Simply Simon

One thing positive about Facebook is that you know are informed much more quickly about events involving your friends. I learned from a post that my friend has lost his companion of 17 years. I know 17 years is a long life span for a feline and I wonder if Simon and his "grumpy ol' man" attitude had anything to do with his longevity. I decided to surprise my friend with a little memorial piece. He informed me today that he received it in the mail and the painting "brought my Simon back to life! He's immortalized in your art and now more than ever in my heart! " Words like those are better than any blue ribbon at a show I believe.

"Simon" 6x6 oil on panel

Breezy Dancer

I've always loved images of lacy curtains being ruffled by a slight wind. This is a smaller version of what I'd like to paint on a larger scale one day. Maybe not this particular image but something similar.

12x9 oil on wood panel

$45 plus $5 shipping

Asian Pear Apple/ Apple Pear

The label reads "Apple Pear" but I usually call it a Pear Apple because it tastes like a pear but shaped more like an apple. It is sweeter, juicier and crunchier than both. I also call it a 'nashi' when I'm among my Japanese speaking friends. I first tasted this unusual fruit in Japan. I thought it would be an interesting subject because they are always displayed in their fishnet Styrofoam stockings to protect their paper thin skin.

6x6 oil on wood panel -$65

Las Trampas Park and warm weather memories

I started this about six months ago after going on a hike at a wonderful Regional Park located about 5 minutes from where I live. I changed it last month from a realistic to a more impressionistic and I think happier image. Just the antidote for the last dreary, rainy and cold days we've been having.

30x40 oil on gallery wrapped canvas- -sold-

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Ever since my children were old enough to place a dollar or two in the bright red bucket, I would always make it a point to teach them the Salvation Army was one of my favorite charitable organizations. Times are tough for even these fine folk for they no longer hand out mini candy canes to the children but my kids still delight in the sometimes gaped tooth smile and 'thank you' they receive from the bucket keeper. I snapped this trio in Walnut Creek just a couple of days before Christmas. We all made a donation to the bucket while we listened to the trumpet and coronet player play "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen".

8x10, oil on art panel- $100.00

Fozzie's fun!

I am assuming the recipient has received this painting from her mother as a Christmas present so I'm posting Fozzie.

The wonderful lady who commissioned Fozzie is a volunteer at the East Bay SPCA. She had seen some of my donated painting of shelter dogs and cats and asked if I could paint her daughter's furry family member. She provided a couple of photos and we were off and running. Her daughter cannot hang anything on her concrete apartment walls so mom is including a decorative easel for Fozzie to sit on. I hope she likes my rendition Fozzie.

8x6 oil on panel

Little Miracles

3.5x2.5 gouache on paper

click image to enlarge

T'is the Season for little miracles isn't it? I was fortunate to have been asked by my neighbor to paint little portraits of the day care children she takes care of at her facility. She initially wanted them to be about 8x10 in size.

I felt a little daunted by the prospect of completing 10 portraits by Christmas. I then presented her with the idea of making little paintings of gouache on ACEO cards. [3.5 inches by 2.5 inches watercolor paper] They would be encased in a plastic case with a magnetic backing for placing on a metal surface or they could display on a tiny easel that I would provide for each portrait. Thankfully she agreed with my proposal and after about 3 weeks, I finished them before Christmas for her to gift to the parents of her charges.

I wish you and your little miracles a very Happy Holiday!