Tiny Gifts

Pomegranate No.5
Oil on Linen Panel 6"x6" 
SOLD

Pink Rose No.5
Oil on Linen Panel 4"x6"
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Small Gifts-Turkey Feather
Oil on Linen Panel 4"x6"
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I enjoy painting still lives partly because I LOVE TO PAINT, but also because I enjoy looking staring at all things in nature. Leaves, flowers (all flowers), birds, insects and even clouds. I could stare at clouds all day. Well, my lovely family indulges me with tiny gifts that they find out on their walks. So, when I come desk, I find flowers (some of which I have planted), leaves that are changing colors, insects that lived their last day (they have to have lived their last day before they are allowed to collect them as my specimen (or props for still lifes), and more recently feathers. I have many beautiful iridescent feathers that turkeys leave behind as they walk through our backyard in the mornings. The painting above is of a feather my husband left on my desk. This picture doesn't show off the turquoise in the feathers as much as it does in person, sorry.

Rain is Causing Paintings to Sprout

Pink Rose No.4
5"x7" Oil on Linen Panel
SOLD

My Turquoise Phase

Pink Rose No.3
6"x6" Oil on Linen Panel
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Forelle Pear and Flowers 
4"x6" Oil on Linen Panel
SOLD

I love to read decorating blogs. The one I visit the most is all about my favorite color. It is titled House of Turquoise and I am just so delightfully inspired every time I wonder in there. These paintings are inspired by the wonderful gathering of photos posted there. I have two other turquoise paintings on the works that I am so excited to show you. Two more weeks until Fall break and I have oh so many ideas; I can hardly wait!

Tea Pot and Forelle Pear 
6"x8" Oil on Linen Panel 
SOLD

My Orange Phase

Black Coral, Glass Bottle and Orange Oil on Linen Panel 6"x8"

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Chinese Lantern and Pastel Wallpaper, Oil on Linen Panel 5"x7"

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Peach with Lily of the Valley Oil on Linen Panel 4"x6"

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Pears and Hand Painted Wallpaper

 Forelle Pear and Flowers  6"x6" Oil on Linen Panel

SOLD

Bartlett Pear and Flowers 5"x7" Oil on Linen Panel

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Since we've moved, I've been eager to paint the walls to make them look like hand painted silk. A few weeks ago we went to the used book store and I found some wonderful books with photos of such wonderful style of antique wallpapers. I love the worn look and the layers of separated color created by the process of screen printing. Then I thought how wonderful it would contrast with the gradual transition of value in the fruit paintings I make. I had done a couple of paintings when I first got my book (both paintings sold), and I couldn't wait for the chance to do more. That is the plan once Fallbreak comes around. I hope you like them also.

Figs in Cooler Weather

Figs No.3 6"x6" Oil on Linen Panel

SOLD

August Oil Painting

Strawberry and Blueberries, Oil on 4"x6" linen panel

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It's been a busy start to the school year. My oldest is starting her senior year in high school and my little one is starting middle school. I am teaching art to sixth graders at a new school and I am really loving it. The kids are wonderful and so eager to learn, even the history, math and science that I like to sneak in the lessons. I really enjoy coming home earlier, too, since the school is closer to home. I hope your summer is ending well, also. Many hugs, CE

Oil Painting is Nothing Like Riding a Bike

Peonies in Silver Vase, 5"x7" Oil on Linen Panel

SOLD

Nope, oil painting is more like what Darwin said--you know about losing what you don’t use. It's been a while since I've put to use the few painting skills I had acquired over the last couple of years. Being big-headed, I decided to start with a complicated composition which included an antique teapot, glass bottles, some Chinese lanterns and a couple of other things. All this ended up in a small muddy mess. So, back to the beginning until I take some notes and do some trouble shooting trying to avoid Einstein’s definition of insanity. I hope to show you that one in a week or so.

Until then, here are the paintings that I was able to complete.

Cherry No.5, 4"x6" Oil on Linen Panel

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All these pear paintings are of the same pear.

Due to the drought we are experiencing, I have no flowers, which I've waiting so dearly to paint. I think it's time for a visit to Iris's flower shop.

I hope for you a wonderful day.

Pear Half, 5"x7" Oil on Linen Panel

SOLD

...and One Thing Lead to Another: Anna Maria Horner

Pear and Blue Oil on Linen Panel 5"x7"

SOLD

It's a couple of years now and I wanted to take a little time for thank you’s to all the women that inspire me in this creative journey I have taken up. They are an encouraging reminder of the full life one can have as a mom, wife and artist/entrepreneur. They show that one can have her cake and eat, too.

For starters, let me say that the first blog I ever read was that of Kim Miles.

Glass Beads by Kim Miles
Bead Magazine some fabulous torch fire glass beads that seem to hold the most beautiful pink roses inside. So, I Googled her name to see what else this brilliant person was creating, and there she was, sharing with us her gift in her blog. She even has a small tutorial on her site to show us how she creates these small gems.

Still, I didn’t think to write a blog. I got a new sewing machine instead, thanks to another friend who was also very inspirational and taught me a lot about sewing. She introduced me to GOOD quilting fabric and I fell in love with the designs of Anna Maria Horner. I Google her name, too and ran across her blog, where she records and shares with us of the wonderful and at times messy things about being an artist. She shares not only her inspirational space, but the truth of being a mom working from home, where things aren’t always perfect, but things get done and a family can be very happy.

The colors of her designs draw you in to her posts, but the funny stories of the artist’s life keep me reading, and every once in a while, it’s a nice break from m own busy-ness. One day as I was reading her blog, I saw at the top right hand corner a button that said “Create Blog.” I was sure it cost money and lots of time, but I was curious. So I dared pushed it, and the rest is history.
I am so thankful to those of you that continue to read what has become my little journey into oil painting and jewelry making, and giving me the opportunity to share with you what I find inspiring in others. I love sharing it with you.

There are other women that I have inspired me so, among them Danielle Embry, Samantha Lamb (a fellow Okie), Megan Hawkins, Leslie Lienau, Diane Hoeptner, Carla Anglada, Tracey Harris and so many others. All have been generous with their knowledge and experience, along with their witty stories of encouragement.

Mi Pequeñito Estudio (My Tiny Studio)

For many years I’ve been making ceramics, jewelry, sewing, painting and other creative projects from our dining room. It was called my craft room. We were surprised to see a small space (5 ½’ x 13 ½’) in the garage of our new house that had been created to be a recording studio by the house’s previous owners.

It took a week of scraping glue and foam off the walls, filling holes on the walls and floor, new trim, and lots of left over paint from other projects in the house. Almost all the furniture was either found (Recall my hunt for the perfect chair?) or I made it, mostly with wood left after other projects. I am oh sooooooo very happy!!!!