Red Umbrella

Title: Red Umbrella

Size: 9" x 12"

Medium: Oil on gallery wrapped canvas

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PAINTING:

This painting has lots of paint in many layers. I have an abstract underpainting and then moving horizontally, layed the rich oils down in golds, pinks and blues to lend a watery rain effect, dragging my knife every once and awhile. I then highlight with bits of white. Finally, I paint the woman with the red umbrella....the umbrella being the focal point.

INSPIRATION:

We had a big downpour today for a short time and nice drizzly rain for a few hours after that. I love the sound of rain on the roof. From my window I can see the people walking around with their umbrellas, busy going to work, but this woman's red umbrella caught my eye and made me smile. Hope you enjoy.

New Orleans Jazz Duo

Title: New Orleans Jazz Duo

Size: 16 x 20

Medium: Oil on gallery wrapped canvas

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PAINTING:

I have a black underpainting to give depth to this piece. I then drag and sculpt with a small knife my rich oils. I used vibrant blues and greens and punches of red to bring elements of New Orleans Jazz to this musical painting.

INSPIRATION:

This painting was pure joy to paint. I love to listen to music and paint musicians in bright colors and rich textures. I hope you enjoy this one!

Late Night Rainy Date

Title: Late Night Rainy Date

Size: 16 x 20

Medium: Oil on gallery wrapped canvas

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PAINTING:

I have a black toned underpainting as a base and then pulled vibrant blues, red and yellows all around the canvas, creating the illusion of lights and the blur of rain at night. I add many layers in this manner, making sure the colors are placed just right. The couple are added in whites and golds and accents of black. No brush was used, just rich winsor artist oils and knife....thick and buttery.

INSPIRATION:

I had a group art show last weekend and it's always a fun social event. It's been raining a lot here lately. I love this kind of rain...not too much but enough to water the plants and clean everything off and make it smell new and fresh. I painted some rain paintings for the show but saved my favorite to list here for you all. I really like how this one turned out....hope you enjoy.

Fields of Lavender and Gold

Title: Fields of Lavender and Gold
Size: 24 x 30
Medium: Oil on gallery wrapped canvas

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PAINTING:
This large original oil has a black, orange and blue underpainting. I used a palette knife on most of this one, dragging bits of mixed blues and purples in my lavender and blended golds and cadmium yellows in the fields. I spent some time on the sky with some textured brushwork in the clouds and hillside.
INSPIRATION:
The vineyard bed and breakfast in Verona, Italy called Musella has beautifully inspiring countryside. A tapestry of color and folliage....olive groves, vineyards, lavender and forests. It was acres of beauty and this is one of my large studio paintings done from a smaller pochade.

Sunflowers

Title: Sunflowers

Size: 16 x 20

Medium: Oil on gallery wrapped canvas

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PAINTING:

I used an abstract underpainting for added texture and tone and then rich, buttery oils and palette knife. I blended some soft green and gold background colors on my palette first. These make a nice setting for the blue vase and brighter yellow petals, which are delicately dragged onto the background.

INSPIRATION:

I have had some requests from a few local shops and one of the restaurants I hang art in here for more sunflowers. This one was my favorite of several that I painted so I thought I would offer it to my eBay people! I like to go to the Farmer's Market and buy a fewSunflowers on Saturdays. They do always make me smile. I hope they bring a bit of joy to someone's home!

New Orleans Ambience

Title: New Orleans

Size: 16 x 20

Medium: Oil on gallery wrapped canvas

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PAINTING:

This original new oil adds a whimsical touch to a soulful and spicy New Orleans corner. I have a red and black abstact underpainting under this one and then dragged many layers of bright reds, yellows and blues to create a reflective and bright version of New Orleans.

INSPIRATION:

Jazz music and the city itself are my inspirations. This city holds many stories, many memories and represents lots of things to many people, and will always have a special place in our hearts.

Italy Villa

Here I am with Mike resting from walking for miles in the beautiful gardens of Villa Carlotta on Lake Como, Italy.

Title: Italy Villa

Size: 20 x 24

Medium: Oil on gallery wrapped canvas

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PAINTING:

I developed this composition slowly. I knew I wanted to put Carlotta in the forground and the Villa in the back. The paint is layed on with knife and it is rich and buttery and thick. I used a bit of gold paint in the forground for some added glimmer, and pushed my color with some winsor greens and purples in the background.

INSPIRATION:

This was one of my favorite Villas and we visited many. It has an impressive front yard with winding flowers and staircases and fountains. The acres of gardens are varied and have loads of mounding Azaleas, waterfalls and a Japanese garden. Just beautiful.