Daydreamer

Daydreamer
2011
Acrylic on Panel
10" x 10"

A slight continuation from the ladies I painted last year, I'm turning my focus toward trying to capture the wistfulness in daydreamers... the hope and quiet happiness that springs eternal in people of all ages.

Your Timing is Crap

Your Timing is Crap
2011
Acrylic on Wood Panel
4" x 4"

Available here.

A Gaggle of... Well, Not Geese

A bunch of little birds have flown into my Etsy shop. Original paintings for $50 each. Take one home for your sweetie for Valentine's Day :).

A Little to the Right

A Little to the Right
2011
Acrylic on Wood Panel
4" x 4"

Available here.

Who Gives a Hoot

Who Gives a Hoot
2011
Acrylic on Wood Panel
4" x 4"

Available here.

Hush, I'm Busy

Hush, I'm Busy
2011
Acrylic on Wood Panel
4" x 4"

Available: http://www.etsy.com/listing/66490540/original-painting-mockingbird

Words of Wisdom

The interesting thing about painting is the constant question nagging at you: is it done? It's so easy to push too far.

There's an artist I admire, Karin Jurick, who paints loosely and freely. She recently said, "I think the more you paint, the more you build confidence with the decisions you make. You learn to stop when you like what you've done - and not overwork the piece. That's why small studies are essential. They're more liberating, experimental, non-binding."

These are words I hope to remember, and words I hope to use to motivate myself to pick up my brushes more, to paint more confidently, and to know when done is done.

Blink and You'll Miss Her

Description: 2011 Oil on Panel 16" x 16" I decided to try my hand at a self portrait. In my other work, I've always done my best to make my subjects glow, as though their inner light could blind you if you got a really good look at it. Applying this same filter to myself was an interesting experiment. I wanted to approach this year with a strong focus on myself as an artist, as well as myself as a stronger individual. Armed with my brushes, I feel safe to say with paint which I struggle to say with words. That we are all, myself included, fantastically beautiful creatures that should never be taken for granted. Blink, and you'll miss us.

A Bunny, A Girl, and A Pup

My last plush for awhile... cuddly bunny!

My initial attempt at a self-portrait. I look soooo serious. I'm finding the process strange - it's hard to resist the urge to ultra-pretty myself up, but I feel like I do my best to make sure my other subjects "glow", so why shouldn't I apply the same principle to myself? At any rate, this photo was taken with my camera phone just to capture part of the process. I have a deadline for tomorrow, so more to come.

I've been busy painting this pup... he's so adorable, I might just have to steal him.

Random Bits

So, I read this blog post on the top things to say to offend an artist and found it both hilarious and accurate. I think the whole bathroom one gets me the most riled up, mostly because sticking a painting in a room that gets the most humidity is just a surefire way to destroy it.

On another note, I've been bopping around the studio on something of a Sia kick. I started watching her videos on youtube - they're fantastic. Playful, weird, unpretentious... if you're looking for a way to kill some time, check them out.

The Ladies, Now Available

I've listed my portraits in my Etsy shop. Have a looksy!

Some closeups:

A Sculpture

I took a sculpture class from Crystal Morey last summer and had a really wonderful time playing with clay. The class had an emphasis on self portraiture... I think mine is close. It was more reflective of how I was feeling after a particularly tumultuous day.

At any rate, here you have it: