Luminous Eyes ~ SOLD

"Who can believe that there is no soul

behind those luminous eyes!"

~ Theophile Gautier

Luminous Eyes

5.5" x 7.5" original watercolor on Yupo paper, matted to 8" x 10" - $85.

mats- (acid-free - white core) with foam core backing in an acetate sleeve

ready to fit into a standard 8" x 10" frame.

• SOLD

Here is today's watercolor painting on Yupo paper.

The drawing for this fox took me forever,

but the painting was a breeze.

It surprised me and flowed right off the brushes.

I just love when that happens!

Thanks for looking!
As always, your feedback is appreciated.

Have a happy, relaxing and creative weekend!

X ♥  O

Fluff and Stardust ~ SOLD

Fluff and Stardust

5.5" x 7.5" original watercolor on Arches paper, matted to 8" x 10" - $85.

mats- (acid-free - white core) with foam core backing in an acetate sleeve

ready to fit into a standard 8" x 10" frame.

• SOLD

This is the exact same painting as the one I posted yesterday, only it's done on Arches cold press, watercolor paper instead of Yupo paper. Hard to believe, isn't it? They are so totally different.

The little fox in the reference photo I painted this from is all fluff.  And boy, she needs it in Crested Butte Colorado! It can get down into the minuses for days at a time. Sally Vennel's photos of her awesome, winter, high country foxes have got me all charged up. Their luxurious winter coat is pale, almost a buff, compared to summer. Maybe that's so they blend into the snowy landscape better. I met a few of Sally's foxes when I was out there visiting one winter. What a beautiful and awe inspiring animal they are!

Which do you like better, yesterday's Foxy One on Yupo paper or today's Fluff and Stardust on traditional watercolor paper? I find that some people definitely prefer my work on one paper over the other and some like them both equally. I'd love to hear some opinions. Thanks so much for reading my blog. 

As always

X ♥  O

Hawks, Eagles, Foxes and Ravens, Oh My! ~ SOLD!

Foxy One

5.5" x 7.5" original watercolor on Yupo paper, matted to 8" x 10" - $85.

mats- (acid-free - white core) with foam core backing in an acetate sleeve

ready to fit into a standard 8" x 10" frame.

• SOLD

My friend, extraordinary photographer, Sally Vennel, just sent me 20 of her fabulous fox photos to use as reference! Guess what my next series will be? (Don't worry, not 30!) It felt so good to paint an animal today! Although my last series was exhilarating, I am ready to paint something other than trees. This fox painting was done on Yupo paper today. I may attempt the same pose tomorrow on regular 140 lb. Arches cold press cotton rag paper.

Ms. Cooper visited our bird feeders on Saturday. She dined for about 40 minutes on a pork chop that Jerry had thrown out there. I'd much rather have her eating that than our song birds! This was the best shot I got while shooting from my kitchen window. Jerry said he saw her out there again tonight.

We have had a large bald eagle flying around our place lately! I spotted her in a one of our big bull pines Sunday morning. I called Jerry and we got the binoculars and saw her up real close when she flew directly over my studio window before circling over the house. She is spectacular and huge! What a sight! It gave me goosebumps! The problem was that we hadn't seen our beautiful, little, feral, Maine Coon, Eva, since Saturday. We were both pretty sad all day, thinking Ms. Eagle may have carried our little Eva away. Jerry searched everywhere for her. Then around 3:00 pm, Ms. Eva showed up! We were very happy to see her and she seemed happy to be home. We have a couple of stray males that just showed up here and they chase her. Perhaps they chased her into the woods and she got lost or she could have spent 24 hours up in a tree. Poor baby. I wish I could keep an eye on her, but she is a feral, very independent and not crazy about people. She is coming into the screened porch at night and sleeping in her cooler/ home now that it's cold. At least she's safe then. 

Opie was very interested in the Super Bowl yesterday. We actually couldn't tear him away from the game! He spent a good part of the game sitting in front of the TV, watching the action between the Ravens and the Forty Niners. A lot of the time, he was sitting up on his haunches like a mercat. What a guy!

