Rae's Art

Ongoing Clear Creek Project

2012-02-11T07:36:00.000-08:00

This is part of my ongoing project of collecting pieces of wood from Clear Creek. This hollowed tree was ready to come down; it had been a home for woodpeckers and squirrels, we literally pushed it over. This is the top, about 6 feet long. This is at the acrylic stage, I use cheap acrylics first to decide on color and to fill in the rough parts of the wood.

This is a section, after a layer of oil paint.

The shape is exquisite. I chose the colors based on the waters of the creek, mossy greens, rich browns, reflected sky blues.

Then I added resin for shine. Shine is an important element in almost every piece in this collection.

Ultimately, I would like to light this from underneath. The light would shine through the knot holes. I want this collection to be observed in the dark and the light. Pieces that can be touched, sensual shapes with earthy colors, shiny watery surfaces with the lights on, and in darkness, the shapes of this once living organism can be appreciated separately.

The creek becomes a place where I am constantly hunting for natural shapes to transform.

Tree Mural

2012-02-11T07:31:00.001-08:00

A quick project, this took two hours, I used chalk first as a guide. Acrylic

2012-01-03T06:31:00.001-08:00

256447

"Artists for Peace at Home" fundraising show

2011-12-01T09:16:00.000-08:00

I'm excited about our show! We will have a wide variety of work. I am basically emptying my studio...unfortunately I can't post these pics to my blog because my laptop is dead.

I posted all my pics to www.facebook.com/#!/artistraerussell.com

Check them out!

Artists for Peace at Home

2011-11-07T07:44:00.000-08:00

I'm excited about this event! Peace at Home is a non-profit that helps women escape abusive situations. They provide emergency shelter and transitional housing. This is near and dear to my heart, since many of my works are influenced by my past experiences.
(Im still using my old wedding dress in some of my work.)

This sale will feature holiday gifts, paintings, photography from my sister Ashley King and collage from my other little sis, Trista McVey.
Jewelry from my super talented friend Holly Dupps Ertel! She uses a wide variety of materials in her line, each piece has an interesting story. You can check her out at : http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hotzy-Totzy-Jewelry-baubles-beyond/170639626297659

On top of the wide variety of work, the great cause, we also have a great venue:
Tangelwood Branch Beer Company, on south school in Fayetteville. I work at Tanglewood on Thursdays and Saturdays. This is a place where I make a great effort to remember peoples names. We serve a rotating menu based on the Farmers Market, always fresh and gourmet! The best word to describe Tanglewood is "Cheers"
JT Wampler is the Beer Master and Owner, he will be brewing his own beer by the beginning of the year.

Lighted paintings

2011-09-09T09:19:00.000-07:00

"New York" close-up, spray paint, enamel, polyurethane
500.00

"Buffalo River" lit from behind, spray paint, oils, polyurethane
650.00

"My Own Prison" Oil, polyurethane on my old wedding dress and lit from behind.
Vertical marks represent each year my ex-husband spends in prison. Draw in the center are herons, known for sacrificing for their offspring.
SOLD

Clear Creek Installation

2011-09-09T09:00:00.000-07:00

Metallic Acrylic on fallen tree in Clear Creek, Painted reclaimed wood in foreground.

Close-up of "Moon" enamel, spray paint, polyurethane
600.00

Long horn skull, mirror shards, in Clear Creek
1400.00

Cow Pelvis, covered in my old wedding dress, pearl beads, resin
500.00

My Statement

2011-09-09T08:49:00.000-07:00

Nature reflects both the will of the Creator and the passions of humans.
Nature has the ability to express both beauty and tragedy at the same time.
The themes of my work are redemption and resurrection. I use bright colors and high gloss to create contrast with the natural shapes.

I use reclaimed wood and skulls, the shells of once living beings. I want to redeem the unique beauty in each. I use my old wedding dress, full of promise and hope, contrasted with the contours of a skull, the final end. The evidence of what once was, the gracious lines, the heaviness, and lightness---all at once.

I live among a wealth of nature-made sculptures. Every fallen tree or bones of an animal reflect what the once living being had to endure. The environment shapes them into individuals.
To see beauty in the flaws, is the ultimate redemption.

