The Tobogganers

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Title: The Tobogganers
Size: 8x8x1.5
Medium: Acrylic on wood
Date 2/11/2012 
Price: $200

Can you tell what's going on here?  There's a clue in the sign at the side of the slope.  


A friend suggested I submit these little bird paintings to a childrens' book publisher.  Has anyone had any experience with this recently?  Or I suppose I could write and illustrate my own childrens' book using the publishing-on-demand model.  

I sketched out a rough draft of one story taken from my own childhood.  I had insisted my mother take me to the top of the hill behind our house, where the full moon was rising and looked so big and close, because I was certain I would be able to touch it.  Of course, the closer we came to the top of the hill, the further away and smaller the moon was.  I wasn't sure we just didn't get there fast enough!

Harbor 4

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Size: 24"x36"x1.5"
Title: Harbor 4
Dated: 1/30/2012 
Price: $1500

Our San Diego Harbor continues to inspire me to paint it.  It's not that I have been visiting it more often.  But the memory of its evening shimmer as it reflects the lights from boats and bay-side establishments persists in floating to the surface of my imagination. 


Speaking of imagination, the little bird series has a front row seat there as more and more scenarios for them are finding their way to my sketch pad.  I hope you are ready to see more because many more are planned!  Feel free to send me ideas you think would be suitable.  Next will be The Tobogganers. (Thank you Deb) Planned: Tennis; Poolside; Beach; Drivers; Golfers; Hikers; Congregation; Line Dancers; Gardeners.

Catch the Stars

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Size: 8x8x1.5
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Price: $250.00

The birds are likely wondering whether to carry out their plans to catch the stars or to stop in wonderment and cast their dreams upon them.

The Skiers SOLD

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Title:  The Skiers
Size: 8x8x1.5
Medium: Acrylic on canvas

So if birdies can skate, I see no reason to think they can't ski (Isn't that how the term "Snow Birds" came about?)  I wonder whether they are they good enough skiers to dodge snowballs lobbed at them by a mischievous snowman?   Either way, after a day of good skiing, a sip hot coco at the nearby ski lodge is waiting for them!   

The Skaters - SOLD

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Title: The Skaters

Size: 8x8x3/4

Medium: Acrylic on canvas

Dated: 1/5/12

My garden is a balcony in the canyon treetops, with plants, a water fountain, a bird bath and several little birdhouses.  The canyon is home to a variety of birds, many of whom visit my balcony throughout the day to partake of its amenities.  The favorite of these are the water features.  Much happy splashing in wild abandon takes place in them.  One can almost see their little beaks smiling.  If it snowed here I imagine they would have just as much fun ice skating.

This is my first painting of 2012 and my 200th painting to post on the Yessy Gallery!

Harbor 3-SOLD

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Size: 24"x36"x1.5"
Title: Harbor 3
Dated: 12/23/2011
Medium: Oil on stretched canvas. 

Harbor 3 used to be Loft 14.  Yes, I painted over it.  That's what it gets not being a very good painting.  I like this one better and it will be my next submission to the San Diego Art Institute (SDAI) Regional show, which takes place toward the end of January 2012.  Of course just because I submit it, doesn't mean it will make it into the show.  I'll keep you posted.


I just finished the sketch for a folk art painting of birds having a wonderful time in the snow.  If all goes well it will be posted next week.

SDAI Regional Show

The Diego Art Institute Museum of the Living Artist regional show runs December 16, 2011 to January 15, 2012. Opening night reception is 6-8 PM,  Dec. 16, at 1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 236-0011. The show was juried by Carol Thomason.

Not Even A Mouse? SOLD

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Title: Not Even A Mouse? 
Size: 8"x8"x 3/4" 
Medium: Acrylic on stretched, gallery-wrapped canvas. 

Date: 12/13/2011

These busy, little Christmas santas are swirling and zooming as quickly as they can through the sky to deliver you a sleigh-full of Christmas wishes!  MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Yesterday, San Diego Art Institute called to say my painting, Urban Edge 6,  had been jury-selected for the next Regional show.    That is my happy Christmas news. 

Just Talking

Boy, life takes up a lot of time!  Handling the day-to-day has left little time for painting of late.  No problem though.  It was time for a break.   Perhaps it will lead to some fresh ideas.  

Urban Edge 6

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Size: 48"x30"x1.5" multi-directional. Room views may not be to scale. 
Title: Urban Edge 6 (#6 in the Urban Edge series) 
Dated: 11/4/2011 
Medium: Oil on archival stretched canvas.

Finally managed to finish this painting.   Although I do like working on these large canvases, they certainly are more cumbersome to work on in a small space.   And I would also like to take more liberty with the paint application process but then paint would end up on everything in the house!