Day 12 - Labrador on Holiday

 I often create and work on series of paintings.  Themes that, to me, are worth exploring beyond just one painting. Because I largely work on smaller surfaces, it is easy and pleasurable for me to paint an idea in many different incarnations.  This painting is part of the Labrador series that I just realized I am exploring.. Sometimes I don't realize things until I'm hip deep... :)

I grew up having the pleasure of knowing and living with several black labs or black lab mixes... Joe, Nick, Ollie, Ben, Belle and Chet... They were all loving, caring, beautiful dogs (Chet still is..) and each had such personality.  My son came up with the title for this painting and I love it.. He said that his hat makes it look like he should be out vacationing, perhaps on a yacht or sailboat... :)  I think dogs deserve a holiday just as much as we people do.. ♥ My current canine companion is named Ember and while we aren't sure what breeds she has in her (she's a rescue melting pot of a dog), I know in my heart there is some Labrador in there..  Her heart is too big to not have a bit of this breed in her. <3

Labrador on Holiday, oil, 7"x7", to purchase click here

10 days into the 30 in 30 - Beauty in Broken Things

This time we are all living in can sometimes feels like it is trying to break us. But, I've seen such strength, resilience and creativity come from all of this insanity too.  So many people I know are becoming more courageous, fiercer and even more determined than ever to live a life worth living. I know that I am not singular, and in fact am luckier than many.  I feel fortunate every second of every day to have been gifted my art and and am thankful it is my healer, my outlet, my answer... When times are particularly hard and the veil is thick, it may be difficult to remember... until that moment when you do.  Beauty can always be found in moments of sadness, in times of despair and even if we feel we've hit rock bottom. Just look at a flower.  A bird.  A feather.  A fragment of broken glass.  Blessed be and know that this too shall pass.

Beauty in Broken Things, 8"x8", oil, available to purchase here

August 30 paintings in 30 days!

August has just about arrived and I can't believe it.  My aptitude for blogging is truly lacking and I see the last post I wrote was so long ago that it certainly qualifies as another lifetime...especially factoring in everything that has been going on in the world in 2020.  So, since the blissful post of yore, where I was painting away in a covid-free world (or so I thought), it is almost laughable to say -  things have changed. Artists (and frankly everyone) around the world have felt the ramifications of covid and, we all know it, so, I am not going to go into any details about that here.  (if curious though, see my past 3 newsletters here, here and here to read some of what I have been doing since January...)

As I was saying, it is the last day of July, 2020 and after mulling it over, I have decided I need to do a 30 in 30 again, where I paint and post 30 paintings in 30 days...I'm feeling the yen for just that kind of thing. So, stay tuned future selves..  I'll be starting my August 30 in 30 on Sunday, August 2nd and I am excited! I will be posting here every day, as well as on my facebook, Instgram and dailypaintworks pages.. Woo Hoo!  Hold on to your hats... :)

Spring Pop Up Show and Sale!

I am busily preparing for my Spring Pop Up Show that I am having with 2 of my painting buds, Russell Slocum and Keith Rentschler.  May 4th and 5th at the Warehouse Studios at 700 Lancaster Ave, Reading, PA.  Stay tuned for more details to come, but know that we will be showcasing 150+ paintings including new pieces as well as archived work, plus prints, cards and commissions specials.  Studio prices, many discounted.... Door prizes, free-with-purchase artwork and a lot more!:)