Murphy

"Murphy"  (pastel, 7x5 inches) click here to bid

Murphy's Law has been giving me some head-butts lately. I've imagined this personification of Murphy to have just this expression.

At least I've got progress shots today:

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Family Quick-Sketch Portraits

 Mother and Daughter (sepia conte and white pastel, 15x12 inches)

 Father and Son (sepia conte and white pastel, 15x12 inches)

 This Houston client had contacted me months ago to schedule a place and time to get his family's portraits drawn in the quick-sketch style. I had drawn them all years ago and he wanted an update. After several 'almost' appointments, our schedules finally connected in June.

Below are the happy customers! Thank you Kevin and family!

Stay Tuned! Another "Quick-Sketch Portrait" workshop is in the works at the New Braunfels Art League, back by popular demand!

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Big Mac

"Big Mac" (pastel, 7x5 inches)  click here to bid

DISCLAIMER: Any resemblance to the famous fast food sandwich is purely coincidental. His name is Mac, and he's Big. Really. Here's a full length photo:

Here are my progress shots from the closer photo that I used. I just couldn't resist those eyes!

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How to Fold a Duckling (and New Workshop Listing!)

"How to Fold a Duckling" (pastel, 5x7 inches) framed $245 Available at Cactus Jack's in Gruene, TX

Finally! I have a workshop back on my schedule after having run out of them a few months ago...

November 21-23, 2013 (Thurs-Fri-Sat) will be one of my popular "Pastel in Miniature" workshops at the Breckenridge Fine Arts Center in the charming and friendly little town of Breckenridge, TX.

Click this flyer to enlarge!

Visit my website Workshop Page for more details including a Lodging Guide for Breckenridge!

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'The Aunts' on British Greeting Card!

"The Aunts"  (pastel, 24x24 inches) sold

I have a fun brag from this summer that I want to share! My first licensing deal! Woodmansterne, a prominent British greeting card publisher, found this painting of mine online a few months ago, and contacted me about using it on one of their blank cards. After making sure they were a legitimate company (because you never know!) I was excited to accept their offer!

Last week, I received 12 comp cards by airmail, and sent 6 of them off to the collector of "The Aunts." I've been told I can purchase more at the artist discount of 15% off of 'trade' (the Brit term for 'wholesale' I think... and am still trying to find out from them how much that actually is...) but my contact has said one can inquire to their customer service to find retailers in your area: custserv@woodmansterne.co.uk. I'm still waiting to hear from them about that, but it has been only a couple days. I just couldn't wait to brag!
To inquire about this card specifically, they have named it "3 of a kind" (by Rita Kirkman) on the back.
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View From T's House

"View From T's House"  (pastel, 6x6 inches)  private collection

After several days of settling in back home after travel (and why does that always seen to be more difficult every year?) here's the last painting from the trip. This is one view out my sister's kitchen window. Since I was spreading my pastels across her table for a day or two (and eating her incredible cooking for four days) I wanted to leave her a little thank you. And she does have an inspiring view! Sure, it's just a golf course, but beautifully landscaped.

On this day the sun was being dodgy, couldn't decide whether to shine or hide, so I caught just hints of shadows from the trees.

I painted this 'plein aire' from out the window, but here's a shot of the scene as my camera saw it:

I chose not to 'see' the huge white tent-like buildings.

Here are some progress shots:

Starting on mounted Wallis, I washed in the pastel underpainting with denatured alcohol.

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Road Sketch #31

"Road Sketch #31"  (pastel, 5x7 inches)  click here to bid

Dentist yesterday. Two fillings replaced. Two hours in the chair.

Ugh!

Here's a road sketch to take you far, far away from all memories of the dentist. I hope it works.

(Progress shots below...)

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Road Sketch #30

"Road Sketch #30"  (pastel, 5x7 inches)  click here to bid

Why is it one always needs a vacation from one's vacation? I had six paintings done at my sister's house, which was one for each day I had left to get home, and only had time to post three of them! Well, here's the next, and I guess I'm still two days ahead... gotta look on the bright side.

I really liked my approach on this one.  I used a piece of primed gatorboard that I had with me, that already had one layer of my favorite gold primer. Then I did the pastel / denatured alcohol wash-in for the underpainting, using only a few various reds/oranges. I wanted to see if I could replicate the look I usually get with the terra cotta primer on top of the gold.

Progress shots below:

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