Loft #7 SOLD

Click image to enlarge. Click title for more information.
Size: 30 x 40 x 1.5
Medium: Oil on Canvas


As I said, sometimes it's hard to depart from the Loft series...I had a completely different idea for this painting when I started. It wasn't working and I removed a lot of paint, making a big mess and wondering whether I would be able to make anything of it. Then low and behold, it wanted to be another Loft painting and I went along. And today, 2/21, I watched it sell with multiple bids. That's always fun.

Update

No painting today. It isn't that I haven't been painting. I have. It's that my current abstract piece is not working out. At this point I am not even sure I can rescue it. So rather than rush it along, which is what I would rather do, I will wait and see what ideas come and how I should proceed. It just goes to show that even with a plan, sometimes paintings have a voice of their own and I will have to listen rather than speak. Perhaps by next week I will have something to show you.

Loft #6 SOLD

Click image to enlarge. Click title for more information.
Size: 30" x 40" x 1.5"
Medium: Oils on canvas


If I ever venture too far from this series, would-be customers begin asking for them. Since I enjoy painting them I am only too happy to oblige. So here we are with #6 in the Loft series.

Starry Night #3 Sparkler SOLD

Click image to enlarge. Click title for more information or to purchase.
Size: 36 x 36 x 1.5
Medium: Oils on canvas


Tuesday I spent the afternoon with one half of the couple interested in commissioning the over-sized abstract for their second home. Their penthouse condo is stunning, as is their extensive collection of early California art.

I was shown pictures of the new home and the living room wall where my painting would hang. This was followed by a visit to my online gallery site and a review of my paintings, to show me what they had in mind for the new piece. Afterward we took a short walk to a neighborhood Thai restaurant where I was treated to a delicious lunch. It was a delightful experience and I hope to be given the project.

Starry Night #2

Click image to enlarge. Click title for more information or to purchase.
Size: 36 x 36 x 1.5"
Medium: Oils


This is the second in the Starry Night Series. Next week I will post the third in the series.

I have had such fun painting these three pieces, which were inspired by a single piece by Joan Miro. And I don't even know the name of it. This time I planned the compositions carefully beforehand. Normally with an abstract I have only a general idea of what I will be painting. Even with a good plan, there are many wonderful and welcome surprises along the way.

SDAI International Show

Here are the two paintings I finished and entered electronically into the SDAI International Show. This show is juried online and I will know by February 5 whether either of mine has been chosen for the show.

Folk Art San Diego - Medium
16" x 20" x 1.5"
Oils on Canvas
Click image to enlarge.



Starry Night - SOLD
30" x 40" x 1.5"
Oils on Canvas
Click image to enlarge.


Updates: On the November 25th blog I told you that my painting Little Folk Art Tubac had been selected as one of eight to be part of Tubac Center of the Arts' Little Treasures Silent Auction. Today I learned it sold with several bids! When Suzanne at the Center told me the name of the buyer I recognized it. It is the same name as someone who has bought four of my paintings in the last year, including my last two MiniScapes. I sent her a quick note and verified it was she. It was fun and funny.

The sales tally is in for the November C-Note Show at SDAI. Four of eight I entered sold. I did better last year with six of seven selling. But with times as they are I'm still happy.

Update

Quick little update. Time has been going by in a blur and I actually didn't realize I was behind in my posts. SOO,

1. I finally finished my entry for the upcoming SDAI International Show, which I will post as soon as it is dry enough to photograph.

2. The couple who bought my painting "In the Beginning" at the last show, contacted me about a commission piece. They are interested in a very large piece for their new home. I had decided I would not accept anymore abstract commissions but they have sufficiently enticed me with this project and I agreed to meet with them after the first of the year. They seem to be such nice people so if nothing else, I will just be glad to spend a little time with them. They suggested I might like to see their art collection which would be a treat for me if it works out. Shipping prices on a large piece is prohibitive and working on a large piece in my small space and with some physical restrictions has added up to not painting on a large scale. But I hope we can get that all worked out. So Linda, if you still want a very large piece let me know. Maybe I can handle it after all.

Happy New Year!

Little Folk Art San Diego 2 SOLD

Click image to enlarge.
Size: 8" x 6" x 1.5"
Date: 12/8/2008
Medium: Oils on Canvas


This is the second in a series of San Diego MiniScapes I plan to paint. However, I will be interrupting my plan while I divert my attention to the upcoming SDAI International Show.

From the SDAI website: "Since 1955 SDAI has produced the International Exhibition, a juried show drawing interest from artists all over the world. A different internationally known juror is invited each year. This exhibition is juried electronically and in person and makes available international competition to regional & international artists. Awards are presented at SDAI's Museum of the Living Artist’s annual Gala Celebration." For more information go to: SDAI International Show

I will continue to check in with you every other week but I will not likely have any new paintings to post until I finish the entry for the show. And that may be a while.

Little Folk Art Bern SOLD

Click image to enlarge.
Size: 8" x 8" x 1.5"
Medium: Oils on canvas.


No, it isn't Thursday yet. This week's post is a bit early due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

In the mid 1960's I lived in Switzerland. Lately I have been remembering it fondly and missing it. Hence this little MiniScape of the beautiful city of Bern, its capital. Preparing for the painting I spent days pouring over images of the city. It almost felt as if I were there. (Oooo. I just listed it on eBay and I see it already has a "watcher". Let's hope it turns into a bidder!)

Today the blog is a bit long. But that is because I have some Some fun news to share with you:

* Remember the last blog and how I was embarrassed to post the painting for you to see? Well, it sold at auction with multiple bids! (I'm still embarrassed and I am still not going to show you!)

* And remember the painting posted October 15 entitled Little Folk Art Tubac? The one I entered in the National Call for Artists Little Treasures show? I learned that it was one of the eight chosen for their silent auction! I am so excited. I will keep you posted with the auction results.

* Lastly, Saturday evening I decided on the spur of the moment to attend the SDAI (San Diego Art Institute Museum of the Living Artist) annual Winter C note show. I had entered 8 paintings (the maximum) and wanted to see what these events were like (It was fun) and whether any of pieces had been chosen for the event. I felt like a spy as I anonymously wandered through the gallery watching and listening.

I came upon a group of four of my paintings and invisibly watched as people either looked at or passed by each painting. Soon there was a little group gathered around In the Beginning (posted to the blog September 18); the one Aaron Brothers framed for me because the canvas was out of square. I watched as the group discussed the painting. I looked at their faces and wondered what they were saying. And then, I had the distinct pleasure of watching one of them buy it, right on the spot. Once he was at the cashier's desk I introduced myself and thanked him. He plans to hang it in a contemporary second home he is building in the desert.

As a reminder, a few of you have mentioned you feel you have missed a blog or two. You have not actually missed any. It's that I only publish it every other week now. So, on this happy note, Happy Thanksgiving and I will see you again in two weeks!

Well, I did paint something for this week but I don't like it very much so I will not be posting it for you to see. It was the third attempt to paint something I liked on the same canvas.

Often, painting over an earlier piece results in something I like because I can use the existing painting as under-layers for the new piece. But this time it did not work out. So now I will probably end up painting over it a fourth time in hopes of finally arriving at something I like...