The very fact that paint can affect us is remarkable. Paint has it's own psychic language. I want to light it up. I want to illuminate it, because it seems natural and holy. I want the paint to respond to it's environment, but I also want to control it. I want to let it go, and I want to pull it in.

To watch a painting almost create itself, and then to place light beneath it is a surprise of gesture and depth.

"Here is where loveliness can live
with failure,
And nothing's complete
I love how we go on"

Stephen Dunn, from Loves

Clear Creek

2011-09-06T12:44:00.000-07:00

Skulls

2011-09-06T12:18:00.000-07:00

Buck skull, covered with my wedding dress, pearl seed beads, and resin

in Clear Creek

Resin and mirror shards, rosettes from wedding dress and oak branches. Mold made from previous skull

Close up of resin/ mirror sculpture

Buck skull , covered in wedding dress, resin, pearl seadbeads

Background--metallic acrylic paint on fallen tree

Cow pelvis wrapped with pieces of wedding dress, accented with pearl seads, covered in resin.

Long horn cow skull covered in broken mirror.

Bottom of long horn, oil and polyurethane

New Suede earrings!

2011-06-08T11:14:00.000-07:00

These are hand-cut suede earrings with accent chains, long and funky!

I love to wear these while I'm working in my studio.

They come in buttery beige, deep rose pink, black, lime green, powder blue and desert sand.

The pair on the bottom left are accented with feathers I found in our creek, they are my personal favorites.

25.00

New feather earrings, peacock and ostrich

2011-06-08T11:02:00.001-07:00

These are larger than most of the feather earrings I have made, but they are light and fun to wear.

I used a combination of peacock, ostrich and coque feathers with colored wire or leather for top.

25.00

Origami Crane earrings

2011-06-08T10:48:00.000-07:00

This idea came from my talented sister, Trista. After we made the crane, we painted on a resin-like substance that makes it glossy and durable.

10.00 each

I'm having a sale on Sunday!

2011-05-20T07:39:00.000-07:00

I will have a booth at the first annual Block Street Show, Sunday, May 22. 1-8

Block Street in Fayetteville

Everything on SALE!!!

Hand painted leather bracelets: 30.00

Fringe leather bracelets: 20.00

Feather head bands: 20.00

Feather earrings: 20.00

Fascinators/ Ashley King Photography

2011-05-18T16:35:00.000-07:00

20.00-30.00 each

Ashley King Photography

2011-05-18T16:30:00.001-07:00

My stepdaughter and I had a photo shoot last weekend, showing my latest feather creations. She's a beautiful model! My sister Ashley King is the photographer.

Downtown Eureka Springs Art Fair

2011-05-02T08:10:00.001-07:00

I'm so excited about the art fair in Eureka; I love that town! I have so much left to do to get ready, work on display, banners, finances,... I would much rather just create.

Here are a few things I did this weekend. Copper chain and coque feather earrings.
Two views of my first Fascinator, I used mallard feathers, white fluff, black biots, and small turquoise spotted feathers for center. I topped that off with an amber bead. I'm picking up supplies for a few wedding fascinators for the show.

This is a long clip turquoise feather and wood bead hair piece. I think of them as perfect accessories for a music festival.

Newborn crochet hats

2011-04-22T10:13:00.000-07:00

These adorable caps are accented with feather clips. I have bright pink and black, and each feather clip is different. Only $20.00!

Collage Wood Bangles

2011-04-22T09:58:00.000-07:00

My sis and I have been making these for a couple of months. They range in themes from Michael Jackson, Beatles, to Women's Suffrage and Turkish poetry. They are wonderful statement pieces. Each one unique and cannot be remade.

At this point the bracelets take anywhere from 1.5-2.5 hrs.

Each bangle is covered in resin, an almost liquid plastic that hardens and cures after 24 hrs.

We would be happy to custom create

We are charging $50.00 for these, and $60.00 for custom orders.

They will be on display at my booth in Eureka Springs, AR May 13-14, and the Block Street Show, in Fayetteville AR, May 22

New Portrait

2011-04-22T09:47:00.000-07:00

This is Tiffany and Nathan; She won this custom portrait by signing up at my booth from the Women's Expo. She sent me three photos and I chose the one I felt would make the best portrait. I will have more drawings during my upcoming shows.

Cute couple, they look happy!

12/16" oil on canvas.

