Art Brew

Christmas in Tampa

2010-12-16T08:54:00.004-05:00

Christmas in Tampa

18x24 - Acrylic on Canvas

Christmas in Tampa - Sold Collection of Poole & Poole Architecture

Here is this year's Christmas Card for our favorite Architects in VA. The building is an award winner from this year located in Tampa.

Neuschwanstein Castle

2010-04-09T09:02:00.002-04:00

Neuschwanstein Castle
24x30 Acrylic on Canvas

Neuschwanstein Castle - Acrylic on Canvas

Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most visited castles in Germany. It rests in Bavaria, with the Alps at it's back. The castle was built by King Lidwig II, who was known as the "Fairytale King". During our visit on our honeymoon, the tour guide mentioned that this castle was the inspiration for the Magic Kingdom castle in Disney World. The whimsical nature is apparent on the outside, but the inside has even more character. My favorite part was the "cave room" in which King Ludvig II had a fake cave constructed that you walk through to get from one room to the next. It was quite amazing. My husband has been nudging me to paint this since we returned from our trip. The day that we were there it was snowing and overcast, and the trees were bare. I chose to paint it with vibrant colors, which is what King Ludwig would have wanted.

Owen's Painting

2010-04-05T12:24:00.004-04:00

Owen's Painting - 2010
30x40

Mixed Media on Canvas

Owen's Painting - Mixed Media on Canvas

I was looking for a way to keep all the beautiful cards and notes that people gave us when I was pregnant with Owen. I was rocking him in his nursery one night trying to figure out what would be a good painting for over his crib when the idea came to collage the cards, notes and gift wrap together onto a canvas with his name. For those of you that know my husband and how much of a sports fan he is, that is how I came up with the idea to create his name with a sports theme over top of the collage. Here is the final result. We love it. I included a detail shot so you can see some of the textures and layers that exist within the painting. The polka dots came from white and blue tissue paper that came with a gift. The big bird was on some wrapping paper that I cut out as well as the elephant and footprint. I used oil pastels, marker, acrylic, charcoal, graphite, varnish, a spray bottle and other tools for spreading paint. If anyone is interested in something like this for your kids or to give as a gift let me know!

Powell Street, San Fran

2010-03-28T22:22:00.007-04:00

detail

detail

Powell Street, San Francisco
24x30
Mixed Media

Powell Street, San Francisco

Early on in 2009 I went on a trip to San Fran for business. I was able to get out one evening and walk around downtown and came across Powell Street and the cable cars. I took lots of photographs and did a quick sketch while I was standing at the bottom of the hill. I started this painting in the summer of 2009 and set it aside for months. Here it is, finished. I was looking at the painting early this week and just felt that it needed more work. One night after my son hit the hay, I sat down in my studio and it just flowed out of me. I love the final piece. It has inspired me to explore this medium more. (acrylic, charcoal and clear gesso). For those of you who don't know, I had to switch over to acrylic from oils when I became pregnant last year and when my son was born I've been afraid to switch back over to oil until I get a proper ventillation system set up in my studio since it is right next to his bedroom. I am pleased with the results I am getting with the acrylics, espcially since I started using the Masterson Sta Wet Palette which keeps my paints wet for hours so I can keep going in and working with them. Not exactly like oil, but it is working just fine.

Powell Street, San Francisco

2010-01-02T16:33:00.004-05:00

Powell Stree, San Francisco
24x30
Mixed Media

Powell Street, San Francisco

Early on in 2009, I had an opportunity to travel to San Francisco for a few days. I took the train downtown and walked around for the afternoon. I came upon Powell St. and loved all the hustle and bustle going on. It was a great location to sketch with the trademark hill, cable cars, and people all over. I took some photos and did some sketching of the area and came up with this mixed media painting. I layered my canvas in newspaper applied with clear gesso. I then used vine charcoal and graphite to sketch into the canvas. I used lots of transparent layers of acrylic to get the desired effect. You can still see in some small areas some exposed newspaper which adds to the foggy look of the afternoon.

Chain Bridge

2010-01-02T16:16:00.004-05:00

Chain Bridge
5x5
watercolor on paper

Chain Bridge

This little watercolor was a gift to my brother and sister in law for Christmas. She is from Budapest orginally. She explained that the Chain Bridge was the very first bridge built over the Danube River. I chose it to paint because of the intricate details and the sweeping supports.

Christmas Present for my Niece

2009-12-21T12:41:00.004-05:00

24x30
watercolor

Syndey Land - Watercolor on Cold Pressed Paper

This painting has been in progress for about 6 months. I have been wanting to do something for my amazing 3 year old niece, Sydney, for quite some time. I started out with the landscape, and slowly layered in some of her favorite characters. Right now, Mickey is the favorite which I think is great because he was mine at her age as well. I plan on giving this to her for Christmas this week. I am off for the next few weeks, and will plan on posting quite a bit more in the days to come.

