Cincinnati News

I had a great time in Cincinnati shooting the book. Northlight took us out for some great lunches, we did a few crazy videos and will be going back in October to shoot some real ones. My big question is why do a lot of people still have their Christmas wreaths up in Cincinnati? Is it an Ohio thing or what?

Up, Up and Away

Sandra and I are off to Cincinnati for the photo shoot of book number three. I hope that the weather isn't too cold but it will be great to see our old friends (and meet new friends) at F & W publishers. Not to mention that there is great Italian food in that town. It will be a lot of work but tons of fun so you should be hearing stories on my blog soon.

Cleaned up the studio and laid out projects to start when I get back. What a good feeling it is to have something special to return to.

Snacktime, 12" x 12" mixed media on panel. For some reason I have been on an orange fixation lately along with time. This piece just evolved out of those thoughts. Hmmm.

Hip. Hip. Hooray

Sandra and I finished all the projects for the book and have just shipped it off. What a load off our backs. In two weeks we are off to Cincinnati for the Photoshoot then when it is formatted by the staff at Northlight we get a final proofing before it is shipped to the printers. You would have blown me over 4 years ago if you told me I would write a book much less three. Life always takes us on an interesting path.

French Memories

I lived in France for several years and remember a day when I thought in French, the only songs I sang were French, my clothes were French and how I loved those French boys. Oh la la. And the wild wonderful food in the restaurants. Early May when the Muguet (a flower) bloomed they were cut and fried in a batter. Oh so good.

This piece reminded me how the sun felt on my face on those first warm days after a long cold winter when the first flowers were poking out.

Provence Memories, 12" x 12", mixed media on Panel

Forever Friends

They say there are three types of friends - friends for a moment, a season or a lifetime. I count both two and four legged friends in my life. My goal this year is let all my friends know how important that they are in my life and to do all I can to enhance their lives. This painting is about friends who have come and gone but are always cherished in my heart.

Forever Friends, 36" x 24", mixed media

Another Student - Judy Eckhart

Another fabulous student I have is Judy Eckhart who has worked for years as a traditional artist showing nationally. My challenge to her was to do an abstract painting since it was such a departure from her watercolors.

She started with a picture of a dress with an ornate necklace for inspiration. The middle image shows her half way through the process and the far right image is the final piece. She glued rusty metal and other objects after using a variety of surface treatments on the cradled panels.

I was impressed with how she found her inspiration.

My Student - Mary Ann Bennett

Mary Ann has always been an oil painter who wanted to try acrylics/mixed media so she took my class. This as yet unnamed piece started out with a canvas that she glued linen, string and prayer flags to, blocked in her colors in acrylics then added a stencil and gold leaf. Some of the gold leaf has been sanded back. She finished off the details using oils. It is a stunning piece in person and I am very proud of her.