Work on Display at Pure Solace

2011-03-23T08:07:00.000-07:00

My work is on display at Pure Solace body boutique. 345 St. Charles Avenue in Fayetteville.

This is "Midnight" on the left and "New York" on the right. They are mixed media abstracts. I also have two of my oil painted tree trunks on display.

New Resin Earrings

2011-03-10T12:09:00.000-08:00

These are my newest resin feather earrings. They look beautiful through the light.

This is the same pair, purple, black and orange.

These are hand painted with gold and purple.

Royal blue feathers become stain glass pendants.

These white feathers have been painted along the edges with purple and covered in irridescent paint and then resin.

You can see the irridescent green color in this shot.

Bright orange glossy with copper wire tops.

Orange feathers are painted with gold ink, spotted turquoise feather accents.

Royal blue feather dipped in resin.

Turquoise and red is my favorite strong combination of colors. Red wire tops

Hot pink and black resin dipped earrings, black enamel tops.

Painted irridescent blue with pale yellow feathers.

Turquoise comes in red enamel tops and hot pink.

Today I painted with epoxy resin

2011-02-23T14:05:00.000-08:00

I improved my painted tree trunks today by covering them in epoxy resin. They look more amazing and are now more durable.

The earrings have been made, now I'm going to mix the resin and dip them.

After dipping they dry for several hours. The feathers become translucent.

The necklace I dipped today. I wanted to use several different types to see how the resin would affect them.

Feather hair pieces

2011-02-15T14:29:00.000-08:00

Bright orange feathers and natural mix. $10.00

Lavender and turquiose feathers. $10.00

feather Hair pieces

2011-02-15T13:37:00.000-08:00

Two peacock feather hair barrette. $10.00

Yellow with black tipped feathers and turquoise striped barrette. $10.00

Long elegant striped feathers with blue tinted accents. Copper wire at base. $10.00

Combination of feathers, including guinea and duck. $10.00

Feather earrings

2011-02-15T13:29:00.000-08:00

These soft striped feather earrings are wrapped in copper wire. $20.00

Hot pink feathers and long black feather accents. The top is painted black enamel metal. $20.00

These are not feathers but actually, golden grass. The tops are purple wire. $20.00

Resin feather earrings

2011-02-15T13:21:00.000-08:00

Resin dipped feather earring. These earrings are like feather-glass. They are translucent, but also flexible making them durable. More to come!!!
$20.00

Dog Portraits

2011-02-08T14:19:00.000-08:00

This is Abby and Luna, a gift to my brother and sister-in-law.

Oil on canvas, 24"/36"

Feather hair pieces

2011-01-27T10:05:00.000-08:00

Long red feather hairpiece with bone bead, 15.00

Multi-colored feathers with copper wire, 7.00

Red and Orange feathers with black and white guinea feather accent. 7.00

Multi-mix feather hair clip. 7.00

Grass and feather earrings

2011-01-27T09:59:00.000-08:00

Deep purple with silver wire earrings

Bright red, with silver wire

Natural feathers with bone bead tops

20.00 each

Pug Painting

2011-01-24T09:42:00.001-08:00

This is Mabel! She is a beautiful pug, painted for a friend with oils. 24" X 36" $ 850.00

Composition Painting

2011-01-24T09:32:00.000-08:00

This is based on a painting by Honore` Daumier. It is of a peasant mother helping her small child. The contours and deep colors touched me., as a mother who has spent time bending to help two children.

This is mixed media, using oil, spray paint and enamel. The polyurethane creates a sheen.

New "Glass" Feather Earrings

2011-01-17T15:00:00.000-08:00

My newest earrings look like glass! The tips are painted in ink and then dipped in resin. The tops are copper.

I sold "glass" guinea feather earrings at the Women's Living Expo this weekend. I have many more to make so keep checking back!

$25.00

Women's Living Expo Discount!!!

2011-01-17T10:22:00.000-08:00

The Women's Living Expo was such a success I am offering 20% off of portraits!

But Only if you order before

Valentine's Day!

It's easy to order---

1. Send 3-5 photos to raerussell77@yahoo.com.

2. We will chose a photo and size.

3. 2-6 Weeks your portrait will be delivered.

Portraits make wonderful gifts!

Funky feather earrings

2011-01-10T08:36:00.000-08:00

These feather earrings are wrapped in leather, beads and copper wire.

