Fierce: Expression, Determination, Existence

Fierce, 24" x 30", acrylic on canvas

Being pulled to separate my painting experience from my drawing and design efforts. I love the feeling of not being bound by anything when painting.

Spring Abstracts

It seems like these new paintings appeared like magic in my studio. I intended to play around with some background techniques and then I wanted to keep them as paintings on their own. What do you think? I really miss the festivals of Florida to hear people's reactions and what they are drawn to.

Happy Easter, Happy Spring.

I didn't intend to paint a rabbit just in time for Easter, it just worked out that way. I am working on the rabbit as part of a series of ideas, I don't want to name it yet until it develops. But I would love to know what feelings you get from this painting.

First Starry Night Class

The ladies did a great job painting like Van Gogh. Lots of fun. Watch for this opportunity again at the Center for the Arts in Orange.

Strong Colors and Black

"Meeting in the Echinaceas", 30" x 24", acrylic on canvas, 2013.

My new shipment of paint arrived and I gorged myself like a child that eats his entire Easter Basket of candy all at once. I intended to paint soft Spring colors but it didn't end that way. Neon Echinaceas!

Hope to teach my version of Van Gogh's "Starry, Starry Night" at the Arts Center in Orange soon. I changed the tree to a cedar. I thought the mountains looked close to our Blue Ridge already. Call Julie Jackson at 540-672-7311 to register.

New Graphic Design

It always surprises me when I switch media how many fresh ideas and approaches I have. I think some of the most valuable advice I got in graduate school was from a real working artist Mom who said "no matter what, don't stop making daily visual art decisions." So if your circumstances change and you can no longer paint large oil paintings then switch to small pencil drawings or something managable. It really pays to keep making those decisions, keep practicing, you will continue to grow.

Yummy New Paintings

"Cake", acrylic on board, 8"x10"

"Can I eat that?"

"Apple", acrylic on board, 8"x10"