Sliver of Provence France

A bucket list location, I long to stand in a lavender field in southern France someday. My teenage daugher is currently learning the language in school, and we promised her if she continued her studies of the language until her senior year (she's a freshman), we would fund a family trip to France. She's interested in southern France, which works out perfect! This is painted on Arches paper with Daniel Smith watercolors.

Gouache still life for life being still

So we are in a pandemic which requires us to stay home in isolation. Perfect timing for a still life set. My kitchen needed some upgrades in wall art, so here are two paintings in gouache of still life in the kitchen. My style is the black and white border around objects of prominence, and slight fauvism to enhance shadows and highlights.

Tannis Shawl

Every now and again, my knitting produces some beautiful pieces. This shawl happens to be one of those pieces. My favorite colors to wear gravitate towards the cooler spectrum, and I bought this yarn with the intention of breaking that habit. It turned out exquisite, and makes me want to sip wine while wearing it.

Bob Ross, a happy philosopher

Who doesn't love Bob Ross? This past Christmas, my son gifted me a book of quotes from this wise and gentle man who has been a huge influence in my painting. The idea came to me to make my sweet husband a birthday card (March 10th) with a quote and a painting. It occured me that I never have painted him anything, so here is a special one for his 43rd.

Celtic Rogue

I've knitted this pattern 3 times, and each have been a long and frustrating project of determination to create the perfect knitted hoodie. My first one was a blue scratchy wool creation that turned out 3 times to big for me (even after shrinking it in the wash). My 2nd attempt was frogged, and my 3rd turned out mediocre. Here is that 3rd attempt using a reclaimed acrylic for the body, and wool for the Celtic design. Before washing, it was great, but after it turned out mediocre-as in I don't need to leave the house in this. My problem with knitting is, I try to customize perfect patterns and then end up f***ing them up ultimately. Here is the before photo, but the after-washing photo wasn't so great.

Dala Love

If you shop at IKEA during the holidays, you might see trinkets of a red wooden horse painted with bright colors as a decoration. This horse has become a traditional icon of Sweden, and I painted this in my admiration of the scandinavian culture. Gouache paints on canvas board, and lots of love.

Italy in watercolor

Using cut pieces of Arches cold pressed watercolor paper, here are a couple of 'slices' of Italy in vibrant watercolor. The vertical piece is copied from a photo of Sardenia. Sardenia is an Italian island well known for cheese and pristine beaches. The horizontal piece is the Ponte Vechio in Florence, and was a commission for a friend. She visited Florence a couple of years ago, and fell in love with the scenery (and who wouldn't?). These paintings are 10 inches wide by 2 inches tall, and are perfect for bookmarks.