20.00

Hand painted leather bracelets

2011-01-10T08:17:00.000-08:00

This is a soft leather bracelet with several shades of blue, it is wrapped in deer skin thread.

Each bracelet takes several layers of three different kinds of paint.

I have experimented until the bracelets are durable and comfortable.

50.00

This bracelet was inspired by black lace. It is one of my favorites, thus far....

50.00

Funky feather earrings

2010-12-28T09:59:00.000-08:00

My new line of funky feather earrings. Each is unique and designs are usually not replicated.

20.00

Hand painted leather bracelets

2010-12-28T09:52:00.000-08:00

My new projects--- hand painted leather bracelets. The yellow is a soft elk. The bright colored are suede. Each had a trim of deer skin lace, and metal snaps. I used a combination of paints.

Simple designs are 35$ and colored more complicated are 50$.

Mardi Gras dressers

2010-10-08T08:50:00.000-07:00

I painted these a few years ago and just remembered them going through my portfolio. They were painted for a 9 year old girls room.

Little Madeline and Cruse portraits

2010-10-08T08:20:00.000-07:00

I painted these for friends. This is two out of a four painting project. Oil on canvas, 9"/12"

Buffalo River painting

2010-09-21T09:32:00.000-07:00

We had the opportunity to go back to the Buffalo River this past weekend. It was beautiful; I thought of this painting and decided to post more pictures of it. It is spray paint, enamel, polyurethane, and black oil paint. 3'/4'

I wanted a bright blinding river , large and overwhelming. The spray paint separates when urethane is poured into it. This creates cracks, similar to the landscape of the area. I traced the drips and curves of the layers with black oil paint, giving it depth.

Dog Portraits

2010-08-30T07:54:00.000-07:00

Oil on canvas, commissioned from family in Houston

Portrait

2010-08-30T07:50:00.001-07:00

Oil on canvas, 11/15"

Big Mamas Coffee shop in Fayetteville

2010-08-16T09:00:00.001-07:00

Resin lamps on reclaimed wood. 600.00

My daughter at Big Mamas, my poured paintings are behind her.

Painted stumps

2010-01-20T12:09:00.000-08:00

Really, sometimes it's about experimentation. I've started this series with trees fallen by Clear Creek. I chose wood that has interesting patterns.

Longhorn Skulls

2010-01-20T12:04:00.001-08:00

Excellent condition longhorn painted skulls. $1400 each

My Studio

2010-01-20T11:42:00.000-08:00

New Studio

2009-11-16T06:54:00.001-08:00

My husband bought me a studio for our anniversary. What a wonderful surprise! It's about 20/16 with plenty of light. Now all of my work will be condensed into one space. I have already been working more efficiently.

Mirrored Cow Skull

2009-09-02T09:59:00.000-07:00

For SALE! This is a perfect condition longhorn skull. The mirrors have been in my collection for more than forty years. I have seen this in catalogs for $1400, I am willing to sell it for $850.

Abby and Luna

2009-08-31T11:45:00.001-07:00

This is a Christmas present for my brother and sister-in-law. It is 24/36". I worked everything out with acryllic paint and then worked in a layer of oils. I would sell something of this size for 450$. They love it!

Injuries

2009-08-31T11:25:00.000-07:00

It's unfortunate, but I have been struggling with a back injury since January. It has greatly reduced my output, but I am still hopeful, if I do all the right things that I will be back in the game soon. I have only painted three portraits in the last eight months. Traction four times a day and physical therapy forever! Whatever helps me push paint around I am willing to try,...

The Nasher Sculpture Garden; the Dallas Modern

2009-05-14T12:06:00.000-07:00

At lease once a year I make sure to continue my education through inspiring visits of other artists' works. I come away feeling refreshed and motivated.

Picasso

Lights are always inspiring to me, this room was an installation filled with tiny red lights on the floor.

If you look closely the shape of a figure emerges from long metal rods, similar to large push pins.

DDP show

2009-05-14T11:56:00.000-07:00

DDP Gallery show Sept. 2008; Friends gather under illuminated resin lanterns.

Another view

Times Square Show

2009-05-14T11:54:00.000-07:00

Times Square taking delivered painting to show in cold January 2008.

