2009-2010 - Final Year of School

During the final year of school at The Atelier, the figure studies continue each morning, with students painting 3 mornings per week, and drawing 2 mornings each week. Still lifes and complex portraits (including 'interiors'/hands) are worked on every afternoon.

2 figure drawings:

My final painted figure:

Seated Female Nude
13x23 Oil on Linen
2010

Still lifes  and portraits completed during 2010 school year:

Radishes
10x10 Oil on Linen
2010

The Old Cork Decoy
13x22 Oil on Linen
2010

Ron at Day's End
29x22 Oil on Linen
2010

Eileen with Her Guitar
24x20 Oil on Linen
2010

Still Lifes 2009

My inspiration for this painting was the old, green glass plate and the way it reflects light. The lemons, limes and orange added some lovely form and color, and it was a joy to paint!

"Citrus on Green Plate"
8x10 Oil on Linen
2009

I’ve always loved the graceful form and the well-used condition of this vintage decoy. He has been in our family for many years and was used over many hunting seasons. This lovely duck, along with the brass shotgun shells and the rusty old Herters weight, just begged to be painted.

"Antique Decoy"
15x21 Oil on Linen
2009
Winner of Award of Excellence @ Primavera Art Show in Plymouth (2010)

This little skillet has been in my family for many years. It is so cute, and I've always loved the look of it. In this composition, I've also included an old recipe box and cutting board that were passed down from my mom. As I began this painting, I was very drawn to the beauty of the red onion, but as the painting progressed, the gorgeous, translucent colors of the garlic took center-stage. This is not a very good photo, and I will replace it with a better one at a later date.

"Onions, Garlic and Cast Iron Skillet"
12x16 Oil on Linen
2009

2008 Still Lifes

In her younger days, my mother loved to do needlework and created many beautiful objects that were lovingly given to her children and grandchildren. We all treasure these items above all of her other gifts. The painting below includes a pillow top that Mom was working on a few years ago. It was about that time that she was diagnosed with dementia. As her condition progressed, she simply was not able to complete the project. She asked me if I would take it and complete it for her, and of course I agreed. But I decided that before I worked on it, I wanted to use it in a painting. It is sort of my way of memorializing my mom. In this painting I have also included a very old thimble that belonged to my grandma, and an interesting copper pot that I found one lovely day while browsing through antique shops with my oldest daughter in Pennsylvania.

"Mom's Unfinished Needlework"
12x14 oil on linen
2008

Oil painting is my first love, but I also wanted to give pastels a try. The following pastel painting is my first endeavor. It was lots of fun and I will definitely try it again one of these days.

"Vases and Oranges"
16x10 pastel on sanded paper
2008

With my third painting of 2008, I wanted to go with a lighter background. I absolutely love red, so added the apple to add some punch to the composition.

"Apple, Books and Dutch Boy"
20x15 oil on linen
2008