New Looser Acrylic Florals

     I am having a ball in my studio creating in acrylics for the first time in years !
I am enjoying the  process of loosely constructed colorful compositions and exploring negative shape paintings.    So FUN, and never really knowing how the finished product will turn out, that's part of the adventure with these fun florals... Having so much fun I'm reducing the price on these beauties.   They look fantastic with a simple white mat, backing, and simple frame with glass.  I am selling them without mats to keep it simple for shipping and to keep the price down... thanks, Sandy

U City in Bloom

From the plein air event this weekend in University City Mo.  Started plein air and finished
In my studio....I liked the sidewalk curving up to the door but didn’t want to paint in the middle of the street, so I chose the front view...

Eliot Chapel

Wonderful, open and exceptional chapel in Kirkwood, Missouri.   All are welcome here....
     Painted plein air from the Kirkwood farmers market.

Buick

I painted this while at St. Louis Museum of Transportation yesterday, with a group of plein air painters.
     This annual event is fun and challenging. I worked on this in the studio for awhile to try to get all those details of this wonderful car just right... a pleasure to paint this.

Sunlight on the Huzzah

A painting friend and I attended the Steelville Missouri Plein air event in June.  One of the days
a free day to paint at a location of your choice, so we ended up setting up IN the Huzzah River
With the cool water on our feet, standing in the shallow rocky river.  It was so amazing. I started
With a alizarin underpainting to highlight the red rocks in the water, and captured the cool shadows on the water from the overhanging trees... a delightful experience...

Behind Main Street

Behind Main Street

I found this alleyway very interesting as a subject for my second of 3 paintings while at a plein air 'paint out' over the weekend.  It was hot, but I managed to squeeze myself into a seated position (which I usually don't like, and don't do) behind a shed, of sorts in this alley...
     I was so HOT, that I decided to sit, thinking that I'd stand a better chance of actually finishing the painting, and not giving up, because I was dripping wet... ha !  Well, I had fun painting, and then noticed a distinct odor of sort of rotten garbage, only to then recognize the dumpster directly behind me... well, I had to finish, anyway, and I really was pleased with the results....  Perseverance ! 

 

Steinberg skating rink- update

     The person commissioning the painting asked for a few more skaters.  Here's the final draft for the painting, which will be quite a bit larger.  This one is only 11 x 14...

     More skaters, a good idea, I think..

Steinberg skating rink

     Here is a small study for the larger painting commission of the Steinberg skating rink in Forest Park, St. Louis.  We have a wonderful park, right inside the city, with great facilities that are used by citizens constantly.     The Forest Park began with the 1904 World's Fair, which was hosted in St. Louis.   Our Art Museum, Muny Opera and fabulous St. Louis Zoo are three main attractions. 
     The one buying the painting wanted the hospital buildings in the background.  Steinberg is very close to one of the city's main streets, Kingshighway, with it's row of great hospitals. The one to the right is Barnes, where I was born.  
     My friends and I would skate every Saturday at this winter rink.  Great memories.....

     I'm working bigger and bolder, using more color, and trying to get more excitement and energy.  Here's a new one, 11 x 14, from a photo I took in Webster Groves a week ago.   Lovely community with big older homes, many with Century placques by the front door.   Having fun with warms and cools, too !

Dolly with mary janes #115

     This is an old school doll.  She's similar to one my sister had ( I wasn't big on dolls back in the day)  Anyway, I rescued her from the basement at an estate sale a month ago.  She looked pretty ragged, with a filthy dress (homemade, which I love) and grimey skin.   I cleaned her up ( that part was fun, cause I kinda talked to her the whole time, ha !)  and decided to paint her... Very big challenge to get her right and still keep a sort of looseness to the painting...   Well, I think it turned out, even though it got a bit more complicated that I had thought.... maybe I need to think ahead before I get into this kind of detail... Oh well, she's finished and maybe I'll do something simpler today... especially since it's Superbowl Sunday !!!

Tower Grove Playground painting #86

 

30 Paintings in 30 Days starts today.   I've enjoyed getting motivated by this challenge.  Here's my first one.... check out the others on Leslie Saeta's blog: http://lesliesaeta.blogspot.com/
     This is from a reference photo I took at the park this fall.   There's a great farmer's market at Tower Grove Park in St. Louis, and while you're shopping you can listen to live music.  Just on the other side of the pavillion there is this wonderful fountain that the little kids love to play in.   Luckily I had my camera and got a few good shots.  

Purple hydrangeas Painting #46

SOLD

     These incredible blooms are a gift from a friend. I've never seen anything like these... for 7 years they didn't bloom, but this year,
 W O W !! thanks, Dorothy !!