Happy Canada Day - SOLD

Happy Canada Day to those to whom it applies : ) Wherever you are in this fine world take a minute to appreciate all that is good.

p.s. thanks to my Dad for the subject matter.

6" x 6" / oil on panel / $75

Jewelled handbag

My, this was a challenge. The material is actually completely covered in tiny black and bronze beads interspersed with sapphire, ruby and emerald-looking stones. Hmm. I'll have to play around with that!

6"x6" / oil on panel / $75

Shimmer - SOLD

I guess I'm on a sentimental journey...but these were in the same box as the baby shoes that I pulled out the other day. These are the pair of shoes I wore at my wedding. Shimmery, and not to high to be uncomfortable dancing. Now should I tell you something funny? I bought them at Value Village for 5 bucks!

6" x 6" / oil on panel / $75

Baby shoe

When one of our children were young they had a high instep. We looked everywhere for shoes that fit with no luck. Finally we were told that the best shoe for the job was a lace-up made my Minibel. A clerk directed us to them and we kind of choked when we saw the price - they were around $65. But...we needed shoes so what are you going to do? Turns out we loved them! Our little one wore them all the time and they were pretty cute to boot. A couple of years later we had another child, and so they got pulled out of the closet for Round 2. And they still looked great : ) I tucked them away and found them this weekend in my closet.

I'm really quite sentimental, but after I painted this my husband saw it and we began reminiscing about the kids toddling around. Turns out he had just as fond memories of these little shoes as I did. So, this one is going up on the wall : )

6" x 6" / oil on panel / collection of the artist

Sassy - SOLD

This one is from a pair I wore as a bridesmaid many years back. Does anyone out there know how to mix a bright, neon magenta? That was what the highlight looked like on this pump but I couldn't find a way to mix it!

6" x 6" / oil on panel / $75

Asian doll figurine

I will be getting back to shoes (because I really had a lot of fun with them!) but in the meantime...I was rooting through my cupboard and found this Asian figurine that used to belong to my Grandma. A number of years ago she was downsizing and I got this from her garage sale items. It was one of the things I always loved looking at in her house.

I remember it standing in a lovely wood bookshelf that had sliding glass doors, at the bottom of her stairs. I would stare and stare at it, sometimes asking my Grandma to take it out so I could look at it close-up. Her peachy silk garment looked exotic to me but I think what I loved most was the red sparkling flowers studded with tiny pearls in her hair. That, and her tiny peridot earrings.

I don't feel precious about it now, except for the memory of how much I treasured it as a child. What about you? Can you remember any items that caught your imagination as a child? Do you go back to a certain place when you think of it?

6" x 6" / oil on archival panel / $75

Loafin' around

Yep, this is another pair from my friend. I really made out like a bandit last weekend : ) Honestly - the 2 pieces of footwear I wear 95% of the year are my winter/hiking boots and my Birkenstocks. Not really that exciting. But I love to dress up when I have the opportunity. I didn't have anything like these in my closet, so thanks again D!

6" x 6" / oil on panel / $100 (includes free shiping worldwide)

Shop window - SOLD

When I was away last weekend, my friends and I walked downtown and came across this lovely store front. It was evening and the shop was dark but holding center stage was this beautifully lit stunning gown. I asked (pestered?) my friend to take a number of pictures and she sent them over for me. Thanks E!

6" x 8" / oil on panel / $75

Strappy

These are another pair of shoes from my friend. Loose and strappy!

6" x 6" / oil on panel / $75

Kickin' - SOLD

I have a great group of girlfriends from art college that I get together with every few months and lately one of them always has these great clothes, purses and...SHOES! to give away. So although these didn't fit me, I took them because I thought they would be so much fun to paint. Man - what a challenge! I scrubbed the sketch four times but persevered. They were fun to paint. Now that I've got the hang of their structure, they'll be showing up again ; ) Thanks D!

6" x 6" / oil on panel / $75

Misty morning

"I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck"

Emma Goldman

6" x 6" / oil on archival panel / $75

Black heel

Back to shoes : ) These are from my closet and I actually do wear them (although don't have the opportunity to get that dressed up very often!). I love them and they're surprisingly comfortable...really!

6" x 6" / oil on panel

Flower tangle - SOLD

I will get back to shoes (because I really had a lot of fun painting them!) but in the meantime, here is a tangle of flowers that look so lovely this time of year.

6" x 6" / oil on panel / $75

What a night... - SOLD

A second painting of my 50s heels. I've realized I adore painting shoes. Or maybe it's just the pretty ones ; ) Who knew? Hmmm...I feel a thrift store shopping trip coming on!

6" x 6" / oil on archival panel

Vintage pumps - SOLD

I bought these pumps about 20 years ago at an antique show. Although marked my size, they were pretty tight so I think I only wore them once (and paid for it!). They are from the 50s, made by JewelTone. I didn't pay much for them but wanted them as a work of art - they were just so pretty. They are silver, with the part around the toe covered in silver sparkle.

