Happy Trails

Graphite on paper, 12x6

Here's a sketch for the upcoming "Happy Trails" banner project sponsored by Georgetown Art Works. I'm thinking, "Good grub equals a happy trail ride." The drawing is based on photos I took last year of the chuckwagon competition held in San Gabriel Park. The background (very roughly sketched) will be based on some landscape photos I took in Fayette County where my beloved old farmhouse is located. This sketch has been submitted for approval; now the waiting game begins.

R.I.P. Tootsie

Obsessive-compulsive behavior ruins paintings. Agonizing over the background for the upteenth time, I spent hours changing colors, painting over colors, smearing colors, and thinning colors on this "finished" piece until I was left with a big, ugly, goopy, muddy glob. Needless to say, Tootsie could not be revived and has gone to the Big Art Gallery in the sky. Forgive me, dear Tootsie. You were a great model...(and I promise not to touch the other versions of you!).

Blue Wave

Pastel, 12x9, $100 matted and framed, buy from artist

My father recently sent me, via e-mail, a group of wave photographs. Here is my first foray into the world of pastels. What a mess working with that medium, but what fun!

Fortune Cookie

Acrylic on panel, 6x6 - View auction listing

BLATANT SALES PITCH TO MY BLOG READERS: FREE PERSONALIZATION of the fortune (assuming I can fit it on that little piece of paper) if you purchase this item. Original artwork is an amazing gift for proposals, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, gentle reminders :) etc. Just keep it clean. This is NOT being offered on the auctioned item--just let me know you "saw it here." I'll take care of the rest.

The Palace Theater

Acrylic, 24x18 --$350 (Available August 1, 2009)

This painting was done specifically for a playbill competition sponsored by The Palace Theater in Georgetown, Texas. I purposely broke numerous rules regarding scale and perspective to make it look more "retro." Hopefully, my artistic license helps bring vibrancy to this piece and will catch the eyes of the judges next month. (Sorry about the blurry image--I really should use a tripod when photographing these larger paintings!)

Louie, Louie

Acrylic on Canvas, 9x12 - SOLD

I had so much fun painting this little guy that I've neglected a piece scheduled for entry in a theater competition this Monday! (Guess I'll be working late....) Just wish I could get that 50s song out of my head!

Louie - Progress - Part II

Acrylic on Canvas, 9x12 - In Progress

Here's little Louie again. I'm working in the background and some details now. The eyes were the most critical part. I completed those first--they give the portrait a "spark of life" and enable me to understand the rest of the body.

Louie - Progress - Part I

Acrylic on Canvas, 9x12--In Progress

Meet Louie. I received this commission today and couldn't resist starting. What an expression this puffball wears in the actual photo!

I thought it might be interesting to "watch" the progress of this painting. Hence, this is Part I. It looks more like a watercolor as I get the values in place. Hopefully, you will see a shift in the coming days to more of a painterly oil representation with the acrylic paints. (For those interested in time commitments, this took approximately 20 minutes.)

Release: Cracked Egg, No. 1

Acrylic on Masonite, 6x6--View eBay Listing

I spent too much time on this one. A daily painting should be quick and precise (unless you are "into" impressionism). After six hours and numerous changes, I finally settled on this (and it looks impressionistic). I call it "Release" due to the fact that I was finally "released" from the personal chains that bound me as I struggled with this one, then finally shouted, "No more!"