Haunted Architecture

Last week's art lesson was a lot of fun!

We combined some Halloweenish spooky houses with a little architecture lesson and drew some fantastic haunted houses. Using scales and triangles, we measured and drew straight lines to make our drawings. Then we added lots of spooky things like Frankenstein in the window and flying bats.
(I especially liked the upside-down witch on the broom with her hat falling off!)

Aruba - Hadicurari

watercolor, 4x6"

Another - better - version of the restaurant next to Moomba Beach. It's name is Hadicurari - thanks Julia!

What a beautiful place. It is wedged in between Moomba and the Marriott Surf Club where we stayed. It's got that great island openness with lots of bright colors and propped-up awnings...

Someday I'd actually love to eat there. Has anyone? What do you think? We can check it out at http://www.hadicurari.com

Aruba - Moomba Beach 2

watercolor, 4x6"

This is a beautiful little restaurant in Aruba at Moomba Beach. I have to say that I do not remember the name of it. The restaurant is on the beach and the blue canopies are for the sunbathing beds they have there.

Aruba - Moomba Beach from Above

watercolor and ink, 4x6"

Moomba beach's thatched roofs painted from our balcony. If you are ever there, you need to stop at Moomba beach. Go for a cruise on the pirate ship, then have dinner on the beach while your unruly pirate children (my two Elizabeth Swanns...) play in the sand.

Aruba - At the Pool

Another poolside watercolor sketch. On this one I used a paper that was already prepared with a few washes of color. I think it helps to compose the page and add interesting colors that may have not been realized in a sketch created on a blank page. Especially with the small travel palette that allows you to easily paint on site!

Aruba Palm Trees at Pool

watercolor, 4x6"

This is one of the sketches done on site in Aruba. It was a hot morning and I was sitting poolside enjoying the blue water and lush vegetation.

CCLC Show at the Luzerne County Courthouse

For everyone who hasn't heard, there's a great show being held at the Luzerne County Courthouse by the CCLC, or Cultural Council of Luzerne County. It is entitled "Inspired by the Susquehanna" and is one of the best shows I have seen in a long time. It will be running through November 7th, so make sure to stop by!


Last week I was painting in Aruba. As soon as I unpack I can post some of those images. So everyone who is getting a dose of this cold weather...look forward to feeling warmer!

In the Pink

Just some pictures from our In the Pink reception. We had a great time and big thanks to all who were able to attend - and eat Kim's delicious treats! We have raised over $100 so far and would love to raise more. So, if you were interested in making a purchase or a donation, we have until October 18th...just let me know!

In the pictures above are Lorraine Petyo Elias, Kim Hughes, Bonnie Coveleski, Peg Freeman, and Leo!

Origami Jumping Frogs

Look at these great origami frogs made by Anthony, Jonathan and Amanda. They are not easy to make, but jump really far...and some of them even do flips!

We've been studying the Japanese art of Origami (or folding paper) for a few weeks. We've made dogs, cars, vans, houses and even ghosts. The frogs are by far the most difficult and the most fun to play with.

After completing the origami project, we had fun drawing places for our frogs to live and jump in!

Sokach Residence House Portrait, West Pittston

22x30", watercolor

This is a large watercolor house portrait that I was commissioned to do over the summer. Although it is not quite finished here, and not such a great photograph, it turned out really well.
What a beautiful home!

Izzy's Science Experiment

14x18", watercolor

This is a painting inspired by my daughter's science experiment last year - you know the one where the carnations are left in food coloring. The light coming through the window on the colored water inspired me to take a few photos which I then worked from. I'm not sure that I captured it, but it did make for an interesting subject and composition. I plan on making a few more attempts.

This painting is being shown currently at The Gallery at Pierce Plaza. It is part of a show sponsored by the Wyoming Valley Art League entitled "In the Pink" and is in support of breast cancer. It is the brilliant idea of Kimberly Hughes who works her tail off for the art league in various capacities. The reception for the show is this Saturday, October 4th from 12 to 3. There are a lot of great paintings in the show, so hope to see you there!

Mikayla's Horse

9x12" ish, watercolor

Another of my favorites (I have lots of favorites) are Mikayla's horses. She's done a few and they are impressive, especially since she is only 8 years old! When she first wanted to paint a picture of a horse for her friend's birthday, I was a little afraid. I realized I had never painted a horse myself. But...as always I learned as well...thanks Mikayla!

Barb commented on some paintings in my studio this week and I love her interpretation of things. Check out the revision of August 15th post!

Brandon's Tiger

I think it is time to show off some of the great work that we do here in our classes! I'm so impressed by all of the work that the children have done that I want everyone to see.

Usually the children start out with markers so that they can learn about basic drawing principals without getting frustrated with a new medium.

This is Brandon's drawing of a tiger in the jungle done in marker. I love the way the background is incorporated with so many great textures and colors. Brandon was 6 years old when he drew this.

Through the Windshield: Barn on Route 309

watercolor, 22 x 30

This is a conglomeration of barns right alongside a stretch of highway. Its also where I've gotten carried away!

Barb's interpretation has inspired me with regard to this painting. She said that it reminds her of looking through a rainy windshield. I love it! Simple, but then again not. Yet another way experimenting with the "water" part of "watercolor" can be put to use. I would have never thought of that, but it will definitely affect my future paintings. Thanks Barb!