Mardi Gras furniture

2009-05-14T10:31:00.000-07:00

I painted this for a teenagers room. The theme was New Orleans Mardi Gras, this is a dresser with a masked woman.

This is the left side, a view of the peacock feathers in her mask.

This is the Jester dresser. The Jester is sitting on a ornate ledge over a riotous crowd.

Art Modeling

2009-05-14T10:28:00.000-07:00

I started college with the intention of studying law. A semester into my studies I took a part time job at the college as an art model for the Human Figure Drawing class. The job allowed me to be close to working artists, students, and well educated instructors. This job led to several other gigs, working for private artists. I became engrossed with what my instructors could teach me and I had access to private art libraries. A year later I changed my major to Liberal Arts. It allowed me to study Art, Psychology, and Writing.
Drawing by Ernest Cialone

This is another way I got through college, painting furniture and murals. Poppies on a coffee table.

Door mural

2009-05-14T10:22:00.000-07:00

This is a painted door with climbing roses. The windows are real, to the right are painted irises under a tree.

Stairway Mural

2009-05-14T10:07:00.000-07:00

My sweet mother let me practice on her walls! She chose this from a magazine and I set to work on my first mural.

Pediatrician's Office

2009-05-14T10:02:00.000-07:00

I painted three patient rooms; this room was transportation themed and the train appears to be coming through the door.

This was in the hallway leading to the dinosaur room. A mother feeding her babies.

Mural

2009-05-14T09:57:00.000-07:00

This was painted behind the front desk at a tile store. It is a view chosen by the client of the Mediterranean.

Mural and Painted Door

2009-05-14T09:51:00.000-07:00

This is a mural I painted for a Chiropractic office. I painted murals and furniture to supplement my income in college.

This was used as a decorative piece in the corner of a sunroom. Commissioned.

Madeline eating a Butterfinger at the pool

2009-05-14T09:49:00.000-07:00

My daughter, age 4.

Lane

2009-05-14T09:47:00.000-07:00

My son, several years ago.

Madeline

2009-05-14T09:44:00.000-07:00

This is my daughter.

This is an angled view, the background is shiny and my husband the photographer needs to shoot from the side to prevent glare.

Meeko Portrait

2009-05-14T09:42:00.000-07:00

This was painted as a gift for friends. Their daughter, black and white oils.

Cousins

2009-05-14T09:33:00.000-07:00

This was a commissioned portrait. These boys were fun to paint, so innocent!

The Beginning and a Sunset

2009-05-14T09:21:00.000-07:00

Sunset. Oil and polyurethane. Sold.

This was a painting based on an old Bible enclycopedias. I always looked through them when I was sick in a doctor's office. The illustrations struck me again years later when I was cleaning out my children's books. There was something simple about them, the colors so juicy. These images come to me whenever I hear anything about preservation of the earth. I would still like to do more of these, but I am full of ideas and sometimes they take years to complete. This is on canvas stretched on the back of a frame. After I painted in acryllic I poured the polyurethane to almost an inch thick.

Our Corner of the Creek

2009-05-14T09:10:00.000-07:00

This is a series I did with an artist friend of mine. We sat in the creek or on the bank and painted plein air. They are smaller, 16/ 20" and in oil.

Snow

2009-05-14T08:56:00.000-07:00

This is a thick painting. There are many layers of enamels and I used a polyurethane that is 10 times thicker than what I usually use. This was an experiment in materials. I feel it captures the gesture of falling snow.

Timshul

2009-05-14T08:50:00.000-07:00

I painted this after I read East of Eden by Steinbeck. I was thinking about how humans are indowed with good and evil. We are divided creatures. The blue was layed down first, then black enamel, the white enamel over the black and finally polyurethane to create all the scattered gestures of the paint. Two paintings, 24/36, Sold.

Poured

2009-05-13T10:06:00.000-07:00

This was the original poured idea. I love this painting and wish I hadn't sold it in Kansas City. It is large also, my favorite way to paint, 3'/4'. I poured the enamel onto wet polyurethane and watched it combine. It was like watching something in a lab, mutating into something greater.

Buffalo River

2009-05-13T10:02:00.000-07:00

This is was painted after my husband proposed on Hawk's Bill Crag; earlier that day we were taking pictures looking over the river. The sun was blinding and the movement of the water breathtaking. I came home and painted this; using spray paint, enamel, polyurethane. After it was dried to a solid glossy finish, I drew around the paint drippings enhancing the feeling of movement in the water.

