Pit-fired pottery

Pinch pots made with Raku clay.  I applied terra sigillata after bisque firing, then I pit fired them with copper carbonate, salt, cat food, salted string and other colorants. Fed the fire for two hours, then let it burn itself out.  The next morning the pit was still smoldering, so the pots were carefully excavated and removed with Raku tongs.

Study of Pears

6x8, oil

Painted in north light at dusk.

Spring

12x12, oil on linen

It is just too cold here today. I want spring and I want it now. 

(Sometimes you just have to make it yourself.)

Morning Meditation

12x9, oil

A little something different today:  Different paint (Cobra water miscible oil), different limited palette (magenta, cyan, yellow and white), different brushes (synthetic), different support (natural clear-primed linen panel) and a different approach.  Same favorite model though. 

Birthday Girl, another sketch

12x9, oil

Squint hard, paint fast.....a quick sketch

Birthday Girl, 10x8

a quick sketch

Many Stories

16x20, oil

Improbable flowers and perspective are intentional. It's art, not reality. 😏

Memory of a Horse

10x14, oil

Plein air study: Statue in the Winter Garden

8x6, oil

Head Study, an experiment

12x9, oil on oil ground applied roughly to panel

Winter, Waiting for Spring

8x10, oil on linen, from life.

Lovely Little Girl

12x9, oil

A recent painting of a lovely little girl, a ballerina.

Two German Dogs

A recent commission. 

I truly enjoyed painting these dear dogs and the recipient was happy!

Sleigh Bells Ring

graphite drawing

Quiet Contemplation

Quiet Contemplation, 12x9, oil

Lost in thought on a summer day.

Alice Through the Looking Glass

12x9, oil 

Mother and Child

Sweet to hear their whispers and laughter.

10x8, oil

Twilight on Osage Creek

12x16, oil

Day is done. The sun is waning, casting its golden glow.  Cattle are heading toward the barn; the birds to roost. The thrum of cicadas provides the musical backdrop to an early fall evening.

Update:  I'm so pleased that this painting won a Merit Award in the 2017 Illinois River Salon under judge Jeff Legg. 

Alstroemeria and Nectarine, 16x12, oil

Still Life with Pear

What to call this?  I paint light and shadow. Every painting could be called 'light and shadow'. 

Here, this is a pear, a cup, some leaves in light and shadow. The painting says all that I have to say.