Barn on 42nd Street II

watercolor, something like 14 x 18

This is another watercolor of the red barn on 42nd Street. I can't wait to take more photographs in the fall. I love experimenting with the flow of the water, but can get really carried away. Wait until you see the ones I am working on now...they may not even be salvagable...is that a word? Well, you'll see. I'll post in a couple of days.

I think I'll take a bike ride today through Noxen and take some new photographs. It is truly beautiful. I'll try to post them too!

Oh! Good news - the painting of Sordoni's barn was requested for the Endless Mountains Council of the Arts show in the fall. For anyone who isn't familiar, the EMCA is located in Tunkhannock and does a top notch job with all of their shows...incredible really. I'll post dates when I get them.

Barn at Sordoni Farm

22x30, watercolor


This is the barn at Sordoni Farm. It's a large barn set into a rolling hillside. I used the watercolor to accentuate the rolling hills of the landscape. The flowing of the water itself accentuates the movement of the place where it initially seems static. So many landscapes seem like a moment lost in time. Barns are often depicted in paintings as vintage and romanticized; it often seems as if they only ever functioned in another time and place. This is a functioning barn on a working farm. There is alot of movement that doesn't meet the eye right away...

Barn on 42nd Street

22 x 30, watercolor

A few months ago I began to photograph barns. I wanted to do a barn related painting for the Hillside Farms' show. The show was kind of yucky, to put it nicely, but it has inspired me. This is the first in a series...hopefully a large series....

(Yes, this barn is on 42nd Street)

Spoon

oil, 18 x 24

I am having a lot of fun with these... unfortunately I think the barns for the upcoming hillside farms juried show will have to be completed before the blender or any more kitchen paintings are!

Fork

18 x 24 oil

This is an oil painting of a fork...inspired by my kitchen and an ATC that I had worked on for a group trade with the kitchen theme. In the past I have been kind of stuck with the subject of women and their plight in everyday life...I like how the kitchen theme represents that indirectly.
I am finishing up a spoon and hope to work on a series of kitchen inspired pieces

Willy Wonka

My version of Willy Wonka...inspired by Monday Artday...I guess because I've been eating a lot of chocolate lately!?! No golden ticket for me... at least it is a little break from the oils, but still a lot more to go!

Roller Skates II

Another oil painting of roller skates, sticking with "the timeless little girl" theme. I don't know that there will be many more skating paintings until next year....the girls have now moved outside...baseball. Izzy had her first practice tonight and I hesitated on photographing yet- didn't want to embarrass her....and I wonder about including the boys...but it is amazing to see the ease at which my daughters play with boys... it is as if there are no difference from the girls...it is almost as if they don't see yet...

While I am sure that there will be more of these, I am moving on to kitchen utensils... inspired by a group theme ATC trade. I think that it works for me because I am still expressing the female drama...sometimes I feel chained to my kitchen.... to be mom, sister, daughter, wife....I guess I spend too much time feeding and entertaining others, where else? in the kitchen!

Rollerskates

more roller skates-
I can't wait to post pictures of the show on Friday.
thanks to everyone who came and supported me :)

The Recital

Waiting to go onto stage...this still needs some finishing touches before I show it... Any suggestions?
16 x 20, oil

Ocean

This was inspired by our trip last year to Aruba. I can't say enough about a how wonderful a place it is to visit. Although the island is commercialized, it maintains its beauty and integrity somehow. It is also great for children!
18 x 24, oil

Skaters 1978 to 2008 #2

this is my 2nd painting inspired by my afternoon at the roller rink.

Skaters 1978 to 2008

One of my finished skating paintings. My daughter loves to roller skate and I really dread taking her and sitting there for hours... But now, maybe finding inspiration for additional paintings will make it worth the trip!

oil on canvas, 18 x 24

Skate studies

More skate studies...it really reminds me of 1980 when I was roller skating with my friends...and the skating rink doesn't look any different either!

Roller skate ATC

Want to trade?
This is an ATC that I did as a study for some roller skating themed oil paintings I'm working on.
I will be at Barnes and Noble as the guest artist for 3rd Friday on March 21st with all of the new stuff.
2.5 x 3.5 colored pencil and marker

Multiple

Multiple - A sketch for Illustration Friday

Theory: Fallen Cherry Blossom

The fallen cherry blossom is not taken lightly in Japanese theory and is often connected to the beauty of snow...
2.5 x 3.5, colored pencil

Choose

This week's "choose" reminds me of the Hebrew word "timshel" meaning "thou mayest" from Steinbeck's East of Eden. We all have choices to make every day and no matter who we are, we all have the right to choose between good and evil, right and wrong, for ourselves everyday. In a strange way, this idea is quite empowering. Now that I look at it, my choice of three doors is quite random....I'm sure that I would change it in a 2nd go around.

Blanket

This is the latest post for Illustration Friday. The topic this week is blanket and a blanket of snow and ice is all I can see today.

A Fairy's Clothesline

This is my IF post for Tales and Legends....a fairy's clothesline...

Plain

What could be more plain than vanilla?

Stitch

Without a stitch of clothing...
No matter how young or old, it can prove difficult to choose what fabulous outfit to wear...

This was supposed to be my first post for Illustration Friday...but waited until the last minute, and between Ava and her snow angels and Lucky and his attack on the nice man who delievered badly needed oil to my fuel tanks, I missed the deadline.