Easter Egg Dye

2009-05-13T09:56:00.000-07:00

This is huge, 4'/5', stretched canvas on a donated frame. I used Easter egg dye, left over from my kids. Then I added spray paint and painted between the colors with black enamel. I did this to highlight the natural gestures that paint makes when poured.

Accidents Happen

2009-05-13T09:47:00.000-07:00

The red and silver is spray paint, the gold is polyurethane and the black is enamel. The contours of this paint was formed on it's own due to the different consistencies of the paint. The title comes from the randomness of life, things happen we don't plan but I believe we should make what we have into something beautiful.

Close up of one corner. 24"/48". Sold.

My Own Prison

2009-05-13T09:44:00.001-07:00

I painted with oil, and used marker to draw over my old wedding dress, then lit it from behind with string lights. It is about 36"/46" and has been sold.

Woven

2009-05-07T11:58:00.000-07:00

This is woven paper, dipped in different paints to make it pliable. I then poured polyurethane over the paper to make it stiff. It is lit with red lights from behind. I love working with lights.

Mirrored Cow Skull

2009-05-07T11:42:00.000-07:00

I was inspired by an Aztec mask covered in bits of beautiful glass. The Aztecs gathered the glass from all parts of the world. The mask was a human skull. I am using broken mirrors, some older than me. I can't throw mirrors away when they crack. I have always kept them for any future projects; I am turning my "bad" luck into good fortune. I have looked into these mirrors at each stage of my life.

The skull comes from my in-laws long horn ranch. This particular one is in almost perfect condition.

This a long horn skull painted in shades of gold. Sold.

Multi-colored long horn skull. Sold.

Black and White Choctaw

2009-05-05T06:21:00.000-07:00

My black and white is finished! I sharpened the lines, enhanced the contrasts to really show the severity of starvation.

Madeline Portrait

2009-04-24T12:50:00.001-07:00

This is a closeup of a painting I did of my daughter when she was 10. Using acrllyics, I painted over a polyurethane base. This was an interesting challenge, the results is a very "chalk-like" feel to the paint.

Black and White Choctaw

2009-04-24T12:46:00.000-07:00

I've been working on a variety of projects over the last few months. This is a starving and recently rescued Choctaw. I painted it in black and white to really bring out the exposed ribs and panicked look he seems to be giving. I still feel like it needs work. This is oils, apprx. 26/30".

Portraits

2009-03-18T08:58:00.000-07:00

I painted this on canvas that was exceptionally smooth, it changed the way it was applied. I like how the horses are blending into the background. There are so few of these beautiful creatures left, I felt like they should look like they were dissappearing.

Closeup of Choctaw

My son, age 10. Oil with polyurethane overlay

A close up of Emily. 16/20"

I couldn't resist painting this face. 16/20"

Golden Choctaw revised

2009-03-17T16:50:00.000-07:00

I revised the golden choctaw again, I shortened the nose and added pinks to enhance the sunset that is creating the golden glow. I changed the intense blue nose to more of a gray with hints of blue. This painting needs a home; if I don't find one soon, I fear I will just continue to find things to change.

Two Choctaw and One Portrait

2009-02-26T17:18:00.000-08:00

Finally, I am back in the saddle. The recent back injury during the ice storm really affected everything. It was hard enough to get the basics done much less paint. The is in stage one, and I couldn't get the blue tint out of the photo, but I think it will turn out interesting. The canvas is smoother than I am used to, it makes the oil paint slide around like watercolor. I think this will turn out interesting; I'm excited to get further into my subject-Choctaw. The more I paint these horses the more creative I can become.

I am painting this small series for a private school in Houston. The next one will be a black and white painting of "Emily." This is oils, 20/16" I would love to do more of these!