Starstruck Hometown

2009-08-24T08:17:00.004-04:00

"Starstruck Hometown"
acrylic on canvas 18x24

"Starstruck Hometown"
Now that I am pregnant, my drs have instructed me that I can't use any solvants. So, I have moved out all of my oil paints and brought in my acrylics, water colors, pencils and mediums. I spent the day on Saturday priming and taking inventory of all of my past paintings and now have a great stock of blank canvasses that are calling my name. It's been awhile since I have done a hometown series painting and had a really fun time over the weekend working on Starstruck Hometown. Upcoming works include a streetscape of San Fran. I am looking forward to posting it later this week.

What I've been up to

2009-05-17T14:48:00.006-04:00

So, you're probably wondering where I've been for the past three months - I know, I know, I haven't done a good job updating my blog. The reason is because I have been working on all sorts of new pieces for two classes that I've been taking - and I've had next to no time to do anything but work at my day job, go to class and finish up the pieces for a final crit which happened on Tue. of this week. So, here are three of the drawings that were done in the past three months with a short blurb on the background of each. I'll post more later this week. enjoy

[Above] Interior - "Taking a Seat"
18x24 - Black and White Conte on Neutral Charcoal Paper
Still life set up in class studio.

[Above] Figure - "3 Poses for 3 Moments"
18x24 - Black and White Conte on Blue Charcoal Paper
Nude Model in Studio

[Above] Self Portrait - "In My Studio"
18x24 - Black, Terra Cotta and White Conte on Grey Charcoal Paper
Completed in Home Studio

The Classic Diner

2009-01-09T09:16:00.005-05:00

12x12 oil on masonite

The Classic Diner - click here to view eBay auction
There is a great diner not too far from where I live outside of Philly called the Classic Diner. It has an absolutely amazing breakfast prefaced by an even better cup of coffee. This painting was inspired by a morning there while waiting for an acquaintance to join me.

2008 Christmas Card Painting

2008-12-07T23:47:00.004-05:00

Each Christmas time, for the past three years, an Architect firm in Richmond, VA commissions me to create a painting to be used as their Christmas card. Here is the final painting for this year's card. The house is based on a blue print of a house that the firm designed.

Justin Bua Study

2008-10-13T19:33:00.004-04:00

Study in Oil 30x40 - Justin Bua El Guitarrista

A good friend of mine asked me to try out a remake of one of his favorite artists Justin Bua. I loved the bright colors and theme behind El Guitarrista. I had a great time doing this study. When I was researching the painting, I learned that this particular painting was done in acrylic! He did an amazing job blending the paint. I just couldn't imagine all the blending in acrylic, so the version I did was oil. It was a fun project. The photo features Ray and his Justin Bua study 30x40 oil.

Philadelphia Museum of Art

2008-10-13T19:24:00.004-04:00

Philadelphia Museum of Art - in progress!

Hello all...I just wanted to post the progress I'm making on the Philadelphia Museum of Art painting I've been working on here and there for the past 4 months! It's finally taking shape. I started with big blocked in shapes in burnt sienna. Unfortunately, I have no photos from the beginning stages - probably becuase I was close to wiping it down several times to start over again. I've got the blue painters tape up on it now to help crisp up my edges on the tops of the roofs. I really like the straight edge the tape can give. There is a nice mix between the loose stroke in the buildings and the tight edges of the roof tops. I'll be sure to post more as I progress.

Mural for Lexi

2008-05-06T10:42:00.004-04:00

whimsical tree, acrylic

letter "A" monogram with roses

3'x3'

Mural for Lexi

This mural was done last weekend for a little girl's bedroom. The tree was done in a whimsical style and the monogram done in hundreds of little roses.

"Musical Accomplice"

2008-05-05T22:47:00.007-04:00

6x6

oil on masonite

"Musical Accomplice" click here to view auction page

This is part II of the pair of guitar players at Tyler State Park in Bucks County, PA. I really like the rich pumpkin background of this one. It seems to infuse it with a great energy. I think that I'd like to try one with the both of them together - dueling guitarists. If I do, I think I'll try it on a larger scale.

"Music in the Park"

2008-05-05T10:05:00.002-04:00

oil on masonite

6x6 inch

"Music in the Park" click here to view auction page

On a walk through a local park in Bucks County, PA with my dog, we came across two guitar players sitting face to face singing and strumming along. It was wonderful! I'll be posting this guitarist's side kick tomorrow. My favorite part about the painting is the shaggy hair and his body language. I substituted a gamblin azo green background for a glistening river that he was sitting in front of. I found that the sparkling water really distracted from the overall composition.

"Home Town Spring"

2008-04-02T23:50:00.003-04:00

24"x36"
acrylic on canvas

"Home Town Spring" Click here to view auction page or bid

This piece was fun to do. Signs of spring are popping up all over Philly! I was inspired by the sunshine yellow daffodills just outside my front door.