6" x 6" / oil on archival panel / $75

Painting in the garden - SOLD

Doesn't this look like a nice way to spend the day? It was! Today I was out with my friend (and fellow artist Tammy Hext) painting in her friend's garden. A mass of beautiful, colourful perennials were swaying in the breeze. What a nice day in the office ; )

p.s. I forgot to mention - This is Tammy, doing her painting - which turned out fab!

6" x 6" / oil on archival panel / SOLD

3 Tarts - SOLD

YUM!!

6"x6" / oil on archival panel / $75

Tipsy - SOLD

*hiccup*

I'm kidding ; )
6" x 6" / oil on archival panel / $75

Empty! - SOLD

Don't worry - I'm not drinking these every night ; )

6" x 6" / oil on archival panel / $75

Bottles - SOLD

After doing all the roses I felt a real urge to paint something hard and sharp. Does anyone else ever get like that? Anyway, it felt good to switch. Cheers!

6" x 6" / oil on panel / $75

Full bloom

A giant rose in bloom. It completely filled my small vase. I think it's another old-fashioned variety - wish I knew the names of these.

6" x 6" / oil on archival panel / $75

Hot Pink - SOLD

Hey everyone! Thanks for all your good wishes : ) Just did the draw for yesterdays giveaway. I went to random.org after seeing Leslie had used them. And it picked Kevin from Colorado. So Kevin - hope it brightens your day and that you like it : )

Let me tell you about this rose kick I'm on. First of all, I think I'm starved for colours and flowers after winter. So I got a couple from my sister-in-law. And then all these people on the way to my studio have these great rose bushes! I've knocked on the doors of two houses and each person was nice about it and kindly cut some roses for me. Yesterdays was from Milka (I'm sure I've spelled that incorrectly). She has a couple of gorgeous beds and didn't mind sharing. And she told me I could come back ; ) If you're reading this Milka - thank you!

6" x 6" / oil on archival panel / $75

Summer rose giveaway!

This is my post for June 8. I'm posting the evening before while I get things integrated with Daily Painter Originals. So, June 8 is my one year blog anniversary!! And it's been a wonderful year! I've met so many talented, engaged artists who have been a real source of support and education. And become my friends : ) Thanks everyone. To extend my thanks and celebrate a bit I'm giving this painting away on Tuesday evening. I will do a random draw from all followers, in addition to those who leave comments. Good luck!

6" x 6" / oil on archival panel / giveaway!

Old Rose 2 + an announcement! - SOLD

Here's another one of those big, old-fashioned roses. By the way, this makes a really nice companion piece to Friday's painting...just saying! My studio smells so good!
And speaking of good things... I am thrilled to announce that I am part of a new daily painters website, Daily Painter Originals. This is a project by artist (and computer genius ;) Carolyn Finnell, and is a site showcasing the work of (currently) 21 daily painters (there is room for 30 so if you are a committed daily painter, contact Carolyn). Anyway, the site is a great place for art lovers to spend some time. Every day, painter's new pieces will be uploaded for viewing. You can click on the thumbnail to view it larger and when you click on the artist's name you will be brought to their bio and further contact information, such as their personal blog, website, etc... A lot of these artists names you may recognize, some may be new to you, but they are all excellent! I want to thank Carolyn for all her hard work for what I'm sure was an exhausting week. Well done Carolyn - you've created something really great - now go to bed and take a break!
I've also added a "Buy Now" button to make transactions easier. I'm really excited about this addition!
So.....Happy Monday!
6" x 6" / oil on archival panel / SOLD

Irises and chives

Sunday post: Sundays I take the day off and post something previously painted from my website.

This is a painting from my garden. I love painting those irises!!

16" x 20" / acrylic on canvas

Little bud - SOLD

A little rose bud that had just opened.

6" x 6" / oil on panel / $75

Old rose - SOLD

My sister-in-law brought a few of these roses to my studio for me to paint. A big, old-fashioned rose. And the scent....don't get me started! Heaven.

6" x 6" / oil on archival panel / $75

Peonies with fruit

For this piece I tried something new. I used clear gesso on masonite, so the surface was a dark brown. And then instead of painting a coloured ground, I painted directly over the clear-gessoed surface. I liked the way it worked up. After this one, I did a close-up of a peony in oil. After an hour I realized it clearly was not happening and wiped it down. Then I went back to my acrylics and worked for another hour on some fruit. Again - one for the heap. C'est la vie.

8" x 10" / acrylic on masonite

Peonies and phlox

Last night I was painting at Rachel's, the woman who owns the property that has the cedar grove (from which I've painted a number of cedars). I thought instead of going back to my favourite subject I would try something new. So this is it! She's got a great property - there was SO much to chose from.

16" x 20" / acrylic on masonite

Imports

Not locals yet but they're surprisingly delicious - even after their long journey.

6" x 6" / oil on panel / NFS