Crazy Lady Series

"The Morning After"

The painting, "The Morning After" just sold.  I'm sad to see it go, to tell you the truth.  I'm really enjoying sketching and painting crazy ladies, and have taught several workshops that were very successful about this type of painting.  They make great cards, and add a smile to your day, when they are hung in bathrooms or kitchens.  So, I bid you farewell, funky girl.  But you are going to a good home, and for that, I'm very thankful.

How Paintings Evolve

"Family and Friends"

Step one of painting

This painting, "Family and Friends", started with free and loose conte crayon markings.  Then I applied gesso randomly, using a palette knife.  The top photo is the finished painting, and the lower photo is step one.  This painting was as much a mystery to me, as to others.  Every step of the way, I had no idea how it would evolve, until about half way through, when I could see a mountain side, with rocks and decided to add some people at the top of the mountain.  The gesso marks helped me decide where to put them.  At this point, I stopped the painting, and got out my pencil, and made a value design sketch, something that I am passionate about.  Usually, I start with this, but this time, it was fun to start a painting with no preconceived ideas, and let the painting tell me the direction that it wanted to go.  "Family and Friends" just won a merit award at the Minnesota Watercolor Society Fall Exhibition.  I am teaching a workshop in my home studio on Oct. 4 - 6th on how to come up with ideas for abstracts.  There are still 2 openings, if anyone is interested.