Good news for me, I completed the shooting of the high resolution images of my 30 Paintings in 30 Days series today. Yay! Now I can sign them, spray them, mat, frame and ship the ones that are sold! Looking into several online vendors for producing books, I found this site, Blurb, the most attractive. I am asking if anyone has any thoughts about the "Tree Paintings Inspired by Quotes" book as far as hard cover/ soft cover, size, price, etc. If I go with the smallest book (6" x 9"), with shipping, they will cost me about $20. ea. I would like to see it in a little larger format (8" x 10"), so that the images won't be tiny, but they would probably cost me $25 - $30 ea. I will sell them at my cost, but would have to add on $5.00 for ea. pkg. (1 or more) shipping. I would like to know if anyone is still interested and what your thoughts are on the above. Thanks for your time and feedback! I really and truly am thankful!

X ♥  O

Rowan Tree - Lady of the Mountains ~ SOLD

"Rowan emphasizes the need for color

and creative endeavor in our lives.

It encourages us to open our minds

to creative inspiration."

~ Jane Gifford

Rowan Tree - Lady of the Mountains • Sold

Researching trees for my series led to a

fascination with their spiritual significance.

I purchased The Wisdom of Trees by Jane Gifford. Following the Celtic alphabet with its associated tree and season, Jane delves into the physical and mystical essence of each species. Photographs showing foliage, bark, blossoms and fruit accompany fascinating text highlighting historical meanings, folklore, magic and healing properties.

Today is Candlemass - lady Day, or Imbolc. It is one of the eight pagan festivals of the wheel of the year, based on the solstices and equinoxes.  February 2nd is significant because it falls midway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.

The Rowan Tree represents the second month of the Celtic calendar, January 21st - February 17th. Since my birthday is February 17th, I find its attributes especially significant.

As always, your comments are appreciated. Remember, I'm framing these tree paintings at no extra charge to the first 12 people to purchase pieces in this series.

X ♥  O

30 Paintings in 30 Days ~ January 2013

"Every artist dips her brush into her soul,

and then paints her own nature into the picture." 

~ Henry Ward Beecher

Accompanied by a hand written

thank you note and an attached storage sleeve,

the title and quote for each piece is

laminated to the foam core backing, including

the number in the series and date of creation.

Seven have already been sold,
so pick out your favorites before it's too late.

Scroll back down through the posts to see close-up views of each individual painting on this blog. The images shown in this collage are in chronological order.

Of course, this blog is in reverse of that.

Thanks to everyone for your interest and feedback on this series.

X ♥  O

Maybe Someday, I'll Get It Right

“I keep painting the trees

the rocks, the river.

I'm still learning how to see them;

I'm still discovering how to render their forms.

I will spend a lifetime doing that.

Maybe someday I'll get it right.”

~ Alan Lee

Maybe Someday, I'll Get It Right

5.5" x 7.5" original watercolor on Yupo paper, matted to 8" x 10" - $85. 

Quotes will be hand lettered and laminated to the back of the painting's matting.

mats - (acid-free/white core) with foam core backing, in an acetate sleeve

- ready to fit into a standard 8" x 10" frame.

#30 of 30 - "Paintings Inspired by Quotes About Trees".

This quote reminded me of a favorite John Singer Sargent
painting of Monet painting at the edge of the woods.
Here is my interpretation of it in watercolor on Yupo paper.

OMG, I can't believe that Leslie Saeta's 30/30 challenge is over!

When I started this project, it seemed like a big challenge,

but now that it's over, it seems rather small and insignificant.

I'll admit, my friends, family and critters have suffered this month.

Cooking, shopping, housework and the barn have been neglected.

It all comes down to what is important,

and I confess, my art is pretty high up on that list.

Although this is painting number 30 in the 30 Day Challenge,
I will continue to paint and post a few more over the next
week or so. I've already got two more started.
The quotes about trees and the vast
beauty and uniqueness of the subject excites
my imagination and spurs me on creatively.
At the moment, the possibilities seem endless.

I am looking into putting together an ebook
and a printed book of this series with accompanying quotes.
Please let me know if you might be interested in purchasing
a copy and which type you'd be interested in.

I'm framing these paintings at no extra charge
to the first dozen people to purchase
one of the tree paintings in this series.

Thanks again for your interest and feedback here on my tree series.

I really appreciate it!

X ♥  O

Heal Mine Aching Moods ~ SOLD

"To heal mine aching moods,
Give me God's virgin woods."
~Clinton Scollard

Heal Mine Aching Moods

Original Watercolor on Yupo paper
●SOLD

#29 of 30 - "Paintings Inspired by Quotes About Trees".

Only one day to go! Thanks for your interest in my trees!

X ♥  O