Hollyhocks, 36" x 24" original oil painting



















I have spent a lot of time outside this spring working on my gardens. Hoping to grow lots different things to paint as well as eat! My hollyhocks are not up yet, but the subject seemed fitting for spring. This piece is traveling with me to ArtBirmingham this weekend. Those of you in southeastern Michigan, stop on by and say hello. You can get more information at: http://festival.bbartcenter.org My booth is A11 and I am setting up right next to my dear friend Sarah Stanton and her cool jewelry. Cross your fingers for pleasant weather!!!

This piece has been donated to a Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley
for their annual charity auction this Friday, 4-24-09. Details are posted on their website.

About the painting:
An original oil on gallery wrapped(frame is not required) canvas.
Size is 4' x 5'. This image was was inspired from two sunflowers that actually grew in this manner in my garden. Sunflowers in particular are a common subject
as I am drawn to imagery that renews hope, our connection to the earth and
each other.

What makes this a cool piece for Habitat for Humanity is that the sunflower represents community and it's iconic use has been documented back to the earliest centuries. Here are a few tidbits about the sunflower that give it a great connection to Habitat's cause:

"The sunflower always seeks the light and will turn towards it no matter where it is planted. The sunflower always reaches upward toward the sun. The sunflower itself is an image of radiance and light. Its circular shape connotes eternity, community and unity. The seeds of the sunflower are different shapes and sizes. The seeds are also highly visible and open to the scrutiny of the world; and yet they spread themselves all over this world (like the spreading of the good news). The sunflower rises tall above all the other plants but never looks down on them. It doesn't cast much of a shadow so other plants can grow along side it."

Tulips II - 2' x 4' original oil painting











This is what they looked like a few days after the last painting I posted. It's a fun composition and the tulips were a little challenging to paint in that they moved all day long as the blooms continued to open. The piece is painted on panel mounted on a 2" wood cradle. The panel was specially prepared with acrylic Gesso and a drywall knife which makes a cool surface to paint on. Also, I have been using walnut oil as a medium for my oil paints which is non-toxic and literally edible; until I mix it with cadmium!

Happy Easter!















A little piece for the holiday. 16 x 20 inches on 3/4" canvas. I painted this from life; a little pot of spring tulips I picked up at Kroger.

Sunflower a la Char



















36x24 inch oil painting of a sunflower that is "of my mother's world" for anyone that knows her. This one is actually a color study of sorts for an even larger piece and will likely go to the ArtBirmingham show in May.