Yoda the Goat

"Yoda" (pastel, 7x5in)   available at The Gallery at Round Top

I just love the expression on this face! And the ears...!...Hence the name had to be Yoda.

Native American value study

"Young Brave" (oil, 8x6in) is my entry to this week's Daily Paintworks Challenge, The Value Challenge. The point was to have a dominant value (light, medium or dark), a lesser amount of another value, and just a 'dash' of the third. My 'dash' is the light, or course, but I feel like my medium and dark are about equal -- It was tough; I got involved with the portrait and forgot all about the value proportion!

Available at The Gallery at Round Top

"Running Scared"

"Running Scared" (oil, 6x6in)    sold

Gulls are fun to chase.  No one gets hurt and everyone gets lots of exercise!  (Just be sure to apologize afterwards by feeding them.)

I love the abstract composition and fluid lines from this shot.

"Beach Date"

"Beach Date" (pastel 8x8in)   sold

I don't normally reuse titles, but this similar image has had so many admirers and was so much fun to paint, that I've done it now 3 times. It has been a bit different each time, first in pastel, 5x5, then in a 5x5 oil for the disappointed client who missed the first one. This one I made a bit larger, shuffled the gulls positions, warmed up the colors and added a wave.

I was originally going to send this one to the silent auction at the IAPS Convention, but eventually made a different painting for that. This "Beach Date" will be at my booth in Kerrville for the Texas State Arts & Crafts Fair, May 28-30. (Unless someone buys it first!)

"Gull Yoga"

"Gull Yoga" (oil, 6x6in)    sold

Lately I keep gravitating back to the vacation photos -- the beach, the sun, (the inevitable gulls!) -- Perhaps I'm ready for the summer sun .. or maybe just my next beach vacation?

Well, I can't think of the beach without thinking of the gulls. This one was amusing in her stretch. (Isn't this a yoga pose?)

"Poised to Strike"

"Poised to Strike" (oil, 6x6in) 

I'm beginning to see blackbirds as something akin to cats in their aesthetics - every line is a pleasing curve.
Even (perhaps especially) while hunting!

(Now available at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, Texas, as of Jan 2012.)

"Prey's Eye View"

"Prey's Eye View" (oil, 6x6in)   sold

I love blackbirds. They have such an ancient and noble aura. This view makes me imagine the awe and trepidation that might be felt by the bugs, worms or snails which will make up it's next meal!

"Golden Glow II" won First in Pastel

"Golden Glow II" (pastel, 10x10in.)

I had 2 entries to this month's special show at the New Braunfels Art League Gallery. Since the show is titled "Art in Bloom," I figured something floral would be appropriate. Florals not being my forte, I decided to try something different and crop WAY in! I found a pretty good composition in this golden tulip, and the judge must have agreed to give it first place!

Below is "Golden Glow I", it's mate. Both can be seen at the New Braunfels Art league Gallery through May 30, 2011.

"Golden Glow I" (pastel, 10x10in.)

First Oil Portrait Commission

 "Jason's Daughter" (oil, 10x8in)  sold
Here is my first commissioned portrait in oil (well, second actually, but the first was 24 years ago and it doesn't count!) I am so thrilled with oil paint I can barely contain myself! I could never have gotten this kind of detail in such a small face with pastel.
This portrait was all about the dress, which was the mother's when she was a child. It was a Mother's day gift from the dad (Jason) to his wife.

Award for "Little Miss Cryer"

"Little Miss Cryer"  (pastel, 8x6in)

One of my recent additions to my Renaissance portrait series, "Little Miss Cryer", has won First Place in the portrait category at the Texas Pastel Society's Juried Exhibition. The show is at the San Antonio Central Library Gallery through June 18.
My painting "Leader of the Pack" (below, 32x32in) has an Honorable Mention in the animal category.

"The Seer"

"The Seer" (pastel, 8x6in)  Click here to inquire (ask for by title and artist)

...And the visions come to him, as he falls into a trance.

"The Seer" is available at The Gallery at Round Top.

"The Grand Poogie"

"The Grand Poogie"  (pastel 11.5 x 11.5")  click here to inquire (ask for by title and artist)

The second in my new 'dogs in parades' series. In contrast to the first dog in this series, this one's a natural ham, loves his hat, and especially loves overseeing his subjects from his gold-paper throne!

Available at The Gallery at Round Top.

"A'Partying We Go"

"A'Partying We Go" (pastel, 11.5 x 11.5")  click here to inquire (ask for by title and artist)

Here's just another evidence of my wandering mind, and my inability to stick with one subject matter for more than a few days at a time! I just HAD to start a new series about dogs in parades, when thinking up some new work to send to a show called "The Power of Color". This, and the piece which will be tomorrow's post, can be found at The Gallery at Round Top, in Round Top, TX.
I really like this one, because in this dog's attitude I see a perfect blend of determination of stride, and humiliation at having to wear such a silly hat!