x 10 acrylic on stretched canvas $125

I have decided to brighten my palette and enjoyed doing so very much. So we will see if this is a new trend for me. I had a red teapot and some yellow flowers, so I sat up this still life and it just called for color and brightness! I liked the way it turned out. Your comments are appreciated! Click on it to get a closer look.

"Mockingbird"

"Mockingbird"

7 x 9 watercolor

SOLD

On my five acres, I see many "unmanned" or should I say "unbirded" nests this time of year when the foliage is dead, but soon our friends, the Mockingbirds will be nesting in Florida. We have a very short, if any, winter and usually in Feb. and March, the birds think it is Spring here! I look forward to hearing their songs early every morning. Click on this to see details. Look at older posts and you may find one similar that is not sold. Thanks for looking!

"The Butterfly Hunters"

"The Butterfly Hunters"

18 x 24 egg tempera

SOLD

There is nothing more fun than children trying to catch butterflies! My own grandson loves to watch them, chase after them and every now and then gently catch one to show me. He always lets them go again, but he is fascinated by them. This painting was fun to do---the masses of flowers and the children. Look how the little girl seems to be sneaking up on one! Click on it to see details.

Sorry, this one is SOLD, but check out my older posts and you may find something similar.

Think Spring!!

"Mother and Child"

"Mother and Child"

8x10 watercolor

SOLD

It was fun to paint these adorable bunnies with a limited palette. I focused on the detail of the hair and their beautiful eyes. Click on it to see it up close. This one is SOLD but check out older posts for something similar.

Victorian House Sketch

Hi everyone and welcome to my painting blog,

Today I am posting a sketch done with colored pencils and a micron pen in my sketch book. It is lightly done, so the photogragh is a little hard to see. Click on it to see details.

Today is gorgeous here and I am doing some yard work. The new year makes us want to clean up things and organize, doesn't it. A fresh start! A time to accomplish all we have planned.

The trouble is: there is not enough time to do all those thing! But how thankful I am to have plans and to find life so exciting! Hope you like the sketch. In a few days, I will be producing more as I will have everything organized......I hope!

"Seagulls"

"Seagulls"

16 x 22 egg tempera on panel

SOLD

I took many photos of seagulls on the edge of Lake Okeechobee at "The Beach" (our name for a span of sand and park on the lake). There are always many birds there in the winter. It was so much fun to paint the sand and rippling water. Click on it to see details.

I am sorry, but this one is sold, but if you will look through my older posts, you may find something similar that you like. Thanks for looking. Your comments are appreciated, too!

"Florida Bobcat"

"Florida Bobcat"

18 x 24 pastel

SOLD

I really love doing pastels occasionally, especially animals. This Florida Bobcat was exciting to do, and when I did it, I had just seen one crossing my back yard! There are many wild animals here, but usually you see raccoons, opossum, and foxes, rarely bobcats!

"Little Scruffy"

"Little Scruffy" SOLD

3 x 3 mini acrylic painting on canvas $30

This little mini of Scruffy comes with a tiny easel, so you can place it just anywhere! This little green-eyed "monster" is sure to please all the cat lovers!

"The Folk Singer"

"The Folk Singer"

36 x 48 oil on canvas , my collection

Well, I found this rolled up canvas in the back of the closet where it has resided for years! I did this many years ago, probably in the sixties! Since I haven't been painting much in a couple of weeks due to Christmas and all the activities and company in the house, I thought I would post some older things. This must have been from my imagination as I don't recall anyone sitting for this. Interesting how the light is from one side and then she disappears into the shadows. What do you think? Comments are welcome! Click on it to see a closer view.