"Home Town Neighborhood"

2008-04-02T07:19:00.006-04:00

24"x30"
oil pastel, acrylic, graphite
canvas - edges painted black

"Home Town Neighborhood" Click Here to Access Auction Page or Bid

I am really excited about this one. I have been obsessing over squares lately and used grid work in the composition. There are lots and lots of layers and textures built into the painting. I actually started with 20 multicolored squares and worked in the houses. I then went back in with a combination of many yellows and titanium white for the background leaving some exposed areas of color here an there. Just for a hint of surprise. I liked the loose expression of the lines so I went back in and added some more as well. I kept going back in working and reworking areas until I stood back and realized that it was done! I've included some close up views so you can see the textures, lines and layers. I have varnished the piece in a gloss finish.

I caught a glare off the painting during the photo shoot. I just went and bought all new lighting for this purpose and I am still getting glare! I am going to have to do some more research on how to avoid it in the future. If I take a shot with less, I'll be sure to post it here.

"Le Petit Chatalet"

2008-03-19T21:37:00.006-04:00

9x12

oil on masonite

"Le Petit Chatelet"

Le Petit Chatelet was this wonderful little restaurant in the center of Paris. We discovered it while we were leisurely walking around the city. The savory smells and fantastic espresso they served were the perfect compliment to a cool Paris afternoon.

"Canoe Rental"

2008-03-16T16:21:00.002-04:00

6x6

oil on masonite

"Canoe Rental"

While walking through Tyler State Park in Bucks County, PA I came across a little boat house on the canal. Outside of the boat house was a row of overturned canoes just waiting to be rented and rowed in. It's still winter here in the Northeast, but soon, it will be warm again and they will get thier chance in the water.

"The Chanticleer"

2008-03-16T11:44:00.011-04:00

oil on masonite
9x12

"The Chanticleer" Sold - Columbus, OH

A few years back, my husband and I went to visit Ithaca, NY. Eric attended college there. We walked through downtown Ithaca in an area called "the commons" and came across this big neon rooster sitting on top a sign reading "The Chanticleer". I just loved it! A few doors down was a little movie theater where crowds were beginning to grow. I wish I could remember which film was playing.

"Winter Farm House"

2008-03-16T11:22:00.005-04:00

12x12

oil on masonite

"Winter Farm House"

This piece was inspired by a photo that I took this weekend while I was on a walk with my dog. We were walking through Tyler State Park in Newtown, PA. It was an overcast day and I wished that the sun would pop out while on our walk. It wasn't until we were leaving that the sun finally poked through the clouds and I snapped a photo of this farmhouse set back over glowing fields.

"Liberty Anyone?"

2008-03-08T17:33:00.004-05:00

oil on masonite
6x6

"Liberty Anyone?"

"Mr. Liberty" was out in front of a little shop that I was pulling up to last week. I see these people dressed up all over the city this time a year, however, this particular person caught my attention. He was dancing and singing all over the sidewalk! I've never seen anyone dressed up in a costume on the job so happy! I loved his positive attitude.

"Two Hour Limit"

2008-03-08T17:21:00.005-05:00

"Two Hour Limit" SOLD Chicago, IL

I was in a town called Manayunk, just outside of Philadelphia last week. I got out of my car to take some photos of the train bridge, and snapped this photo of the parking meter. I really liked the shadow it cast and the rusty outside layer from years of exposure to the elements.

"Going Bananas!"

2008-03-01T23:22:00.005-05:00

"Going Bananas!" Sold- Oakland, CA

I returned home from my weekly grocery shopping excursion earlier today. When I was rummaging around for inspiration for a painting these bananas were perfect! It has been a chilly overcast winter day here in Philly, so the sunny bananas really lightened my mood!

"Porch Paradise"

2008-02-24T23:14:00.005-05:00

"Porch Paradise" - SOLD - Rolling Meadows, IL

When driving down a road in Upstate New York (where I am originally from) a year or so ago, I snapped a shot of this wonderful home with a huge wrap around porch. I can just imagine sitting on the porch in the middle of the summer with a good book and glass of iced tea or lemonade.

Morning Serenity

2008-02-17T19:03:00.003-05:00

"Morning Serenity " SOLD - Toronto

As I was sipping my weekend morning cup of coffee pondering what to paint next I was inspired by what was sitting in my hand. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a coffee nut! So, creating this peice was so much fun.

This is my third small daily work this week and I am feeling so great about my new commitment to my art. I have been inspired by the work of other daily art painters and believe that painting daily will really help me grow as an artist.

Since this is my first post, I think it is important to give you a little background about myself. I grew up loving art and all creative. I focused on art heavily in highschool and the first two years of college. I took a corporate sales job out of school and my art really lost priority in my life. A year ago, I started painting again and hope to be able to focus on my art full time within the next year. By working on creating a painting daily, I hope to refine and develop my skills to help me achieve my goal!