The Ice Storm

2009-02-10T07:35:00.000-08:00

It's been a bad month for many people. The ice storm in Northwest Arkansas was unprecendented. I lived through a similar event in the River Valley in 2000 but that was 3 days without lights. This storm was a week without electricity and heat. Two weeks ago, the first day of the ice storm, I slipped, fell on my back (I am still recovering). I also landed on my new iphone and the hours of figuring it out are for nothing. There wasn't much I could do about my back but remain immobile and order my kids to keep the fire going.
Next our computer was smashed by my brother-in-law; I'm looking through a spider web of cracks.
Then the worst news---we lost my dear father-in-law. This has absorbed our thoughts and energies, and the world will forever be empty without him.
We still don't have heat, hot water, or internet and I have realized how we are spoiled! The spring will bring new thoughts and a stronger back....here's to hope.

As for my painting plans; I have much to work on the Choctaw; it's been three weeks since I"ve picked up a brush!
I am donating a portrait to a school in Houston needing money. Connections in Houston would be great. I have no pictures of anything, but after what we've been through I forgive myself! I'll be back in the swing of things soon.

Frida Kahlo

2009-01-22T10:13:00.001-08:00

This is my dog, Frida Kahlo, she greets everyone on her back. I would love to paint more dog portraits. This is large, 4'by 6'. I used acryllic on canvas drop cloth. I saved money and added to my portfolio! It only took me a few hours.

Water and Flowers

2009-01-06T10:24:00.000-08:00

This is finally finished, I looked at it for almost a year of staring at it. It is layers of polyurethane, silver spray paint, and oil paints.

When I added the bright blue it turned into a stream with flowers, reflecting and floating in the water.

Merry Christmas, Glad it's over!

2008-12-29T07:36:00.000-08:00

I'm so glad it's over! I had a great time and I think the family is happy too, but it feels good to be heading in the direction of warmer weather. In a few months I will be back in a better painting schedule. The warmer weather always makes it easier to paint. Over the holiday I worked on a new horse painting. It is much smaller than the previous two. I also worked on another abstract poured painting. I will post pics of these later.

This is a painting from last year, when it was consistently 20 degrees outside, might not be cold for some but for this southern girl, it was not fun! I loved researching this project. It was a quick one, since it was cold I would get a few done and run inside to warm up. The paint was really thick and if I left anything out it would be frozen.

This is a closeup, you can tell how it was quick strokes, a gesture of a mandolin. It was also painted on extremely layered paint, I think I used house paint for the background, and of course polyurethane.

Even with the economy poor I believe this year will be a year of awakening and creativity for many of us. I can feel myself opening to something better.

New York Poured Painting

2008-12-16T11:09:00.001-08:00

I painted this after my January 08 show in New York. When I was there I felt sucked into a large organism; this painting has the feeling of rushing water, (or people). I used strong bright colors because I was overwhelmed with the intensity of the city.

I am feeling a creative surge coming on; the past few months have been dry in terms of new ideas. It's because I haven't been sketching, this is crucial to keeping my juices flowing.

This is a close up of the bottom half.

This is the second close-up, it's hard to capture the depth of this blue through film. There are layers that can only be seen in person.

"New York"

24/30"

Mixed Media on Canvas

700.00USD

Spirit

2008-12-10T06:35:00.000-08:00

This is made from tinted and glossy polyurethane, spray paint, and oil paint. The spots of silver and gold were not intentional. When I poured this it looked nothing like the final image. The silver spraypaint gathered into pools. A closer view reveals layers of color and interesting accidental shapes.

I love to use this technique it feels like I am standing back and watching it grow. These paintings have an inner glow.

And a literal glow,...this is the same painting but lit from behind.

This process is strange for me because it is full of surprises. I can pour something and love the gesture of it and by morning it can be a dissappointment. My luck is about 3 out of 5 will show some promise of being interesting.

This is a section of the painting. The colors are raw. When you look into the darkness you see layers of color. It feels like looking at a nebula, or into the depths of the ocean.

Another layer

2008-12-03T18:44:00.001-08:00

I've been working on the slow final steps of the choctaw painting. Today I have been looking for every possible hair on this little guy. I will work my way around the painting, one small section at a time and the final stage will be the "living with me" stage. I will spend a few days looking for areas that need to be strengthened.

"Golden Choctaw" .... Finally

2008-11-19T17:53:00.000-08:00

I feel like I am finally done. I spent a few hours being picky yesterday. The photo doesn't look exactly like the painting. For e.g., the nose is not as blue. The eyes seem to be reflecting on another time. This beautiful creature cannot be forsaken.

I can feel the saddness.

Week 2 of Horses

2008-11-17T06:20:00.000-08:00

Work thus far: I've worked the background, using a dry brush to soften the colors. The fence needs straightening, I've added the highlights. Both horses need work on their faces, it's coming along though and I have full confidence in the finished product. I'm itching to do some work for "myself." This week should be productive.......

Home Portraits

2008-11-07T07:50:00.000-08:00

This is first in a series I am working on called "Home Portraits" I have a photographer take pics then paint from that. I love how warm and mysterious homes look at night. It is when we enjoy our home the most--night. These are 24/36" and are commissioned for 400.00

This picture is taken at an angle because the shine detracts from the colors.

The First Layer

2008-11-07T07:43:00.001-08:00

This is how far I got Thursday night. I painted the first layer of color with a large brush and concentrated on bright colors and general areas. I need to refresh my paint supply before I can get back to work.

There is still much to be done.

This is a shot of both choctaw paintings.

Process of painting Choctaw

2008-11-07T07:37:00.000-08:00

The drawing phase. I drew the gestures and the blocked in the the angles of each line, later on thursday afternoon I worked on the contour lines.

This is 2.5' by3.5' on canvas.

Work

2008-10-28T15:21:00.000-07:00

It's time to get out the sweaters, 25 tonight. Leaves were crunchy with frost; by noon they had wilted into wet socks. interized the house today, planted bulbs and worked on another coat on my choctaw painting. It looks better already. My hope for winter is that I will get extra time to paint. Our 2.5 acres will be put to rest and I will have extra time to focus on just becoming better.

This painting is 3/4 feet, apprx. It is based on a map of the Persian Gulf. The blue spots are the oil and gas fields. It is an inspired piece not an exactly copied. The first layers are spray paint, enamels and polyurethane. The fields are oil

I am on a deadline to finish a home portrait for a open house gift. This painting will be smaller than what I normally work on which is at least 24/30. Since it is a gift I don't need to spend too much on paint and supplies.

I am itching to create another poured painting. They are a release from working for others. I love how they grow quietly inside until one day serendipity. The paints do according to my sub-concsious and create colors and movement that you only see in water or space. My real love is these poured pieces, with every layer they change. I feel I am freezing a moment of some movement. I need an audience though and I still haven't found the group that will get my work. This copying is not ultimately what I am meant for. I know I have a voice and it continues to say: "Look closer"

"Night" 24/48" I painted this after my show in New York. I'm sure it was influenced by the power of the city.

It was

It's for sale: 600.00

The Choctaw

2008-10-27T08:36:00.000-07:00

I met the Choctaw! Calm, kind eyes, they are incredible. This weekend I had the opportunity to meet a stallion and foals. I am excited about this project.

Do you have to be a horse person to appreciate these creatures? I don't think so. The lines and colors of these horses are not matched anywhere, but they carry the same value as anything of beauty.

There beauty is hindered and about to become extinguished. From what I am told, there are only around 250 left in the world! What an honor to be able to paint such a rare creature.

A Typical Day

2008-10-23T06:49:00.000-07:00

It's dark outside when I wake up. I slip on a sweatshirt before I get out of my cocoon. The cold irritates me. Breakfast is started children gently arosed from dreams. Eggs fried, eaten, table cleared and wiped. The cold is bracing at first, gradually the car thaws and we are a ball of heat barreling through fog to get to football practice. Cows dip lazy eyes into the layers of fog, emerging with the same breakfast everyday. Kisses and Goodbyes.--- The sun is awake and ready to lift the fog. When I get home I make the bed, sweep up Pyrenees hair and begin to settle into my new painting. I believed it was finished, but living next to my easel has forced me to look longer and harder. There are a few sections of the sky I think need smoother paint. This series is based on photos taken at night; homes aglow with human activity. Homes are appreciated at night. It is the only time we are together. In this particular painting ("The Farm") the house is empty, a mud room is illuminated, no boots or umbrellas. One window to the right is lit up with a basketball net. It has a mystery to it, dark around the house and evidence of what once happened.

My Choctaw horse needs another coat. I believe I can make it even stronger. There are a few areas that seem off, ---just slightly.

I paint until about noon. I sprint through the neighborhood, fending of loose dogs, and paying attention to the moment by moment changes of autumn. Running is a forced activity that feels so good I wonder why I hate doing it.

\